22nd October 2017 - SS102fm has a catch up with Bishop Brendan Leahy

On this weeks programme (despite some horrendous technical difficulties!), John and Shane are joined by Bishop Brendan Leahy for a chat about various things including the Limerick Pastoral Plan, WMoF2018 and whether the Pope is coming to Ireland.

This Sunday also happens to be Mission Sunday 2017 and here on SS102fm we remember in a special way all missionaries who work in the "vineyard of the Lord".

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

Mission Sunday 2017

From World Missions Ireland:

World Mission Sunday takes place on the second last Sunday of October each year. Since 1926, the Church has traditionally remembered its universal mission during the month of October. This year Mission Sunday will be celebrated globally on the 22nd October 2017. The theme is ‘Reach Out, Spread the Joy.’ Throughout the world the faithful will reflect on the universal call to Mission of all the baptised. They will be invited to contribute what they can to support the development and growth of young churches internationally. Mission Sunday is celebrated by every Church worldwide, including the poorest. This special Sunday in October provides Catholics with the opportunity to unite with their missionary sisters and brothers overseas, and to recommit themselves to bringing the Joy of the Gospel to everyone they meet in their daily lives at home and at work. 

In October and especially on Mission Sunday Catholics are invited to be specifically conscious of the Church’s missionary activity abroad (Ad Gentes) through prayer, sacrifice and financial contributions. The funds collected are used to assist Churches who need financial support and directed towards communities in need, both spiritually and materially. 

In October 2016, Irish Catholics contributed more than €1.5 million on Mission Sunday. The Mission Sunday collection is made available to be distributed to as many as 1,100 young Churches who are supported by the generosity of Churches that have been blessed with a greater quantity of financial and material gifts. Our Mission Sunday figures for October 2016 are available to download here. 

Contributions will be used to build simple mission churches, to educate and nurture our future leaders of the Church including seminarians, religious novices, lay catechists and pastoral workers. The Mission Sunday gift may also be used for building health facilities for children and adults as well as for providing emergency aid in times of war or natural disaster or to assist missionaries in their efforts to care for refugees. 

On Mission Sunday, in a special way, we celebrate the work of circa 1,300 Irish born missionaries and all missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for them, for all who support them in our own country and during mission month we unite ourselves in prayer with them and with the communities with whom they work.

You can read Pope Francis message for Mission Sunday HERE.

A Catch up with Bishop Brendan Leahy

On this weeks programme, we were delighted to have an opportunity to catch up with Bishop Brendan Leahy to discuss a few things including the progress being made on the diocesan plan after Synod 2016, forthcoming WMoF2018, the possibilities of a 2018 Papal visit and how it wont be confirmed by the papal household officially until next March at the earliest, reflection on the Irish bishops Ad limina visit to Rome as well as Bishop's Brendan visit to Zimbabwe with Trocaire.

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




Gospel - Matthew 22:15-21

"The Tribute Money." Peter Rubens, 1512.

The Pharisees went offand plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful manand that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion,for you do not regard a person's status.Tell us, then, what is your opinion:Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said,"Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's."At that he said to them,"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesarand to God what belongs to God."

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
The Sunday Website of St Louis University
Vatican Radio
Religion is always political, but it can never be partisan: What’s Jesus telling us today?

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours: Psalter week 1, 29th week in ordinary time

Saints of the Week

October 23rd - St John of Capistrano
October 24th - St Anthony Mary Claret
October 25th - Bl Thaddeus McCarthy - read A saint for the persistent but discouraged
October 26th - Ss Chad & Cedd
October 27th - St Otteran
October 28th - St Simon & Jude

October - the month of prayer for the missions - The Work of the Pontifical Mission Societies - iCatholic

October is the month dedicated to prayer and support of the missions of the church through out the world with a special focus on the work done by missionaries on Mission Sunday which this year in Ireland is 18th October.

In October and especially on Mission Sunday Catholics are invited to be specifically conscious of the Church's missionary activity abroad (ad gentes) through prayer, sacrifice and financial contributions. The funds collected in all Churches throughout the world on Mission Sunday, is coordinated by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Pauline Jaricot 190 years ago. The funds are used to assist Churches who need financial support and directed towards communities in need, both spiritually and materially.

In October 2014, Irish Catholics contributed more than €1.78 million on Mission Sunday. The Mission Sunday collection is made available to be distributed to as many as 1,100 young Churches who are supported by the generosity of Churches that have been blessed with a greater quantity of financial and material gifts. Our Mission Sunday figures for October 2014 are available to view in the Mission Sunday magazine.

