31 August 2014 - Trocaire's appeal for Middle East - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary time

The SS102fm team is back with an almost full contingent on air this morning with John, Lorraine, Anne and the welcome return of Michael Keating to studio. On this weeks programme we have an interview with Caoimhe de Barra who is the International Director of Trocaire and she is talking about Trocaire's work. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some other odds and ends.
 
You can listen to the podcast of this weeks programme HERE.

Trocaire
 

Trócaire works in over 20 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. In 2013-14, their programme work had a direct impact on the lives of over 3.4 million people in these regions. Trócaire delivers support through local partner organisations and churches, helping communities and families to free themselves from the oppression of poverty.

In Ireland, they raise awareness about the causes of poverty through their outreach programmes in the education sector, through parish networks, and through their public campaigns and advocacy work.
 
Iraq/Syria
 
Trócaire has committed humanitarian aid to respond to the urgent needs of civilians from minority communities in northern Iraq, who have fled their homes under threat of attack from the militant group, Islamic State (formerly ISIS). A major humanitarian crisis has unfolded in the region, with 850,000 people fleeing in the last two months alone to escape brutal attacks by IS, as it seeks to extend its control across the region. The total displaced since the start of the year stands at 1.4 million.

“The lives of thousands of people from minorities in Iraq, including Christians, Yazidis and Turkmen, are in critical danger, as this humanitarian crisis escalates,” said Éamonn Meehan, Executive Director of Trócaire.

“People trapped in conflict zones are seeking shelter wherever they can find safety, often in churches and temples, and are in desperate need of urgent emergency aid."

“Trócaire is working with our partners in northern Iraq to assess the needs of these people and has committed an initial €300,000 to respond to this evolving emergency.”
 
Gaza
 
Trócaire is appealing for your support for their efforts to deliver emergency aid to Gaza and their work towards a just peace in the region. Conflict in Gaza has killed over 1,800 civilians and displaced more than 485,000 people. They are also working with partners in Israel and the West Bank to build a just peace based on a respect for human rights.
 

 

For more information and to donate to our Gaza appeal - www.trocaire.org

You can listen to Caoimhe de Barra's interview excerpted from the main programme HERE.

Gospel - Matthew 16:21-27

 
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men."
 
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds and ends

Saints of the Week

September 1st  - Bl Pedro Rivera
September 2nd - St Margaret of Louvain
September 3rd - St Pope Gregory the Great
September 4th - Saint Macanisius
September 5th - Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (First Friday)
September 6th - Saint Maccallin of Lusk

Pope's Intentions for September

Mentally disabled. That the mentally disabled may receive the love and help they need for a dignified life.

Service to the poor. That Christians, inspired by the Word of God, may serve the poor and suffering.