Fr John asked, What signs do you see of people unlocking their hearts at this time?

So many of our parishioners call to say they would like to help others. We have set up a telephone buddy system for people to simply chat with others. I keep receiving feedback at how joyful and touched people are when they receive a call. It is essential when living in community to hear or speak to one another, we cannot see or hug one another but a call is just as comforting.

The intentionality and abundant generosity of people wanting to spread joy. It seems more than ever people online, in homes, workplaces, communities and on the streets are trying to spread joy in any way they can big or small. We understand that we are in this together and struggling with it in one way or another but the response more than often is to bring a smile to another person's day, to remind them that Covid-19 will not have the last laugh. A kind message or poster on the street, extra activities and gatherings online, smiles from strangers walking by, a gift basket for someone in need, letting go of something for another, spending your free time given to help someone or extending a free resource online. These actions all make a difference, creating a better world by remembering what is important and spreading the spirit of love, hope and joy. May we continue to do this until the end of time!

All around our neighbourhood and especially in all the many wide open spaces of our beautiful green parks here in the City of Glen Eira, I see people walking dogs, riding bikes, rollerblading, skateboarding, children playing frisbee with their parents or kicking a footy, looking at the geese in the pond or literally smelling the flowers and the roses that are still in bloom. People are more present; more in the moment. They are relishing being outdoors. I feel grateful that we are able to still do this even if at a distance. I've also noticed people more readily offer a hello or a smile. The need for human connection is strong. Yes, the virtual world has kept us connected especially with our loved ones whom we can't see, but nothing replaces seeing people in the flesh. Somehow getting a hello from a stranger now is more heartwarming.

A number of weeks ago, I was out riding exploring a new bike trail underneath the new Skyrail and my wheel got caught between the verge and the concrete path causing me to hit the ground. Ouch! Amazingly, in this time of social distancing, a man stopped, asked if I was alright, did I need some help? etc. Embarrassed I assured him I was okay (even though my knee was throbbing) and inwardly I was thinking what a good Samaritan. He moved off then, but I was blown away by the fact that he still stopped.

I love all the examples of volunteering that I see / experience. In big and small ways we can make a difference to our friends, our neighbours, our world.

I see my friends in the healthcare profession asking people to donate a meal etc not to them but to those who have lost their jobs etc.

I think we are all unlocking our hearts by giving time to people in our lives - we used to be busy doing things all the time, now we have the opportunity to just sit and enjoy the simpler things. I love how I can sit and spend an hour with my granddaughter online without all the 'other' distractions. We talk about our day, she draws pictures for me and we play hangman.

I have many friends in the teaching profession and I see there hearts working overtime to support their students and their peers.

JUst back from a walk in Albert Park. There are an incredible number of family groups playing ball, cycling, hoola hooping (no joke). People have returned to simplier pleasures, before kids and parents would have each been doing organised sport with their peers now we are back to spending time with our own family group. To the good in many ways,

I have noticed a feeling of being more connected across our neighborhood. There are many people walking around our local streets in Elwood saying hi to eachother while on walks. I've also seen quite a number of houses sharing books at their front fences as a way of sharing and connecting at this time of physical distancing.

Everything has slowed down and people have more time to talk and connect with each other. I am talking on the phone to my family in Ireland, Spain and Italy and friends here in Australia more frequently and finding out a bit more about them. Billy, my husband has started to learn the guitar and is getting lessons over the fence from our neighbour. While there are trials associated with being locked up it has given us all time to reconnect and try something new.

I am so thrilled to how many people are doing amazing things to support each other in the parish. Volunteering to run online events like trivia and singing. God has given us an opportunity to connect in new ways. The spirit of heart is a wonderful sign.