Pope baptizes 34 babies, says faith can't grow without love at home

Vatican City, Jan 7, 2018 / 02:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).

Keeping with papal tradition, Pope Francis marked the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord by celebrating Mass in the Sistine Chapel, during which he baptized 34 infants, telling parents that love at home is the first requirement of passing on the faith.

“If there is no love at home, if the language of love isn't spoken between mother and father at home, you can't do it,” the Pope said Jan. 7, telling parents to “transmit the faith, but do it with the love of the family, at home.”

He celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel, as he does each year on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, during which he baptizes several infants. This year he administered the Sacrament of Baptism on 34 babies, 16 boys and 18 girls.

In his brief, off-the-cuff homily, the Pope told parents that in baptizing their children, they are making the “first step” in the task of transmitting the faith.

“We need the Holy Spirit to transmit the faith, or else we can't do it,” he said, adding that to transmit the faith “is a grace of the Holy Spirit.”

However, even with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Francis stressed that truly transmitting the faith to one's children “can only be done in love; in the love of the family, of the father and mother, grandmother and grandfather.”

Catechists come later in life to help in transmitting the faith with “ideas and explanations,” he said, but told parents “don't forget this: have love.”

He also told parents to be childlike in their own prayer, saying children communicate in the only way they can, but “it's the language Jesus likes a lot.”

“Jesus advises us to be like them, to speak like them. May your prayers be simple like children,” he said, telling parents that in their own prayer, “say it in your heart like they do” when they cry, and “the Lord will teach you how to be like them, how to speak to them.”

Francis closed his homily telling mothers that if the babies cry and “start to have a concert” because they are uncomfortable or hungry, to breastfeed them without fear or hesitation if it is the latter, “because this is also a language of love.”

After celebrating Mass, the Pope will then make his way to the Apostolic Palace, where he will lead pilgrims in the traditional Angelus prayer, as he does every Sunday.

*********************

Crux - Pope says to transmit the faith, parents must speak ‘language of love’

January 7th 2018 - Baptism of the Lord

On this weeks SS102fm programme, John and the team wish you a Happy New Year as we mark the close of the Christmas season on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We have a repeat of a reflection on New Years and new starts from Sr Dympna Clancy (RIP) as well as our regular reflection on the gospel of the day and other liturgical odds and ends.

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



New Years Reflection - Sr Dympna Clancy

We repeat a reflection shared with us by Sr Dympna Clancy on New Years Day 2017 where she reflects on what New Year could mean for us as individuals, families and as the family of families in the diocese of Limerick. 

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








Gospel - Baptism of the Lord

John the Baptist proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Receptivity to God’s Love

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 1, 1st week of ordinary time

Saints of the Week

January 8th - St Albert of Cashel
January 9th - St Marcellinus of Ancona
January 10th - St John of Jerusalem 
January 11th - St Eithne & Fedelemia
January 12th - St Aelred of Rievaulx
January 13th - St Hilary of Poitiers

Pope Francis: “I give you a homework assignment: to seek the date of your baptism”

"Do not forget that the greatest inheritance that you can give your children is faith. Be careful that this is not lost, so it can grow and leave as a legacy”. - Pope Francis baptises 26 babies in the Sistine Chapel

11th January 2015 - Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - Christmastide 2014

On this weeks programme John is joined in studio by Martina and Michael Keating who discuss the role and history of St Ita in Limerick diocese as well as a reflection on baptism. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel which is the last gospel of the Christmas period as well as other liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the doorway into the church as it is the first sacrament of initiation into the Body of Christ and on this weeks programme John and his panel reflect on the meaning of the sacrament and its impact on our lives as Christians and how it is an opening to grace in our lives.

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

Pope Francis has reflected on the sacrament of baptism at numerous times since he was elected Pope with many reflections.He has reminded us that baptism is no just a formality. "It is an act that touches the depths of our existence. A baptized child and an unbaptized child are not the same. A person who is baptized and a person who is not baptized are not the same. We, by Baptism, are immersed in that inexhaustible source of life which is the death of Jesus, the greatest act of love in all of history; and thanks to this love we can live a new life, no longer at the mercy of evil, of sin and of death, but in communion with God and with our brothers and sisters". He has reflected on baptism during his weekly general audiences links to which are:

8th January 2014
15th January 2014

SS102fm has done a number of programmes on baptism before including a part of our series on the Sacraments when Sr Margaret O'Sullivan reflected on the sacrament of baptism HERE.

