Journeys of Courage, Remarkable Stories of the Healing Power of Community by Joy Carol

"A superbly crafted collection of moving stories to inspire all of us!" --Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The dramatic stories that illustrate healing through community action are of dedicated people, suffering themselves, who deal with two major world disasters: first, the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001; and second, a huge economic boom in the Irish Republic within the past few decades that had a great impact on the national economy, on the Church and other institutions and on the lives of the people.

Stories during the "9-11" attack in New York and the restoration include the heroism of Firefighters, of whom hundreds died in saving the lives of others, the Bagpipers, who lifted everyone's spirits, the many vendors who provided food for the workers, those who spent endless hours searching for survivors and notifying families of the dead and missing, those who "cleared the sacred ground", who maintained a haven for those who needed it, those who prayed and consoled the grieving …unsung heroes who offered support from around the world.

In Ireland, the impact of the economic boom -- with rampant consumerism, spiraling costs, stress, anxiety, breakdown of family life, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and domestic abuse--wreaked havoc on Irish society and its people. Sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy added to the grief. Bishop Willie Wash, a humble and courageous leader, did much to heal the wounds in the church, and others through community action brought about healing in society.

Prisons were crowded, many of them with pitiful conditions. But a few remarkable penal systems were established, an addiction center and a prison for women called "Dochas Center (Irish for "Hope") .One with the philosophy "based on promoting the good in people, giving them the opportunity to do something positive, "to develop their humanity,." Another man, a Governor," led a crusade to educate the world about treating all people with dignity and respect." These and other attempts by individuals and communities gradually began to heal of Ireland's wounds.

In the 1800's a violent conflict began between "Unionists" and "Nationalists" in Northern Ireland called "The Troubles"(with the deaths of over 3,600; and 25,000 wounded and maimed…of a total number of only 1.6 million.) No one in this small area escaped the violence and trauma of these thirty years. In 1995 a Survivors of Trauma Center was established, and shortly after, the Corrymeela Community, that became a shining light of healing and reconciliation. As members of this community, their stories of family and friends, real-life experiences during the "Troubles", healing happened.

Joy Carol, author of Journeys of Courage, became a member of the Corrymeela Community, and she ends by saying that hearing these stories while doing her research and writing the book has been a great grace for her, as it can be for us, her readers. She ends with a series of questions that can serve as a guide for our own courage, growth and transformation.