Contributions will be used to build simple mission churches, to educate seminarians as well as female religious novices. Your support also assists in the formation of catechists and lay leaders. The Mission Sunday gift may also be used for building health facilities for children and adults as well as for providing emergency aid in times of war or natural disaster or to assist missionaries in their efforts to care for refugees.

The theme for Mission Sunday 2015 is ‘Abundant Life’.

On Mission Sunday, in a special way, we celebrate the work circa 1,300 Irish born missionaries and all missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for them, for all who support them in our own country and during mission month we unite ourselves in prayer with them and with the communities with whom they work.

Click on link to get the 2015 reflection and information sheet.

To find out more about World Mission Ireland please go HERE.

4th May 2014 - Third Sunday of Easter - John Pridmore and Rathkeale Parish Mission

On this week's programme, we have our usual Gospel reflection and a short interview with John Pridmore regarding the Rathkeale Parish Mission.  Ann begins our programme with a Prayer for Hope, reminding us all that we are Easter People and Alleluia is our song!  The full programme is available HERE.

Rathkeale Parish Mission

 John Pridmore joined us on our programme to invite our listeners to attend the Parish Mission in Rathkeale which he is conducting with fellow members of St. Patrick's Community.  John shared some of his story with us, telling us how he became involved in organised crime in the east end of London and how he was touched by God's love when he almost killed someone.  More about John's story is available HERE.  John's mission now is to spread the Good News of God's love and mercy.  He will share his story at the Rathkeale Parish Mission on Monday evening at 7.30pm.  You are invited to attend any or all of the mission sessions.  Mass will be celebrated at 11.00am on Bank Holiday Monday and at 7.30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

The Evening Sessions take place at 7.30pm on the following topics:

Monday: God's Love (the amazing story of John Pridmore)

Tuesday: God's Mercy (a chance to meet Jesus personally)

Wednesday: God's Healing (healing service)

Thursday: God's Gift of Mary

The mission concludes on Friday evening with Mass of the Holy Spirit which will be celebrated at 7.30pm.

John's full interview is available HERE.  

Gospel - Luke 24:13-35

The Emmaus Disciples by Abraham Bloemaert

 There is a danger with any of the more familiar passages of scripture that we can almost say to ourselves that we know this passage and so we may be tempted to glance over the passage without engaging with the depth and beauty of what it is saying to us.  This is one such passage. The account of the two disciples journey towards Emmaus may indeed be one that we find ourselves on at the moment... perhaps we had a great dream or plan and it has fallen through... perhaps we have been disappointed and let down by people or circumstances... perhaps we too are grieving a loss (through death, unemployment, relationship breakdown etc.) and don't know where to turn... perhaps it is not who is on the journey but a family member or friend.  What does today's passage say to those on this journey?

In today's Gospel, Jesus models for us how we can apply the Scriptures to whatever circumstances we may find ourselves in.  The Carmelites outline how this passage shows us the way Jesus himself interprets Scripture in the light of our lived reality.  (1) We must start from the facts - from our own reality - Jesus listens to the disciples and asks questions where necessary.  (2) Jesus used the Bible to interpret reality in the light of God's plan for our lives. (3) God created us as a People a community drawn together around Jesus. Wherever we find ourselves, in moments of joy or disappointment, we gather together as a family at the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist.  The purpose of these three steps is so that we can start again anew... to take up our journey once more... to rise and go to Jerusalem.  The Carmelites explain each of these steps in more detail HERE. 

Today's Gospel reflection is available HERE.

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds and ends

Divine Office - Psalter week 3; 3rd week of Easter

Saints of the Week

May 5th - Blessed Edmund Rice
May 6th - Blessed Edward Jones
May 7th - St. Rose Venerini
May 8th - St. Peter of Tarentaise
May 9th - St. Pachomius
May 10th - St. Comgall

Notices

Vigil for Vocations: - St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society is holding a special 3 hour vigil of prayer for vocations on Saturday, May 10^th commencing with concelebrated Mass at 6.00pm in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Ennis Road and concluding with Benediction at 9.00pm. 

October 20th 2013 - Mission Sunday - "Growing in Faith"

World Mission Sunday takes place on the second last Sunday of October each year. October is the traditional month of universal mission since 1926. Mission Sunday will be celebrated on the 21st October in 2012.

