From Bethlehem to Carmel

Christmas greetings to all readers. Although I have visited Carmel City in California, I have never been to the city of Carmel, Indiana, but you might like to know that they claim to have 'the best Christmas Market in the US'! Wikipedia says 'this town, founded in 1837, was originally called 'Bethlehem'. A post office was established as "Carmel" in 1846 because Indiana already had a post office called Bethlehem^. The name Carmel is a reference to 1 Samuel 25:2 mentioning the biblical settlement Carmel^. The town of Bethlehem was renamed "Carmel" and incorporated in 1874.' Our faith was so pervasive in those pioneer years in the US. I thank God for that and pray for that great country as I await the arrival of my son from San Francisco today.

The Blog will now be suspended until Monday 29 December at least, and possibly until the New Year.

Intercessions:

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

Illness: Roy Seymour, 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

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Richard Parker, Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, Wojtek, Joy Smith OCDS