In the words of Fr Kevin Kiernan OFM Cap, Director of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, a message central to Easter is that “the bad days don’t define us”. “[That’s] only part of it, and it moves us on to the Resurrection and to the newness of life,” the Capuchin priest said. He shared that newness and hope are “very evident in the Day Centre among the people”.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Kiernan said that the Day Centre is “as busy as ever” during the Easter season, with the usual amenities such as medical service, food, and supplies for families bringing in around 1000 guests a day. Additionally, the Day Centre hands out Easter eggs leading up to Easter Sunday.
Fr Kiernan shared that the Easter season is his “favourite time of year” at the Day Centre as it reminds people to be present, which he noted is an important aspect of the ministry there. “A kind word and being present to people goes a long way”, he said. “I think for us in the Day Centre it’s that presence, that we are there for people especially when life is difficult.”
“People have their good days and their bad days…but despite everything that’s happening to all of us, the whole message of Easter is one of hope.” Speaking about the guests who come into the Day Centre, Fr Kiernan said he notices “a sense of hope among the whole lot of them.”
Easter also inspires unity and respect, said Fr Kiernan. “Not all the people that visit us and avail of our services are even Christian, but there’s a great respect,” he shared, noting how many of the centre’s non-Christian guests still attend their Holy Week services.
“There’s actually a ‘oneness’,” said Fr Kiernan about the unity he sees at the centre. “Race, colour, religion, whatever it might be, it doesn’t matter when people feel very vulnerable.”
