Some web browsing.....

The issue of belief and what we believe as Christians and as Roman Catholics seems to be a growing question as opposed to those who professed  that "God is Dead" but at the same time each of us should as ourselves individually "What do I really belief?" Pathos.com begins a series looking at what people really believe about some of the big questions: What really happens when we die? Does prayer really make a difference? Does it really matter how we act in this life?

At the same time alot of interest has been generated by the latest poll from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life which examined what Americans believe. Before we get into a paroxym of smugness on this side of the Atlantic perhaps we should take the survey and see how we get on. As Deacon Greg Kanda notes Catholics have nothing to shout about. For Catholics alarming results such as only 33 per cent of US Catholics can name the authors of the four Gospels, while barely half (55 per cent) can say what happens during the Sacrament of the Eucharist (the transformation of the bread and wine into the body, blood, soul and Divinity of Christ). Only 42 per cent can accurately name the first book of the Bible are causes for concern but when the Iona Institue did a survey in Ireland in 2008 did we do any better?

An interesting and reflective reminder of the beauty and dignity of each human person and the place of human dignity in Catholic Social Teaching as something of the Glory of God shines on your face.

During the week we had the feast of the Little Flower, St Therese of Lisieux, two different reflections of this saint can be found here (more traditional) and here (a bit more unusual view from a christian convert from the Far East).

3rd October 2010 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

This weeks show begins Sacred Space 102fm's short series during the month of October focusing on the missions. The show has an interview with our own Shane Ambrose who speaks about his time volunteering in Uganda, our regular gospel reflection and a quick run though the saints for the week.


You can listen to this weeks programme HERE.


From Knockpatrick to Kiyinda - A VM's reflections on some time in Africa

Regular readers of the blog will have seen a series of recent posts in the last week from our regular panelist Shane Ambrose where he has written and reflected about his time in Uganda with a particular focus on presence, suffering, solidarity and friendship. Shane was a volunteer for 30 months in Uganda with the Volunteer Missionary Movement and speaks on this weeks show under a gentle "interrogation" from Lorraine and John about his experiences there. Some other VM's online are here.

Gospel Reflection

This weeks gospel of many parts talks to us about how the apostles pray for Jesus to increase their faith and the role of Christians to be willing to do what has to be done and not expect major kudos for it. It raises the questions do we try to manipulate our relationship with God seeking so that He "owes" us a favour? In the modern world we are all very aware of our rights, but do we place as much emphasis on our responsibilities? Do we have a proper attitude as servants of God where our relationship with Jesus is leading to greater trust in God as a response to the love of God.

Some more thoughts about this weeks gospel can be found here, here, here, here and here.

Saints of the Week

We just got a chance to run through our saints of the week this week to let you know whose liturgical commemoration is coming up:

3rd Oct - Blessed Columba Marmion OSB - obviously given that the 3rd falls on a Sunday this year, the memorial wont be observed, but Blessed Columba is one of Ireland's official Blessed's!
4th October - St Francis of Assisi and here
5th October - St Faustina (Apostle of the Divine Mercy)
6th October - St Bruno (Founder of the Carthusians)
7th October - Our Lady of the Rosary

Other News

We have been talking and talking about the podcasts since the blog started back at the beginning of September and we hope to have the podcasts up and running in about 3-4 weeks. We had a little technical difficulties but we hope to get them sorted soon. When we do get up and running,  the plan is to have podcasts going back to the start of July of the show online for you to listen back to and to let all your friends know about us.

Again, thanks for listening!

God bless

John, Lorraine and Shane

From Kiyinda to Knockpatrick - Part 5 - Friendships & Goodbyes

Friendships and Goodbyes

“I call you friends” (Jn 15:15)

“Parting is such sweet sorrow” - (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 Scene II, 185)

I found this online not long after I came to Uganda but have never been able to find the blog I got it from again. Anyway as part of the tidy up I found it again amongst my own files so I said I would share it again:

"Before I came to Uganda

…I did not know earth. Earth so dry and red, baked hard by the heat of the day. Earth that holds that heat like kiln-burnt clay, warming weary feet as they journey home from a long day's work.

...I did not know the sun. Had never met this sun, whose rays could scald bare skin on a clear day, yet the tiniest cloud between it and you can bring much needed relief from it's scorching heat. Whose light is as important as air, everyone depending on it to see and work and play, to dispel the darkness and allow for life to unfold.

...I did not know rain. Rain that falls in torrents and buckets and waterfalls from the sky. Rain that means LIFE to plants, animals, and people alike. Rain that is caught in barrels and buckets, basins, bowls and open hands. Rain that is swallowed up by the parched earth so quickly that there is scarcely a puddle or spot of muck to prove it fell. Rain that throws all the vegetation into a kaleidoscope of sparkling green and raises every hand to heaven in thanksgiving praise.