EC2001 - Babsie Bleasdell - Using Our Gifts for God

Ursula 'Auntie Babsie' Bleasdell -- leader, Word of Life Prayer Community - gave two presentations at our 2001 Eucharistic Convention. This is the first of them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ursula Bleasdell or "Auntie Babsie" as she is lovingly called, can only be described as a determined, outgoing, strong-willed and exceedingly loving woman, who always had a deep yearning to do God's will. The biological mother of two daughters, Erica and Paula, she also considered herself to be the spiritual mother and grandmother to hundreds, including Fr Michael Moses (1957-2008) whom she constantly referred to as her "spiritual son". He joined her household just after his ordination in 1988 and they shared a lifelong friendship until his death. Born in the town of Arima on June 16, 1921 on the feast of Corpus Christi, and raised in a Catholic family in the pre-Vatican II period, Auntie Babsie was taught the power of prayer and had a special love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, who she admits remained with her through the difficulties in her life. After receiving a prophetic word from Fr James Duffy at the Charismatic Renewal in April 1972, she set about forming many prayer groups throughout Trinidad and eventually founded the Word of Life Prayer Community in 1978. In 1990, Babsie Bleasdell became only the second woman - Mother Theresa being the first - to be approved by the Vatican to speak at the International Priests' Retreat in Rome. It is this which Aunty Babsie considers to be the crowning experience in her life. She is also the foundress of The House of Grace, co-founder of Goshen Home for young women and the author of 'Babsie, Go teach my people', 'Refresh Your Life in the Spirit'(Celebrate 2000), and 'Growing in Praise'.