Gospel - Mark 1:7-11 - The Baptism of the Lord

And [John the Baptist] preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased."

Catholic Culture - Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes.

In the Eastern Church this feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons. The baptism of John was a sort of sacramental preparatory for the Baptism of Christ. It moved men to sentiments of repentance and induced them to confess their sins. Christ did not need the baptism of John. Although He appeared in the "substance of our flesh" and was recognized "outwardly like unto ourselves," He was absolutely sinless and impeccable. He conferred upon the water the power of the true Baptism which would remove all the sins of the world: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world."

THE BELOVED

It was a voice out of nowhere.
It was a voice from everywhere.
It was the voice of love.
It was the voice from above.
.
“You are my beloved,” came the words;
“You are my beloved,” was what they heard.
“You are my Son;”
“You are the One.”
.
The words were spoken at the river
By One, who of all life, is the giver.
The words were spoken to identify Jesus;
The words were spoken that God might touch us.
.
Down through the centuries of life,
Through war and pestilence and strife,
The faithful lose all fear,
When “You are my beloved” is what they hear.
.
The words are meant for all;
The words are God’s call.
“I love you without reserve.”
“I love you more than you deserve.”
.
And then there comes a time in each soul
When we embrace our God and commit our whole.
We say we will follow Jesus’ way
And in his path we will stay.
.
But sometimes we forget that we are the beloved.
Sometimes we fail to seek the way of love.
Sometimes we think that on our own we can win.
Often we must repent of our life of sin.
.
And again we pledge our hearts and vow
That we want to make a difference now.
We hear the challenge to reach out –
We look beyond our walls and that’s what Christianity is about.
.
We remember that Jesus would not be in our midst.
He would be among the people whom we try to miss.
He would walk with the homeless, sit with the sick –
The poorest of the poor would be his pick.
.
When we do likewise, our soul is eased
And God says of us, “With you I am well pleased.”
And in the squalor of our sinful life, God continues to love
And speaks to the people of the ages that we, too, are the beloved.


- Rev. Terry Heck, Bellbrook UMC, Bellbrook, OH.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy

St Ita of Kileedy - co-patron of the diocese of Limerick

St Ita also known as the Brigid of Munster is associated with the parish of Killeedy and is one of the co-patrons of the diocese of Limerick. January 15th is her feast day. 

In previous years Michael Keating has shared with us about this extraordinary woman and her role on the development of the faith. 

We discussed how she is a role model and especially how she is a role model for women and what she would say to us in Limerick today. 

We discussed her links with Killeedy, her fostering of various Irish saints and her link with St. Brendan the Navigator. 

She is reportedly a good intercessor in terms of pregnancy and eye illnesses.

"St Ita, the patron saint of Killeedy, was born before 484AD in County Waterford, in the Tramore area. Her father was Cennfoelad or Confhaola and her mother was Necta. Cennfoelad was descended from Felim the lawgiver. 

Ita's name was originally Dorothea or Deirdre. She was a member of the Déisí tribe. Ita refused her father's wish that she should marry a local chieftain, as she believed that she had a calling from God and wanted to become a nun. To convince her father to change his mind, she fasted for three days and three nights. On the third night, God gave out to her father in his sleep. The next morning, Cennfoelad agreed that Ita could do as she wished. At the age of sixteen, Ita set off on her journey. Bishop (St.) Declan of Ardmore conferred the veil on her. 

Legend has it that Ita was lead to Killeedy by three heavenly lights. The first was at the top of the Galtee mountains, the second on the Mullaghareirk mountains and the third at Cluain Creadhail, which is nowadays Killeedy. Her sister Fiona also went to Killeedy with her and became a member of the community. Ita was welcomed to Killeedy by the local chieftain of the Ui Conaill Gabhra tribe. The chieftain wanted to give Ita a large trait of land but she only wanted a few acres as a garden for her community."

You can listen to Michael Keating's 2014 reflection on St Ita HERE.

You can read the 2013 post on St Ita including a discussion between Fr Michael Liston and Michael Keating HERE and previous posts including the readings and other information HERE.


