12th May 2019 - Good Shepherd Sunday - Fr. Richard Keane on World Day of Prayer for Vocations

On this week's programme the SS102fm team speak with Fr. Richard Keane, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Limerick, on World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We also have our usual reflection on the Sunday Gospel and local notices.

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

Good Shepherd Sunday - World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Fr. Richard Keane, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Limerick, and Parish Priest of Cratloe (as well as working as Judicial Vicar of the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal) took time out of his busy schedule this week to talk to us about vocations and especially vocations to the priesthood. Fr. Richard shares with us why the Church has allocated a day specifically to pray for vocations, why we need priests and religious and some thoughts on a typical day in the life of a priest. 

He also shares with us on the need for vocations especially to the priesthood for the continuation of building up the Church, why we should pray for vocations and for those being called and gives advice to those being called to priesthood and religious life. Fr. Richard finished his reflection by praying 'A Prayer for Priests' by St. John Vianney:

God, please give to your Church today many more priests after your own heart.

May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd.

May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance; 
be examples of humility and poverty; shining models of holiness; 
tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God; 
zealous dispensers of your grace in the sacraments.

May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary his Mother

be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry. Amen.

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

There can be no greater joy than to risk one’s life for the Lord!  

Pope Francis in his message for the 2019 World Day of Vocations invites us to have the courage to take a risk for God's promise. In his message, Pope Francis explores these two related aspects of vocation - promise and risk. Of course, God's promise far outweighs the risk of making the decision to follow the Lord. Pope Francis encourages those being called to religious: "Do not yield to fear, which paralyzes us before the great heights to which the Lord points us.  Always remember that to those who leave their nets and boat behind, and follow him, the Lord promises the joy of a new life that can fill our hearts and enliven our journey."

You can read Pope Francis' full Message HERE. 

Gospel - John 10:27-30

Jesus said:

‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;

I know them and they follow me.

I give them eternal life;

they will never be lost

and no one will ever steal them from me.

The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,

and no one can steal from the Father.

The Father and I are one.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 4

Saints of the Week
May 13th - Our Lady of Fatima
May 14th - St. Matthias
May 15th - St. Carthage
May 16th - St. Brendan
May 17th - St. Paschal Baylon
May 18th - Pope John I

Notices
On Saturday, May 18th St. Joseph's Young Priests Society will be holding a 3 hour vigil of prayer for vocations in St. Nessan's Church, Raheen beginning with Mass at 6.00pm. All are welcome. 

22 April 2018 - Good Shepherd Sunday (Vocation Sunday)

On this weeks programme John and Shane take a dive into the archive to one of our more popular interviews with Fr Chris O'Donnell about vocations which was originally broadcast back in 2012. We have our regular reflection on this Sundays gospel from St John which has the great discourse of Jesus as the Good Shepherd as well as a run through the liturgical odds & ends for this week and some notices.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

Vocations Sunday - A Reflection with Fr Chris O'Donnell

“What will you do with your life? What are your plans? Have you ever thought of committing your existence totally to Christ? Do you think that there can be anything greater than to bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus?” -Pope John Paul II

22nd April 2018 is Vocations Sunday. Pope Paul VI instituted the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the 11 April 1964 by saying: “O Jesus, divine Shepherd of the spirit, you have called the Apostles in order to make them fishermen of men, you still attract to you burning spirits and generous young people, in order to render them your followers and ministers to us” (Pope Paul VI )

Pope Francis reminds us:'Vocation is today. The Christian mission is now. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous 'yes', nor be fearful of our limitations and sin but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord. It is a beautiful and a great grace yo be completely and forever consecrated to the Lord.'


In the years since, successive pontiffs have called on the Church to focus and pray for vocations. Prayer and promotion of vocations takes place on a daily basis here in Ireland but in a particular way on Vocations Sunday which this year falls on Sunday 22 April, the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

On this weeks programme we go back into the archive and dig out a reflection on vocation from Fr Chris O'Donnell which was originally broadcast in 2012 where Fr Chris reminds us of the need to find space to be able to figure out what it is we are all individually being called to.