The collection for World Mission Sunday is organised by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Pauline Jaricot 190 years ago and it is celebrated by every Church throughout the world, including the poorest.

World Mission Sunday provides Catholics with the opportunity to unite with their missionary sisters and brothers, and to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity, through prayer, sacrifice and financial contribution. Funds raised are used to assist Young Churches and missionaries in helping communities in need, both spiritually and materially.

In October 2012, Irish Catholics contributed more than €2 million. In Limerick Diocese, the contribution was €40,676.

The Mission Sunday collection is made available, in its entirety, to be distributed to as many as 1,100 young Churches who are supported by the generosity of Churches that are better off.

Contributions will be used to build simple mission churches, to educate seminarians and to assist in the formation of catechists and lay leaders. The Mission Sunday gift will also be used for the building of health clinics for children, emergency aid in times of war or natural disaster and to assist missionaries in their efforts to care for refugees.

The theme for World Mission Sunday in Ireland this year 2013 is "Growing in Faith". A very appropriate theme as we come to the end of the Year of Faith and welcome the first encyclical of Pope Francis published in July 2013 and entitled "Light of Faith".

On Mission Sunday, in a special way, we celebrate the work our c. 1,600 Irish born missionaries and all missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for them, for all who support them in our own country and for our growing in communion with them, the communities with whom they work and with one another.

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Mission Sunday 2013


Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This year, as we celebrate World Mission Day, the Year of Faith, which is an important opportunity to strengthen our friendship with the Lord and our journey as a Church that preaches the Gospel with courage, comes to an end. From this perspective, I would like to propose some reflections.

1. Faith is God's precious gift, which opens our mind to know and love him. He wants to enter into relationship with us and allow us to participate in his own life in order to make our life more meaningful, better and more beautiful. God loves us! Faith, however, needs to be accepted, which means, it needs our personal response, the courage to entrust ourselves to God, to live his love and be grateful for his infinite mercy. It is a gift, not reserved for a few but offered with generosity. Everyone should be able to experience the joy of being loved by God, the joy of salvation! It is a gift that one cannot keep to oneself, but it is to be shared. If we want to keep it only to ourselves, we will become isolated, sterile and sick Christians. The proclamation of the Gospel is part of being disciples of Christ and it is a constant commitment that animates the whole life of the Church. "The missionary outreach is a clear sign of the maturity of an ecclesial community" (BENEDICT XVI, Verbum Domini, 95). Each community is "mature" when it professes faith, celebrates it with joy during the liturgy, lives charity, proclaims the Word of God endlessly, leaves ones own to take it to the "suburbs", especially to those who have not yet had the opportunity to know Christ. The strength of our faith, at a personal and community level, can be measured by the ability to communicate it to others, to spread and live it in charity, to witness it to those we meet and share the path of life with us.

6th October 2013 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary time (Year C) - Mission Sunday (20th Oct) and an Interview with Fr Derek Leonard on mission

The team returns to normal service this week with being back in studio for our regular programme format. On this weeks programme we are joined by Fr Derek Leonard who comes to tell us about his service on the missions in Peru as part of the Limerick-Peru mission with the Society of St James. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel, our liturgical odds and ends and some local notices.
 
This weeks programme is available to listen to HERE.
 
Fr Derek Leonards interview on the programme is excerpted and available HERE.
 
October - The Month of the Missions
 


The story behind the poster

World Mission Sunday takes place on the second last Sunday of October each year. October is the traditional month of universal mission since 1926. Mission Sunday will be celebrated on the 20th October in 2013.
The collection for World Mission Sunday is organised by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Pauline Jaricot 190 years ago and it is celebrated by every Church throughout the world, including the poorest.

World Mission Sunday provides Catholics with the opportunity to unite with their missionary sisters and brothers, and to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity, through prayer, sacrifice and financial contribution. Funds raised are used to assist Young Churches and missionaries in helping communities in need, both spiritually and materially.

In October 2012, Irish Catholics contributed more than €2 million. Over the last decade, Ireland has ranked seventh in the world in the total contribution to the missions. The Mission Sunday collection is made available, in its entirety, to be distributed to as many as 1,100 young Churches who are supported by the generosity of Churches that are better off.

Contributions will be used to build simple mission churches, to educate seminarians and to assist in the formation of catechists and lay leaders. The Mission Sunday gift will also be used for the building of health clinics for children, emergency aid in times of war or natural disaster and to assist missionaries in their efforts to care for refugees.

