Challenging Territory

I got back home from Helsinki last night after a visit there to speak to the Seculars about St John of the Cross.  In fact the audience was larger than just the small number of Helsinki Seculars and there was another speaker who was more familiar to the locals, a Finnish Lutheran pastor who has written a doctorate on our saint. He gave a hugely professional and impressive talk about the Dark Night.  This was an event that Heidi, leader of the Helsinki OCDS, had arranged as their tribute to St John of the Cross in this anniversary year (he became a doctor of the Church in 1926 after being canonised in 1726).  Strongly Protestant Finland is challenging territory for Carmel: Heidi showed me round a convent that was set up by some American Carmelite Sisters in the 80s; sadly, they had to leave a few years ago because of a lack of vocations.  The buildings are still vacant because they are owned by the Diocese, but there is still a small library in situ and in many ways it feels like the Sisters only just left.  Heidi told me a bit about the OCDS in the Nordic countries – it is quite a struggle for them in a deeply Protestant world.  The meeting was hosted by the Helsinki Dominicans who are a great support to the Seculars.  I was able to discuss with Heidi how we in the UK could help them and their Nordic companions and we developed some ideas. 

Intercessions

Pope Leo as he recovers from his operation for cancer.

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling, Noreen

David OCDS – housebound

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

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly