F
Fraz94
Guest
Greetings,
Code:
I am a Pastoral Assistant in a parish in the outer suburbs of London and today I have had the most wonder encounter with a Traveller lady (Irish gypsy). She requested a Mass to be offered but poor Father didn't catch the name of the person the Mass was to be offered for. When I tried to telephone there was no answer, so as I was passing I decided to pop in to the camp site and ask the lady myself (I am the personal assistant to the Priest). I have known this Traveller family since I was 11 and the old grandmother who I went to see is a devout Catholic and has always adored me as I have her. I was welcomed with open arms and invited in, they are not usually open to "outsiders" but they are always open to anyone from the Church. The Travellers have a bad name in the eyes of most people in Britain and even amongst a lot of Catholics because of their culture etc. and their "behaviour" at Mass is very different to what we are used to, and they dress differently...I had a very beautiful encounter with this lady whose whole home is full of beautiful statues and images, as is my own- she has many of my favourite Saints etc. and I was shown such kindness and Christian love- I gave her my rosary and in return she gave me a lovely statue of Our Lady and some Holy Water from Ireland, which touched me greatly!
I would like to get over to people that the Travellers are lovely people and think it is appalling how lots of our people, even fellow Catholics "judge" them quite rashly and often are very judgemental and unkind, I can say that the Travellers would put a great number of Catholics to shame, they are so devout and always attend Mass and the majority of them pray the family rosary daily, how many of us do that? Even my own family won't sit down and say the rosary (I have tried, yet I always pray it myself daily) they wait until they are married before they have children (no sex before marriage in the Travelling Community), all the children receive the Sacraments and so on...
Some of our American and foreign friends may not be aware of "Irish Travellers" and well they have a beautiful Catholic Culture and faith- it is very special. There are other groups of "gypsies" who are not so, but the "Travellers" which refers to the group of Irish Catholic gypsies here the UK are the most faithful and kindest people- who have a bad press and are often judged and scorned by their fellow brothers and sisters in the Roman Church- I just wanted to share my experience and ask for a better understanding and love for them.
God bless!