The Family Physical and Spiritual

Today we have the funeral of Mervyn Leach, two of whose daughters are Seculars.  I was reflecting this morning that it is not that common to see siblings in Secular Carmel.  I can recall just one or two cases.  Siblings can be so very different, as I know from my own experience, being one of five boys.  It must be a great grace when two are called to Carmel together.  Continuing on the theme of the family, I heard recently about a convert whose mother was drawn to the Church along with him and under the inspiration of his example.  The family is so often a place of suffering for us because of the negative response of family members to our surrender to Jesus, so it is good to hear of cases where the Holy Spirit touches more than one family member at the same time.  However, we can enjoy innumerable siblings in the faith in the family of the Church and we have a Mother in Our Lady – and of course we have a Heavenly Father.

Intercessons

RIP Mervyn Leach, father of two Secular Carmelites

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, Theresa K

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

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.