26th May 2019 - Fr. Luke McNamara OSB on The Acts of the Apostles

On this week's programme Fr. Luke McNamara OSB gives us an overview of The Acts of the Apostles. We also have our regular reflection on the Sunday Gospel as well as some liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this week's full programme HERE.

The Acts of the Apostles

Fr. Luke McNamara OSB from Glenstal shares an overview of The Acts of the Apostles, beginning by highlighting it's intrinsic connection with the Gospel of St. Luke and why it is separated from St. Luke's Gospel in the arrangement of the books of the New Testament. Fr. Luke recommends that we read The Acts of the Apostles in one sitting or perhaps over two days so that we don't miss the connections between the various parts. Once we have a sense of the whole story of Acts, we will be able to have a better understanding of how the various accounts in Acts fit together. Fr. Luke then very helpfully unpacks The Acts of the Apostles for us, noting the work of the Holy Spirit so that one could suggest that that The Acts of the Apostles be known as The Acts of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Luke especially highlights the relevance of The Acts of the Apostles to our lives today.

You can listen to a podcast of this reflection excerpted from the programme HERE.

Gospel - John 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.

Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.

I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.

Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.

If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 2
First Saturday - June 1st

Pope's Intention for June 2019
Evangelisation – Priests: That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are the most poor.

Saints of the Week
May 27th – St. Augustine of Canterbury
May 28th – Blessed Margaret Pole
May 29th – St. Paul VI
May 30th – St. Joan of Arc
May 31st – The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
June 1st – St. Justin Martyr

19th May 2019 - May, the Month of Mary

On this week's programme we repeat part of a programme originally broadcast in May 2014 when we reflected on various teachings on Mary in the church and her role in salvation history as set out in catholic theology. We also have our regular reflection on the Sunday Gospel as well as some liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this week's full programme HERE.

May, the Month of Mary

SS102fm has had programmes on various individual devotions to Mary over the last couple of years. But, as May is traditionally the month of Mary on this week's programme, Lorraine leads us through a reflection on Catholic's understanding of Mary in salvation history and in the church. Using the book 'Introduction to Mary - The Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion' by Mark Miravalle we looked at what is devotion to Mary and Mary in Scripture (Old Testament pre-figurements of Mary and Mary in the New Testament). 

We then looked at two key Marian doctrines: (1) Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother; and (2) the Immaculate Conception.  Both of these Marian doctrines (indeed, all Marian doctrines) are centred around Christ and what He has done for us.  If you would like to read the first two chapters of Mark Miravalle's book (and other works on Mary), it is available HERE.  The book is available to buy HERE.

Do Catholics Worship Mary?
Catholic Culture - Mary, What you need to know
Catholic Culture - May, the month of Mary
EWTN - Vatican II on Mary - Lumen Gentium

EWTN - Mary in Scripture

You can listen to a podcast of this reflection excerpted from the programme HERE.

Gospel - John 13:31-33,34-35

When Judas had gone Jesus said:

‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,

and in him God has been glorified.

If God has been glorified in him,

God will in turn glorify him in himself,

and will glorify him very soon.

‘My little children,

I shall not be with you much longer.

I give you a new commandment:

love one another;

just as I have loved you,

you also must love one another.

By this love you have for one another,

everyone will know that you are my disciples.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 1

Saints of the Week
May 20th - Saint Bernardino of Siena 
May 21st - Saint Christopher Magallanes and his Companions
May 22nd - Saint Rita of Cascia 
May 23rd – St. John Baptist de Rossi 
May 24th – St. David I of Scotland
May 25th – St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi 

Notices
The Benedictine Community in Stamullen will be hosting another  3 days of Perpetual Adoration from 24th May to 26th May in atonement and reparation for the outcome and implications of the abortion referendum.  We will be asking Our Lady to intercede for Ireland, for faith and life, that God's Will be done here and indeed further afield. If you would like to join us please let us know by texting back on this number - 086-8389989.

12th May 2019 - Good Shepherd Sunday - Fr. Richard Keane on World Day of Prayer for Vocations

On this week's programme the SS102fm team speak with Fr. Richard Keane, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Limerick, on World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We also have our usual reflection on the Sunday Gospel and local notices.

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

Good Shepherd Sunday - World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Fr. Richard Keane, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Limerick, and Parish Priest of Cratloe (as well as working as Judicial Vicar of the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal) took time out of his busy schedule this week to talk to us about vocations and especially vocations to the priesthood. Fr. Richard shares with us why the Church has allocated a day specifically to pray for vocations, why we need priests and religious and some thoughts on a typical day in the life of a priest. 

He also shares with us on the need for vocations especially to the priesthood for the continuation of building up the Church, why we should pray for vocations and for those being called and gives advice to those being called to priesthood and religious life. Fr. Richard finished his reflection by praying 'A Prayer for Priests' by St. John Vianney:

God, please give to your Church today many more priests after your own heart.

May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd.

May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance; 
be examples of humility and poverty; shining models of holiness; 
tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God; 
zealous dispensers of your grace in the sacraments.

May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary his Mother

be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry. Amen.

You can listen to the reflection excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

There can be no greater joy than to risk one’s life for the Lord!  

Pope Francis in his message for the 2019 World Day of Vocations invites us to have the courage to take a risk for God's promise. In his message, Pope Francis explores these two related aspects of vocation - promise and risk. Of course, God's promise far outweighs the risk of making the decision to follow the Lord. Pope Francis encourages those being called to religious: "Do not yield to fear, which paralyzes us before the great heights to which the Lord points us.  Always remember that to those who leave their nets and boat behind, and follow him, the Lord promises the joy of a new life that can fill our hearts and enliven our journey."

