3. 'I supported the Church at her birth; I shall do so again at the end of time'
I supported the church at her birth Mary was present at the birth of the Church as its support. She wishes to be present today through a family of believers who live her spirit and do her work of gathering the whole world to her Son, and, being touched by God's mercy, become united - one of heart and mind. As a family they support the Christian community in the same way as Mary supported it at the beginning.
Today there are many places where the church is being born or re-born, emerging or re-emerging, places in the centre or at the edge of the church where individuals and groups struggle to find community - places where they can hear the Good News spoken to them and experience God's love through others.
