Saturday, September 01, 2012

Good News

Almost two years ago (on the feast of the Holy Rosary no less in 2010) I had the idea of a Catholic Social group in the city in which I live.

I had lived there for over a year and met some great people at my church but the sheer volume of numbers of people teeming into Mass on a Sunday meant that it was not always easy to get to know people personally to socialise and pray with them.

Inspired partly by Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati I had a vision of groups of people engaging in activities such as hiking, cycling, grabbing dinner together etc where we could enjoy each other's company, meet others of the same beliefs and pray for each other.

Many, many people told me that this wouldn't work. One lady invited herself on a hike I organised and told me I shouldn't suggest prayers in case it offended people - I invited her not to come along! Other people said that I shouldn't organise regular meals as it would be too much for people and others said they'd come along but wouldn't co-operate.  They too had to be invited not to come along.

Fortunately, encouraged by a few people including my amazing wife-to-be, this took off and over the last couple of years I have seen God cement friendships, increase people's faith and see Catholics - and other Christians - get together regularly to share a meal, read and reflect on the scriptures together and intercede for one another.

It is easy to be negative - but I have seen what a difference God can make in our lives when we refuse to listen to those who undermine us but press on and do our best to co-operate with him.