You can read Pope Francis' full Message HERE. 

Gospel - John 10:27-30

Jesus said:

‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;

I know them and they follow me.

I give them eternal life;

they will never be lost

and no one will ever steal them from me.

The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,

and no one can steal from the Father.

The Father and I are one.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 4

Saints of the Week
May 13th - Our Lady of Fatima
May 14th - St. Matthias
May 15th - St. Carthage
May 16th - St. Brendan
May 17th - St. Paschal Baylon
May 18th - Pope John I

Notices
On Saturday, May 18th St. Joseph's Young Priests Society will be holding a 3 hour vigil of prayer for vocations in St. Nessan's Church, Raheen beginning with Mass at 6.00pm. All are welcome. 

5th May - Third Sunday of Easter - Bishop Leahy's Lenten Pastoral on Holiness (Continued)

On this week's programme the SS102fm team continue our reflection on Bishop Brendan Leahy's Lenten Pastoral Letter "This Is What God Wants Of Us – Our Holiness." We also have our usual reflection on the Sunday Gospel and local notices.

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

This is What God Wants of Us - Our Holiness

John and Lorraine continued our reflection on Bishop Brendan's pastoral letter "This is What God Wants of Us - Our Holiness." Of course, just because Lent is over and we are well into the season of Eastertide doesn't mean that we can forget about holiness! The call to holiness is both universal (meaning that we are all called to holiness) and ongoing. It is a life-long endeavour of saying 'yes' to God's grace. As Bishop Brendan succinctly puts it - holiness is "love lived to the full, love of God and one’s neighbour."

In this week's programme we look at the section on 'Why is holiness important?' Bishop Brendan suggests that although we may not be perfect, the overall trend of our life and our effort to be holy matters:  "Each
one of us not only has a mission but is a mission. God wants some particular aspect of the Gospel to shine
out in our lives. If we live our life living love to the full, that is, in holiness, God’s word gets pronounced, as it
were, more clearly to the benefit of many."

Bishop Brendan also invites us to reflect on the following question: "You might think of people you know who you consider holy and ask yourself what specific word does their life speak to you. Each of our lives is speaking a word to the world around us." So we invite you to do the same during the coming week. Think about what word you proclaim to the world and what words those who are holy proclaim to the world.

You can listen to the reflection excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

You can read the full Pastoral Letter HERE.

Gospel - John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.

It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.

As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 3

Saints of the Week
May 6th - St. Dominic Savio
May 7th - St. Rose Venerini

May 8th - St. Peter of Tarantaise

May 9th - St. Pachomius
May 10th - St. Comgall
May 11th - St. Ignatius of Laconi

Terra Sancta News 03/05/2019

This week: The evocative rite of the Saturday of Light which announced the Orthodox Easter; the figure of St Joseph the Worker; the celebration for the Centenary of the birth of the Province of the Child Jesus of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; the 44th edition of the Biblical-Theological Course held by the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum of Jerusalem and finally we take you on a different tour of the Holy City.

Ecumenical Patriarch Message for Easter 2019

✠ B A R T H O L O M E W
By God’s Mercy
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church: May the Grace, Peace and Mercy
of Christ Risen in Glory be with you All

Venerable brothers and beloved children in the Lord,

Having run the course of the race of Holy and Great Lent in prayer and fasting, and having reached the salvific passion of Christ God, today we are rendered participants in the joy of His splendid Resurrection.

The experience of Resurrection belongs to the core of Orthodox identity. We celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection not only during the feast of Holy Pascha and the ensuing paschal period, but on each Sunday and at each Divine Liturgy, which is always a luminous festivity. The Christian life in all its dimensions – in divine worship as well as in our life and witness in the world – bears a resurrectional spirit and is shaken by the victory of the risen Christ over death and by the expectation of His eternal kingdom.

Man is unable of itself to handle fear and the inevitability of death, which it confronts throughout and not merely at the conclusion of life. The sense that life is “a journey toward death” – without any hope of escape – does not lead to any humanization of life or enhancement of responsibility and concern for the present and future. On the contrary, humanity recoils and disengages from the essential elements of life, ending up in cynicism, nihilism and despair, in a fabrication of uninhibited self-realization and in the graceless eudemonism of “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die.” Science, social and political activism, economic progress and prosperity cannot provide a way out of this impasse. Whatever is created by humanity bears the stigma of death, and it does not lead to salvation, because it is itself in need of salvation. The desire for eternity cannot be concealed by worldly goods and cannot be satisfied by the extension of life or the promise of false paradise.

Athos

Mount Athos on a peninsula off the cost of Greece is one of Europe's last remaining secrets: a monks' republic. Access to women is strictly denied and in order to keep unwanted tourists out, visas are granted only to pilgrims and workers. For the first time, a filmmaker was given access to all forms of monastic life on the holy mountain.

Popes Prayer Intentions May 2019

Let us pray this month that the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

The ethnic, linguistic, and tribal divisions in Africa can be overcome promoting unity in diversity.
I want to thank the religious sisters, priests, laity, and missionaries for their work to create dialogue and reconciliation among the various sectors of African society.
Let us pray this month that the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

1st May 2019 - Crowning Our Lady Queen of the May

Bring flowers of the rarest
Bring blossoms the fairest,
From garden and woodland and hillside and dale;
Our full hearts are swelling,
Our glad voices telling...
The praise of the loveliest flower of the vale!

O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today!
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May. 

By tradition, May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary - Theotokas. The month of May is the "month which the piety of the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady," and it is the occasion for a "moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world [pay] to the Queen of Heaven. During this month Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the benefits of God's mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance" (Paul VI: Encyclical on the Month of May, no. 1).