2nd December 2018 - Bishop McKeown reflects on the Synod of Bishops on Youth (Oct 2018) - 1st Sunday of Advent

On this weeks programme Bishop Donal McKeown from Derry joins John and Shane to discuss the recent meeting of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome which looked at Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. 

We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as notices and liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the podcast of the full programme HERE.



Synod of Bishops on Young People, the faith and vocational discernment

Bishop Donal McKeown is the bishop of Derry which covers almost all of County Derry, parts of Counties Donegal and Tyrone and a very small area across the River Bann in County Antrim and he joins John and Shane on this weeks programme.

From 3rd - 28th October 2018 Bishop Donal was one of the Irish representatives at the Synod of Bishops meeting being held in Rome. The Synod of Bishops was established by Pope Paul VI in 1965, shortly after the close of the Second Vatican Council, to continue the spirit of collegiality and communion that was present at the Council. The Synod is an assembly of bishops from around the world who assist the Holy Father by providing counsel on important questions facing the Church in a manner that preserves the Church's teaching and strengthens her internal discipline. On average it meets every three years and this years Synod was focused on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. 

Bishop Donal takes us through his experience of the Synod and the issues and topics that arose both from the bishops but also the youth participants on the floor of the Synod. He talks us through the documents and ideas which have been put forward as we wait now for Pope Francis to publish his final document arising from the Synod. 

You can listen to Bishop Donal's interview excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE. 



Synod of Bishops website
Crux - Synod of Bishops on Youth
USCCB - Synod of Bishops on Youth 

Gospel - Luke 21:25-28; 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.For that day will assault everyonewho lives on the face of the earth.Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 1 - First week of Advent

Saints of the Week

December 3rd - St Francis Xavier
December 4th - St John Damascene
December 5th - St Sabbas of Mar Saba
December 6th - St Nicholas
December 7th - St Ambrose (First Friday)
December 8th - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (First Saturday)

Pope's Intention for December 2018

"That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time".