The theme for World Mission Sunday in Ireland this year 2013 is "Growing in Faith". A very appropriate theme as we come to the end of the Year of Faith and welcome the first encyclical of Pope Francis published in July 2013 and entitled "Light of Faith".

On Mission Sunday, in a special way, we celebrate the work our c. 1,600 Irish born missionaries and all missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for them, for all who support them in our own country and for our growing in communion with them, the communities with whom they work and with one another

Popes message for Mission Sunday

**********

 
The call to mission is the fundamental to the understanding of the the church. Historically Irish people went on the missions overseas but now the focus is on what we as community can do here in Ireland but we are also asked on Mission Sunday each year to continue to support the young churches overseas who are growing and developing but still need our support.

Fr Derek tells us a bit about his work in Peru working with the Society of St James in a parish of 100,000 people served by 11 churches amongst those on the margins of society yet with the realisation that God was with them in their poverty.

Mission Sunday is a reminder to us that it is not enough to talk about God's love but also to give concrete actions to that love

You can see pictures/blog on Limerick-Peru mission and previous blog posts from SS102fm here and here

Gospel - Luke 17:5-10

"The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

"Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'? Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections
Blue Eyed Ennis
The Text this week

Liturgical odds and ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 3, 27th Week in Ordinary time

Weekday Cycle of Mass Readings - Cycle 1

Saints of the Week

October 7th - Our Lady of the Rosary
October 8th - St Pelagia
October 9th - Bl John Henry Newman
October 10th - St Francis Borgia
October 11th - St Canice
also St Damien of Molokai
October 12th - St Wilfrid

Blog Patron Saint 2013

As readers and listeners of the programme know, each year around New Years Day, the team on SS102fm seek out a individual patron saint for the year ahead. Last year we also selected a patron saint for the blog - St James the Great.
 
For 2013, our blog patron saint is going to be.......... (drum roll please)............

St Francis Xavier!

 

 

Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta (7 April 1506 – 3 December 1552) was a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary born in the Kingdom of Navarre (now part of Spain) and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a student of Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits, dedicated at Montmartre in 1534. He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time. He was influential in the spreading and upkeep of Catholicism most notably in India, but also ventured into Japan, Borneo, the Moluccas, and other areas which had thus far not been visited by Christian missionaries. In 1552 he set out for China, landed on the island of Sancian within sight of his goal, but died before he reached the mainland. Working against great difficulties, language problems ( contrary to legend, he had no proficiency in foreign tongues ), inadequate funds, and lack of cooperation, often actual resistance, from European officials, he left the mark of his missionary zeal and energy on areas which clung to Christianity for centuries. He was canonized in 1622 and proclaimed patron of all foreign missions by Pope Pius X. F. D. Dec. 3.

You can read more about the saint from:

• Catholic Encyclopedia
• Wikipedia
• Catholic Online

 
 You can also see images of the relics of St Francis Xavier HERE

 

 

 

Mission is not an optional extra

Did you know that the man in charge of the world wide missionary society charged with supporting the missions on behalf of the Holy Father is a Cork man?

“Mission Sunday is not just about the money – of course this is important for the Church structurally – but what is more important for the Church, what we need, is people to discuss their role in the Church. If I am a baptized person, what is my role as a baptized person in my particular Church. Mission is not an optional extra”.

From Vatican Radio:

"“Today too the mission ad gentes must be the constant horizon and paradigm of every ecclesial endeavour, because the identity of the Church herself is constituted by faith in the Mystery of God who revealed himself in Christ to bring us salvation, and by the mission of witnessing and proclaiming him to the world until he comes”.

In his message for this World Missions Sunday Pope Benedict XVI is urging believers worldwide to rediscover the zeal of the early Christian communities, and realise that they too –as part of the Church through baptism- are called to mission, in all places and at all times.

“I’m looking for a missionary people, a missionary spirit and that is what the Holy Father is talking about when he speaks of the mission ad genetes - to the people and of the people -as being our constant horizon”, says Fr. Timothy Lehane Barrett SVD, Secretary General, of Propagation of the Faith.

Continue reading and listening to Fr Tim's reflection on Mission Sunday HERE.



