17 July 2011 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

On this weeks show, Eoin Rice (Humanitarian Press Officer) joins us to make an appeal from Trócaire on behalf of the victims of the worsening drought situation in the Horn of Africa, we have our regular prayer space, gospel reflection, saints of the week, this weeks Irish Catholic and some notices.

The podcast is now available.

East Africa's drought has led to millions of people across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia being dependent on food aid, with up to half the population of certain affected areas suffering from serious malnutrition. The failure of adequate rainfall to have hit the region for full year has plunged east Africa into humanitarian crisis.

• Over 1,000 Somalis are arriving into Ethiopia and Kenya every day;

• Malnutrition rates among Somali children arriving into Ethiopia or Kenya are as high as 47 per cent;

• Communities in Ethiopia have reported that 80 per cent of animals have died;

• Half of the 13 million affected people are children.

East Africa is Trócaire’s main geographic area of work. With a presence in the region dating back almost 40 years, Trócaire is well placed to respond to the current crisis.

Trócaire is funding drought response projects in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, bringing food and water to affected communities. They are also purchasing malnourished animals before they die and redistributing them to areas that still have sufficient grazing. When the next rains arrive in the autumn, they will help those families buy back the animals and re-establish their herds.

Trócaire has been working with these communities for almost 40 years. Their ongoing livelihoods programmes prevented the people there from falling into crisis over recent decades. Such is the severity of the current drought, however, that Trócaire has launched an emergency appeal for the people of east Africa.

To make a donation you can phone 1850 408 408 (RoI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI), or else by clicking the donation link below.

Gospel - Matthew 13:24-45

This week we continue with the Kingdom parables where Jesus is trying to remind us of the call to live and prepare for the kingdom of God in simple and understandable stories which may mean being counter cultural and being a leaven in our society.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Msgr Charles Pope - Is you is or is you ain't a saint?
• Word on Fire - Three Parables, three spiritual lessons
• Sunday Reflections

Saints of the Week

July 18th - St Frederick of Utreacht
July 19th - St Macrina the Younger
July 20th - St Apollinaris of Ravenna
July 21st - St Lawrence of Brindisi
July 22nd - St Mary Magdelene 
July 23rd - St Bridget of Sweden