30th September 2018 - WMOF2018 - Dr. Mary Aiken - Turning Technology to the Greater Good: Faith, Family & Technology

This week as the SS102fm team are in various parts of the world, we've decided to share with you another of the talks given at the World Meeting of Families held in Ireland this year. Dr. Mary Aiken gave a very powerful insight into how technology can be used for the greater good, an important message given our increasing reliance on all things technological.

WMOF2018 - Dr. Mary Aiken - Turning Technology to the Greater Good: Faith, Family & Technology

On Thursday, August 23rd, the third day of the Pastoral Congress for the WMOF, Dr Mary Aiken, Adjunct Associate Professor Geary Institute for Public Policy, UCD and Academic Advisor for Europol European Cybercrime Centre, Ireland, gave an interactive presentation on turning technology to the good in our world and in our homes. A common challenge for families today is how to integrate technology positively as a growing reality in our daily lives, as well as remain alert to some of the dangers. 

Dr. Aiken speaks about the impact of technology on humankind, and how we can turn technology to the greater good. Dr. Aiken offers a very balanced presentation addressing when human behaviour changes online, the impact of technology on the developing child, which in the context of the WMOF is very important, the problems young people and families encounter and solutions and moving towards the greater good. 

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

You can listen to Dr. Aiken's talk excerpted from the programme HERE. 

Gospel for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.

‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.

‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections 
English Dominicans

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours: Psalter week 2

Saints of the week
1st October - St. Therese of Lisieux
2nd October - The Guardian Angels
3rd October - Blessed Columba Marmion
4th October - St. Francis of Assisi
5th October - Blessed Raymund of Capua
6th October - The Martyrs of Kyoto