You can listen to the interview with Fr Chris HERE.

• The Lord is still calling men to the priesthood, says Bishop Cullinan ahead of Vocations Sunday We are not victims of chance or swept up in a series of unconnected events. On the contrary, our life and our presence in this world is the fruit of a divine vocation, says Pope Francis.
• Pope Francis message for Vocation Sunday

Gospel - John 10: 11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 4; 4th week of Easter

Saints of the Week

April 23rd - St George
April 24th - St Fidelis of Sigmaringen
April 25th - St Mark the Evangelist
April 26th - Our Lady of Good Counsel
April 27th - St Asicus of Elphin
April 28th - St Louise de Montefort

17th April 2016 - Vocation Sunday - UPDATED

On this weeks programme John and Shane are joined by Fr Leslie McNamara to reflect on Vocation Sunday. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some other liturgical odds and ends.

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

Vocation Sunday

On this weeks programme we are joined by Fr Leslie McNamara, the Diocesan Director for Vocations for Limerick Diocese.

Fr Leslie reflects on vocation and especially the vocation to the diocesan priesthood. He shares the process of discernment and training that candidates and seminarians undergo.

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

You can find out more about vocations on the Limerick diocesan website here.

• Pope Francis’ Message for Vocations Sunday 2016: ‘The Church, Mother of Vocations’
• Vocations Sunday Newsletter

UPDATE

• Bishop Phonsie Cullinan calls for prayers for vocations to priesthood and religious life
• Interview with Bishop Phonsie about vocations here

Back in March 2015 we had an interview with Br Conor McDonagh OP about his vocation journey. This week on iCatholic there is an interview with him. You might keep Conor and his confreres in your prayers as he is due to be ordained priest this summer:

Gospel - John
 

Shepherd of my soul

Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me."

This week as a diocese, we have been listening for Gods voice. One of the beautiful aspects of our Synod process was having Jessie Rogers continually draw us back from debate into discernment, from chat into silence. Before we spoke in our small groups, there was always a moments pause. From this still place we could enter into the conversation.

In our own lives we can be so busy. We squeeze God into the noise and debate of everyday life, and wonder why its hard to hear Gods will in our lives. Jessie reminded us this weekend, that in order to hear, one must listen! In order to know Gods voice, one needs to become quiet and listen.

So this weekend we pray for a listening ear, so that we can sing this hymn from our heart: Shepherd of my soul I give you full control,
Wherever You may lead I will follow.
I have made the choice to listen for Your voice,
Wherever You may lead I will go.

Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle stream,
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep,
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
 
Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
 
Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - psalter week 4

Saints of the Week
April 18th - Saint Laserian of Leighlin
April 19th - Saint Gerold of Saxony
April 20th - Blessed Maurice Mackenraghty
April 21st - St Anselm
April 22nd - Blessed Francis of Fabriano
April 23rd - Saint George

The Priesthood

Vocations Sunday 2016 will be celebrated on Sunday 17 April on the theme The Church, Mother of Vocations. We are blessed with some wonderful men who have answered the call to priesthood in our diocese, including Fr Chris who features in this new video.

You can find resources for celebrating Vocations Sunday at www.vocations.ie

I will follow - Vocation Sunday

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

(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis presided over the ordinations of priests for the diocese of Rome in Saint Peter’s Basilica, reminding them they are ministers of unity in the Church. Most of the 19 men ordained 26 April were part of Roman seminaries, including the Pontifical Roman Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater diocesan college, and the Madonna del Divino Amore seminary.

In off-the-cuff remarks during his homily for morning Mass, Pope Francis had advice for those about to be ordained.

He told them that the homilies they deliver should come from the heart, in order that they might reach the hearts of the people.

