Year of Faith - Face2Faith - Cardinal Tagle: What is faith for me? - Vatican Radio

In the first of a series of special Vatican Radio-produced Youtube videos with the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, we find out about his own personal experiences of Faith.

Cardinal Tagle is known as the man who cries easily and is remembered as becoming very emotional the day he received the red biretta and was made cardinal by Pope Benedict. He is also known to be very similar to Pope Francis in the style of living and the way he gets around Manila and he is known for standing in for his priests who are unable to celebrate Sunday Masses without any fuss or ceremony. He was regarded as a papabile at the recent conclave but was handicapped due to his age as he is only 59. He attended IEC2012 in Dublin and made quite an impression on his talk about "The Abuse of Children: Accepting Responsibility, Bringing Healing" and also the catechesis he gave about "Communion in the Word".

2nd June 2013 - Solemnity of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ) - UPDATED

On this week’s programme John and Shane reflect on the meaning of Corpus Christi which we celebrate in Ireland this weekend. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some liturgical odds and ends, our saints of the week and some local notices.

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

Solemnity of Corpus Christi

 

The Feast owes its existence to Blessed Juliana of Liege, who began devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in around 1230. Largely through her insistence, in 1264 Pope Urban 1V commanded its observance by the universal church. While the Church celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday because it falls within the solemn and reflective time of the Easter Triduum, Juliana wanted to encourage a joyful celebration of this great gift of our Divine Master to the Church and to the world.  The Feast sums up three important confessions about our Faith. First is that God became physically present in the person of Christ, True God and True Man. Secondly, God continues to be present in His people as they form the Mystical Body of Christ in his church. And thirdly, the presence of God under the form of bread and wine is made available to us on the altar at Mass and preserved there for our nourishment and worship.

Shane and John reflect on the meaning of the feast this week and how it encourages us to recognise that we too are the Body of Christ in the world today remembering the words of St Teresa of Avila, "Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours".The feast itself is one full of tradition and often times public witness to our faith by processions and public benediction. It is a reminder of the centrality of the Eucharist to our faith life, what the Vatican Council called the "source and summit" of our faith.

 

... What you see is the bread and the chalice -

this is what your eyes tell you.

 

But what your faith needs to be informed of -

the bread is the body of Christ, the chalice is his blood.

 

This is why these things are called sacraments,

because in them one thing is seen, but another is understood.

 

If you wish to understand the body of Christ,

listen to what the apostle says to the believers,

'You are the body of Christ and his members.'

 

If, therefore, you are the body of Christ and his members,

it is your own mystery that has been placed on the table of the Lord. It is your own mystery that you receive.

 

To this which you are you respond 'Amen'

and in responding, you accept it.

What you hear is 'the Body of Christ'

and to this you respond 'Amen'.

So, be a member of Christ's body,

that your Amen may be true...."

St Augustine of Hippo
 

Previous posts from the blog on the feast of Corpus Christi including the hymns written for the feast day by St Thomas Aquinas can be read HERE.

Pope Francis homily on Thursday night from the Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi in Rome in St John Lateran.

“Jesus speaks in silence in the Mystery of the Eucharist,” he said, “and every time reminds us that to follow Him means to come out of ourselves and make of our own lives, not a possession, but a gift to Him and to others......Faced with the neediness of the crowd, the solution of the disciples (in the Gospel) is that every man should take care of himself… How many times do we Christians have this temptation?” he asked his listeners. “We do not care for the needs of others, dismissing them with a pitiful, ‘God help you.’” .....

the Pope told his listeners, Jesus calls us to take action and to respond personally to the needs of others. “People should not fear solidarity,” he said. “Because [it is] only in sharing… that our lives will be fecund.”

 

Afterwards Pope Francis walked in procession behind the Blessed Sacrament from St John Lateran to St Mary Major before giving the Benediction.

