A birthday present for the group

A great day in the Coventry OCDS group on Saturday.  We recently celebrated our second birthday, and our present on Saturday was a visit to the group from Fr Matt Blake OCD, Delegate from the Friars to the Seculars.  Our Coventry meetings begin with our participation in the 9.30 mass for the parish followed by a Holy Hour with Adoration and Confessions.  Fr Matt celebrated the mass at the kind invitation of the parish priest.  We gathered in the parish room at 11 and Fr Matt gave a presentation on St John of the Cross, recommending that those previously unacquainted with the writings of this great saint begin by reading his poetry.  We enjoyed lunch together and then Fr Matt kindly stayed on after lunch for a while for what was really a conversation session, with an amount of sharing by group members.  The conversation ranged beyond specifically Carmelite issues into questions about – for example - how often to go to Confession; Fr Matt repeatedly emphasised that there are no hard and fast rules on such matters.  We are so blessed in the Seculars to have Fr Matt, whose ministry is deeply and widely appreciated.          

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Marie

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Connor Calleja (20 yrs old)