Speaking to them about the responsibility of distributing the sacraments, he told them to never refuse anyone who asks for Baptism

Pope Francis also reminded the soon to be ordained priests that in the confessional they are to forgive, never to condemn.

“You are ministers of unity in the Church, in the family,” Pope Francis said.

Full text of homily from Zenit available HERE

26 April 2015 - Interview with Aidan O'Rourke - Good Shepherd Sunday (Day of Prayer for Vocations)

On this weeks programme John has an interview with Aidan O'Rourke who is the current seminarian in Maynooth for the diocese of Limerick and Fr Leslie McNamara, the Vocations Director for Limerick diocese. We have a reflection on this weeks gospel as well as some liturgical odds and ends.

Just to remind people next Friday is May Day, so the tradition of sprinkling the garden and farm with Easter water on May Eve should be done on Thursday evening around sunset.

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

Vocation Sunday

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is celebrated on Sunday 26th May this year, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is also known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday and will be celebrated this year on the theme ‘Exodus: a fundamental experience of vocation’. 

In his message for Vocations Sunday Pope Francis reflects that "The exodus experience is paradigmatic of the Christian life, particularly in the case of those who have embraced a vocation of special dedication to the Gospel,” the Pope said in his message, which was dated March 29 and released April 14.

“This calls for a constantly renewed attitude of conversion and transformation, an incessant moving forward, a passage from death to life like that celebrated in every liturgy, an experience of Passover,” he added. “From the call of Abraham to that of Moses, from Israel’s pilgrim journey through the desert to the conversion preached by the prophets, up to the missionary journey of Jesus which culminates in his death and resurrection, vocation is always a work of God.”
You can read Pope Francis full message for Vocation Sunday HERE.

*********

Aidan and Fr Leslie reflect on the meaning of vocation and in particular the vocation to priesthood and Aidan shares his faith journey to date which has led him to discern his vocation at the national seminary at Maynooth.

You can listen to Aidan's interview excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

Gospel - John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 4, 4th week of Easter

Saints of the Week 

April 27th - St Asicus of Elphin, bishop
April 28th - St Louis de Montfort
April 29th - St Catherine of Siena OP (patron of Europe)
April 30th - St Pius V (May Eve, blessing of lands and gardens with Easter water)
May 1st - St Joseph the Worker (First Friday)(May the month of Mary)
May 2nd - St Athanasius of Alexandria

Your Call - KandLe

Tomorrows Priests - CNS

Busted Halo - Sacraments 101 - Holy Orders (what ordination means)

Pope Francis - Do you want to be a priest?

Vocation 101: What is vocation?

Pursued by Truth (a Patheos blog) - What Is Life Like in the Seminary? A Video Vignette…

From Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP over at the Patheos blog Pursued by Truth:

"With ordinations up 25% this year you might be interested in what life is like these days for a young man considering the priesthood in the Catholic Church.

Dan Rogers is one of these talented young men who is currently in seminary.

He is also a techie designer extraordinaire and  “digital evangelist.” Dan specializes in “web-based ministry through social media, interactive site design, and creative film / multimedia platforms.”

You may know Dan as the co-founder of the wildly popular movement promoting women’s vocations to the religious life, Imagine Sisters. He is also the writer and lead director of “Light of Love”, a documentary film available free online about women’s religious life. In addition to all of the other projects he is involved in right now, including helping to promote the new film Media Apostle, Dan has put together a short vignette on life in the seminary.

Check out Dan’s video and be inspired:

iCatholic - What is the current situation for Vocations in Ireland?

Vocation Sunday - reminding all Christians of the "joy of the priesthood"

iBenedictines have a reflection today on "Praying for Vocations" and in it she suggests that we should all read Pope Francis homily at the Chrism Mass in Rome during Holy Week 2014. It is an excellent suggestion as it is a reflection of the "joy of the priesthood" and should be reflected on by everyone - perhaps as a lectio this Vocation Sunday.

