The individual and the community

Very very occasionally a person comes to an OCDS group or community and it becomes apparent sooner or later that this person does not have a vocation to Carmel.  If that emerges sooner, it generally isn’t a problem unless it is ignored by the president or formator, or unless the person in question is very persistent in not taking the hint about leaving - in which case strains and stresses may arise.  It can happen however that a person spends three or four years or even five years in a group while seeming to fit in, only to make problems at that late stage before final promises.  Such contrary creatures are we humans.  Those who hold positions of leadership among us do have to have the courage to recognise when a person needs to be encouraged to leave, even when that person has one or two supporters in the community.  Carmel is not just about my relation to God, it is very much about my willingness and ability to be a positive presence in the Secular community.  It is good for me also to examine my own contribution to the community from time to time.

Intercessions:

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

Illness:  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

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Roy Seymour, Richard Parker, Sue Burton, Joy Smith OCDS, Dr Alan Rodgers