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.