Liturgical odds and ends

Liturgy of the Hours - 1st Week in Ordinary time, Psalter Week 1

Saints of the Week

12th January - Blessed Pierre-François Jamet
13th January - St Hilary
14th January - St Sava of Serbia
15th January - St Ita of Killeedy; co-patron of the diocese of Limerick
16th January - St Fursa (abbott and missionary)
17th January - St Anthony (abbot)
18th January -Beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

12th January 2014 - Baptism of the Lord - St Ita of Killeedy

On this weeks programme John and Lorraine are joined by Michael Keating who tells us about St Ita of Killeedy whose feast day we celebrate on 15th January 2013. We have our regular reflection on the gospel and a reflection on the 'giftedness' of baptism. We also have  some other liturgical odds and ends.
 
You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.
 
St Ita of Killeedy  

St Ita also known as the Brigid of Munster is associated with the parish of Killeedy and is one of the co-patrons of the diocese of Limerick. January 15th is her feast day, and on this weeks show, Michael Keating tells us about this extraordinary woman and her role on the development of the faith. We discuss how she is a role model and especially how she is a role model for women and what she would say to us in Limerick today. We discuss her links with Killeedy, her fostering of various Irish saints and her link with St. Brendan the Navigator. She is reportedly a good intercessor in terms of pregnancy and eye illnesses.

"St Ita, the patron saint of Killeedy, was born before 484AD in County Waterford, in the Tramore area. Her father was Cennfoelad or Confhaola and her mother was Necta. Cennfoelad was descended from Felim the lawgiver. Ita's name was originally Dorothea or Deirdre. She was a member of the Déisí tribe. Ita refused her father's wish that she should marry a local chieftain, as she believed that she had a calling from God and wanted to become a nun. To convince her father to change his mind, she fasted for three days and three nights. On the third night, God gave out to her father in his sleep. The next morning, Cennfoelad agreed that Ita could do as she wished. At the age of sixteen, Ita set off on her journey. Bishop (St.) Declan of Ardmore conferred the veil on her. Legend has it that Ita was lead to Killeedy by three heavenly lights. The first was at the top of the Galtee mountains, the second on the Mullaghareirk mountains and the third at Cluain Creadhail, which is nowadays Killeedy. Her sister Fiona also went to Killeedy with her and became a member of the community. Ita was welcomed to Killeedy by the local chieftain of the Ui Conaill Gabhra tribe. The chieftain wanted to give Ita a large trait of land but she only wanted a few acres as a garden for her community."

Bishop Brendan Leahy will join parish priest Fr John Keating and the people of Killeedy on Wednesday January 15th in celebrating the feast of St Ita- patroness of the Diocese. In the tradition and spirit of St Ita the people of Killeedy make January 15th a day of prayer and celebration. Raheenagh Church will be full to capacity for concelebrated Mass at 11am. Afterwards people will "pay the rounds" at St Ita's Shrine. Mass will be celebrated in Ashford Church at 7.30pm.

Legend has it that Ita had a little cell built for herself away from the convent (probably made of thatch and wattle) and there she would spend some hours each day in quiet prayer. In keeping with this practice there will be 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration in Raheenagh Church commencing after 10am Mass on Tuesday 14th Jan.

You can listen to Michael Keating's 2014 reflection on St Ita HERE.
 
You can read the 2013 post on St Ita including a discussion between Fr Michael Liston and Michael Keating HERE and previous posts including the readings and other information HERE.
 




Gospel - Matthew 3:3-13
 

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
 

THE BELOVED

It was a voice out of nowhere.
It was a voice from everywhere.
It was the voice of love.
It was the voice from above.
.
“You are my beloved,” came the words;
“You are my beloved,” was what they heard.
“You are my Son;”
“You are the One.”
.
The words were spoken at the river
By One, who of all life, is the giver.
The words were spoken to identify Jesus;
The words were spoken that God might touch us.
.
Down through the centuries of life,
Through war and pestilence and strife,
The faithful lose all fear,
When “You are my beloved” is what they hear.
.
The words are meant for all;
The words are God’s call.
“I love you without reserve.”
“I love you more than you deserve.”
.
And then there comes a time in each soul
When we embrace our God and commit our whole.
We say we will follow Jesus’ way
And in his path we will stay.
.
But sometimes we forget that we are the beloved.
Sometimes we fail to seek the way of love.
Sometimes we think that on our own we can win.
Often we must repent of our life of sin.
.
And again we pledge our hearts and vow
That we want to make a difference now.
We hear the challenge to reach out –
We look beyond our walls and that’s what Christianity is about.
.
We remember that Jesus would not be in our midst.
He would be among the people whom we try to miss.
He would walk with the homeless, sit with the sick –
The poorest of the poor would be his pick.
.
When we do likewise, our soul is eased
And God says of us, “With you I am well pleased.”
And in the squalor of our sinful life, God continues to love
And speaks to the people of the ages that we, too, are the beloved.


