Remembering.

On Tuesday 23^rd March the United Kingdom will observe a National Day of Reflection to mark the anniversary of the UK’s first Covid lockdown.  A minute’s silence at 12.00 noon will be observed for all those who have died in this pandemic and all those who have been bereaved and we are all encouraged to light up our doorsteps that night at 8.00pm with torches, candles or our mobile phones.  Cardinal Nichols has asked for Catholics to spend time in quiet prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  St Augustine’s Priory will be proud to be taking part in this by marking the minute’s silence and by making the Chapel available for staff and pupils in their designated bubbles to come and worship.

Thousands have died and have been bereaved, while millions have had their lives turned upside down as people have been forced into isolation and into working from home, children have been unable to attend school and parents have become full-time teachers.

Those in the medical professions have given their time and, in many cases, their lives, to care for those suffering from this virus.  Unlikely heroes have emerged in the form of, among many others, retail workers, bus drivers, care workers, delivery workers and rubbish collectors.   All those we take for granted and who are indispensable to the running of our society.

Teachers have learnt new skills, have taught children via computer, encouraging and striving to make education a living, breathing, continuing entity for those at home.

This Day of Reflection is the initiative of end of life charity Marie Curie which estimates that over three million people have been bereaved since the pandemic began and so many of those have been unable to be with their loved ones to say goodbye or to grieve.

Marie Curie encourages us to place daffodils (fresh, drawn or crafted) in our windows, a flower marking the newness of Spring, as a symbol of hope on that day.