Jazz and Blues singer Mary Coughlan with Director of Nursing Norma Sheehan at the opening of the new hair salon at Saint Joseph's Centre in Crinken, Shankill, Co. Dublin.
The grand opening of our hairdressing salon took place on Monday February 23rd 2015 with guest of honour Irish Jazz and Blues singer Mary Coughlan cutting the ribbon. It was a very special occasion for all our residents and day-care attendees who have been enjoying their hairdressing experience in the newly renovated room. A big thanks to Peter Mark who kindly donated the equipment, towels, hair dressing supplies to transform the room and to the Friends of Saint Joseph’s who donated a new professional hairdryer. Prior to the launch a competition to name the salon was held and “Styles & Smiles” suggested by Rosemarie Heaney was the winner.
Dr Siobhan Barry of Cluain Mhuire Services with chairperson Gordon Young at a ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniverary of the Blackrock branch of Schizophrenia Ireland.
The 40th anniversary of the setting up of Schizophrenia Ireland's Blackrock branch was celebrated recently. Brother Kilian Keaney, who was then based in Cluain Mhuire, encouraged relatives to form a group to discuss the problems associated with this diagnosis. This was at a time before medicines such as Clozapine, early intervention programmes like DETECT or developed community services were available. The Schizophrenia Association, later known as Schizophrenia Ireland, was born and is now the national organisation ‘Shine’. When Brother Kilian went to work in Korea, the information gained by the group benefited many people supported by Saint John of God Services there.
The Blackrock branch still meets monthly in Cluain Mhuire and on a regular basis with Clinical Director Dr Siobhan Barry to advocate for improved services. To mark the branch’s achievement, Dr Barry unveiled a plaque and presented flowers to surviving members at the group’s annual Christmas party.
From left: Director of “Hospitality Europe” European Office Dr Carlo Galasso, Prior General Brother Jesus Etayo, MEP Gabriel Mato and Brother Rudolph Knopp - General Councillor with responsibility for the European Region.
On Wednesday 26th February, Prior General of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God, Brother Jesus Etayo, was presented with the “First European Citizen Prize” for 2014 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The Order received this honour along with 46 other winners selected from among hundreds of candidates from the 28 Member States of the European Union. MEP Gabriel Mato nominated the Hospitaller Order in the summer of 2014 at one of the most critical moments in the spread of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
The Hospitaller Family paid a heavy price for the care delivered at that time to the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone in terms of the loss of numerous staff and Brothers including Brother Miguel Pajares and Brother Manuel Viejo, the only European citizens who died to remain true to their commitment to combating the epidemic.
Angulo by Carla Senf
Angulo Day - Celebrating Our Staff
The 19th of January has been designated "Angulo Day", an annual date when Saint John of God Hospitaller Ministries celebrates the contribution, skills and commitment of our staff members.
The day is called after Angulo, a close companion and Co-worker of Saint John of God.
John of Avila "ANGULO" - The Cornerstone of the Hospitaller Family
Brother Donatus Forkan OH - Provincial
Angulo - The First Co-Worker
Saint John of God’s first biographer, Castro, tells us that John felt the need to have a paid helper, a young man to accompany him in the streets of Granada and to mind the house during his absence. And that he chose one who was trustworthy, “alike in spirit”, reliable, and who stayed with him to the very end. His name was Juan de Avila, which by coincidence, was the same name as Master Juan de Avila who was John's spiritual mentor. Presumably to avoid any confusion, John gave his helper the nickname 'Angulo'.
Angulo had just turned 30 when he joined John in 1544. John took Angulo on as a paid employee, ie, a Co-worker, not a disciple. Angulo came to enjoy the absolute confidence of his employer with John referring to him affectionately as 'my companion'. Angulo married Beatriz de Ayvar in 1549 and the couple had four children. His commitment to Hospitality continued for 33 years after John’s death.
So we have two men with the same spirit but living different personal lifestyles - Angulo becoming a family man with a wife and children, while John of God was a celibate charity worker. Their different lifestyles did not prevent them from being "alike in spirit". John of God was the prototype “Brother of the Order” and Angulo was the first co-worker of the Order, dedicated to service of the poor and needy. Their relationship was also the prototype of the one between Brothers and Co-workers today, marked by genuine friendship, companionship, mutual trust and a sharing of the same values and a mutual and genuine concern for one another.
adapted from an article by Brother Brian O’Donnell OH
