26 July 2015 - A discussion on Sacramentals - 17th Sunday in Ordinary time (Year B)

On this weeks programme the full SS102fm team is back on air together for the first time in a couple of months. The discussion this week is around the issue of sacramentals and pious objects. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as other liturgical odds and ends.

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

Holiday & pilgrimage souvenirs - Sacramental's & Pious Objects

It is the holiday season at the minute and many people are also undertaking pilgrimages to the likes of Lourdes, Fatima and Medugorje as well as walking the Camino to Santiago and also more local pilgrimages to Lough Derg and Knock. It is traditional to bring back souvenirs and memento's especially pious objectives for those at home from such journeys. But there can be a tendency by some people to view such items as being superstitious or as some kind of "magic" item. At the same time there are also some who view such items as medieval and passé, anachronistic or mildly embarrassing  like an eccentric old aunt. 

So on this weeks programme the SS102fm team discuss what exactly sacramentals are, how they are different to the Sacraments, the different types of sacramentals and how they are supposed to be used and respected and ultimately what is the point and purpose of them as guides and sign posts in faith towards Christ. 

You can listen to the discussion on sacramentals excerpted from the programme HERE.

Pope Francis has raised the issue of popular piety in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium and he reflects on the role of popular piety in evangelisation.  

You can read what the Catechism has to say here. You can also listen to the Faith Check podcast from the Discerning Heart website here. You can find a powerpoint presentation used on the main points of this weeks radio programme here.

A few other resources including how to dispose of old and worn out pious objects properly here and here.  

Gospel - John 6: 1-15

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 

When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ 

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections
Deacon's Bench - Preachers, don’t make this mistake this weekend


Liturgical Odds & Ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 1; 17th week in ordinary time

Saints of the Week

27th July - Saint Ecclesius of Ravenna
28th July - Saint José Melchór García-Sampedro Suárez
29th July - St Martha
30th July - St Peter Chrysologus
31st July - St Ignatius of Loyola
1st August - St Alphonsus Liguori

1st February 2015 - The Joy of the Gospel - 4th Sunday in Ordinary time

On this the first day of Spring, the feast of St Bridget of Ireland, SS102fm team are joined on air by Fr Eamonn's Conway to discuss the "Joy of the Gospel" - Pope Francis apostolic exhortation and Fr Eamonn's guidebook to the popular papal document. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some other odds and ends.

This weeks programme can be listened back to via our podcast available HERE.

St Bridget of Ireland

Because the feast day of St Bridget falls on a Sunday this year, per the liturgical norms it is not marked except in the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin where it has the rank of a solemnity. But liturgical niceties aside, Bridget is our secondary patron and her day should be marked in some small way. Please check out our previous posts HERE.

Source

Merciful God,
origin and reward of all charity,
you called Saint Brigid to teach the new commandment of love
through her life of hospitality and her care of the needy;
give to your people, by her intercession, a generous spirit,
so that, with hearts made pure,
we may show your love to all.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever

Amen

May God, who in Saint Brigid has provided an outstanding example of generosity: make your ears be ever open to the cry of the poor.

May you who greet Saint Brigid as Mary of the Gael receive from Jesus, Son of Mary, the reward promised to the pure of heart.

May God fill you with his love, as you honour Saint Brigid, whose heart and mind became a throne of rest for the Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen.

St. Brigid’s Prayer

I’d like to give a lake of beer to God.
I’d love the Heavenly
Host to be tippling there
For all eternity.

I’d love the men of Heaven to live with me,
To dance and sing.
If they wanted, I’d put at their disposal
Vats of suffering.

White cups of love I”d give them,
With a heart and a half;
Sweet pitchers of mercy I’d offer
To every man.

I’d make Heaven a cheerful spot,
Because the happy heart is true.
I’d make the men contented for their own sake
I’d like Jesus to love me too.

I’d like the people of heaven to gather
From all the parishes around,
I’d give a special welcome to the women,
The three Marys of great renown.

I’d sit with the men, the women of God
There by the lake of beer
We’d be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer

Pope Franics - "Evangelii Gaudium" - The Joy of the Gospel 

"Blueprint to the Church - An Introduction to the Joy of the Gospel" by Fr Eamon Conway and Cathal Barry

Fr Eamon Conway joins us on the programme this week to speak about his book "Blueprint to the Church" which is an introduction to the apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis "the Joy of the Gospel". In a wide discussions, Shane and Fr Eamon discuss the exhortation and what it means for each of us in our daily lives and looking at the challenge that Pope Francis is setting out for the church a path to the future. 