UPDATE

Last year in the lead up and during the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, the Irish Dominicans held a series of talks and reflections on the great Eucharistic hymns written for the feast of Corpus Christi by Thomas Aquinas which were recorded and can be viewed on their Dominican Interactive website:

• Theologian to the Papal Household, fr Wojciech Giertych OP, preached a homily on the text of one of the best-loved Eucharistic hymns: the 'Pange Lingua', composed by St Thomas Aquinas OP for the feast of Corpus Christi
• Fr Paul Murray OP, Professor of Spiritual Theology at the Angelicum University, Rome, preached on the text of the 'Adoro Te Devote'. Fr Paul is a poet and a theologian, and he shares with us some insights into St Thomas as poet and theologian.
• Fr Terence Crotty's talk on the 'Lauda Sion', the Sequence for the feast of Corpus Christi.
• Fr John Harris OP, the Regent of Studies of the Irish Province of Dominicans, spoke at the final evening session of the 'Adoro Te Devote' programme, held in conjunction with the International Eucharistic Congress. His topic was the 'Verbum Supernum Prodiens', the hymn written by St Thomas Aquinas for Lauds of the feast of Corpus Christi.

Gospel – Luke 9:11-17

Source

With this week’s gospel we return to the synoptic gospels after the marathon of Easter and Pentecost with St John. For the feast day we have presented to us the story from Luke of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Once again what strikes you about the passage is the abundant love of God for each one of us. The recollection of the event invites to reflect on this love which God has for each one of us, no matter what. All we have to do is respond to it. Christ opened his arms on the Cross to embrace the whole of creation in one redemptive act. And that event continues on today where cross time and space he is reaching out to embrace each one of us. The generosity of that love comes across in today’s gospel and invites each of us to welcome that embrace of God but also to continue to share that love with those we meet.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflection
English Dominicans
Blue Eyed Ennis here and here
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical Odds and Ends

Liturgy of the Hours: Psalter Week 1, 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Pope’s Intentions for June

General – That a culture of dialogue, listening and mutual respect may prevail among the nations.
Missionary – That where secularisation is strongest, Christian communities may learn to effectively promote a new evangelisation.

Saints of the Week

June 3rd - St Kevin of Glendalough (In Ireland). (On the universal calendar it is the feast of St Charles Lwanga and Companions – the Ugandan martyrs)
June 4th – St Charles Lwanga and Companions – Ugandan martyrs (In Ireland)
June 5th – St Boniface
June 6th - St Jarlath
June 7th – Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (First Friday)
June 8th – Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

 

IEC2012 - Wondering what to do after the Congress?

Looking for resources and ideas for the Year of Faith and/or how to continue to reflect on the 50th International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin in June 2012?

New resources for reflecting on the Eucharistic Congress have been released during the week. Stage 1-4 were offered by the IEC team over a 2 year periond before the Congress. Stage 5 is offered for this Autumn. Any parish or group can use the materials available HERE

To quote the IEC team:

 

"Stage 5 offers on the one hand the layout for a gathering of the parish community post IEC2012, which asks the question ‘what next?’ for a group who did follow the itinerary proposed by the first 4 Stages, while on the other it present first-timers with a gentle introduction to adult faith development.

 

It is based on the events following the return of the 2 disciples from Emmaus, looking at how Christ was to be recognised in the assembled community and in the sharing of their faith in conversation with one another.

 

This image from the gospel is well mirrored in the return of pilgrims from IEC2012, an Emmaus type experience, to their local Jerusalem and the community there with whom they live and worship.

 

The structure presented here can be adapted to facilitate reflection and discussion of any aspect of the Christian life. Its starting point is the experience of those present which is brought into dialogue with faith, and concludes focused on attitudes and actions that are fruit of having encountered the Risen Christ and embracing His mandate for mission."

 

Click HERE for more.

1st July 2012 - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 50th International Eucharistic Congress and Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage 2012 - Sharing thoughts and experiences

On this weeks show, John is joined by Reena Curtin and Fr Michael Liston to share their experience of the International Eucharistic Congress and the Limerick diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Reena in particular fills us in on the youth participation at the Congress. We have our regular reflection on the gospel as well as some liturgical odds and ends including the Saints of the Week.


This weeks podcast is available HERE.

50th International Eucharistic Congress and Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage 2012 - Sharing thoughts and experiences

Fr Michael and Reena joined us on the programme this week to share their experiences of what happened at IEC2012 and also the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. For Fr Michael some of what struck him about the Congress was the atmosphere of friendship between those who were attending the Congress. He was also struck by the atmosphere of prayer and opportunities for prayer which were provided through out. But also the many different ways of praying that are available to people which was demonstrated by the many stands in the main exhibition hall. For many people it was also an experience of quiet hope being nursed and supported. It was a week of friendship with each other that being friends with Christ offers us; truly a manifestation of communion. The openness to other people like what happens on pilgrimage to Lourdes, allows the Lord to be the Lord of our Hearts and allow every one in; the challenge of course being to continue to let people in when we return home.

