Our new National Council

 I am looking forward to the first meeting of the new OCDS National Council on Wednesday.  Several former members of the Council retired at the Presidents’ Conference last month, including myself, but I have been retained in a new capacity.  The members of the Council have normally been the Regional Representatives plus the National President, Father Matt Blake, our Delegate from the Friars, and our National Treasurer, but this time although I have resigned as Regional Representative I have been retained on the Council as Outreach Representative, because I have been involved in founding new groups and in the work of developing the website.  The founding of new groups has been an extraordinary grace, and I am getting to know some wonderfully spiritual and committed Catholics.  I spent many years representing a Catholic Charity and travelling around England and Wales to make appeals in the parishes, so I am well used to the driving.  This is an extraordinary time; while OCDS communities are sadly declining in some places, they are growing in others, while new seedlings are appearing.         

Intercessions:

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

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – in hospital

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

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

 Mark – brain infection

Joy Smith – in hospital

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

 RIP Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, little Matthew (six years old, died of cancer)