People in Northern Ireland are invited to share their tributes to loved ones who lost their lives during lockdown restrictions.
The Cathedral Church of St Anne (Belfast Cathedral) invites everyone to share their stories and memories of 2020/21 through their online initiative Lives Reflected, as an act of remembrance to mark a year since lockdowns began on 23 March.
The gathering of stories is part of the second stage of the Lives Reflected initiative, an online book of remembrance dedicated to remembering those who have lost loved ones during the restrictions.
People can submit their stories on the Lives Reflected website or tributes of loved ones. It’s to inspire positive messages of love, hope and kindness and to celebrate life going forward.
Selected entries will be chosen to feature on permanent panels displayed inside the Cathedral as a living legacy of life during lockdown.
The website has a growing collection of tributes and stories of people all over Northern Ireland and hopes to see this continue throughout the year. Family members can follow the instructions on the website to publish their message of remembrance.
The Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd, Stephen Forde addresses the need for people to share stories and support one another as we continue through challenging times.
“Belfast Cathedral wants Lives Reflected to be a shared space where people can bring forward accounts that will help families and individuals on their journey through bereavement and towards personal healing,” he said.
The Dean adds: “Lives Reflected allows us a place to share our memories and celebrate the best in the people we know. Lives Reflected can be a place of healing for our losses, and a promise of togetherness for the future.”
Dean Stephen Forde sees the panel display, which will be exhibited later in the year, as an opportunity for members of the public to visit Belfast Cathedral as a place to reflect on the challenges, sacrifices and losses that we have all experienced to date.
The First Minister Arlene Foster added: “Lives Reflected provides an important space for the whole community to come together to honour the memory of those we have lost, to give thanks for the sacrifices of many and to reflect upon our everyday efforts to help each other get through this pandemic.
“Belfast Cathedral is to be commended for the creation of this inspiring memorial and celebration of the lives of very special people who have made a difference.”
And she said she wanted to express her gratitude to those who have already shared their memories.
“They are remembrances of grace, joy and love.
“I would encourage more people to get involved and upload their story. You will be playing a part in the development of a resource which can help people to heal and move forward.”
The deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the pandemic has touched the lives of everyone across our community.
“We have also seen the best of our society over the last year as people have united in support of one another. As a community, it is important that we acknowledge everyone’s experiences and give people an opportunity to remember their loved ones. Belfast Cathedral’s Lives Reflected initiative gives people an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to those they have lost in a way that is meaningful to them,” she added.
Visit www.livesreflected.com to share a story or make a dedication.