AT THIS time of the year, the Graan is usually a hive of activity as the Annual Novena of Hope is in full swing with people travelling from all across Ireland, Scotland and England to attend or take part in the yearly event.

This year, however, the Novena – which began last Saturday and runs until Monday, March 8 – is all online, due to the ongoing Covid pandemic.

It means no congregation, and no guest speakers, while services will only be held once a day – a far cry from what normally takes place.

Fr. Charles Cross and Fr. Anthony O’Leary are conducting the Novena, taking it in turns to deliver the sermons while people are able to watch via the Graan’s webcam.

It is a new way of doing things for Fr. Cross, who admits there is not the same feeling in preaching to empty pews, when he has been so long accustomed to full churches.

“It is difficult to be preaching or celebrating mass in an empty church because people give you the energy,” says Fr. Cross.

“You do believe that they are watching you on the webcam, and you do get texts and emails, letters and stuff after, but really, when you’re actually at it, I find it difficult. The church is for people, and their physical absence is very noted.”

Despite it all, Fr. Cross is looking forward to the Novena: “My job before I came here was going round giving missions and retreats in different parishes. But I was used to talking to crowded churches; I’m not used to talking to empty seats but, please God, they will be tuned in.”

And while there is a different dynamic to the way that services are delivered due to Covid restrictions, Fr. Cross believes it is vital for people to be able to tune in.

“There is a different dynamic, but thank God for the miracle of technology – we would have nothing only for it.

“The whole idea, what I would compare it to now, it’s like the Sacraments and the mass are for people, and they energise each other.

“It’s kind of like a drip feed to keep the patient alive until they get better again; it’s kind of holding on until we get to see you all again.”

Despite the restrictions forcing the cancellation of so many events, Fr. Cross believes it is important that the Novena goes ahead.

“We want to keep it going. We don’t want to neglect saying a word into this horrendous situation we are all going through, and it is a sense of trying to say, in the middle of all of this, ‘What is it that keeps us?’ It’s the Gospel, it’s the centrality of Christ.

“We are also celebrating our 300 years of our existence as Passionists. We came here in 1909, but we were founded way back in 1721, and it’s the message of hope that Paul of the Cross, our founder, had that we want to keep going. If we have nothing to say to this situation, we may as well throw our hat at it.”

Since the church has been closed to people attending mass and confessions at the Graan, Fr. Charles admits that he sometimes wonders if there is anybody watching on the webcam at all.

But, after services, messages he has received allays those fears, and it give him a lift to know that people are watching.

Fr. Cross has also been impressed with the devotion of the people of Fermanagh to their faith during the pandemic, as there are still those who visit the Graan for individual prayer and reflection, as well as support they give to the Graan.

“They are very good, very dedicated people. I’m impressed by them no end at all, and they are just very supportive.”

And, like all of us, he hopes the time is getting closer to when he can welcome people back through the chapel door. “Please God, it will be over soon.”