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"Anointed with the oil of gladness"

Dear Brother Priests,

 

In the eternal “today” of Holy Thursday, when Christ showed his love for us to the end (cf. Jn 13:1), we recall the happy day of the institution of the priesthood, as well as the day of our own priestly ordination. The Lord anointed us in Christ with the oil of gladness, and this anointing invites us to accept and appreciate this great gift: the gladness, the joy of being a priest. Priestly joy is a priceless treasure, not only for the priest himself but for the entire faithful people of God: that faithful people from which he is called to be anointed and which he, in turn, is sent to anoint.

 

Anointed with the oil of gladness so as to anoint others with the oil of gladness. Priestly joy has its source in the Father’s love, and the Lord wishes the joy of this Love to be “ours” and to be “complete” (Jn 15:11). I like to reflect on joy by contemplating Our Lady, for Mary, the “Mother of the living Gospel, is a wellspring of joy for God’s little ones” (Evangelii Gaudium, 288). I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that priest is very little indeed: the incomparable grandeur of the gift granted us for the ministry sets us among the least of men. The priest is the poorest of men unless Jesus enriches him by his poverty, the most useless of servants unless Jesus calls him his friend, the most ignorant of men unless Jesus patiently teaches him as he did Peter, the frailest of Christians unless the Good Shepherd strengthens him in the midst of the flock. No one is more “little” than a priest left to his own devices; and so our prayer of protection against every snare of the Evil One is the prayer of our Mother: I am a priest because he has regarded my littleness (cf. Lk 1:48). And in that littleness we find our joy.

 

For me, there are three significant features of our priestly joy. It is a joy which anoints us (not one which “greases” us, making us unctuous, sumptuous and presumptuous), it is a joy which is imperishable and it is a missionary joy which spreads and attracts, starting backwards – with those farthest away from us.

11th May 2014 - Vocation Sunday - 4th Sunday of Easter (Year A)

On this weeks programme the SS102fm team are joined by Fr Noel Kirwin, Vocations Director for Limerick diocese who reflects on Vocation Sunday but also on opening up space in our lives to listen to what God is calling each of us to do. We have our regular Sunday gospel reflection and some other liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

Vocation Sunday - "Diocesan priesthood is a call, not a career; a way of life, not a job; an identity, not just a role”

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is celebrated on Sunday 11 May this year, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is also known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday and will be celebrated this year on the theme ‘Vocations: Witness to the Truth’.

In his message for Vocations Sunday the Holy Father Pope Francis encourages all in the Church to expect great things from God, and from ourselves in His service. Joy for that sort of disciple enables us to venture beyond the narrow limits of our comfort zones. That means taking risks, being prepared to journey, allowing God to be God in our lives. Pope Francis says, “A vocation is a fruit that ripens in a well cultivated field of mutual love that becomes mutual service, in the context of an authentic ecclesial life. No vocation is born of itself or lives for itself. A vocation flows from the heart of God and blossoms in the good soil of faithful people”.

You can read Pope Francis message HERE.

On this weeks programme we are joined by Fr Noel Kirwin to reflect on vocation as Vocations Director for the diocese of Limerick. He explores what vocation means for everyone no matter what path in life a person takes.

You can listen to Fr Noel's interview excerpted from the programme HERE.

Previous exploration of vocation on SS102fm:

• Vocations Sunday - Fr Chris O'Donnell - 29th April 2012 - podcast
• My Vocation Story - Fr Frank Duhig, PP Newcastle West - 21 February 2010
• My Vocation Story - Fr Noel Kirwin - Limerick Diocese Vocations Director, Director of Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre, PP St Michael's Parish - 22 Nov 2009
• My Vocation Story - Fr John O'Shea PP Abbeyfeale- 28 March 2009
• All blog posts dealing with vocation HERE.

Bishop Brendan Leahy has a message for Vocations Sunday which you can read HERE.

