A gathering of Carmelite leaders

I am looking forward to the triennial OCDS Presidents’ Conference next weekend at Hinsley Hall in Leeds, although I am not looking forward to navigating through the city, which is completely unknown to me.  (It is for ever connected in my mind with a story my father told me about his teens when he was dating my mother.  They lived in Bradford at that time, and my father took my mother to Leeds for a concert.  When they made their way to their seats, behold, in the seat next to them was my mother's headmistress!)  The Presidents’ Conference is the decision-making body for the England and Wales branch of the Secular Carmelites.  The Presidents of the OCDS Communities and the leaders of the groups (or their chosen representatives) come together to vote for a National President and there are also elections for the posts of the Regional Representatives.  I am told that this system of governance was set up relatively recently.  There are forty or so groups or communities, and old acquaintances will be renewed.  We pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our deliberations in this new world of the internet, which has worked so many changes in which our communities are involved – Zoom, Universalis, What’s App and so forth.  They offer great opportunities and some of our members are showing impressive enterprise and vision in making use of these.  

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K, Fr Jon B

Siena, Elara – sick children

Matthew – six-year old boy dying of bladder cancer

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound; Martin Gilham – unable to attend community meetings

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

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

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness