|
3rd September 2008
1. 3,000 Pilgrims go to Lourdes
This year is the 150th anniversary of the apparition of Mary to St. Bernadette in Lourdes. As such many pilgrims are making the trip out to this holy site, including the Pope who will be there this September. Miriam Gormally met Fr. John Gilligan, the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage Director who will be accompanying 3,000 pilgrims from Ireland out to Lourdes arriving at the end of the Papal visit. Miriam asked him to explain the history of these Diocesan trips.
2. Christian Palestine Relations
Places of conflict worldwide continue to make media headlines on a daily basis and sadly many of them involve religious differences. The ongoing dispute in the Holy Land in one such example. Some years ago the Rev. David Moynan from Kilternan, Co. Dublin visited the region and on returning home was inspired to see what could be done to gain a better understanding of the problems involved and to explore how people here could link up with the people there. He told Eileen Good how it all came about.
3. Brother Laurence & Prayer
In the recently published book ‘Meeting God’ - the section about Carmelite Witnesses through the centuries - includes a feature on Brother Laurence of the Resurrection who worked in the kitchens where he developed a great sense of the presence of God. Carmelite Fr. Chris O’Donnell told Eileen Good about this prayerful, but unknown, Carmelite Brother.
4. The Radical Jesus
Fr. Peter McVerry has spent the last thirty years working with homeless young people. He is the author of many books, and a well know advocacy figure for housing and homelessness. His most recent book Jesus: Social Revolutionary? discusses the Gospels and Christianity. He spoke to Lena Jacobs about the book and the experiences that led him to writing this hard hitting account of Jesus and today’s society.
5. WYD Remembered
This summer in Sydney was one of the most exciting world youth days so far, drawing more people than ever before. Miriam Gormally met Iva Beranek, a student in the Milltown institute in Dublin who was at this year's event and asked her to tell all.
6. Authentic Youth
It's September and students all over the country are going back to school. For Authentic Youth, a Christian retreat organisation, it is a busy time. They begin their school visits engaging young people in discussion. Miriam Gormally met Scott Evans one of the facilitators and asked him whether young people today had much interest in a Christian retreat.
For more information contact youth@scriptureunion.ie
7. Suicide Prevention Day
September 10th is World Suicide prevention day. It is an important day to remember and promote in Ireland, a country where more people die from suicide than from road traffic accidents. Miriam Gormally spoke with Dr. John Connelly, psychiatrist and campaigner for greater public awareness and funding for suicide prevention. He explained to Miriam over the phone about what needs to be done.
8. Hospitality Matters
The guiding principle of the St. John of God Order is that of Hospitality. It is also central to the practice of the Christian life. The biblical tradition is a rich resource for the understanding of Hospitality. Brother Kilian Keaney heads the Institute of Hospitaller Studies at the St. John of God Centre in Stillorgan in Dublin and he told Eileen Good how the idea of studying Hospitality came about.
9. Music: Is Maith an Bhean Muire Mhor
This week’s music piece is taken from The Bell’s of the Angelus’ – Hymns and Anthems from Ireland – which was recorded by the Palestrina Choir, St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin.
17th September 2008
1. Priesthood Sunday
The Year of Vocation was launched in April of this year and will continue to May 2009. Throughout the year many initiatives have been planned to explore the word ‘Vocation’ and in particular the call to Priesthood. Fr. Paddy Rushe is National Director for Diocesan Vocations and he told Eileen Good about Priesthood Sunday which will be celebrated this month.
2. Feast of St. Vincent de Paul
September 27th is the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul, a man whose dedication to relieving the distress of the poor and abandoned influenced many, including Frederic Ozanam when setting up the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1833. Sr. Catherine Prendergast, Provincial of the Daughters of Charity Ireland, told Eileen Good about their co-founder St. Vincent de Paul.
3. National Day of Prayer
October is missionary month and it is a time to remember those working overseas, building communities in developing countries. Jackie Pallas is the National Secretary of Missionary Children, an organisation that promotes “Children helping Children.” This year she is organising a National Day of prayer during October where children all over the world will pray for each other. She explained more to Miriam Gormally.
4. Pastoral Conference ‘08
The diversity of the many lay organisations involved with Church can provide a great source for growth and development within parish life, but does this always happen? Do they work together and share their talents? Sr. Anne Codd is the organiser of the forthcoming Pastoral Conference and she told Eileen Good why the conference is being held at this time.
5. Irishman Elected Abbot General
The Cistercian Order was founded in France in 1098 and came to Ireland to Mellifont Abbey in 1142. Today there are 5 monasteries of monks and one monastery of nuns in Ireland, while worldwide they are now in 47 different countries. This week the first Irish monk, Dom Eamon Fitzgerald Abbot of Mount Melleray in Co. Waterford, has been elected Abbot General of the Order. Eileen Good phoned Brother Boniface Prior of Mount Melleray to get their reaction to the news.
7. Fr. Michael Melvin R.I.P.
Founder of Kairos Communications in Maynooth, Fr. Michael Melvin SVD died just last week. Kairos Productions has for many years collaborated with RTE in the production of Religious Programmes, and with TG4 in the producing many fine documentaries. His friend and co-worker, former editor of Religious Programmes in RTE Fr. Dermod McCarthy, gave Eileen Good his reaction to the news of Fr. Mick’s passing.
8. Animal Blessing Sunday
The feast of Saint Francis is October 4th and it is a time to remember the animals in our community. Fr. Brían (pronounced Breen) O’Sullivan is a parish priest in Glasthule and chairman of Peata, an organisation which promotes the relationship between pets and people. Every year on the first Sunday in October, Fr. O’Sullivan holds a blessing for animals in honour of St. Francis. Miriam Gormally asked him to explain more.
9. Oxjam for Oxfam
Do you want to raise money and support people in need? Oxfam Ireland are organising Oxjam, a month long music festival taking place in October. People all over Ireland will put together concerts for their neighbours or their communities and donate the money raised to Oxfam. Miriam Gormally asked Michelle Hardiman - the organiser of the Irish event to tell her all about it.
10. Positive Ageing
We are all ageing and yet many of our images of older people are negative. Positive Ageing Week is running from 26 September to Saturday 4 October 2008. It is sponsored by ESB and organised by Age Action Ireland to celebrating ageing and highlight the fact that ageing can be an opportunity and not a burden. There are over 600 events planned to take place through out Ireland as well as numerous special Masses and ecumenical services. 10 towns, including Drogheda have been designated positive ageing week towns and Miriam Gormally spoke with Bridie Clarke from Drogheda, about what will be happening there.
11. Music: This week’s music piece As I Kneel Before You, is sung by Maria Parkinson, and taken from the Album Lourdes Where Miracles Happen.
|
