We Greet Our New ArrivalsParent Support Meeting Dates2010 Parents Support MeetingsParent Support Meetings are currently being reviewed.Notice of dates and venues for our Meetings will be on the messaging service on our main line number01 8726 996 or posted on our website www.isands.ieAll Parent Support Meetings Notice- Sorry - there are no childcare facilities available.Meetings are for adults only.Parent Support MeetingsParent Support Meetings give parents the opportunity to come together and talk about their own experience or just listen to other parents share their experiences. There is no pressure to talk at all. Very often just listening to others describe how they are feeling or coping can help us to relate to some of the feelings and emotions we may be experiencing but fi nd it diffi cult to talk about ourselves. Hopefully the meetings create a space where you can say how it really is.It is also a place where Dads have a chance to meet other Dads, as very often they are or can feel excluded, as most of the focus tends to be on the mother. If you have any questions or concerns about the meetings do not hesitate to give us a call on 01 872 6996 or email info@isands.ieJake Walsh- a son to Colm & Emer Walsh, MeathJoel Higgins - a son to Darren & Susan Higgins, DublinMatthew Doyle - a son to Liz & Paul Doyle, DublinRichard Yates - a son to Fionnuala & Richard Yates, Cork.Grace Pamela Nolan - a daughter to Liz & Murray Nolan, DublinDavid Gerard Little - a son to Maria & Gerry Little, DublinLucie Dillon - daughter to- Karen & Eddie Dillon, CorkMaeve O'Driscoll - a daughter to Denise & Michael O'Driscoll, CorkOur Condolences I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mr. George McCullough, Chief Executive of Glasnevin Cemetery and his extended family on the recent death of his father, GeorgeMay He Rest In Peace. RonParent Support Meeting in BelfastJust before Christmas ISANDS held a Parent Support Meeting in the Balmoral Hotel, Belfast.We met a lovely group of bereaved Mothers and one Step-Dad; each shared their experiences of loss; how different it all was back when they gave birth and a life without acknowledgement or recognition. For many of these Mothers it was the fi rst opportunity they ever had to talk about their baby and how they coped. Most of these Mothers, like all Mothers who gave birth in Ireland up to 20 years ago, are only now fi nding the confi dence to talk about their experiences, trying desperately to fi nd out information from the hospitals about their babies.It was lovely being with all of you and we hope that the Support Meeting brought some comfort and healing. We would like to thank Colette Walsh for her help and for getting in touch with those who attended the meeting.We look forward to future opportunities to meet with you and catch up and maybe some more Mums and Dads will join in.isands newsletter29

In our presence.....they quietly but brilliantly shine......Hundreds of fl ickering candles shone brightly at the foot of the Altar, adorned by beautiful presence and beautiful people. The Church....St, Nicholas of Myra in Francis Street, Dublin was the holy setting for our sharing at Christmas. Good friends came back to be with us.Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, Rev. Father Damian McNiece, Master of Ceremonies to Archbishop Martin, Rev. Bruce Pierce, Director of Education, St, Luke's Cork and Church of Ireland Representative, Rev. Father David Brough, P.P. Bohernabreena, Rev. Father Micheal Shiels, P.P. St. Nicholas of Myra and Rev. Father Martin Dolan, Community, St. Nicholas of Myra. We were also joined by the Garda Male Voice Choir and our Service just would not seem the same without them. They sang to lift our weary hearts and they did. Our special guest Karen Taylor Good travelled from Nashville, USA to be with us and sing her beautiful and very meaningful song Precious Child. Karen wrote the song in memory of her nephew but that night I think we all took a small part of it for ourselves. Peter Hanlon, Bereavement Therapist with the HSE was our gust speaker and spoke as always with his great understanding of our loss. Parents, family members and friends took part in prayer, readings refl ection and symbolic gifts brought to the Altar in memory of their children. This year we had parents taking part from Galway, Belfast, Waterford, Limerick, Dublin, and Scotland. Everyone got an opportunity to light a candle in memory of their baby and place it on the Altar rails. The lights were lowered and the Choir sang Silent Night, Holy Night ...and it was a holy night.Archbishop Diarmuid Martin spoke kindly and compassionately to us. He said "the value of your children short lives should not be measured by length or duration. Whether it was long or short, it was real and unique and irreplaceable. Each of the children whom we remember is an irreplaceable element in life's mosaic They are a real part of human history, a part of who you are and indeed a part of who we all are."Beautiful thoughts expressed by Archbishop Martin. The whole night was just heavenly, we thank all who made that happen. A special word of thanks to Rita Kavanagh, Sacristan in the church for her help and unbelievable kindness to us each year. A sincere thank you to the Family Support Agency who have provided us with a grant towards the costs of the Service for the past few years.Ron Smith Murphy isands newsletter30