ACT lockdown, day one: how are we coping?

Father Carl of the Madsen family with daughters Jessica (left) and Emma.

For Bernadette Layton, a parishioner at Mary Help of Christians Parish, South Woden, the lockdown’s a chance to exercise with the dog, catch up on the reading and do a little gardening and embroidery.  

But for Bernadette who lives alone with family nearby, the key thing is to stay constructive and connected. 

“It’s really important to have goals in your day and stay in touch with family and friends,” she said. 

For the Madsen family of Belconnen, there are seven at home over the seven days with the exponential potential for “cabin fever” to strike at any time. 

“It’s better when everyone is NOT home at the same time,” says mother, Cathy. “This will challenge us – to all be here – all the time.” 

Cathy’s 11-year-old daughter, Emma, thought it might be good at first but there would be challenges. 

“Like missing my friends, and not being able to go to my swimming lessons, and not going out anywhere,” Emma said. 

Fortunately for the household – and once the schoolwork’s done – there’s mini-Olympics in the offering with their driveway and front lawn doubling as a basketball court and soccer field. 

On the flip side, the archdiocese’s teachers are using the two pupil-free days to prepare for next Tuesday’s launch of remote learning.  

Simon Hargraves, a teacher at St Francis of Assisi in Calwell, was looking forward to the remote learning. “But I’ll miss the daily contact with my students and colleagues,” he said. 

At St Christopher’s Cathedral parish, Fr Trenton Van Reesch noted the immediate generosity of parishioners who have offered to help with online shopping and other tasks.  

“There’s a great desire for people to let others know they are not alone,” said Fr Trenton. 

He said this was a central lesson of the mass where it could be celebrated via live stream at Mass online from the cathedral at 12.15 pm from Monday to Saturday and at 11 am Sunday with Archbishop Christopher Prowse. 

At the South Belconnen parish of St Matthew’s & St Vincent’s, Fr Simon Falk said the parish had arranged for people to check on the elderly, especially for those without internet who find it really tough at these times.  

Tough times for some, mini-Olympics for others, and messages of faith, connection, and care for day one of the ACT lockdown.