On this weeks programme we are joined by members of Youth 2000 Ireland to talk about their work in youth ministry and in particular their latest initiative in a youth Mission Team. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as our saints of the week and some other odds and ends.
One little notice for our regular listeners. Due to changes at West Limerick 102fm there have been a number of changes to the station schedule. As a result our repeat programme goes out now on a Sunday night from 11pm to 12 midnight.
This weeks podcast is available HERE
Youth 2000 Ireland Mission Team
Maura Garrihy joins on this weeks programme to share with us about Youth 2000. We have had members of Youth 2000 on the programme on a number of occasions Youth 2000 is a youth movement within the church for young people from 16 to 35 years old which allows peer evangelisation - young people leading young people to the heart of the church. Maura shares what Youth 2000 and also a little bit about her own faith journey.
On October 11th 2012 Pope Benedict XVI launched the Year of Faith. In the Apostolic Letter that indicates this Year of Faith Pope Benedict speaks of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed even clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ. After much prayer and discernment Youth 2000 Ireland responded to this invitation by Pope Benedict with the introduction of a full time Retreat Team. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience a great retreat and encounter three normal dynamic young people who have a positive message of faith which they want to share with other young people.
The interview with Maura is excerpted from the main programme and is available HERE.
Gospel - Luke 3:1-6
This weeks gospel introduces us to the great figure of John the Baptist - the Forerunner, the Herald of the Messiah, the second Elijah come to announce the arrival of the Lord.
Luke's gospel presents John in the context of his time and how the "Spirit of the Lord" came to him; reminding us that prophets don't speak in their own words but from the Holy Spirit. John appears after a number of years of silence where no prophet had come to guide the people of Israel. Almost like the end of a pregnant period of silence he proclaims that the Lord is near. He calls the people to turn anew to God, to renew their love of God and to open their hearts to God.
For us this Advent, John like all the prophets poses questions to us this Advent.
Liturgical odds and ends
Divine Office - Week 2
Saints of the Week
One little notice for our regular listeners. Due to changes at West Limerick 102fm there have been a number of changes to the station schedule. As a result our repeat programme goes out now on a Sunday night from 11pm to 12 midnight.
This weeks podcast is available HERE
Youth 2000 Ireland Mission Team
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| Youth 2000 Ireland Mission Team (l-r) Gerard Hanley, Maura Garrihy and Ruth Boland |
On October 11th 2012 Pope Benedict XVI launched the Year of Faith. In the Apostolic Letter that indicates this Year of Faith Pope Benedict speaks of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed even clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ. After much prayer and discernment Youth 2000 Ireland responded to this invitation by Pope Benedict with the introduction of a full time Retreat Team. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience a great retreat and encounter three normal dynamic young people who have a positive message of faith which they want to share with other young people.
- Facebook page of the team
- Youth 2000 website
The interview with Maura is excerpted from the main programme and is available HERE.
Gospel - Luke 3:1-6
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| St John the Baptist by Valentin de Boulonge Source |
"... A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight! Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, winding ways be straightened and rough roads made smooth, and all humanity will see the salvation of God." (Lk 3:6)
This weeks gospel introduces us to the great figure of John the Baptist - the Forerunner, the Herald of the Messiah, the second Elijah come to announce the arrival of the Lord.
Luke's gospel presents John in the context of his time and how the "Spirit of the Lord" came to him; reminding us that prophets don't speak in their own words but from the Holy Spirit. John appears after a number of years of silence where no prophet had come to guide the people of Israel. Almost like the end of a pregnant period of silence he proclaims that the Lord is near. He calls the people to turn anew to God, to renew their love of God and to open their hearts to God.
For us this Advent, John like all the prophets poses questions to us this Advent.
- Whose voice am I listening to this Advent?
- Who decides the path I walk, the future I am creating?
- As I prepare for Christmas, am I consciously choosing what I prepare for, or am I doing-whats-expected, keeping-up-with-the-expectations ...? Did I decide I need all this food, or who decided it for me? Have I thought about how I celebrate, or am I assuming that I must ...?
Advent is an invitation to walk again with Jesus in scripture, symbol and sacrament - Jesus who is present, Jesus who is enough. Walking with Jesus we create the path together.
Advent is an invitation to accept anew the grace of the Spirit. Recognising God present and walking with Jesus; the Holy Spirit will guide and bless us. And all that seemed vital and busy and stress-filled, will be filled in and laid low. So that, by Christmas time, we will know that God saves us. God carries us. God makes the path we walk. If we consciously walk with God.
Other reflections on this weeks gospel:
Liturgical odds and ends
Divine Office - Week 2
Saints of the Week
- December 10th - Bl Brian Lacey (martyr)
- December 11th - St Damasus I (Pope)
- December 12th - St Finnian of Clonard and also Our Lady of Guadalupe
- December 13th - St Lucy (virgin, martyr)
- December 14th - St John of the Cross (Carmelite reformer and mystic, Doctor of the Church))
- December 15th - Bl Mary Frances Schervier
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