Communities Old and New

The state of play regarding OCDS in England and Wales is very mixed at the present moment. It is true on the one hand that new groups have been springing up in various areas, but on the other hand some older groups have been shrinking or simply ageing.   The fresh shoots are very encouraging but in some cases they do present an appearance of fragility – one of them has been stuck on a membership of only three for a couple of years.  However the quality of commitment of those three individuals is outstanding and makes the future hopeful.  What makes the older groups decline?  I think we could benefit from a little book on the subject!  I suspect that one reason may be that the fellowship bonds in Carmel, precious though they are, can create a feeling associated with an inward-looking club rather than an outward-looking evangelisation-minded association.  Perhaps a kind of yearly corporate examination of conscience would help – a discussion of the state of play in the particular group or community and a decision to work on any weaknesses it may have?  Just a thought.

Intercessions

RIP Fr Jon Bielawski, Jacqui, Sister Maisie

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

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery; Sianna, young child in the post-operative phase; James, recovering from heart surgery

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

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

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.