21st February 2016 - Justice: March for Life and Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2016 - 2nd Sunday of Lent

On this weeks programme we focus on the call to action which Lent presents to us. John is joined by Rebecca Kealy about the Munster March for Life and then by Meabh Smith from Trócaire about their Lenten campaign 2016. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel and other odds and ends.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

Munster March for Life 2016

John talks to Rebecca Kealy on this weeks programme about the Munster March for Life which is being held on 27th February 2016 in Cork. The rally is the coming together of the pro-life community in the Munster area to highlight the need to protect the right to life of the unborn, support to mothers and children and the defence of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution.

You can listen to the interview with Rebecca excerpted from the programme HERE.

The Munster March for Life website and blog is HERE including stories of famous people who were nearly aborted including Celine Dion, Andrea Boccelli and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Trócaire Lenten Campaign 2016

John has an interview with Meabh Smith from Trócaire about the 2016 Lenten campaign. Trócaire launched their 43rd Lent campaign on 11th February, the biggest annual fundraising campaign in Ireland. For the first time, this year’s Trócaire box features people from Ireland, celebrating Trócaire supporters, who are fighting for justice for the world’s poor.

The Trócaire boxes come to Limerick as charity thanks people from the Diocese of Limerick for raising €182,919 last year

Last year, The Diocese of Limerick raised €182,919 to support Trócaire’s annual Lenten campaign, which according to the charity, has supported thousands of people living in devastating poverty across the developing world.

Eamonn Meehan, Executive Director of Trócaire said:

“This year’s Trócaire box is a recognition of ordinary people from places like Limerick, who are doing extraordinary things in the pursuit of justice and a fairer world. Every year we receive tremendous support from Limerick’s school children, teachers, grandparents, clergy, volunteers and families. All of them have something in common. They cannot ignore poverty and they want to make a difference in whatever way they can. Together, they are fighting for justice.”

Last year, thanks to support from people in Ireland, Trócaire supported over 2.4 million people across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. This included 45,000 poor families who got access to local resources, including land and water. Trócaire protected over 700 human rights defenders who were abused and attacked in Guatemala and over 6,000 women, who survived abuse, got healthcare, counselling and legal aid to get justice.

“Sometimes, it is easy to look at the scale of global poverty and think ‘what can I do?’ said Eamonn Meehan. “This year, our Trócaire box is dedicated to thanking people who say ‘I’ll do what I can’.”

This year is Trócaire’s 43rd Lenten campaign. The agency was founded in 1973 by the Catholic Bishops of Ireland to combat extreme poverty and injustice overseas.

Trócaire boxes are available from parishes throughout Limerick, through trocaire.org or by phoning 1850 408 408. As well as donating through the Trócaire box and trocaire.org, people can download a free Trócaire box app for their mobile phones or tablets. The app is available from the Apple App Store or Google Playstore.

You can listen to the interview with Meabh excerpted from the main programme HERE

Gospel - Luke 9: 28-36 - The Transfiguration

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus^* took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,^* they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,^* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;^* listen to him!’ ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
Salt + Light - The Hidden Glory of Mount Tabor
Thin Places, Veils, and Transfiguration
Behold What Your Are, Become What You See – A Sermon for the Feast of the Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-36








Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - psalter week 2; 2nd Week of Lent

Saints of the Week (commemorations during Lent)

February 22nd - Chair of St Peter
February 23rd - Saint Polycarp of Smyrna
February 24th - Feria (free day) - memorials of various
February 25th - Feria - memorials of various saints
February 26th - Feria - memorials of various saints
February 27th - Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows