Press Releases
Healing Through Remembering Day of Private Reflection
Day of Private Reflection
Sunday 21st June 2009
Healing Through Remembering (HTR) is inviting people to mark the third Day of Private Reflection on Sunday 21 June. The Day of Reflection is in its third year and is organised by HTR, a cross-community organisation that focuses on ways of dealing with the past relating to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland, with the aim of ensuring a peaceful future for all.
The Day of Private Reflection provides an opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to reflect on the conflict and the future.
Sean Coll, Chairman of the HTR Day of Private Reflection sub-group said, 'It is a day to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict, to reflect on our own attitudes, on what more we might have done or might still do, and to make a personal commitment that such loss should never be allowed to happen again.'
The following are some suggestions, made by groups and individuals, of ways of reflecting that you may like to consider: reflecting on an appropriate poem or story, recording your memories and hopes in a book or journal, visiting a place of worship or other special place.
The Day of Private Reflection is marked on June 21st, the summer solstice. HTR member Harold Good explains that, 'The longest day of the year was selected because of its symbolic importance. The hours of light and dark could be seen as a symbol of the hope and pain in our society.'
This year's Day of Private Reflection coincides with Father's Day and so will have added poignancy for some.
One member of HTR who lost her son in the conflict said, 'We must think about how things might have been had the present peace process come about sooner. Many lives could have been saved including that of my own son who was only 18.'
Others make the point that the pain of the past will not just go away – indeed it can resurface at times of violence or political tension. 'For me remembrance is both crucial – and as a former soldier particularly – is unavoidable,' another HTR member said – 'but if we only remember we will live in the past. We need to reflect on our memories, to think about whether the attitudes and actions linked to them contribute to healing and a better future for all.'
HTR Director Kate Turner said, 'Extensive consultation with individuals and groups indicated that the day needed to be as inclusive and comprehensive as possible, to be able to respond to all those affected by the conflict.'
The Corrymeela Community, the RUC George Cross Foundation, the Columba Community, and Firinne are among the organisations that will be facilitating reflection.
The day has been endorsed by, Academy Award-nominated actor and film director Kenneth Branagh, playwright and writer David Gorman, manager of Tyrone senior football team Mickey Harte, Nobel Laureate for literature Seamus Heaney, television personality Gloria Hunniford, actress Bronagh Gallagher and writer David Park.
Each of the above named people have signed the HTR declaration of support which states, 'I welcome Healing Through Remembering’s Day of Private Reflection on 21 June and join in the hope that it will be an inclusive and positive experience that emphasises a commitment to a peaceful new society.'
The Day has been independently evaluated since its inception and the evaluation said, 'There is a general positive attitude about the Day of Private Reflection initiative and many in the community welcome this as an opportunity to reflect on the past.' The evaluation recommended its continuation.
HTR have produced materials for 2009, including postcards, leaflets and bookmarks. There is also a website www.dayofreflection.com.
For further information contact Healing Through Remembering on 02890-238844 or www.healingthroughremembering.org
Day of Reflection Activities 2009
St. Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, 78 Bishopsgate, London plan to keep the Centre open to the public on Friday 19 June to mark the Day of Reflection - between 11am and 3pm.
Irish School of Ecumenics Dublin is setting up a 'Space of Quiet Reflection' in ISE Bea House, Milltown Park, Dublin from 12 noon and Mon 22nd June.
The Columba Community Donegal: St Anthony’s Retreat Centre and the Iosas Centre will both be open for quiet reflection on the day. Please use the contact details below for further information.
St Anthony's Retreat Centre
Dundrean, Burnfoot Co. Donegal
Tel & Fax: 074 9368370
Iosas Centre
Telephone+353 (0)74 938 4866
Fax:+353 (0)74 938 4866
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.columbacommunity.com
Address: Derryvane, Muff, Donegal, Republic Of Ireland
St Patrick's Parish Church in Coleraine will be open in the afternoon for quiet reflection and prayer. All are welcome.
The RUC George Cross Memorial Garden will be open via pre-arranged visits. Please contact the RUC GC Foundation Office in advance on 028 90700116. The staff will arrange for a guide/guides to be available at pre-arranged times should they receive any requests for visits. Requests for such visits would need to be made to the office no later than 4.00pm on Wednesday 17th June to allow time for a guide to be arranged. Please bring photographic identification with you when visiting the garden.
The Wesley Centenary Methodist Church, Hamilton Road, Bangor, will be open for quiet reflection from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 21 June.
The Canada Room and Council Chamber at Queen’s University Belfast have been booked on Sunday, 21 June 2009 1.00pm-7.00pm for a Digital showing (database projector viewing) of The Linen Memorial: a chronology of names of those killed 1966 - 2008. This has been organised by Lycia Trouton. Individual memorial handkerchiefs will be available for viewing upon request by name to the artist at [email protected] within up to 24 hours advance notice.Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Linen_Memorial and www.linenmemorial.org for more information.
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church (30 Ballymurphy Road, Hillsborough). Space for reflection will be provided from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. All are welcome.
The Community Relations Forum, Newtownabbey will be holding an open reflection session from 11am to 3pm at the Barron Hall, 230 Antrim Road, Glengormley. All are welcome.
Irish School of Ecumenics Belfast has planned a Day of Reflection walk from the campus to Cave Hill. Students will meet at the Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE) between 1:30-2:30, and are free to bring their own lunch. The ISE is at 683 Antrim Road, Belfast. At 2:30 we will depart for a walk up Cave Hill. After the walk there will be tea and coffee at ISE.
Wave Trauma Centre in Belfast (5 Chichester Park South) will mark the Day of Reflection on Wednesday the 24th of June with the launch of their latest piece of artwork: a wishing well in the garden of the centre. This will be followed by tea and sandwiches. Please RSVP by phoning Wave on 028 9077 9922 by the 22nd of June if you are planning to attend.
Wave Trauma Centre in Omagh (18 Holmview Avenue) will mark the Day on Friday the 19th of June with a service of reflection and music which will include staff, volunteers and local clergy. It will begin with a light lunch at 1:00pm. Please contact the centre in Omagh on 028 8225 2522 if you are planning to attend.
Wave Trauma Centre in Ballymoney (13 Castlecroft, Main Street) will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Monday the 22nd of June with a room set aside for quiet reflection. All are welcome.
Wave Trauma Centre in Armagh (38 Dobbin Street) will mark the day on Thursday 18th of June. The office will be open from 9am to 5pm and all visitors are invited to record any thoughts and prayers in a Remembrance Book.
Oakgrove Integrated College in Londonderry/Derry will be holding an assembly to mark the Day of Reflection on Friday the 19th of June. The assembly will include a minute’s silence and an audiovisual presentation commemorating those who lost their lives in the conflict.
The Corrymeela Centre, Ballycastle is holding an open event on the 21st of June from 2:30pm to 5:00pm that aims to reflect, honour and remember the past. Richard Moore, Director of Children in Crossfire will share his story, and people are also encouraged to make and fly kites with messages on them. For more information please contact the Corrymeela Community on 028 2076 2626 or email [email protected].
Firinne will be acknowledging the Day of Private Reflection on 21st June. Premises will be open in the afternoon from 1 to 3pm. Firinne will light their Ceremonial Candle-Tree, and the Lost Lives Book will be available for further reflection also on the day.
ENDS