Fr Barrett SVD was born in 1955 in Innishannon, in County Cork (Ireland). After studying Agriculture at Multyfarmham (County Wetmeath), he studied Philosophy at Donamon Castle (Roscommon) and Theology at Maynooth (County Kildare). In 1978, he entered in the Congregation of the Divine Word, where he took his perpetual vows in 1985. He was ordained a priest on March 17, 1986. Within the Congregation, he has had various tasks, firstly as a former in 1990-2000, and later as Provincial Superior, from 2004 until now. Fr. Timothy has been a missionary in Ecuador for 25 years, where he served mainly in prison ministry in the city of Quito. Beginning in 1999, he served as National Director of the Pontifical Missionary Societies in Ecuador and coordinating the Third American Missionary Congress CAM 3-Comla 8, which was celebrated in Quito on August 12-17, 2008. He was appointed Secretary General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith (aka Propoganda Fide) in 2008.

Continue reading about Fr Tim and his work HERE.

Hidden Heros - Rome Reports

A powerful new video thanks the missionaries who move thousands of miles from the home for the work that they do.

21st October 2012 - Mission Sunday - Interview with Fr John Guiney SJ

This week on the programme we are joined by Fr John Guiney SJ who reflects with us on the meaning of mission as we celebrate Mission Sunday. We have our regular prayer space as well as some local notices and reminders and our saints of the week.

This week’s podcast is available HERE.

Mission Sunday - Interview with Fr John Guiney SJ

 

On this week’s programme we have an interview with Fr John Guiney SJ who is from west Limerick and has worked on the missions with the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit's) for over 25 years all around East Africa and parts of south east Asia including a period of time as the director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in East Africa. He is now the director of the Irish Jesuit Missions office and he joins us this week to reflect on his experience as a missionary and what it means for all of us to be missionary today as this Sunday is Mission Sunday.




From World Missions Ireland (aka the Pontifical Missionary Societies):

World Mission Sunday takes place on the second last Sunday of October each year. October is the traditional month of universal mission since 1926. Mission Sunday will be celebrated on the 21st October in 2012. The collection for World Mission Sunday is organised by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Pauline Jaricot 190 years ago, and it is celebrated by every Church throughout the world, including the poorest. World Mission Sunday provides Catholics with the opportunity to unite with their missionary sisters and brothers, and to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity, through prayer, sacrifice and financial contribution. Funds raised are used to assist Young Churches and missionaries in helping communities in need, both spiritually and materially.

 

In October 2011, Irish Catholics contributed more than €2 million. The Mission Sunday collection is made available, in its entirety, to be distributed to as many as 1,100 young Churches who are supported by the generosity of Churches that are better off. Contributions will be used to build simple mission churches, to educate seminarians and to assist in the formation of catechists and lay leaders. The Mission Sunday gift will also be used for the building of health clinics for children, emergency aid in times of war or natural disaster and to assist missionaries in their efforts to care for refugees.

 

The theme for World Mission Sunday in Ireland this year is Growing in Communion. On Mission Sunday, in a special way, we celebrate the work our 1,700 missionaries and all missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for them, for all who support them in our own country and for our growing in communion with them, the communities with whom they work and with one another

.

Other reflections on mission and Mission Sunday:

• Pope Benedict XVI message for Mission Sunday 2012 - "Called to radiate the Word of truth"

• A summary of Pope Benedict XVI's message from Vatican Radio

• The explanation of the Irish Mission Sunday poster

• Growing in Communion


From the SacredSpace 102fm archives:

• Called to Mission – A personal reflection on the experience of mission and missionary priests

• From Knockpatrick to Kiyinda - A Last Letter from Mityana


Gospel - Mark 10:35-45

Jesus calls us to a new insight about leadership this Sunday. He is not interested in leadership that is based on titles, roles or power. Jesus speaks of servant leadership as a leadership that recognises itself as at the service of the people; a leadershop that reflects and acts for the good of all the people. Servant leaders recognise how small they really are.

This is not merely a statement of what those in leadership roles should do. Its a challenge to all Christians to consider how we lead, how we speak about leadership, how we support and challenge our leaders.

- What do we stand for in our family, work, and commuity. Where are we leading others, and to whom?

- Where is our conversation about leadership leading us? Is it empowering for ourselves and others, or are we - in our opinions and actions - lording it over people that we may never even have met?

- How honest are we with our leaders? Are we willing to speak kindly and humbly together, to be the change we wish to see?

We are all called to servant leadership - right now, right here. May God give us the grace to recognise where we need to change, the courage to challenge and lead where that is needed and the wisdom to know Gods plan in all we do.

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln .

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Blue Eyed Ennis - Phil has a wonderful selection of thoughts and reflections on this weeks gospel as well as links to further thought provoking ones
• Word on Fire
• Sunday Reflections
• English Dominicans
• Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical Odds and Ends

Divine Office - Week 1

Saints of the Week

October 22nd - Bl John Paul II

October 23rd - St John of Capistrano
October 24th - St Anthony Claret
October 25th - Bl Thaddeus McCarthy
October 26th - St Amandus of Strasbourg
October 27th - St Otteran (patron of Waterford)

30th September 2012 - 26th Sunday in Ordinary time - Interview with a Missionary

On this weeks programme John has an interview with Fr John Ambrose MHM who celebrates 50 years since his ordination as a priest for the Society of St Joseph more commonly known as the Mill Hill Fathers. Fr John is from Shanagolden and was interviewed for the programme during the summer.

This weeks podcast is available HERE.

A Missionary's Story - Fr John Ambrose MHM



Fr John Joe Madigan (retired - Archdiocese of Washington, originally from Shanagolden), Fr John Ambrose MHM (Philippines - Golden Jubilarian 2012), Fr Jim Noonan SPS (CC Shanagolden/Foynes, Golden Jubilarian 2012), Canon Anthony O'Keefe (PP - Shanagolden/Foynes)


Fr John Ambrose joins the programme this week to discuss his vocation journey and shares some of his fifty years of service in the Philippines.


Gospel - Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Reflections and resources for this weeks gospel:

• Word on Fire
• English Dominicans
• Sunday Reflections
• The Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical Odds and Ends

Psalter - Week 2

Saints of the Week

• October 1st - St Therese of the Child Jesus (St Therese of Lisieux - the Little Flower) A relic of St Therese will be available for veneration in St Josephs Church on the Crescent in Limerick city on her feast day, further details available here.
• October 2nd - The Guardian Angels
• October 3rd - Bl Columba Marmian OSB - associated with Glenstal Abbey
• October 4th - St Francis of Assisi
• October 5th - St Faustina Kowalska - Apostle of Divine Mercy (First Friday)
• October 6th - St Bruno (founder of the Carthusians)

Popes Intentions for the month of October 2012

New Evangelization. That the New Evangelization may progress in the oldest Christian countries.

World Mission Day. That the celebration of World Mission Day may result in a renewed commitment to evangelization.

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

Some web browsing........


As preparation for the 800th anniversary of the Approval of the Order of Preachers (a.k.a. the Dominicans) in 2016, they are preparing a "Novena" highlighting certain aspects of the charism of the Order. The theme for 2012 is "Go and tell my brothers, Dominican women and evagelization". The letter of the Master of the Order, Fr. Bruno Cadore, OP, reflecting on the role of women in the work of the Holy Preaching is here. While it is aimed specifically at the Dominicans, there is a lot of food for thought for the church universal in it as well.


We have all heard the expression "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". But what impact has the changing roles of men in society had on the understanding of their role and the impact on the rough and tumble of raising boys. Two pieces which discussed it recently: Raising Boys in a culture that is often alarmed by them and from First Things - The Killer Instinct.

Digitalnun has some thoughts on the upcoming Year of Faith which begins 11th October 2012. She also had a piece reflecting on the feast of St Anthony and the eremitical vocation.


Deacon Greg has an interesting piece about a Hermitage gets a deacon in Texas.


He also has an interesting piece about "Why do Catholics get married in church?"


The IEC2012 is coming June 2012 and the preparations are continuing around the world! Here is a short video from northern Uganda about their preparations. I have meet Sr Maureen, she is a hoot!

Protecting Jesus: the story of the Catholic Chaplain on the sinking Italian cruise ship.
A quick history piece: The Other Successors of St Peter - The Patriarchs of Antioch.


Ever wonder what to think when someone says "I am spiritual but not religious"? A few other points of view on it - Are you spiriual or religious?

A first: South African bishops pick nun as Secretary General.

International coverage of the self-immolation by Tibetan monks has been a bit mixed, here is a piece which asks the question, "Why are Tibetan monks setting themselves on fire?"

We have all heard how the new Social Media such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter etc helped in the Arab Spring. This is an interesting piece looking at How Luther went viral - five centuries before Facebook and the Arab spring, social media helped bring about the Reformation

Some pictures showing the Celebrations of Epiphany from Ethiopia (Coptic Christians) and from Russia and Eastern Europe (Eastern Orthodox Christians).

And finally......