- Rev. Terry Heck, Bellbrook UMC, Bellbrook, OH.

 
You can listen to this weeks reflection on Baptism excerpted from the programme HERE where we reflect on the 'giftedness' of baptism and how those who are baptised now belong to Christ. As Pope Francis reminded us during the week baptism is no just a formality. "It is an act that touches the depths of our existence. A baptized child and an unbaptized child are not the same. A person who is baptized and a person who is not baptized are not the same. We, by Baptism, are immersed in that inexhaustible source of life which is the death of Jesus, the greatest act of love in all of history; and thanks to this love we can live a new life, no longer at the mercy of evil, of sin and of death, but in communion with God and with our brothers and sisters".

Pope Francis during his weekly General Audience has begun a series on the sacraments and this week he spoke about baptism, you can read/listen to it HERE.
 
Reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire - Priest, Prophet, and King : The Baptism of the Lord
Blue Eyed Ennis
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy

UPDATE: Digital Nun blogging at iBenedictines on the Baptism of the Lord

Our previous posts on this feast day HERE and HERE.
 
Liturgical odds and ends
 
Liturgy of the Hours - 1st Week in Ordinary time, Psalter Week 1
 
Saints of the Week
 
13th January - St Hilary
14th January - St Sava of Serbia
15th January - St Ita of Killeedy; co-patron of the diocese of Limerick
16th January - St Fursa (abbott and missionary)
17th January - St Anthony (abbot)
18th January - St Ulfrid of Sweden Beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Pope Francis: Our baptism gives us a new and glorious hope

During his first general audience of the year, Pope Francis talked about the Sacrament of Baptism, the "immersion into the Salvation of Jesus.” He said the Baptism was not just a simple rite, or official act from the Church. He then tasked all the pilgrims at St. Peter's Square to "re-awaken” the memory of their Baptism, and find out when they became a part of the Christian family.
He went on to say that Baptisms take place only inside the Church, who is like a mother who births children through this Sacrament. The Pope closed off his remarks by asking the pilgrims to look up the date of their Baptism, and know it as well as the date of their birthday, because it is "a festive day.”



 Full text from Vatican News:

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!

Today we begin a series of catecheses on the Sacraments, starting with Baptism. By happy coincidence this coming Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

The concept of “sacrament” is at the heart of our Christian faith and sends us back to an event of grace in which God makes himself present and acts in our life. The Second Vatican Council says at the beginning of the Constitution on the Church: “the Church in Christ is in the nature of sacrament - a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men” (Lumen Gentium, n. 1). This means then that the seven Sacraments take shape in the Church herself, who, like a universal sacrament, extends throughout history the salvific and life-giving action of Christ. He is the One who, by the power of the Holy Spirit, continually renews the Christian community and sends it out into the world to bring to all salvation by word and deed, through preaching and the Sacraments.

Confession continues the cleansing act of Baptism, Pope tells audience

“Confession is not a torture chamber, it is a celebration of the day of Baptism,” Pope Francis told his weekly audience on Wednesday, November 13.   

The Pope devoted his catechetical talk to the phrase from the Creed: “I believe in one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” Baptism, he said, is “the act of birth of a Christian in the Church.”

The entire mission of the Church, he added, could be summed up as “to evangelize and to forgive sins through sacramental Baptism.” Baptism, the Pope continued, is “a true spiritual immersion in the death of Christ.” Through Baptism the Christian has opened the door to grace. “But when the door narrows a little because of our weaknesses or our sins, Confession helps us to open it,” he said. Thus Confession should be seen as “like a second Baptism,” the Pope told his audience.    

Pope Francis asked those in attendance at his Wednesday public audience whether they could name the date of their Baptism. When only a few raised their hands in response, he remarked that Christians should be aware of that vitally important date, just as they are aware of their birthdays. He challenged everyone to look up the date of their Baptism, and celebrate it each year.

Full text of address here.

8th January 2012 - Baptism of the Lord (and the Sacrament of Baptism)

On this weeks programme we continue with the second part of our monthly series on the sacraments with Sr Margaret O'Sullivan who joins us to speak about the Sacrament of Baptism. We also have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel, saints of the week and some local and not so local notices.

