On this weeks programme we are joined by Meabh Smith from Trocaire to talk about the Trocaire Christmas gifts. For our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel Fr Michael Liston makes a welcome return and we have our saints of the week and some local notices.
This weeks programme full podcast can be listened to HERE.
Trocaire Christmas Gifts
We are joined on the programme this week by Meabh Smith to tell us about Trocaires Christmas gifts.
When you buy a Gift of Change you are helping a family in need. Your gift is not sourced in Ireland - instead it comes from the local country, which in turn helps to support that country's economy. Your gift is then delivered to individuals and communities by Trócaire's partner organisations. You will receive a card from Trócaire as a symbol of the Gift of Change you have purchased. You can then give this card to a friend or family member to explain the meaning of the gift.
To learn about the impact of the Christmas gifts have a look at this video:
Gospel - Luke 3:10-18
Again John the Baptist continues this week to be a practical approach as to how to prepare for the Lord. He gives each of us a way of allowing the space for God in our lives. It is our choice that alives grace into our lives; it is up to us to open the latch of the door of our hears to allow God in to our most deepest places.
From Limerick Diocese Weekly Newsletter:
"In all our busy-ness, even in all the talk about how Christmas preparations should be different: it is easy to spend Advent busy or annoyed.
Gaudate Sunday - the third Sunday of Advent is a moment of joy in the midst of our preparations. An invitation to know that we are blessed. Let us attend to the call of this Sundays second reading:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 4:4-7)
"It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson of the Incarnation, of the enfleshing of God—the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas just as the early Christians baptized the Christmas tree. And we do this by being holy people—kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people - no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush…" (Meanings of Christmas. Fr. Andrew Greeley, Woman’s Day, 12-22-81)
We may not be at Christmas yet, but God is with us on a great, warm , wonderful journey and all is well.
Other reflections on this weeks gospel:
Liturgical odds and ends
Divine Office - Week 3- the Divine Office and Mass readings etc this week are proper to the Season (which means there are set readings etc for these final days before Christmas). We encourage you to join with people all around the world to pray the special O Antiphons from 17 to 23rd December. We will put up posts on the antiphons for each day.
Saints of the Week
December 17th - St Florian of Palestine (martyr)
December 18th - St Flannan of Killaloe (bishop)
December 19th - St Timothy the Deacon (martyr)
December 20th - St Fachanan of Kilfenora (bishop)
December 21st - St Peter Canisus (Priest and Doctor of the Church)
December 22nd - St Alexander of Jerusalem
This weeks programme full podcast can be listened to HERE.
Trocaire Christmas Gifts
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| Bekithemba Mlotshwa and his Trocaire Christmas gift of a goat in Amazon Village, Insiza, Zimbabwe. Photo: Jeannie O Brien - Source: Tipperary Nationalist |
We are joined on the programme this week by Meabh Smith to tell us about Trocaires Christmas gifts.
To learn about the impact of the Christmas gifts have a look at this video:
How to buy a Gift of Change
- OnlineShop for your gifts on www.trocaire.org/gifts. When you reach the checkout you will be asked to select a traditional card or an e-card. If you choose to send a traditional card, the card will be posted out to you. If you choose to send an e-card, the e-card will be emailed to the recipient immediately or at a time you schedule.
- By phone - Call Trocaire on LoCall 1850 408408 (ROI) or Free Phone 0800 912 1200 (NI) for more information.
- You can purchase a Gift of Change from any of the following Trócaire centres, Veritas shops, or selected Easons outlets. Veritas - 83 O’Connell Street, Ennis, Co Clare or Easons - 9 O'Connell Street, Limerick
Purchase your Trocaire Christmas Gifts HERE
You can listen to Maeve's interview excerpted from the main programme HERE.
You can listen to Maeve's interview excerpted from the main programme HERE.
Gospel - Luke 3:10-18
"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near"
Again John the Baptist continues this week to be a practical approach as to how to prepare for the Lord. He gives each of us a way of allowing the space for God in our lives. It is our choice that alives grace into our lives; it is up to us to open the latch of the door of our hears to allow God in to our most deepest places.
From Limerick Diocese Weekly Newsletter:
"In all our busy-ness, even in all the talk about how Christmas preparations should be different: it is easy to spend Advent busy or annoyed.
Gaudate Sunday - the third Sunday of Advent is a moment of joy in the midst of our preparations. An invitation to know that we are blessed. Let us attend to the call of this Sundays second reading:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 4:4-7)
"It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson of the Incarnation, of the enfleshing of God—the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas just as the early Christians baptized the Christmas tree. And we do this by being holy people—kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people - no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush…" (Meanings of Christmas. Fr. Andrew Greeley, Woman’s Day, 12-22-81)
Gaudete - Rejoice - Be glad!
We may not be at Christmas yet, but God is with us on a great, warm , wonderful journey and all is well.
Amen"
Other reflections on this weeks gospel:
Liturgical odds and ends
Divine Office - Week 3- the Divine Office and Mass readings etc this week are proper to the Season (which means there are set readings etc for these final days before Christmas). We encourage you to join with people all around the world to pray the special O Antiphons from 17 to 23rd December. We will put up posts on the antiphons for each day.
Saints of the Week
December 17th - St Florian of Palestine (martyr)
December 18th - St Flannan of Killaloe (bishop)
December 19th - St Timothy the Deacon (martyr)
December 20th - St Fachanan of Kilfenora (bishop)
December 21st - St Peter Canisus (Priest and Doctor of the Church)
December 22nd - St Alexander of Jerusalem
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