Good Morning My Friends,
The sun is shining and that in itself brings joy – but once again we have mixed emotions floating around.
At present Sandra and I should be in the UK with our family, but the flights were cancelled for the 5th time, and quarantine is still in place, so we are missing them dreadfully.
But we are hearing good things about progress in the UK, and an easing of restrictions there, so that has lifted our spirits. However, Spain is on the Amber list, which means quarantine will still be in place, so slowly slowly.
But then we get conflicting messages here. The state of Alarm came to an end, and there were big celebrations in a number of cities, but I don’t think the end of the state of alarm means that things are OK at all. There is more freedom of movement across boundaries which in turn raises levels of anxiety in those areas where are Covid cases are very low. So, I for one am going to remain cautious and careful.
Having said that my natural disposition is one of hope and joy, and my initial response to everything is that ‘It will be fine!’, and I haven’t lost that, so just to remind you – All shall be well.
Talking about emotions, this whole process has been really hard for everyone. I am conscious that many of the things that we used to take for granted, during which we could have expressed our feelings to loved ones, friends, our priests or indeed strangers, have not been available to us. We have not had the opportunity to ‘Share’ as normal. Plus the constant outpouring of news about Covid cases, talks of Waves and Variants, and Reactions has in itself been enough to bring folk down. Pandemic Blues are a real concern, and we do feel for all who are struggling at this time.
But things are getting better. Capacity for our churches is now 75%. We can gather in groups of 10, we can stay out later, the vaccine role out is doing well, The Valencia Region has very very low cases, and I have got a new shirt with pictures of Bob Marley on it. I thought I would just throw that in there!
If, you would like to talk with someone, our clergy are always happy to listen, so please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our hope is that no one feels alone through all of this.
Now, on a slightly different tack, but still about emotions, which is where I began. I have some emotional moments of my own coming up. I am soon to celebrate 40 years since my Ordination as a Priest! I hope to be getting the hang of it soon. Plus I have a biggish birthday coming up.
As you may know, Sandra and I love to walk, and for my birthday Sandra has arranged for us to walk the Camino del Rey. It is not long, but it is incredibly high. You walk along a little plank with a sheer drop of about a million miles right next to you! And I am scared of heights – so bad that if I wear thick socks I get a little queasy. But we are really keen to do it.
So, I asked my friend David, who knows about these things, to give me some exercises to do to help with my vertigo. And he came up trumps. ‘Look at scary pictures of being up high, and sing your favourite hymn until the feeling passes’. I can do that, so been having a go morning and evening, in my mind blaring out ‘All things Bright and beautiful’ as I look at pictures of the Camino del Rey. Cracked it. So, I thought all was well.
But then he said, OK, ready for stage two.
I didn’t know there was a stage two. We are booked to go this Friday on a high ropes course near Parcent – where I have got to climb up amongst the top of very tall tress being held up by a piece of string! And then walk along wobbly planks and bits of wire suspended right up in the sky!
David said, ‘You will be fine, and you will hear the birds singing around your head, and the tuneful sounds of your favourite hymn!
So, that is booked.
But then he said about stage three!!!!
I am still just about coping with looking at the pictures. But stage three is going actual mountain climbing at Toix West, which is near the 3 tunnels coming into Calpe. We shall do this at the end of May. With an official and experienced proper guide who knows what he is doing, climbing 100 feet up a mountain – and then abseiling down again! What is going on? I have only got short little legs! I am not sure what that has got to do with it, but it makes things feel higher!
But I will not be alone. My lovely Sandra is coming with me, as are David, and Lynda from church.
David and Sandra will be fine, but Lynda, like me, has a healthy concern for heights and this will be a huge challenge to the both of us.
So here is the thing. As Lynda and I are pushing our boundaries, a few folk have suggested we try and get some sponsorship for the Chaplaincy. Like every other group of charity, the Chaplaincy has struggled huge financial losses during the pandemic, and we have not been able to do our regular fund raising activities.
If you feel you would like to sponsor either of us, then please get in touch either via marcusronchetti@yahoo.co.uk or speak with someone at church, and any donation will be really gratefully received. The sponsorship is for the High Ropes and the Climbing and Abseiling on the Toix, but not for the Camino as this is a treat from Sandra for my birthday, and we are doing this together for our own pleasure.
I am so pleased that David is helping me, and I am convinced that this experience will mean that when Sandra and I do the Camino del Rey, we will enjoy it without as much of the fear as I would otherwise have had.
I have to stick with, and trust my own words ‘It will be fine!’
Bless you, Bless you, Bless you,
Fr Marcus