We need priests in the Diocese of Limerick so I ask you to pray that young men will hear and respond to the calling to priesthood. Don Bosco used to say that many boys at some point have felt the calling to priesthood. I am grateful to my own late father because when I was a teenager, wondering what I would do after school, he said: “don’t forget the possibility of priesthood”. I didn’t jump at the idea but at least he had planted the seed of the idea in my soul.

Responding to our calling is never the conclusion of a mathematical formula. It’s more a case of what’s called moral certainty. In other words, the circumstances are converging to point in this or that direction. At that point, it’s worth giving it a go, trusting that God will help us make the right decision. I have met young men who have said to me the idea of becoming a priest never occurred to them because no one ever said it to them. Once it was mentioned to them, they realised it could be for them.


Vocations Ireland has a series of stories of "A Day in the Life" of different men and women in religious life. You can also follow their Facebook page.

Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin has issued his first pastoral letter to the people of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin on the theme of vocations. Commenting on the release of the pastoral letter Bishop Nulty said: “On the day of my episcopal ordination I spoke about the importance of every priest being a director and promoter of vocations. I said then, and repeat now that: “diocesan priesthood is a call, not a career; a way of life, not a job; an identity, not just a role" 

“With this pastoral I want to continue that conversation and I am inviting parishes to reflect on when was the last time someone was ordained from their parish and asking all parishes to think about how they can actively promote vocations......I am also asking parents and friends to encourage, not discourage young people who need permission and reassurance to talk about and consider priesthood – my prayer is that this conversation will now begin.”

Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry reflects on Pope Francis' message for Vocations Sunday 2014 on the theme 'Vocations, Witness to the Truth'.

Gospel - John 10:1-10

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Reflections on this weeks gospel:Sunday Reflections
Word on Fire English Dominicans Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds and ends

Liturgy of the Hours - psalter week 4, 4th week of Easter

Saints of the Week

May 12th - St Nereus & St Achilleus
May 13th - Our Lady of Fatima
May 14th - St Matthias (apostle)
May 15th - St Carthage
May 16th - St Brendan the Navigator (abbot and patron of the diocese of Kerry)
May 17th - St Pascal Baylon

Vocation Stories - Follow me - Diocese of Peoria, Illinois

Vocation Sunday - Ask Jesus what he wants from you - Pope Francis Regina Caeli

From Vatican Radio:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Fourth Sunday of Easter is characterized by the Gospel of the Good Shepherd - in the tenth chapter of St. John – which we read every year. Today’s passage contains these words of Jesus: " My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one"(10.27 to 30).These four verses contain Jesus’ entire message, the core of His Gospel: He calls us to participate in His relationship with the Father, and this is eternal life.

Jesus wants to establish a relationship with his friends that is a reflection of His relationship with the Father, a relationship of mutual belonging in full trust, in intimate communion. To express this deep understanding, this relationship of friendship Jesus uses the image of the shepherd with his sheep: he calls them, and they know his voice, they respond to his call and follow him. How beautiful this parable is! The mystery of the voice is suggestive: from our mother's womb we learn to recognize her voice and that of our father, from the tone of a voice we perceive love or disdain, affection or coldness. The voice of Jesus is unique! If we learn to distinguish it, He guides us on the path of life, a path that goes beyond the abyss of death.

But at a certain point Jesus, referring to his sheep, says: "My Father, who has given them to me..." (Jn 10,29). This is very important, it is a profound mystery, that is not easy to understand: if I feel attracted to Jesus, if his voice warms my heart, it is thanks to God the Father, who has put in me the desire of love, of truth, life, beauty ... and Jesus is all this to the full! This helps us to understand the mystery of vocation, particularly the call to a special consecration. Sometimes Jesus calls us, invites us to follow him, but maybe we don’t realize that it is Him, just like young Samuel. There are many young people today, here in the square. There are many of you! So many of you young people present today in the square!

