Creating A Home

In spiritual direction, the word “home” has been coming up with some frequency lately. I seem to place a lot of emphasis on having a home that is much more than just a house, especially when living so far from my family. Back in October, my dad came to visit me for a weekend. I remember thinking how settled I felt at the time because I was able to introduce him to people at Clonard Parish by name, take him to my favorite restaurant in Wexford town (Cistín Eile, of course), and I didn’t have to use google maps to get to any of the places he wanted to go. I realize now, looking back on that time 8 months ago, that I was just in the beginning stages of building a home for myself here in Wexford. I have now eaten at enough restaurants in Wexford to be able to definitively say that Cistín Eile is my favorite, but my appreciation for Wexford and the people here has deepened much more than that.

I have participated in many big events this year, including traveling on a pilgrimage to Knock, hosting 40 people for a Thanksgiving dinner with the other Teach Bhríde members, helping with the schools’ Christmas Carol Services, planning the Feast of St Brigid, traveling to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, watching my students make their Confirmation, performing with the Enniscorthy Choral Society around Ireland, and experiencing the joy and sadness that come with babies being born and parishioners losing their loved ones. If I had to venture a guess, I’d also say I’ve been to about 230 Masses since arriving in Ireland, and that’s a conservative estimation.

One of the little moments… Fr Denis took us to the beach for a bit of fresh air on our way home from Kilmore

My life here in Wexford is made up of much more than these big events. I have built a home for myself by getting to know and care about people here in Wexford. Now, as I walk down the main street, I am reminded of a funny joke I heard while having coffee at this café and the shirt I bought in this store, and the time I took refuge from the rain in this church. I have amassed a collection of small, everyday memories that have turned Wexford into a home for me. It is hard to realize how much you don’t know until you’re looking back on your past self with new knowledge. Building a home takes a bit of perspective and a lot of time and patience.

Today, Teach Bhríde and the Parish Team spent the day in Kilmore reflecting on our year. We pondered questions such as: What part of this year brought you the most fulfillment? What were goals you had coming into the year and were you able to achieve them? What were challenges you faced this year and how did you cope with them? I found this time of reflection very enlightening. These are questions I have begun to consider on my own, but today gave me the opportunity to verbalize my conclusions. And I am left feeling very grateful.

There is still more for me to learn from Wexford and the people here, so I am glad to have more time before my year is over. When I look at my life here, I realize that Wexford has become another home for me. This is especially thanks to the other members of Teach Bhríde who have walked with me on every step this journey. They say that “Home is where the heart is.” I know that when I leave Wexford, I will be leaving a small part of my heart here.