When time is squeezed

I have become aware recently of a problem that not a few Seculars have.  They are serial volunteers who become involved in a whole multitude of parish activities and then their time is so squeezed that getting to our meetings becomes difficult for them.  I know of no simple answer to this dilemma, but I guess it has to be taken to the Lord in prayer like other problems in daily life.  One of my personal weaknesses is that in the past at least I have found it all too easy to excuse myself from volunteering, whereas these Seculars are so overflowing with the spirit of service and obedience that they are always first in the queue to offer themselves, and No is the one word they cannot say.  I have a massive respect for them, but at the end of the day I suppose we have to pray for guidance with our priorities.  Sometimes there is a fear that if I withdraw from a task I am volunteering for, there will be nobody else to do it and it will go undone; however, I think that we sometimes need to trust that our withdrawal will create a vacuum and then that vacuum will pull others in.

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,

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Hilary Solomon, 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.