On Thursday 27th September 2018, I had the privilege of facilitating the meeting between two brothers Niki and Roch who both live in Perth but have not met for a long time. Niki lives in Rockingham in a group home and Roch lives in Claremont. We do not know how long it has been since these brothers have seen each other because Niki is non verbal and with all the changes in the disability sector, the staff have changed too. 

I had never met Roch before either. When I arrived at Niki’s home, I gave him a rosary, blessed in my parish when the International Pilgrim Centennial image of Our Lady of Fatima, came on pilgrimage. On receiving the rosary Niki kissed it, tried to put it around his neck, made the sign of the cross, joined his hands and said AMEN. 

This was such a touching moment as nobody said anything to Niki but he knew the significance of the rosary. How he knew and what thoughts were going through his mind will always be a mystery to me and many people, but what I saw touched me very deeply and confirmed my belief that all of us have our inborn spirituality which needs to be expressed and nurtured. On Roch’s arrival (which was made possible with help from Ray Ryan), all present were waiting in anticipation to see how the 2 brothers would react to each other, especially since they had not seen each other for a very long time (could be many years). 

As soon as Niki heard his brother Roch’s voice coming into his home, he smiled, stood up near his chair and stretched out his arms to greet him with a big hug. Roch hugged him back and said to Niki: “I love you, Niki”. It was such a precious moment which many of us can take for granted and I cannot explain in words the joy of that moment and the joy a simple gesture can bring for people who cannot ask or communicate their feelings in words. 

We had morning tea together. Roch presented Niki with a special t‐shirt. The group home organise some mini quiches and I took some homemade chocolate cupcakes to share. The staff in the home welcomed us. 

A special mention needs to be given to Tiffany who was God sent in facilitating this small miracle, which has taken 6 months planning with little hiccups along the way including health issues, timings to suit everyone involved and negotiating a day and time to suit everyone. It is hard to put in words but I firmly believe it was Spirit driven and with God there are no co‐incidences but God‐ incidences.

Andrea Carlos