Reena worked as a volunteer at the Youth Space as a greeter and welcoming them to the Congress. Youth Space was located at the Simmonscourt Pavilion and was a place of welcome for young people from 16 - 25 years old. The days were ful of prayers, workshops and uplifting music provided by Elation Ministries. Very much a place full of infectious energy and enthusisim.

The Lourdes pilgrimage was a huge success this year and was a great example of inter-generational interactions. It was an experience of festival to remind us that the church has joyous occassions. and also a sharing of experiences between young people which validated their experiences of faith for young people in these difficult times.

Fr Michael and Reena can be heard here

Limerick Diocesan website is hosting pictures from the 2012 pilgrimage


Gospel - Mark 5: 21 - 43

This weeks gospel reading is a Gospel of healing. It is a presentation of the mystery of the presence of Jesus - which is a healing presence. It is a reminder to us that that healing presence is still present in his Word and in the thanks giving and self giving of the Eucharist. Faith requirement for healing - Jesus would and could heal us. Each of us would like to reach out and touch the hem of his cloak, but that doesnt mean necessarily that in our lives we will have instantaneous response to our prayers and intercession to Jesus. Freeing power of Jesus encourages us not despair; all of us are subject to fraility, Jesus encourages us to not be afraid but to have faith.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Blue Eyed Ennis
Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical Odds and Ends

From CatholicCulture.org: The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward.

Popes Intentions for the month of July

General prayer intention for July is: "That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions".
Mission intention is: "That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ".


Divine Office - Psalter Week 1

Saints of the Week

July 1st - St Oliver Plunkett
July 2nd - St Swithin
July 3rd - St Thomas (Apostle)
July 4th - St Elizabeth of Portugal
July 5th - St Antony Mary Zaccaria
July 6th - St Moninne, Virgin or St Maria Goretti (First Friday)
July 7th - St Maelruain, Bishop and Abbot

IEC2012 - Pope Benedict XVI's address to the IEC2012

Text from Vatican Radio (listen to it here):
Video from Salt + Light Tv:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

With great affection in the Lord, I greet all of you who have gathered in Dublin for the Fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress, especially Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Martin, the clergy, religious and faithful of Ireland, and all of you who have come from afar to support the Irish Church with your presence and prayers.

The theme of the Congress – Communion with Christ and with One Another – leads us to reflect upon the Church as a mystery of fellowship with the Lord and with all the members of his body. From the earliest times the notion of koinonia or communio has been at the core of the Church’s understanding of herself, her relationship to Christ her founder, and the sacraments she celebrates, above all the Eucharist. Through our Baptism, we are incorporated into Christ’s death, reborn into the great family of the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ; through Confirmation we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit; and by our sharing in the Eucharist, we come into communion with Christ and each other visibly here on earth. We also receive the pledge of eternal life to come.


The Congress also occurs at a time when the Church throughout the world is preparing to celebrate the Year of Faith to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Council, an event which launched the most extensive renewal of the Roman Rite ever known. Based upon a deepening appreciation of the sources of the liturgy, the Council promoted the full and active participation of the faithful in the Eucharistic sacrifice. At our distance today from the Council Fathers’ expressed desires regarding liturgical renewal, and in the light of the universal Church’s experience in the intervening period, it is clear that a great deal has been achieved; but it is equally clear that there have been many misunderstandings and irregularities. The renewal of external forms, desired by the Council Fathers, was intended to make it easier to enter into the inner depth of the mystery. Its true purpose was to lead people to a personal encounter with the Lord, present in the Eucharist, and thus with the living God, so that through this contact with Christ’s love, the love of his brothers and sisters for one another might also grow. Yet not infrequently, the revision of liturgical forms has remained at an external level, and “active participation” has been confused with external activity. Hence much still remains to be done on the path of real liturgical renewal. In a changed world, increasingly fixated on material things, we must learn to recognize anew the mysterious presence of the Risen Lord, which alone can give breadth and depth to our life.

The Eucharist is the worship of the whole Church, but it also requires the full engagement of each individual Christian in the Church’s mission; it contains a call to be the holy people of God, but also one to individual holiness; it is to be celebrated with great joy and simplicity, but also as worthily and reverently as possible; it invites us to repent of our sins, but also to forgive our brothers and sisters; it binds us together in the Spirit, but it also commands us in the same Spirit to bring the good news of salvation to others.