This weeks podcast is available HERE.

Sacrament of Baptism - The Sacrament of Welcome

Sr Margaret joins us on this weeks programme to discuss with us the Sacrament of Baptism. This is the second part of our series on the Sacraments of the Church which we began in Advent with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The essence of the Sacrament of Baptism is firstly a celebrating God’s love for this new born life. It is meant to be celebratory, meant to be joyful!

One of seven Sacraments and one of three Sacraments of Initiation along with Confirmation and Eucharist. It is the Church’s sacrament of welcome and the gateway to all the other Sacraments. Beyond Baptism, the journey of faith is to become what we already are –daughters and sons of God, brothers and sisters in Christ. We make this journey in our daily lives hopefully with the support of family and the Church community. 

Baptism is the common starting point of all Christians . It means that there is fundamental equality between us all – old and young, rich and poor, men and women, native and stranger. All Christians are graced with the same dignity . As St Paul reminds us in Galatians 3: ‘ there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male of female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus’

 

 Impact on/of the Christian Community

When we celebrate Baptism the whole community is called to welcome this new member, be it a child or an adult who has sought baptism. The words of the Rite of Baptism express it, "the Christian community welcomes you with great joy". It is a beautiful moment when a new member, a new life comes among us and the Rite of Baptism is laden with wonderful symbolism to express this. Baptism is initiation into a Community which was very strongly understood and expressed in the early Church. Community involvement was central, with a member of the community who spoke for the person and gave a guarantee that this person seeking Baptism was worthy of their place in the Christian Community. At the time it was mainly adult baptisms and there was a requirement for an adult commitment to Christian life.

The ideal of course is that Community be present at the Baptism which has implications for the timing of the celebration and its appreciation by the wider community. An ideal time for community involvement is at the Easter Vigil. The early Church celebrated Baptism only once a year and at Easter time linking the new life of the newly baptised directly to the death and Resurrection of Jesus.

Bringing the community involvement back into the sacrament means a little amount of creative thinking and encouragement. Examples of ideas would be the inclusion in the prayer of faithful for newly baptised and family, recognition and a mention in the parish bulletin; gathering of all children baptised during the year perhaps during the Easter Vigil of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord to be presented to the local Christian community of which they are now members by virtue of their baptism. 

Celebration and Rite 

The Rite of Baptism is the ritual of baptism. Rites and rituals are things people do to mark and celebrate certain times and transitions in life and during the year. Coming to Church for Baptism is not just a gathering for a homily or social event.

In a ritual, words almost fail us and we then speak the deeper language of symbol e.g. wedding band, lighting candles, use of incense, oil, water, handshake, hand on the shoulder, a hug - we use symbols because at times words fail us

The rite of Baptism is a rehearsal of the journey of this new Christian. 

• The DOOR - the child is met at the door and is welcomed on behalf of the Christian Community. The journey to God is not made alone but in the company of others. It is about a relationship with the Christian community with whom you are named and welcomed.
• The BOOK – The Word of God is proclaimed as part of the rite. The Word is a sign of our relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit, the voice of God speaking to us of the relationship of God with us through the ages. The Holy Spirit our helper and guide on our journey if we open our hearts and minds to the prompting of the Spirit.
• The FONT - It is a symbol of our relationship with Jesus. We are baptised into his death (water), anointed like him (Chrism) and then called to be his witness through out the world (Light). Then a White garment is wrapped around the child symbolic of putting on Christ. 
• The  ALTAR – Final part of the rite occurs near the alter which is our weekly gathering place in relationship with the Father which is demonstrated in  the Eucharistic Prayer addressed to the Father and by our praying to ‘our Father'. Jesus spoke of ‘going to the Father’ his final destination and ours – being at he Father’s right hand is the goal of our journey too…beginning in time at the door and ending outside time with the Father in heaven.

Preparation in the Parish

Why are you asking for baptism for your child? We need to build up and support people's understanding of this beautiful Sacrament. We need to encourage an awareness of our identity as Christians and how Baptism gives us an identity. Jesus knew in John 13; ‘He knew that he had come from God and that he was going back to God’ Identity enables us to know where we have come from, what we have been given and where we are going.

Central role in passing on the faith belongs to parents/guardians. It is they who will be the role models of faith for their children. It is in the home that children need to learn and experience trust, love,faith, hope and commitment in order for their faith to grow. Not alone in task - Godparents (baptised and confirmed catholics who are committed to sharing their faith with their godchild) and of course the community.