I would like to ask you: have you sometimes heard the voice of the Lord which through a desire, a certain restlessness, invites you to follow Him more closely? Have you heard it? I can’t hear you…there you are! Have you had any desire to be apostles of Jesus? Youth must spend itself for high ideals. Do you think so? Do you agree? Ask Jesus what he wants from you and be brave! Be brave, ask Him!!! Behind and before every vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, is always the strong and intense prayer of someone: a grandmother, a grandfather, a mother, a father, a community ... That's why Jesus said, "Pray the Lord of the harvest - that is, God the Father - to send out laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38). The vocations are born in prayer and from prayer, and only in prayer can they persevere and bear fruit. I like to underline this today, the "World Day of Prayer for Vocations." We pray especially for the new priests of the Diocese of Rome, whom I had the joy of ordaining this morning. And we invoke the intercession of Mary. Today there were 10 young men who have said "yes" to Jesus and were ordained priests this morning ... This is beautiful! Let us invoke the intercession of Mary who is the woman who said "yes." Mary said "yes," all her life! She has learned to recognize the voice of Jesus since she bore him in her womb. Mary, Our Mother, help us to know better the voice of Jesus and follow it, to walk the path of life!

Thank you so much for your greeting, but let us also proclaim Jesus loudly... Let us all pray together to the Virgin Mary.

21st April 2013 - 4th Sunday of Easter - Day of Prayer for Vocations (Good Shepherd Sunday)

This week we mark Vocation Sunday when the universal church prays for labourers to be sent into the vineyard of the Lord. We have a few thoughts on last weeks celebration for the diocese in the ordination of our new bishop as well as our regular reflection on the gospel of the day as well as some liturgical odds and ends.

This weeks programme podcast is available HERE.

Ordination of Bishop Brendan Leahy

Please check our our various posts, links and photos for the ordination of Limerick's new bishop:

Limerick Diocesan website
Limerick Leader
The Irish Catholic

"I now feel I am a Limerick man! Limerick is beautiful. I’ll have to start wearing the Limerick colours! I am proud to be bishop of this great diocese with such an ancient history. As a diocese we want to do our part to make all of Limerick even greater, as I believe and hope we do, day in, day out, in countless communities of faith and love in parishes, religious orders, communities and movements, schools, hospitals and social initiatives. In so many ways, people are replying positively to Jesus’ question: “do you love me?” Today let’s renew our love of him even more; let’s bridge to make Limerick even more beautiful, so that others will come and see Jesus living among us.”


One of the great things about the celebration was the music and song through out the celebration and it is not for nothing that Shannon-siders have a reputation for music and singing! The recessional hymn was Now Thank We all Our God and while we may not have been up to the standard of the Morman Tabernacle Choir below, it will give you some idea of the celebration.

 

Day of Prayer for Vocations - "Vocations as a sign of hope founded in faith"
 

Today is the day set aside to pray for vocations. On SS102fm that vocation isnt just for priesthood and religious life as we all have a specific vocation arising out of our baptism. but this day is set aside as a particular day of prayer for those vocations. Below are excerpts of the text of the popes message for Vocations Sunday.

 

"....this day of worldwide prayer to God the Father, asking him to continue to send workers for his Church (cf. Mt 9:38).....The problem of having a sufficient number of priests is the precise and inescapable indicator of the vitality of faith and love of individual parish and diocesan communities, and the evidence of the moral health of Christian families. Wherever numerous vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are to be found, that is where people are living the Gospel with generosity”
Hope is the expectation of something positive in the future, yet at the same time it must sustain our present existence, which is often marked by dissatisfaction and failures. On what is our hope founded?

At every moment, especially the most difficult ones, the Lord’s faithfulness is always the authentic driving force of salvation history....