Moreover, the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, his body and blood given in the new and eternal covenant for the forgiveness of sins and the transformation of the world. Ireland has been shaped by the Mass at the deepest level for centuries, and by its power and grace generations of monks, martyrs and missionaries have heroically lived the faith at home and spread the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness well beyond your shores. You are the heirs to a Church that has been a mighty force for good in the world, and which has given a profound and enduring love of Christ and his blessed Mother to many, many others. Your forebears in the Church in Ireland knew how to strive for holiness and constancy in their personal lives, how to preach the joy that comes from the Gospel, how to promote the importance of belonging to the universal Church in communion with the See of Peter, and how to pass on a love of the faith and Christian virtue to other generations. Our Catholic faith, imbued with a radical sense of God’s presence, caught up in the beauty of his creation all around us, and purified through personal penance and awareness of God’s forgiveness, is a legacy that is surely perfected and nourished when regularly placed on the Lord’s altar at the sacrifice of the Mass. Thankfulness and joy at such a great history of faith and love have recently been shaken in an appalling way by the revelation of sins committed by priests and consecrated persons against people entrusted to their care. Instead of showing them the path towards Christ, towards God, instead of bearing witness to his goodness, they abused people and undermined the credibility of the Church’s message. How are we to explain the fact that people who regularly received the Lord’s body and confessed their sins in the sacrament of Penance have offended in this way? It remains a mystery. Yet evidently, their Christianity was no longer nourished by joyful encounter with Jesus Christ: it had become merely a matter of habit. The work of the Council was really meant to overcome this form of Christianity and to rediscover the faith as a deep personal friendship with the goodness of Jesus Christ. The Eucharistic Congress has a similar aim. Here we wish to encounter the Risen Lord. We ask him to touch us deeply. May he who breathed on the Apostles at Easter, communicating his Spirit to them, likewise bestow upon us his breath, the power of the Holy Spirit, and so help us to become true witnesses to his love, witnesses to the truth. His truth is love. Christ’s love is truth.


My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that the Congress will be for each of you a spiritually fruitful experience of communion with Christ and his Church. At the same time, I would like to invite you to join me in praying for God’s blessing upon the next International Eucharistic Congress, which will take place in 2016 in the city of Cebu! To the people of the Philippines I send warm greetings and an assurance of my closeness in prayer during the period of preparation for this great ecclesial gathering. I am confident that it will bring lasting spiritual renewal not only to them but to all the participants from across the globe.

In the meantime, I commend everyone taking part in the present Congress to the loving protection of Mary, Mother of God, and to Saint Patrick, the great patron of Ireland; and, as a token of joy and peace in the Lord, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.

*********

Following the Closing Mass of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, S+L’s Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB spoke with Fr. Patrick Jones, the director of the National Centre for Liturgy in Ireland. Fr. Jones shared his thoughts on the Pope’s video message, which reflected upon active participation in the liturgy

The Journey to IEC2012 (iCatholic.ie)

IEC2012 - Cardinal Ouellet homily: Let us rejoice in the Lord

Cardinal Mark Ouellet
Papal Legate to IEC2012
Picture - RTE

Dear brothers and sisters,

The fiftieth occurrence of the International Eucharistic Congress is now coming to a close. We are deeply grateful to God for the light of His Word and for the gift of the Holy Eucharist, which strengthen our communion with Christ and with one another.
At the end of this celebration we will listen to the message of Pope Benedict XVI. His speaking to us reminds us that this International Eucharistic Congress bears witness to the Catholic Church as the universal communion of many particular Churches. The Bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful here represent the Catholic Church which is found throughout the world in thousands of communities, but which is one in faith and love of Jesus Christ. I greet the ecumenical representatives and I thank you all for being part of this grace-filled event.

I greet the President of Ireland, and all the civil authorities, fondly aware of the noble tradition of this courageous nation. I thank wholeheartedly Archbishop Martin, Cardinal Brady and all the collaborators of this event for the gift of their warm hospitality and for the example of their strong dedication to Christian renewal in this country.

In order to prepare ourselves to listen to the Holy Father’s message, let us briefly reflect on today’s readings, which bring us a message of great hope and confidence.

