We are Prisoners

Some time ago the late Sister Margaret, a Presentation Sister who used to be based in our parish, was talking about her work visiting the local prison.  At one point she remarked ‘I’m a prisoner!’ - and that has stuck in my mind ever since.  I didn’t have the opportunity to ask her to elaborate but I have turned it over in my mind many times.  All Catholics are prisoners of love – we can’t just do what we want, we are obedient to the Lord, to the Church, to the needs of those around us.  But those who belong to religious orders are doubly so, because they literally surrender their own freedom of decision and action to the authority of their Superiors in the Order.  What of us Seculars?  We too surrender ourselves to the Carmelite Order.  In an age that worships the concept of individual freedom, we represent the concept of chosen surrender to God and to the Church as a willed and happy way of life.   

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.