God never abandons us and he remains true to his word. For that reason, in every situation, whether positive or negative, we can nourish a firm hope and pray with the psalmist: “Only in God can my soul find rest; my hope comes from him” (Ps 62:6)

......what exactly is God’s faithfulness, to which we adhere with unwavering hope? It is his love!....this love, fully manifested in Jesus Christ, engages with our existence and demands a response in terms of what each individual wants to do with his or her life, and what he or she is prepared to offer in order to live it to the full. The love of God sometimes follows paths one could never have imagined, but it always reaches those who are willing to be found.....This deep, demanding love, which penetrates well below the surface, gives us courage; it gives us hope in our life’s journey and in our future; it makes us trust in ourselves, in history and in other people.......so today the risen Jesus walks along the streets of our life and sees us immersed in our activities, with all our desires and our needs. In the midst of our everyday circumstances he continues to speak to us; he calls us to live our life with him, for only he is capable of satisfying our thirst for hope. He lives now among the community of disciples that is the Church, and still today calls people to follow him. The call can come at any moment. Today too, Jesus continues to say, “Come, follow me” (Mk 10:21). Accepting his invitation means no longer choosing our own path. Following him means immersing our own will in the will of Jesus, truly giving him priority, giving him pride of place in every area of our lives: in the family, at work, in our personal interests, in ourselves

Vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life are born out of the experience of a personal encounter with Christ......This process, which enables us to respond positively to God’s call, is possible in Christian communities where the faith is lived intensely, where generous witness is given of adherence to the Gospel, where there is a strong sense of mission which leads people to make the total gift of self for the Kingdom of God.

Dear young people, do not be afraid to follow him and to walk the demanding and courageous paths of charity and generous commitment! In that way you will be happy to serve, you will be witnesses of a joy that the world cannot give, you will be living flames of an infinite and eternal love, you will learn to “give an account of the hope that is within you” (1 Pt 3:15)!"

• Pope Benedict XVI's text of full message for the Day of Prayer HERE.
• Resources for Vocation Sunday from the Vocation Directors of Ireland available HERE.
• Vocations Ireland website
• Irish Vocation Stories
• Explore Away - exploreAway: an opportunity for young, single, men and women between the ages of 21-40, who are interested in exploring religious life in a reflective and prayerful environment. If you are discerning your way in life you are invited to join the team over five weekends to experience and explore where God may be calling you.
• Limerick Diocese Vocation Information available HERE.
• SS102fm posts and podcasts on Vocations including various priests and religious sharing their stories can be viewed HERE.

God knows me and calls me by my name.…

God has created me to do Him some definite service;

He has committed some work to me

which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission—I never may know it in this life,

but I shall be told it in the next.

Somehow I am necessary for His purposes…

I have a part in this great work;

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection

between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good,

I shall do His work;

I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth

in my own place, while not intending it,

if I do but keep His commandments

and serve Him in my calling.

Therefore I will trust Him.

Whatever, wherever I am,

I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him;

In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him;

If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be

necessary causes of some great end,

which is quite beyond us.

He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life,

He may shorten it;

He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends,

He may throw me among strangers,

He may make me feel desolate,

make my spirits sink, hide the future from me—

still He knows what He is about.…

Let me be Thy blind instrument. I ask not to see—

I ask not to know—I ask simply to be used.

 

Cardinal John Henry Newman.

Meditations and Devotions, "Meditations on Christian Doctrine,"

"Hope in God—Creator", March 7, 1848

Gospel - John 10:27-30

 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

 
In a season of thanksgiving, in a time of change, what wonderful consoling and healing words:

 

"No one shall snatch you out of Gods hands"

We are in the arms of a shepherd

who cares for us, who holds us, who never forgets us.

Jesus, may we have the confidence

and peace to rest in your love.

May we be witnesses to your love this week,

so that all can know this joy in their lives.

Amen.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy


Liturgical Odds and Ends
 
Divine Office - Psalter Week 4
 
Saints of the Week
 
22nd April - St Abel McAedh
23rd April - St George (martyr) Patron saint of England
24th April - St Fidelis of Sigmaringen
25th April - St Mark the Evangelist

Our Lady of Good Counsel

26th April - Our Lady of Good Counsel
27th April - St Asicus
 
Notices

The notices we called out on this weeks programme are available HERE.