Tristan : Pastoral Visitation 2007
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 21.05.2007 (Article Archived on 04.06.2007)

Mgr Michael Bernard McPartland SMA visited Tristan Da Cunha during March and April this year.

Pastoral Visitation 2007

by

Mgr Michael Bernard McPartland SMA

This year I decided to make my pastoral visitation from the Falkland Islands to Tristan da Cunha via the scenic route (that is to say) via South Georgia. I set sail from Stanley, Capital of the Falkland Islands, where I am based, on Wednesday, 7th March 2007 on the National Geographic ship the Endeavour.

During the three day ‘stop-over’ on South Georgia we saw the grave of the great explorer Earnest Shackleton; the last whaling station (now a ghostly ruin); plus colonies of King Penguins, not to mention a fair few number of large Sea Lions and small Seals. I was particularly struck by the beautiful Church building standing alone at the foot of a majestic snow capped mountain. The weather was good and we all took many photographs against the spectacular backdrop of Glaciers, Ice bergs and breath-taking mountain scenery. I must add that the crew on the Endeavour could not have been more helpful, in their efforts to keep us informed of the various locations we either passed (at sea), or on the ground (at the various landing points). I am so glad I was able to make this trip to South Georgia. On Monday, 19th March 2007, we landed on Tristan da Cunha and I had to, sadly, bid farewell to my many new friends on the Endeavour.

My first impression on arrival on Tristan was ‘Gosh! I feel as though I have never been away!’ Everything looked exactly the same, yet it was eighteen months since I was last on the Island. I even recognised every Tristanian I met, even if I could not remember all their names. In fact, I was treated, from the outset, as ‘one of the family’ and that I liked very much.

I had deliberately planned this visit to be with the Catholic community over the most important period in the Christian Calendar, the celebration of Easter. In fact, the celebrations went extremely well. It was particularly satisfying for me as there is no resident Catholic priest on the Island and, sadly, there has not been one for many years. However, full credit must go to the three dedicated Lay Ministers, who look after the community (in the absence of a priest). Believe me, I can say to their credit, the Church is in very good hands.

This year, due to the weather, the celebration of the birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II (or ‘Queen’s Day’) was postponed to Saturday, 31st March 2007. It was a real happy communal event. In the morning I was invited to be part of a panel of judges to award winners of various exhibits, created by the Islanders, which included paintings, crafts, food and garden produce. A most difficult task indeed as, in my view, they were all winners. In the afternoon, communal sport events took place, while the ladies watching on the sidelines engaged (in what can only be described as) traditional ‘speed knitting’. I am not sure which was the most interesting to watch! Then in the evening, there was an official reception in the Prince Philip Community Hall, during which the Administrator, Mr Mike Hently, gave an upbeat ‘State of the Union’ address. Afterwards, he presented the prizes to the winners of the earlier activities. Altogether, a great day was had by all.

On the second Sunday after Easter, I baptised baby Ryan Swain and the following Sunday there we held a ‘Healing Mass’ followed by a procession to the three cemeteries. There I blessed every grave beginning with Corporal Glass (the ‘Founding Father’ of the Tristanian community) in the oldest cemetery to the very latest to be buried in the current cemetery. A large procession went to the burial grounds and partook in the blessings.

Finally, I found one novel innovation on Tristan that seemed to be very popular and very much used. That is the recent introduction of an ‘Internet café’. Nowadays it is possible send and receive Emails and even search the internet on broadband. At the moment it is only open during working hours, but its use is in great demand. Eventually, every house will be able to receive it.

Tristan on broadband – whatever next?

My only reservation is about it is that one day soon, they may have to revisit their cherished claim to be the ‘remotest Island in the world’.