15th December 2013 - 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year A) - Gaudate Sunday - Book launch: The History of Limerick and its parishes

On this weeks programme we are joined by Limerick Diocesan archivist David Bracken on this weeks programme to tell us about the diocesan archive and the work been undertaken there. He also tells us about the launch of two books on the history of Limerick diocese and its parishes. We also have our regular reflection on the gospel for Gaudate Sunday as well as a quick look at our celestial guides.

You can listen to the full programme on our podcast HERE.

Book Launch: The history of Limerick and its parishes

Limerick Diocese has produced a beautifully produced book entitled ‘The Diocese of Limerick – An Illustrated History’ by Liam Irwin. It was a project initiated by Bishop Murray and David takes us through the story that has been set down and recorded. As Bishop Brendán Leahy in his foreword describes the book as being “like an ‘Acts of the Apostles’ for our diocese in that it offers an overview of some of the significant developments and places, people and events that have marked our diocesan journey through its long history”. The book is divided into two parts: the first looking at the history of the diocese as a whole and the second gives a history of individual parishes. Reading this history of the diocese gives one the sense of the variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been poured out on the diocese, but it is also important to remember that the Holy Spirit hasn’t stopped working! Bishop Brendán prompts us to ask ourselves “what page of the diocesan history am I/we writing for the future?”

 
You can listen to David Bracken's interview excerpted from the programme HERE.
 
Copies of the book are available in Limerick Parishes and from the Diocesan Office, Cost: €20.
 
Gospel - (Gaudate Sunday) - Matthew 11:2-11

"Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."

 
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.' Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

God is present and actively working in our lives at all times, even when we are too busy to notice. But deep within our hope is like flowers blooming in the desert, small sweet and true. Gaudete Sunday, (gaudete means rejoice), is a reminder that our preparation is leading us near to Christmas.

"As not, doubt not. You have, my heart, already chosen the joy of Advent. As a force against your own uncertainty, bravely tell yourself, 'It is the Advent of the great God.' Say this with faith and love, and then both the past of your life, which has become holy, and your life's eternal, boundless future will draw together in the now of this world. For then into the heart comes the one who is Advent, the boundless future who is already in the process of coming, the Lord, who has already come into the time of the flesh to redeem it." ~ Karl Rahner

Gaudete Sunday is a reminder to keep preparing, to keep connected, to keep believing that God is doing great things in this Advent season. The day takes its common name from the Latin word Gaudete ("Rejoice"), the first word of the introit of this day's Mass:

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob.
This may be translated as:

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.

• Gaudete Sunday: 11 things to know and share . . .
• This Sunday, we rejoice. But why do we wear rose? Why not another color?

Reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections
Blue Eyed Ennis

Liturgical odds and ends

Liturgy of the Hours - week 3 psalter, 3rd week of Advent

Saints of the Week

December 16th - St Adelaide
December 17th - Lazarus of Bethany
December 18th - St Flannan
December 19th - St Paulillus of Nicodemia
December 20th - St Fachanan
December 21st - St Peter Canisius