Through the prophet Ezekiel the Lord says, “From the top of the cedar, from the highest branch I will take a shoot and plant it myself on a very high mountain. I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel. It will sprout branches and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar” (Ez. 17:22-23).

In the Gospel, Jesus uses a similar image to speak about the Kingdom of God: “[The kingdom] is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade” (Mk. 4:31-32).

We understand the prophecy of Ezekiel in the light of Christ. Jesus Christ is the shoot taken from the highest branch, he is God from God, and planted by God himself on a very high mountain, which is Calvary.

God the Father has planted on Calvary the seed of the Cross out of love for his creation and for all sinners. The seed of the Cross is the Sacred Heart of His only begotten Son, pierced to death by our sins, but raised up from death by the power of divine mercy. Therefore Christ Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the Holy Redeemer in whom we trust and find salvation. The seed of Christ’s love, buried in the ground of Calvary, produced an unimaginable fruit: a tree, the Tree of Life, a noble cedar which is the Holy Church of God, the dawn of the Kingdom. We believe in the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church, because we believe in Christ who wills the Church to be His body, born from the self-gift of His Eucharistic Body.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us rejoice and be full of confidence. “We are full of confidence” (2 Cor. 5:6), as St. Paul says to the Corinthians. We are so because the risen Lord is our home and our safety. We do experience limitations and failures in the Church, but the Lord sustains us, healing our wounds and strengthening our love. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad!

We can rely on the Lord for a new beginning. St. Paul gives us the key for any personal or ecclesial renewal: “We are intent on pleasing Him” (2 Cor. 5:6). This key to renewal in our lives is a decision to recommit ourselves to love the Lord and to live and to die for Him, knowing that His grace will never fail. May the upcoming Year of Faith strengthen in us this decision!

Jesus is the seed sowed by God Himself in the depths of the earth, a seed that fell to the earth, died and was raised to eternal life. From this smallest seed of salvation comes the Tree of Life, the Church, in which all of humanity is called to find a home and safety in the company of the risen Lord.

For this very reason, the Church is called, and we are called, to bear witness to the Lord by pleasing Him, that is, preaching the Gospel, living in fraternity and praising God for the gift of salvation. 


After this week of Eucharistic reflection, celebration and adoration, we are certainly more aware of God’s call to communion with Him and with one another.

Let us bear witness to this grace by calling others to faith in this communion. The Irish bell, which resounds from Lough Derg, from Knock and Dublin, must resound in the whole world. Let’s ring the bell further through our personal testimony of renewed faith in the Holy Eucharist.

Faith is the most precious gift we have received with Baptism. Let’s not keep it private and fearful! Let it grow as a splendid tree through sharing everywhere!


Even if we are sometimes tested in our faith, do not be afraid, and remember who we are: the body of Christ intent on loving God over and above all things, intent on living in the Spirit of the new and eternal covenant.

We are not alone; the Spirit of Pentecost dwells in us. The communion of saints, with Mary at its heart, comes to our assistance as soon as we have rung the bell of prayer in total confidence. Keep hope and be glad, for the kingdom of God is near!

Dear brothers and sisters, at the end of this Mass we will listen to the Holy Father’s message for the conclusion of this Congress. Let us listen to him with great respect and gratitude since he is our spiritual father, a father who is holy and worthy of our trust and sincere obedience.

May our communion with the Body of Christ be a new bond of love; a small seed perhaps, but, by God’s grace and divine mercy, a fruitful one.

Together we pray the words of Saint Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church: “Lord … we have had your treasure hidden within us ever since we received baptismal grace; it grows ever richer at your sacramental table. Teach us to find our joy in your favour! Lord, we have within us your memorial, received at your spiritual table; let us possess it in its full reality when all things shall be made new” (Sermo 3, De fine et admonitione 2. 4-5). Amen!

And the 51st International Eucharistic Congress goes to.......

.............the Archdiocese of Cebu in the Philippines!

Created diocese: August 14, 1595. 

Erected: May 1, 1596. 

Elevated to Archdiocese: April 28, 1934. 

Archbishop Palma and Cardinal Vidal -
archbishop and archbishop emeritus of Cebu archdiocese

As of Dec. 2007, Cebu archdiocese had 3,733,822 baptized Catholics, representing 90.08 percent of all 4,144,610 people in the territory. The archdiocese had 140 parishes with resident priests. During 2007, the archdiocese recorded 131,826 baptisms.

