After Mass on Tuesday morning the diary was turned upside down by a phone call from the bishop asking me if I would be prepared to take over Sacred Heart, Colne as well as Holy Saviour, Nelson. I said yes, mainly on the grounds that we all have to take on more responsibility at the moment with the changing number of priests. Throughout that week one of my prayer stones was for this situation and how to begin to deal with it. Particularly what decisions to make about the number and times of masses which will have to change whether people like it or not.

At the end of the week another life was turned upside down, that of my niece Laura who is only eighteen. She is surrounded by the love and support of all the family but it was good again to have my prayer stones. Now Laura and her family are another one of my stones each time I pray. Other stones I use for different people and situations each day depending on what is a priority that day. And I have one which symbolises the day ahead whatever that may bring. I just give you this thought as some prayer stones might be just what you need to help you place people and situations that are important to you into God's hands. There really is something very freeing about praying in this way because each time the person or situation comes to mind I think 'I have given this to God and I trust that He will find a way through.'