11th June 2008

1.  Lough Derg
Lough Derg is a unique place of peace in today’s modern world.  It manages to retain a pace where people can move slowly, reflect, Pray – and receive a warm welcome. There are no strangers in Lough Derg.  Eileen Good spoke to the Prior, Mgr. Dick Mohan and first asked him if the recent transport problems had been resolved.

BACK CREDIT:  If you want to find out more about transport to Lough Derg, that number again is 071-9861518.

2.  Bullying  
The levels of stress which impact on peoples’ lives whether in the workplace, at home or at school through being bullied, is at an all time high – often with tragic consequences. Eileen Good asked Suzanne Costello, Director of Samaritans Ireland, about the findings of their most recent survey on the subject.

3.  Youth Cafe
A recent survey showed that young Irish people would like to reduce the legal drinking age to 16. This is at a time when many youth organisations are trying to find alternatives to underage drinking. Ultan McGoohan CC is currently trying to keep a Youth Café going as one of these initiatives. But Miriam Gormally put it to him that given the survey results, maybe a Youth Café is the last thing young people want.

4.  New Era for CBS 
Brother Philip Pinto was re-elected congregation leader at the Christian Brothers 6 yearly General Chapter at Kunner, Kerala, South India in March of this year - a General Chapter which hearlded a new era for the Irish Province.  Eileen Good asked Brother Donal Blake if this was a significant moment for the Irish Christian Brothers.

5.  Teenage Suicide
2008 marks the seventh year of the Young Social Innovators or YSI projects. YSI is aimed at 15-18 year olds in Ireland who feel that they want to do something to change their world or the way society looks at an issue. This year’s winner of the category for “Making our World Healthier” was St. Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork with a project called, “Live Your Life and Love it” looking at teenage suicide. Miriam Gormally met Rebecca Noels and Heather Mahoney to find out why their class chose that topic.  

6.  Vision 8
‘Catholic Education is inspired by Jesus Christ.  It is person centred, seeking to develop the full potential of each person.’ These are the opening lines from the Irish Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter launching a new vision of Catholic Education in Ireland, VISION 8.  Eileen Good asked Mgt. Jim Cassin, Executive Secretary to the Education Commission at St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, why another document on education was being launched at this time.

7.  Mental Health
Suize Doheny-Burke is a regular visitor of the Dundrum Central Mental Hospital. She never imagined that this would be the place where she would be going to visit her son. She talks to Lena Jacobs about the experience as well as the misconceptions of people with mental illness and the need to promote their rights. She began by explaining what her first visit was like

8.   Basic Income for All
CORI is made up of over 80 Religious Congregations of both men and women, with an estimated membership in excess of 10,000. CORI Justice are hosting their annual Social Policy on June 19th on the topic ‘Making Choices – Choosing Futures’. This year it will be followed by an international congress on Basic Income.  Eileen Good asked Fr. Sean Healy of CORI Justice about the upcoming events.

9.  Eucharist and the Living Earth
Is there a link between Ecology and Theology? Hugh O’Donnell awarding winning poet believes so. In his most recent book Eucharist and the Living Earth (Columbia, 2007) he argues that the connection should be emphasised. Canon Patrick Comerford who is Director of Spiritual Formation at the Church of Ireland Theological College, reviewed the book and explained to Miriam Gormally why it is so relevant for today.

10.   Music:  Oh Happy Day
This week’s music piece comes from the Gardner Street Gospel Choir.  The song is Oh Happy Day and it is taken from their album One Love.