Life Under Lockdown Part 2
Dom Brendan Thomas • May 5, 2020
Like everyone, we have been experiencing a more restricted way of life, although it must be said that we are probably more used to it than most people. Many are itching to get out, but monks are often at their happiest when they are at home with a quiet and ordered life. We are conscious to be very fortunate in having a large building and gardens, which give us the space that many would love to have. I can only imagine how difficult it might be for families suddenly having to live at close quarters in a flat or small house, particularly in the cities. We can be very thankful for all we have.
The great sadness has been closing the church, particularly for the Holy Week and Easter liturgies. It is an essential Christian thing to gather together to pray. But we have been like the apostles after Easter, living behind closed doors. It is not meant to be that way and we hope it won’t be too long before we can welcome back our guests to pray with us. Meanwhile we pray each day for our ‘separated brothers and sisters’, as well as those suffering or deceased because of the virus, and particularly all those wonderful frontline workers such as those in the medical and caring professions.
Our monastic timetable is much the same but we are having informal meals. We have tried to simplify things, such as not using unnecessary crockery and cutlery, and having self-service.
We are talking at lunch as we are not having ‘recreation’ – our after-lunch informal conversation in the Calefactory (our sitting room) that is an important part of community life. In the church choir and at the table we are sitting two-places apart.
We have no cooks working in Hedley Lodge but Br Ambrose and Br John have taken charge of the kitchen and we are eating very well. Br Ambrose cooked a great bacon, mushroom and leek pie today, Br John can make an excellent lasagne. We all take our turns at the washing and tidying-up.
Br Ambrose busy in the kitchen
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At the beginning of the lockdown we were asked by Herefordshire Council to house the homeless, so we have 17 guests staying in Hedley Lodge. The guests don’t require any meals as the Salvation Army arrives each day at lunchtime and provides them with what they need. We are so pleased that the building can be put to good use at this time and it is working very well.
We still cannot say when the church and the guesthouse will reopen again, nor when retreats will start. As with everyone we are awaiting information from the government and are not planning too far in advance.
With prayers for you all. Wherever you are reading this, stay safe.
Fr Brendan