In a land area of 5,088.4 square kilometers, the Archdiocese of Cebu covers the whole civil province of Cebu. This province island lies at the heart of the Central Philippines called the Visayas region. In the history of Christian evangelization, it prides itself as the Cradle of Christianity in the Far East because it is here that the first European explorers, headed by the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan, sailing under the auspices of the kingdom of Spain in 1521, established their first settlement and introduced Christianity.

It is located to the east of Negros island; to the west of Leyte, and Bohol islands. It is situated on both sides by the straits of Bohol (between Cebu, and Bohol), and Tañon (between Cebu, and Negros). Cebu is located between 9°25'N and 11°15'N latitude, and between 123°13'E, and 124°5'E longitude in the center of the Philippine Islands.

Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers (140 miles) from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan Island, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango, and the Camotes Islands.

Read more about the archdiocese here and here.

17th June 2012 - 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B) - Review of IEC2012 and Upcoming Summer Events

On this weeks programme we have a panel discussion and reflections on the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which was held in Dublin from 10th to 17th June 2012 and which concludes with the Statio Orbis (final Mass) in Croke Park on 17th June. We are joined by Noirin Lynch to discuss the Congress and also to give us a run down of events coming up over the summer as well as our celestial guides of the upcoming weeks and some other local notices.


This weeks programme podcast is available HERE.


Gospel - Mark 4: 26-34


As we were spending the entire programme discussing IEC2012, we didn't do a gospel reflection on this weeks programme, but for those that are interested, here are some links to reflections on this weeks reading from the gospel of Mark:


Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy


50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012

On this weeks programme, we give our reflections and thoughts on the Congress which was held in Dublin. Generally a very positive, joy filled experience where the experience of being in community with pilgrims from around Ireland and around the world which for many may have been more beneficial than all the workshops and talks put together.

"When tirelessly the Church listens, heals and reconciles, it becomes what it is at its most luminous - a communion of love, of compassion, of consolation, a transparent reflection of the Risen Christ. Never distant, never on the defensive, freed from all harshness, it can radiate the humbles trusting of love right into our human hearts" - Br Alois, Taize Community

"Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament… There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death: by the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste (or foretaste) of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, which every man’s heart desires.” - JRR Tolkein quoted by Fr Paul Murray OP

While it was a great week of sharing and a refreshing experience, the important thing to remember coming out of the Congress is not that it was a once off event, but rather that it is the beginning of something which we are asked to join in with.
For those who may not be computer-literate but want to find out further information and resources arising from the Congress, you are invited to contact the Limerick Diocesan Website on 061 400133.

• Website of IEC2012
• iCatholic

Upcoming Summer Events

Choir Workshops


Any of these workshops or schools would be an excellent gift for a parish to offer a dedicated choir leader, or a great resource for a teacher, parishioner or choir leader who wants to grow their choir skills. Lets support those who lead us in music at our liturgies by offering them access to great support and resources.

Irish Church Music Assoc - 43rd Annual Summer School - 'Become what you receive' - Mon 2nd - Fri 6th July

For all choir leaders & choirs. Guest director: Marty Haugen. Workshops: Cantor training, Organ, Special Choir, Liturgical composition, Parish & contemporary music, Schools/youth choir, conducting, Vivaldi's Gloria from scratch, Irish in the liturgy. For more see HERE



 Lets Get Singing workshop - 23rd & 24th July. UL, Castletroy.

Led by Choral Music Education Practitioner Anne Barry along with a specialist faculty, this practical two-day course is open to anyone currently working, or interested in working, with children’s and youth choirs in a range of teaching and learning environments. Come along to this ‘hands-on’ participatory course which will provide a practical toolkit of supports and resources. Click HERE for more


Organ workshops - August 7-9 and 10-12th. Glenstal, Murroe, Co Limerick.

Ansgar Wallenhorst. Tuesday 7th August to Thursday 9th August. Group sessions in the mornings and individual lessons in the afternoons. Evening sessions will include a short recital and an exploration of Gregorian Chant.

