The power to heal

Father Roy's away on holiday this week, so I got to celebrate two weekday Masses at St German's, today and yesterday. This is only the fourth occasion since I retired. Each time I step up to the altar these days, I wonder if the habits and disciplines of liturgical ritual will still be there automatically in my body memory, to free my mind to pray as I should, without the need to think about it consciously. St German's has an echoey acoustic. I need to attune to it each time, speaking more deliberately, slower  than usual to be sure I'm heard. As there's never a shortage of people in church who are hard of hearing, being on auto-pilot isn't altogether possible. It's a small challenge in the effort to do things really well. On each occasion, the small band of faithful gathered were appreciative of the ministry they received, and probably weren't aware of any uncertainties of mine. They are in the habit of trusting their priests in an admirable way. It's impossible not to feel privileged, even as a stand-in.

Amanda and James came over to stay the night with us yesterday. I was glad to have the time and opportunity this morning to help Amanda start her own blog, as she wants to develop a useful record of her 25 year struggle to overcome the effects of the rare genetic disorder she suffers from, to help others similarly afflicted. Over a period of time it may also help her to link up with others world-wide, and challenge the medical view that there is little to be done to mitigate the effects of what is considered an irreversible disabling condition. She has certainly found ways to overcome the effects its had on her, and has good news to pass on.

Co-incidentally on the BBC Today programme there was an interview with a man who'd had a brain stem stroke - the kind of stroke that takes away the capacity for almost all voluntary movement and thereby the ability to communicate. One is locked in to one's body, and may die without proper and permanent nursing intensive care. The interviewee had made a significant recovery of his powers of movement and speech, starting from an awareness of his condition and the need to keep breathing steadily. He'd re-learned how to make the connection between brain and muscles. It was most interesting and I was annoyed the interview was interrupted to convey breaking news of the return to UK of a retail tycoon to rebut corruption charges. Not only was it discourteous to him, but indicative that news producers don't always share the real interests and concerns of their audience.

After lunch, I drove up to Nelson to attend the diocesan mission committee for the first time. Former chairman John Webber, who retired just before I did, has recently returned from a busy two months helping out in the church in Bangladesh, where he spent 25 years working earlier. Llandaff diocese now has a twinning link with the Anglican Church in Bangladesh, and one of John's tasks was to visit communities and introduce them to their twin diocese. It's hoped there can be exchanges of visits in the coming years that will be of mutual benefit. We certainly have a lot to learn about social advocacy from Bangladesh, where the church plays a significant part in development work, and helping the country face the ravages of climate change.