But the Church is keen that parents know and understand what they are asking of the Church and the commitment that are being made. They are asked throughout the ceremony "You have asked to have your child baptised, do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?" "Is it your will that your child should be Baptised?" 

The role of parents is symbolised in the handing on of the Candle. The light is entrusted to them to be kept burning brightly for their child. It is not given to their godparents, or the child's future teachers, but to the parents who have made the request of the church who prays "May he/she keep the flame of faith alive in heart, so that when the Lord comes, she/he may go out to meet him with all the saints".

Other resources and information about the Sacrament of Baptism:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Americancatholic.org articles on Baptism
• Resources from Limerick Diocese website

Gospel - Mark: 1:7-11

This week we have the closing gospel of the Christmas season, the recounting of the Baptism of the Lord. The gospel is one of the four manifestations of the Lord - the Nativity, the Epiphany to the Magi, the Baptism of the Lord and the Miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana.

Jesus begins his public ministry today after being baptised by John in the Jordon where his role and relationship with God the Father is affirmed. His Father is well pleased with him and Jesus is Beloved of the Father. The baptism is a doorway of confirmation of the personal union and relationship between Jesus and his Father in heaven represented by the Holy Spirit.

Are there moments in our lives when we experience moments of affirmation? Do we appreciate them? Do we act on them? Do we create space and time for God to manifest himself to us?

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Sunday Reflections
• English Dominicans - The Desert becomes a City
• English Dominicans - Into the Promised Land

UPDATE: Due to the variation in the liturgical calendar between Ireland and the USA and UK who celebrate the Baptism of the Lord today, we weren't able to put up some of our normal links for further reflections:

• Blue Eyed Ennis - check out the links, videos and reflections from Philomena for the feast.
• Word on Fire
• CatholicCulture.org
• Creighton University Online Ministry

Saints of the Week

1st Week of Ordinary Time - Psalter Week 2

January 9th - St Philip II of Moscow

January 10th - St Dermot of Inis Clothran

January 11th - St Breandan

January 12th - Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung

January 13th - St Kentigern of Glasgow

January 14th - Blessed Amadeus of Clermont

Sacred Space 102fm Prayer Circle Intentions for the Year

At the same time, we are asking our regular listeners who are housebound or ill to consider taking on a task for the year - a prayer intention. Just because we may no longer actively attending Mass in our parish does not mean you are no longer part of our diocesan community. So we are asking for your prayers for the following intentions and you are encouraged to also seek the intercession of the saints for each intention:

• The Unemployed and those seeking work - St Joseph the Worker
• Emigrants - St Patrick
• Government - St Thomas Moore (or St Jude, patron saint of Lost Causes)
• Vocations - St Alphonsis Ligouri
• Bankers and those in financial services - St Matthew the Evangelist
• Priests - St John Vianney
• Diocese of Limerick and the selection of our new bishop - St Munchin and St Ita
• International Eucharistic Congress - St Colmcille, St Mary McKillop, Blessed Margaret Ball
• Pope Benedict XVI - St Peter, St Benedict, St Joseph
• Youth - St John Bosco, Ss Francesco and Jacinta (Seers of Fatima), Blessed Piero Gergio Frassati
• Cancer patients - St Peregrine
• Media and the Press - St Paul, Blessed James Alberione
• Persecuted Christians - St Stephen, St Edith Stein, the Ugandan Martyrs.

Some web browsing.........

Our weekly round up of items from across the blogosphere in the last few days!
First off of course is the news that Pope Benedict is to raise John Paul II to the honour of the alters and beatify him on May 1st 2011. One hostelry of my acquaintance in Rome was booked out in half an hour of the news being released!

• The full text of the decree signed by Pope Benedict XVI
• Rocco has a couple of posts over at Whispers in the Loggia
• Is the Vatican rushing the process for JPII? Some views here and here
• The Catholic Herald has a number of links and articles here and some other details including - where despite his final wishes in his will to remain in the earth - the new blessed's remains will be moved up into St Peters Basilica to the Chapel of St Sebastian.
• Other reports from the New York Times and National Catholic Reporter.