You can listen to the discussion excerpted from the main programme HERE.

You can read The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis.

Vatican Radio - Synthesis of the Apostolic Exhortation “The Joy Of The Gospel”

You can listen to a dropbox link of a talk by Bishop Donal Murray on EG


Various videos from iCatholic on The Joy of the Gospel
America Magazine - Francis on 'The Joy of the Gospel'
XT3 - The Joy of the Gospel
The Catholic World Report - Pope Francis and the Gospel of Joy
Word on Fire - "The Joy of the Gospel Resources"

UPDATE: Text of talk by Bishop Brendan Leahy to the priests of Cloyne diocese on EG HERE.

Gospel - Mark 1:21-28

And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical Odds & Ends

Liturgy of the Hours: psalter week 4

Saints of the Week
February 2nd - The Presentation of the Lord; aka The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemass Day); World Day for Consecrated Life

In 1997, Pope John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. 
February 3rd - St Blaise (Blessings of the Throat)
February 4th - St Joan of Valois
February 5th - St Agatha
February 6th - St Paul Miki and Companions
February 7th - St Colette
February 8th - Synod Sunday in Limerick diocese

Evangelii Gaudem - iCatholic Study Circle Videos on "the Joy of the Gospel"

iCatholic continues with their short videos on Evangelii Gaudem (the Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis apostolic exhortation.

This series of videos features Michael Sullivan (Editor - Irish Catholic), Breda O'Brien (Journalist and commentator) and Fr Donal Dorr SPS (Kiltegan Father and writer on Catholic Social Teaching).

The Joy of the Gospel - Video study circle from iCatholic

As we still work to digest Pope Francis' exhortation "The Joy of the Gospel" below are two Limerick contributions to the ongoing discussion/study circle at iCatholic on the new papal exhortation from Bishop Leahy and Professor Eamon Conway.






You can find our earlier posts on the apostolic exhortation HERE

The Joy of the Gospel - Pope Francis first apostolic exhortation

On November 26th Pope Francis first apostolic exhortation, titled 'Evangelii Gaudium' or 'Joy of the Gospel' was published.

(What is an apostolic exhortation?)

It's the first public document completely authored by Pope Francis. Divided in five chapters, it highlights several points about what it really means to be Christian. It deals with mercy, sharing the joy of faith, the role of the Pope and of Episcopal conferences. Also topics ranging from spirituality and the defense of life to poverty and economics

As Rocco over at Whispers put it "If you're looking for a "primer," it's fairly simple: don't insult your intelligence – just take the time to actually read it."

Reportage on the publication of the apostolic exhortation:

John Allen (NCR) - 'Evangelii Gaudium' amounts to Francis' 'I Have a Dream' speech

Fr James Martin SJ - A New Vision for the Church

RTE - The God Slot (6th Dec) - Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick and Brendan Butler of 'We Are Church' discuss the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation, ‘The Joy of the Gospel’. What does it say, and, of equal importance, what does it not say?

The Irish Catholic - Why some people just don’t get Pope Francis

The Irish Catholic - Pope sets out bold reform agenda

Vatican Radio - Economic justice in Evangelii Gaudium 

Vatican Radio - "Evangelii Gaudium": Catholic in every sense of the word

Vatican Radio - Joan Lewis: Evangelii Gaudium is "a programme for papacy"

Jericho Tree - The Joy of the Gospel: a summary and guide to Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation 

Millenial - Reflections on Evangelli Gaudium: What Francis Really Wants to Change

Millenial - Around the Web: Reflections on Evangelii Gaudium

Mullenial - Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium: Work for Justice at Heart of Discipleship

Katherine Lopez - On Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel Is Rooted in the Cross

The Controversy Over Evangelii Gaudium

Huffington Post - Pope Francis 'Evangelii Gaudium' Calls For Renewal Of Roman Catholic Church, Attacks 'Idolatry Of Money'

National Catholic Register - ‘Evangelii Gaudium’: Pope Francis’ Blueprint for Evangelization 

National Catholic Register - Pope Francis’ new document, Evangelii Gaudium: 9 things to know and share

Catholic Herald - Key quotes from Evangelii Gaudium

The Catholic World Report - A helpful summary of the apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium"

Sheila Liaugminas - Pope Francis provokes in Evangelii Gaudium

Kathleen Parker (Washington Post) - The conscience of a pope

Millenial - The Danger of Pope Francis

National Catholic Reporter - Times are changing under Pope Francis

Salt + Light - Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel