2nd October 2011 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Society of Children of Latin America

On this weeks programme, we catch up with the Society for Children of Latin America who update us on their fundraising activities in support of the work of the late Fr John Cribbin OMI in Brazil as well as their tribute to Fr John, our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel and a quick run through the sainst of the week and some local notices.

 

The weeks podcast is now available. 

Society for Children of Latin America (SCoLA)

Rachel Lenihan and Fr Richard Keane update us on their work and fundraising activities over the last year on behalf of the Society for Latin America especially their most recent endevour which was a parachute jump in aid of their fundraising activities. To date the skydive has raised €6,000 and funds are still coming in and which will continue the work begun by Fr Cribbin.

Rachel and Fr Richard also gave their tribute to the late Fr John Cribbin and his work in Rio de Janeiro.

Gospel - Matthew 21:33-43

This weeks gospel is one which needs to reflect and read on and to engage with in your imagination. There is great linkages across all the readinsg from this Sunday especially from the first reading which is taken from the prophet Isaiah.

One of the themes is the examination of the the relationship between God and the People of Israel demonstrated by the landowners looking after the vineyard with protection from the world in the Law (the hedge) and guidance provided to the Chosen People (and to us)

To bring the passage back to us and our own lives, if we stand into the story, which character are you in today's gospel? If we pose a few questions to ourselves what would your answer be?

Are we cooperating with the Lord's work in his vineyard - in our lives? Are we open to the message of the Lord be it through the Church or people who open moments in our lives to the Divine?

The gospel also reminds us that the Lord looks after his vineyard - we are never alone. While we may feel abandoned, it is at times like that we should turn to God and ask for his help. He will never abandon us and is always there waiting for us to turn to him in prayer.

Finally, if we stand in the place of the tenant, and we are questioned by the landowner who gave his vineyard over to us how would we be able to respond? We don't own our own lives, we don't own our world or our church. They come from, belong to and return to God and we are just stewards of our creation and our church. The gift of the vineyard to each of us is our life in this creation of the Lord. He will ask each of us indiviudally; How did you respect the gift that was given to you? How did you answer my call to love in the vineyard? Did you answer the call that I made to you in your heart?
Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Word on Fire
• Sunday Reflection
• English Dominicans 

Saints of the Week

October 3rd - Blessed Colomba Marmion
October 4th - St Francis of Assisi
October 5th - St Faustina Kowalska (Apostle of the Divine Mercy)
October 6th - St Bruno
October 7th - Our Lady of the Rosary (First Friday)
October 8th - Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni OP of Siena

Local Notices

This week we had a number of updates in relation to activites and workshops being run by the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre including choir training for the revised translation, and up and coming scripture courses for Advent.

To find out the details of the various courses and to keep up to date with what is happening in the diocese check out Limerick Diocese online and sign up for the Pastoral Development newsletter.

25th September 2011 - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - Maryvale Institute

On this weeks programme we explore Maryvale Institute, a Higher Institute of Religious Sciences, in Birmingham, our regular Gospel reflections, some spiritual musical and our weekly run through the saints of the week.

The weeks podcast is now available.

Maryvale Institute

Lorraine introduces a short series of interviews with various people involved with Maryvale Institute.

Maryvale is both a place of worship and a Higher Institute, providing distance learning opportunities in Catholic Theology, Evangelisation, Catechesis, Philosophy, Ministry and Religious Education at every level from short, informal courses to BAs, MAs and research degrees. The range of levels offered enables students from all backgrounds to develop their full potential and obtain nationally and internationally recognised qualifications.The Holy See has now erected Maryvale as an Ecclesiastical institute so that it can also offer degrees of the Holy See, at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Dr Farey introduces us to Maryvale Institute looking at the history and inspiration behind what is now an international college. She discusses how the work of the Institute contributes to the religious formation of the laity which is the desire of the Church to encourage the laity to engage with their faith. The Institute seeks to lead the laity to the "living sources of the faith" to help explore and understand Scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church and using those as springboards to the vast treasury of the Catholic faith. She takes us through the various courses on offer from Maryvale describing how there are courses for the "professional" student and those people who just want to explore their faith at their own time and speed.

Lorraine also has a number of conversations with students of the Maryvale Institute about their experence of studying at Maryvale and how it has contributed to their faith journey.

Interviewees:

• Dr Caroline Farey - Academic Assistant to the Director for Ecclesiastical Development, Head of Catechetical Formation, Course Director License in Catechetics, Reader in Catechetics.
• Barbara Davies - 5th year student - Bachelors of Art in Divinity
• Kathleen O'Donnell - 5th year student - Bachelors of Art in Divinity
• Lynda Sanders - 5th year student - Bachelors of Art in Divinity

Gospel - Matthew 21:28-32

John and Lorraine take us through a reflection on a challenging gospel this week and how we are called to live our lives being open to the message of love of God. Although we may be sinners like the "prostitutes and tax collectors" the welcome message of God is always open to us if we are open to listening and accepting it.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Word on Fire
• Sunday Reflection
• English Dominicans
• PDDM - Breaking the Bread of the Word

Saints of the Week

26th September - St Cosmas and St Damien
27th September - St Vincent de Paul
28th September - St Wenceslaus
29th September - Ss Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - the Archangels
30th September - St Jerome
1st Ocober - St Therese of the Child Jesus ("The Little Flower")

18th September 2011 - Fr John Cribbin OMI - RIP

On this weeks programme, Sacred Space 102fm repeats a programme done in 2010 with Fr John Cribbin OMI. Fr John Cribben OMI originally from Shanagolden and who worked in Brazil for over 43 years died on September 10th in Cahermoyle nursing home after battling illness.

Sacred Space 102fm originally interviewed Fr John back on 29th August 2010 including a discussion about the fundraising being done in Newcastle West in support of the street children of Rio and in support of the communities that Fr John worked with.
The interview and discussion with Fr John's about his early life and work in Brazil is available on podcast.

• Mission on the dark side of Rio - Limerick Leader
• Our missionary work - Oblates of Mary Immaculate Anglo-Irish province
• Limerick man made honoury citizen of Rio De Janareio

 May he rest in peace