Douglas Hollick. August 10-12th. Individual lessons in a group context. Private lessons are available for an extra charge.Recital with works from 17th century Hamburg illustrating something of the music J S Bach would have experienced during his visits to that city, together with music by Buxtehude, Tomkins and Guilain. Bach’s lovely chorale prelude on ‘An Wasserflüssen Babylon’, possibly inspired by his famous improvisation on this chorale in Hamburg in 1720, and his ‘Dorian’ Toccata and Fugue, complete the programme. Full details HERE

Some Youth Events this summer

We often say that we'd like more youth ministry in our parishes. Well summer is a great opportunity to create or build on parish youth ministry. Consider sending young people to these positive events happening in Ireland and beyond. Don't wait for someone else to organise youth ministry in Limerick - here's your opportunity!

 

Lourdes diocesan pilgrimage

- The youth section of the pilgrimage has been booked out since November - 90 young people will participate. Details HERE.

Muinteareas Iosa - Brú na Graige

27 July - 5 August. Brú na Gráige (Between Ballyferri​ter & Dunquin), Co Kerry.

Muintearas Íosa hosts ten days of “Creideamh, Cairdeas, Cultúr agus Craic” for young people in the beautiful and rugged Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne in West Kerry. More details, including booking forms are available HERE

'One'. The Knock Summer festival. For info click HERE

- Saturday 28th July. 18-30yr olds. Over 600 young people gathered last year for this event. Many groups will opt to continue onto Croagh Patrick on Sunday for the annual 'Reek Sunday' climb.

Knockadoon Music & Liturgy Camp, Cork. Click HERE

- Every August for one week, teens and young adults gather in Knockadoon in east Cork for a joyful, relaxing summer school. Participants learn new music, have small tutorials in their chosen musical instrument, and participate in a fun concert at the end of the week. The website is down for maintenance, but will soon be available HERE

European Youth Forum - Keep the faith. Altötting, Germany. 3rd -8th August 2012

For over 1250 years the city of Altötting is the spiritual heart of Bavaria, Germany, and for more than 500 years, the most important Marian pilgrimage place. Altötting is also one of the six most important Marian shrines in Europe. The Forum, a word taken from latin and meaning something like ‘marketplace’ takes place the heart of the town, in the central square, in the open air.

Come with us, and celebrate in Altötting. The European Youth Forum is a Catholic summer meeting for young people! The Forum will be in English and German with translation to several other languages.

Do you like celebrating, people and other cultures, good music, sharing with others who also seek real truth.

Do you want to be happy, be really free, to love and be loved, to have more respect, more tolerance, a future for yourself, your ideas and ambitions.

Are you looking for a sense of meaning for your life, yourself, your questions, fears, troubles and failures. Click HERE for full details and click HERE for a poster

Other Events and Suggestions for the Summer

• Limerick Solemn Novena - Friday 15th - Saturday 23rd June @ 7am, 8am, 10am, 11.30am, 1.10pm, 4.30pm, 6pm, 7.30pm, 9pm & 10.30pm Redemptorist Church, Mount Saint Alphonsus, Limerick
• The Irish College in Rome is offering a number of retreats in Rome this summer including A retreat for Music Ministers (details HERE) and A time for priests (details HERE).
• Glenstal Abbey has a number of summer schools, day retreats and workshops happening: Summer Schools (details HERE) Glenstal Ecumenical Conference, June 26-28th (details HERE) the final of three Saturday workshops on 'Women of Spirit and Faith' will take place on June 23rd (details HERE)
• Manresa, Dublin offer a variety of retreat opportunities from Oasis Days HERE to 3 day retreats for lay people HERE to 30 day Ignatian Retreats HERE
• Moyross Woods in West Cork offer a full programme of week long retreats in a very beautiful rural location. HERE
• Lough Derg has long been a traditional Irish pilgrimage site. Now one day pilgrimages are also possible. Click HERE for more
• All Hallows College has a number of summer schools. Fr Donal O'Leary will lead a weekend in September - details HERE
• Holy Hill Hermitage in Co Sligo
• Mt St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea

Further information and links are available from the Limerick Diocesan website upcoming events and newsletters. A list of Retreat Centres in Ireland is available here.


Liturgical Odds and Ends


Psalter - Week 3


Saints of the Week:


June 18th - St Juliana Falconieri
June 19th - St Romuald (in Limerick diocese it is also the anniversary of the Dedication of St John's Cathedral)
June 20th - The Irish Martyrs
June 21st - St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ
June 22nd - St John Fisher and St Thomas Moore
June 23rd - Eve of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (John's Eve)