Toddy: still in the Kairos flow

Toddy O'Donnell
As Kairos turns 30, residents, staff and friends share their memories. Here, Toddy O’Donnell remembers what drew him to Kairos

Back then, Kairos was a safe haven for me. There was a bit of friendship – isolating in a flat was not good for me – it didn’t work. Everybody gathered around Fr John. His enthusiasm was infectious; he commanded respect; he treated everyone with dignity and above all he motivated everybody to be excited to contribute, to feel part of this new venture. Sick, addicted, homeless men and women were united in helping each other reclaim health and a sense of direction in life. It was new to all of us, very exciting and it had a powerful, yes powerful, energy that drew us all into its flow. And I’m still in the flow 28 years later.