Hundreds gather online to share losses and hope after a year of COVID-19

Participants were invited to light candles March 11 during the online Saskatchewan vigil marking the one-year anniversary of the declaration of a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Hundreds from across Saskatchewan and beyond tuned in for an online vigil March 11, led by a diverse group of community and faith leaders marking one year of the global COVID-19 pandemic with reflection, music, poetry, and prayer – some live on the broadcast, and others via pre-recorded video.

“Together in Remembrance, Together in Hope” was the theme of the virtual vigil that also included participants sharing losses of the pandemic before lighting a candle, and describing hopes and dreams for life after the pandemic.

“While the pandemic has threatened to isolate us, we are determined to come together across our differences, honouring the gifts of each one, recognizing those who have put themselves at risk to keep others safe and well, acknowledging those who have been disproportionately impacted and need more support, and remembering the precious ones who have died. … we are here as one body to share each other’s grief, sorrow and suffering and to look together for the hope that lies ahead.” – Rev. Amanda Currrie

“If nothing else, the coronavirus pandemic has stopped us in our tracks and served as a wake-up call. It has reminded us of a fundamental truth, one that we sometimes forget: that we need each other,” said Karla Combres, a Life Cycle Celebrant from Saskatoon and one of three co-hosts for the online event, along with Blake Sittler of Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan, and Lyndon Linklater of Thunderchild First Nation, a knowledge keeper and story teller from the Office of the Treaty Commisioner speakers bureau.

Saskatchewan has been referred to as the province of a million neighbours, noted Lyndon Linklater, adding “tonight we do come together as neighbours.”

Métis Elder Allan Morin and Cree Nation Elder Maria Linklater spoke at the start of the program, followed by representatives of various faith communities, including a call to prayer by Imam Ilyas Sidyot of the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan; blowing of the shofar and praying of Psalm 23 by Rabbi Jeremy Parnes and Barry Braitman of Beth Jacob Synagogue in Regina; prayer by members of the Hindu Samaj of Southern Saskatchewan, as well as by Rev. Amanda Currie of First Presbyterian Church in Regina and moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

“While the pandemic has threatened to isolate us, we are determined to come together across our differences, honouring the gifts of each one, recognizing those who have put themselves at risk to keep others safe and well, acknowledging those who have been disproportionately impacted and need more support, and remembering the precious ones who have died. … we are here as one body to share each other’s grief, sorrow and suffering and to look together for the hope that lies ahead,” said Rev. Currie.

Front-line health workers also spoke briefly: Registered Nurse Maj Banatao urged participants to get vaccinated as the “only chance of getting back to normal again,” and Dr. Hassan Masri noted that the pandemic has shown what is essential.

“COVID has taught us not to take anything for granted…. to always be thankful and grateful for what we have,” said Dr. Masri.

“When this is over, may we never again take for granted a handshake with a stranger, conversation with neighbours, a crowded theatre, Friday night out, the taste of communion, a routine check-up, the school rush each morning, the coffee with a friend, the stadium roaring,  each deep breath, a boring Tuesday, life itself. When this ends, may we find we have become more like the people we want to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be and may we stay that way: better for each other, because of the worst.”  – Jim Hopson

Sarah Donnelly, Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal, read “Blessed are you who bear fruit” by Jan Richardson from her book of blessings A Circle of Grace: “Blessed are you who bear the light in unbearable times, who testify to its endurance amid the unendurable, who bear witness to its persistence when everything seems in shadow and grief. Blessed are you in whom the light lives, in whom the brightness blazes – your heart a chapel, an altar where in the deepest night can be seen the fire that shines forth in you in unaccountable faith, in stubborn hope, in love that illumines every broken thing it finds.”

Participants were then invited to share in the chat some of the losses and grief experienced during the pandemic – the long list included deaths from COVID, as well as missed hugs, funerals, family gatherings, hospital and home care visits, loss of jobs, travel, concerts, sports, worship services, and choir practices.

Those watching were invited to light candles. Musical performances included a song by Munirih Sparrow of the Saskatoon Bahá’í community, pieces by renowned pianist Thomas Yu, and a drum song by Allan Bonaise of Little Pine Cree Nation.

As the vigil turned toward hopes for the future, Rev. Karen Fraser Gitlitz of the Saskatoon Unitarian community reflected: “It is our role to hold the longing and take the next step. Listen to each other’s longings. They are the seeds of tomorrow, the seeds of springs to come. Together we are enough.”

The list of things that participants were looking forward to included everything from “hugs, hugs, hugs” to seeing family, dinner parties, attending events (movies, concerts, theatre, sports), going to church, shaking people’s hands, celebrating graduations in person, having freedom to move about without masks and separation, and being able to provide face-to-face support those in hospital, in need, or grieving.

Jim Hopson, former president and ceo of the Saskatchewan Roughriders also spoke, looking ahead:  “When this is over, may we never again take for granted a handshake with a stranger, conversation with neighbours, a crowded theatre, Friday night out, the taste of communion, a routine check-up, the school rush each morning, the coffee with a friend, the stadium roaring,  each deep breath, a boring Tuesday, life itself. When this ends, may we find we have become more like the people we want to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be and may we stay that way: better for each other, because of the worst.”

A video montage of submitted photos of hopes and dreams for after the pandemic was also featured, with music by Coco Love Alcorn, with the refrain:  “We are tiny lights, shining so bright, In a world we know is gonna be alright.”

As candles were extinguished near the vigil’s conclusion, Peace Atinkade, Saskatchewan’s Youth Poet Laureate for 2020-21, read her poem “Table of Hope.”

Comments in the chat included words of thanksgiving for the event from participants:

  • “I didn’t realize how much I needed this. Such a blessing to have great leaders and neighbours like all of you!”
  • “Thanks be to God for this graced opportunity to join together in prayers and remembrance and to go forward in hope.”
  • “Thank you to everyone who organized and presented tonight. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.  Such a blessing to have great leaders and neighbours like all of you!”
  • “When this is over, I will remember comforting connections like this one tonight. Thank you everyone.”

 

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