A quick summary of the records of John Paul II from RomeReports

Continuing with the annual important speeches and talks that the Pope gives at this time of the year on January 10th we had the annual address of the Pope to the diplomats who are accredited to the Holy See (the Vatican City State does not accredit ambassadors despite the incorrect usage of terminology by the media). The annual address is like a "State of the World" address seen from the vantage point of the Chair of St Peter and this year it was a very precise address setting out the concerns of the Holy See about the safety of our fellow Christians of all denominations around the world both in countries such as Pakistan (which was directly named) where you can be put to death for converting to Christianity to Europe and the western world where despite the claims to free speech and openness and tolerance there is an increasing effort to drive the role of religion from the public square. Pope Benedict reminded his listeners that "Christians are original and authentic citizens” in the Middle East, Benedict said, quoting the concluding message from the recent Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, who should “enjoy all the rights of freedom of conscience, freedom of worship and freedom of education, teaching and the use of the mass media.”



The full text of the address can be read here. Some reaction and analysis to the Pope's address can be read at NCR, Inside Catholic. Sandro Magister has the text of the speech but also links to other important addresses of the Pope which can you some context to the whole debate.

Although there was various reactions to the Pope's support for Copts in Egypt after the attack on them while praying in church - some disapproving Muslims and some showing that we can't tar all followers of the Prophet with the same brush.


Of course during the week, we had some more movements on the creation of the Anglican Ordinature which is to provide a structure of Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and still maintain some of their Anglican traditions and patrimony. Some of the best coverage is from the Catholic Herald in the UK which has a whole page dedicated to it on their website. Take a visit over and have a look, an interesting piece to look at is the statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the establishment of the Ordinature which is dedicated under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham.

There was an interesting talk from Pope Benedict on how purgatory is a process, not a place.


The last week has been Vocations Awareness week in the USA where there is a strong effort on promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Anchoress has a list of uplifting and encouraging stories about people who have followed the call, inspiring and hope giving especially for us in Ireland. Also a reminder that all Christians are called to take part in helping to grow vocations to the priesthood - when was the last time you prayed for vocations personally or encouraged someone you know to consider a call?


This week saw the beginning of the Visitation in the archdiocese of Armagh with public meetings with Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor - coverage here, here and here.


Ever wonder what the Church thinks of meditation and yoga and other practises from Eastern Religions?

"In 1989 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith delivered a Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation. In Section V of that document, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) wrote: "Just as ‘the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in [the great religions]' neither should these ways be rejected out of hand simply because they are not Christian. On the contrary, one can take from them what is useful so long as the Christian conception of prayer, its logic and requirements are never obscured."

Over at Patheos they are beginning a series of reflections starting with "Pose by Pose: Amen and Om" by Mary DeTurris Poust.


Across Europe there is an increasing level of people choosing de-baptism, but can you really become de-baptised? Pat Gohn reflects on the meaning of baptism. 


The blog called The New Liturgical Movement has an interesting article focusing on a reflection from Dom Columba Marmion OSBInterior and Exterior Dimensions of Divine Worship; a topic which is going to come more and more to the fore as we move towards Advent 2011 and the introduction of a new missal in English speaking countries to replace the one we currently use to say Mass with.

What a blind monk sees - a reflection to cause you to pause.


A couple of interesting articles and reflections which you might like to ponder and read over:

• When atheists are angry at God
• God isn't big enough for some people
• Children need more meditation and less stimulation - A remote diocese in Australia is leading the way by allowing regular periods of silent meditation in the classroom

"Does the fact that we can no longer see the stars have anything to do with our loss of wonder? These things, the stars, and all creation – they are more splendid, perfect, beautiful and lasting than anything man can create or even conceive. It seems like when we were more aware of milky ways and horizons, it was easier to believe.........We have obliterated the stars with our artificial light – but perhaps we’ve blinded ourselves, too. Without the wonder, the greatness of the galaxies in our sight, we’ve lost the ability to believe in, or expect, miracles."

Continue reading here.

"Back in the 1970s, when there was a lot of liturgical innovation going on, Dorothy Day invited a young priest to celebrate mass at the Catholic Worker. He decided to do something that he thought was relevant and hip. He asked Dorothy if she had a coffee cup he could borrow. She found one in the kitchen and brought it to him. And, he took that cup and used it as the chalice to celebrate mass. When it was over, Dorothy picked up the cup, found a small gardening tool, and went to the backyard. She knelt down, dug a hole, kissed the coffee cup, and buried it in the earth. With that simple gesture, Dorothy Day showed that she understood something that so many of us today don’t: she knew that Christ was truly present in something as ordinary as a ceramic cup. And that it could never be just a coffee cup again".

Continue reading here.