33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - VIDES Volunteers

On this weeks programme Sr Dympna joins us with two returned VIDES volunteers to tell us of their experience volunteering in South Africa and Zambia. We have our usual gospel reflection, some local notices and saints of the week.

This weeks podcast is now available.


VIDES Volunteers

Sr Dympna Clancy FMA returns to Sacred Space 102fm with two VIDES volunteers to tell us of some of their work in the last year Mindra Kelly and Darragh Casey who joined us in studio. They tell us of how they heard about VIDES, the work they did before and during their time overseas in Africa and how it has affected them since they returned to Ireland.



Darragh and Mindra in studio

VIDES (Voluntary International Development Education and Service)is an international association supported by the Salesian Sisters which consists of groups of volunteers who give time abroad and who share their time and their gifts for limited periods working with the sisters in development projects abroad. It is for volunteers 20 years up wards who work with the Salesian Sisters around the world.

Vides Ireland continues to operate and invite volunteers to make contact if they are interested in giving time abroad. The Irish delegate is Sr. Dympna Clancy who can be contacted at dymclan@eircom.net or phone 061-348510. The training for next year begins on Saturday 26th November so if you would be interested in going next year with VIDES, please contact Sr Dympna as soon as possible.

Gospel - Matthew 25: 14-30

We are drawing to the end of the liturgical year and we are coming to the end of St Matthews gospel. The gospel this week is the 'Parable of the Talents' and how the servants use the "gift" of money that has been given to them by their master. For us of course we can see it as the free gifts that God has given to each of us. We are individuals with gifts given to us in different proportions which we are called to use and share those gifts. In that using and sharing, we will receive back many times that which we expend. How do we react and respond to the free gift that God has given us?

We need to also take God's way of acting seriously as God will demand an account from each of us for the gifts that have been entrusted to us to be developed and grown. He gives to each according to their ability freely without having direction. It poses a question to each of us as to how will we be able to respond to the Master when he returns and account for our stewardship of our gifts.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Fr John Coughlan
• Word on Fire
• English Dominicans
• Sunday Reflection

Saints of the Week

November 14th - St Laurence O'Toole
November 15th - St Albert the Great OP, (Doctor)
November 16th - St Margaret of Scotland
November 17th - St Elizabeth of Hungary
November 18th - Dedication of the Basilica's of Ss Peter and Paul
November 19th - St Agnes of Assisi