In Lurgan , Northern Ireland Sisters Josephine Slevin and Elise Gorman have entered into their second year on Hawthorn Ave. , in the Shankill area of town.   The town has been divided well before and since the thirty years of “troubles” (the civil war between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland ).   The people have experienced much suffering and tragedy on both sides of the divide.  

Here people tend to keep to themselves and don’t readily share openly or make known their needs.  They will not become involved in anything where they feel a lack of trust.  This is no doubt a result of the years of violence, bombings, betrayal and terrorist attacks which were part and parcel of their lives for three decades, and which destroyed trust in authority and indeed in many instances in neighbours.   It will take patience and a reconciling, caring presence to help them overcome this seeming way of life.   

However since the new Government has been formed there is an air of relief mixed with a little skepticism.  The political groups of the newly formed Assembly must work hard – work together - to prove themselves and gain the confidence of the people, who want lasting peace to take root.    But when one thinks of a few years ago, and what is happening today - with people who were on opposite sides now sitting down together sharing power, ideas, and hopes for the future, what a long way we have come! Who ever thought that Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley would ever sit at the same table to share ideas and even jokes!  They are known as the chuckle brothers.   Indeed it is a miracle!

Both Sisters have found many avenues of ministry in the community.  They have spent most of the year just making themselves known to both sides of the divide.  They have been received warmly and have been made very welcome by both communities.  They have been invited to participate in the various groups and attend the community meetings and cross-community programs to which they give their whole-hearted support.

When Josephine joined the senior citizen group at the Jethro Centre - the town’s newest community centre, and Elise took on a small part-time job at St. Paul’s Catholic Church they suddenly discovered that people became aware of their presence as religious women in their midst.  Most of the town’s folk are familiar only with the Mercy Sisters who are a big presence in the town - in the areas of education and parish ministry.  Being Franciscan - and especially being Missionary - has a great appeal in both communities.   It is a common experience for Josephine and Elise to be told “We are so happy to have you here with us.  We hope you are here for good”, a Northern Ireland expression!   

Elise represents St. Paul ’s on the Cross-Community Outreach Group (COG) which is made up of people from the two Catholic Churches and the Church of Ireland (Anglican).  This group meets monthly at the Jethro Centre. COG’s aim is to sponsor programs, speakers and panel sessions to which both communities are invited - to listen to one another, to share their experiences, to tell their stories, to share their pain and hurts. Earlier this year a three part program sponsored by the three churches, called “Beyond the Box” proved successful.  It is the hoped that in future other protestant churches will come on board.   Another organization that Elise has been invited to be a member of is the Lurgan Catalyst Parent which is formed to help parents of children and youth who are vulnerable to anti-social behaviour such as drugs/alcohol abuse, and suicide.  This organization is in partnership with the PSNI and its aim is to support parents who feel helpless.  It meets in the local library once a month and presents workshops for the parents.  

There is a desire for reconciliation and for people to make lasting friendships – indeed quietly this is already happening through some of the social events.  The Lurgan Musical Society is one of these groups which are made up of both Catholic and Protestant men and women.  “The town is dripping with talent!”  

Elise has also become a member of the Taghnevan Community Development Association which is another community centre in one of the Catholic neighbourhoods.  This community has many programs for both young and senior citizens. The hope of this community is to be able to share its resources with everyone.    Recently the TCDA sponsored an art exhibit that was first class!  The artists were women (grandmothers) from the neighbourhood.  Their work will also be exhibited in the Jethoro Centre and in area libraries.  

Both Josephine and Elise are active volunteers at the St. Vincent DePaul centre which serves the needs of both communities.  As well as charity to the poor and needy, VDP sponsors English classes for the new immigrants to Ireland – mainly Eastern Europeans.   

Josephine is also involved in visiting and bringing Communion to some of the home-bound in the area and she mentors a group of persons who are interested in becoming Catholic.  

Both Sisters are members of St. Paul ’s Core Group (a parish advisory group) which meets monthly.  One of the projects of this group is to begin a prayer centered group focused on the Scriptures.  It is hoped that this group will begin in the autumn and meet in one of the community centers.  It will be open to people from the wider community.   

Josephine and Elise have discovered that there is much movement towards erasing the divide which separates the town.   It is with patience, prayer and a supportive presence that this will eventually become a reality.