‘I Found’
The opening prayer for the first week in the new year was incredibly fit for purpose and worthy of all our attention.
“Attend to the pleas of your people with
heavenly care, O Lord, we pray,
that they may see what must be done
and gain strength to do what they have seen.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Hearing about the situation of the church in France, now what is happening in Ireland, all the signs are that this will be our situation. Reality is a shortage of priests and if we continue as we are, this is not going to change any time soon. I find it so so sad. When we were in our seminary, we were so inspired (though this may not have been the same in every seminary) with the work of the Second Vatican Council, and what the Holy Spirit was saying to the church. This is what I find so summed up in that opening prayer.
I am greatly impressed by the support that I am receiving here in our parish. Our meeting on Tuesday evening was excellent and the work being done by the team was inspiring. We will be hearing from them as they present their plans in conjunction with the work that is being done by the Synod. This will be presented to our two communities in the weeks to come.