May 8th 2011 - 3rd Sunday of Easter

Due to the various technical difficulties we have had with the station over the last few months, we have been unable to broadcast some interviews that we have done with various groups and organisations as they haven't gone out on the intended days. So on this weeks show we decided to repeat two of those missed interviews, one with the Legion of Mary and the other with Trocaire. 

This weeks programme is available for you to listen to online from our podcast page.

The Legion of Mary

On the programme from 27th February we are introduced to the Legion of Mary - a very Irish contribution to the world wide Church and how it encourages people to holiness and evangelisation, attempts at responding to our baptismal vocation. The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the patronage of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, who serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries with an excess of 10 million members worldwide.The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. Membership is highest in South Korea, Philippines, Brazil, Argentina and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries have between 250,000 and 500,000 members each.

Active members serve God under the banner of Mary by practising the Spiritual Works of Mercy. The main apostolate of the Legion consists in activities directed towards all men and women, young and old, rich and poor as well as people from the margins of society (homeless, prostitutes, prisoners etc.) and towards non-Catholics.

The members of the Legion are primarily engaged in the performance of the Spiritual Works of Mercy rather than works of material aid with a particular focus on true devotion to Our Lady based on the teaching of St. Louis de Montfort which inspires the devotions and work of the Legion.

Lorraine also introduces us to the potiential new Irish saints with the causes for beatification in the Legion - Frank Duff, Servant of God and Founder of the Legion, Venerable Edel Quinn, and Alfie Lamb, Servant of God.

We discuss how lay associations such as the Legion, which promote holiness and evangelisation among the laity, are attempts at responding to our baptismal vocation - the universal call to holiness (Lumen Gentium V). John and Lorraine speak about the different apostolic works that the Legion carry out - visiting homes, nursing homes the sick etc. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Legion is encouraged to go to their local meeting (e.g. in Newcastle West - every Tuesday, parish office, 4pm).

Trocaire

Eithne McNulty took the time to come and speak on the programme on 19th April to inform people know the work that Trocaire does and this years Lenten campaign.

Trocaire is the official body set up by the bishops in 1973 and is charged with two main tasks; to help the poorest of the poor overseas and to create an awareness of development issues among the people in Ireland. It is not just an issue of giving handouts but rather to build a sustainable development model empowering the poorest of the poor to be able to work for their own rights and betterment in a holistic manner.

Eithne talks about the Lenten campaign which this year focus' on Honduras which is the third poorest country after Haiti and Nicaragua in Central America. It is a country where 25% of under 5's die of malnutrition and 65% of the population live on less than $2 a day. There are many problems with land rights to obtain and protect their ability to grow their own food and Trocaire assists local communities in fighting for their rights against a corrupt government.

Last year the people of Limerick gave €263,000 for the Lenten campaign, which went towards to the great work of Trocaire but the work continues, so please consider giving what you can to support the campaign this year.If you can give even a little through any of the following methods it will be used to help the poorest of the poor:

• Trocaire Box given into local parishes/schools
• Trocaire website to donate
• Call 1850408408
• Post: Trocaire, Maynooth, Co Kildare

To read more about Trocaire's Lenten Campaign read here and have a look at this short video from Trocaire.

And as always, thanks for listening!

Sacred Space 102fm Team.