New shoots in the Church

I came back from spending Easter in the US greatly heartened, for there are signs of a resurgence of interest in the faith on the part of a younger generation.  I watched for myself in New York’s St Patrick’s Basilica as a large number were received into full communion with the Church.  One commentator even spoke of St Joseph’s in Greenwich Village as ‘the hottest place in New York’, reporting long queues of young people wanting to attend mass.  I always thought of this particular district as a hotbed of the radical Left.  Catholic commentators report a similar resurgence in other parts of the US. There are also signs of a revival in the UK, but although they are bigged up by some commentators they seem to me to be as yet  fairly modest.  I feel that while Carmel encourages us to have great faith in the love and power of God, it also urges us to be realistic – feet on the ground, if you like.  We should delight in the good things that are happening and envisage even greater things while reminding ourselves that God is not for changing no matter what are the ‘changes and chances of this fleeting world’.  ‘Underneath are the everlasting arms’ (Deuteronomy 33, 27).   

Intercessions

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

Illness:  Hilary Solomon, Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

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

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

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.