Come & See Inspirations

In our podcast this week, John speaks to Sr Rose Carmel McNamara, an Irish Sister of Mercy about her work and the founding of the Association of Our Lady of Mercy in Romania which works with those on the margins. We hear her story and how Sr Rose Carmel was on holiday to Romania in March 2000 and how she quickly became aware of the problems of the marginalized, and was motivated to move to Romania and dedicate herself to the fight against poverty.In addition we have our regular run through the Saints of the Week, other liturgical odds and ends and of course our weekly  reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is Matthews account of the Beatitudes taken from the Sermon on the Mount. Association of Our Lady of Mercy in RomaniaSr Rose Carmel McNamara shares her story with us this week and how after encountering such poverty in Romania she has worked with those on the margins. Initially, she worked with children living with AIDS, teaching them English and befriending them in numerous ways. Other areas of v

In our podcast excerpt this week, John speaks to Sr Rose Carmel McNamara, an Irish Sister of Mercy about her work and the founding of the Association of Our Lady of Mercy in Romania which works with those on the margins. We hear her story and how Sr Rose Carmel was on holiday to Romania in March 2000 and how she quickly became aware of the problems of the marginalized, and was motivated to move to Romania and dedicate herself to the fight against poverty. Initially, she worked with children living with AIDS, teaching them English and befriending them in numerous ways. Other areas of vulnerability soon became evident, and in November 2000, a number of shoe boxes filled with food came her way. There was no problem finding people who urgently needed them. Within a short time all were distributed with the help of Mrs. Elizabeth Bohm. Gradually, volunteers emerged and the workload was shared. As time went by, the necessity for an association was evident to respond to the increasing needs. The Association of Our La

On this weeks podcast we get a small bit parochial to west Limerick and we repeat a segment we did back originally in Jan 2012 where Michael Keating tells us about St Ita of Kileedy who is one of the co-patron saints of the diocese of Limerick and is know as the Brigid of Munster and foster mother of the saints of Ireland. St Ita's feast day falls on 15th January. As part of the celebrations just to note that Bishop Leahy offers Saint Ita Feast Day Mass for memory of the late Pontiff and he noted in his homily that "the example for the future of the Church can be drawn from both prophetic words of the late Pope Benedict from over 50 years ago and the lives of Saint Ita and Brigid over 1,500 years ago"In addition to our piece on St Ita we also have our run through the liturgial odds and ends for the week and of course our reflection on the Sunday gospel. Resources for Liturgical odds and endsSunday of the Word of God resourcesWeek of Prayer for Christian UnityWCC & Dicastery for Promoting Ch

On this weeks podcast we get a small bit parochial to west Limerick and we repeat a segment we did back originally in Jan 2012 where Michael Keating tells us about St Ita of Kileedy who is one of the co-patron saints of the diocese of Limerick and is know as the Brigid of Munster and foster mother of the saints of Ireland. St Ita's feast day falls on 15th January.As part of the celebrations just to note that Bishop Leahy offers Saint Ita Feast Day Mass for memory of the late Pontiff and he noted in his homily that "the example for the future of the Church can be drawn from both prophetic words of the late Pope Benedict from over 50 years ago and the lives of Saint Ita and Brigid over 1,500 years ago"

On this weeks podcast we take a look back at 2022 through the highs and lows of events in the sphere of things church related. With a year dominated by the war in Ukraine, the papal synod, the death of a pope emeritus and the ups and downs of Pope Francis right knee!We have our regular run through the saints of the week in this second week of ordinary time as well as our weekly gospel reflection on the Sunday gospel. As part of our discussion on this weeks saints we also selected our patron saints for the next year. If you would like to select a patron saint for 2023 you can go HERE.

On this weeks podcast we reflect on the life of Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI - who died on 31 December 2022, ten years after historically resigning from the papacy at the age of 95. We reflect on the life of "a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," who as a theologian and teacher his primary focus was always on making known Jesus Christ and his message of love and salvation. Our podcast looks at his life and times from his childhood in Germany up to his death as the 265th successor to St Peter. We discuss his life and work as a theologian with Philip Cremin (WIT) and reflect back on a historic first, a funeral for a retired pope presided over by the current pontiff. ‘God is love’: The key to Benedict’s pontificate (Vatican News)The Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Vatican News) Benedict XVI: Key events of his pontificate (Vatican News)Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict: his official biography (Vatican News)Death of Benedict XVI marks passing of a ‘Pope of Ironies’ (Crux)

On this weeks podcast we reflect on the life of Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI - who died on 31 December 2022, ten years after historically resigning from the papacy at the age of 95. We reflect on the life of "a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," who as a theologian and teacher his primary focus was always on making known Jesus Christ and his message of love and salvationOur podcast looks at his life and times from his childhood in Germany up to his death as the 265th successor to St Peter. We discuss his life and work as a theologian with Philip Cremin (WIT) and reflect back on a historic first, a funeral for a retired pope presided over by the current pontiff. ‘God is love’: The key to Benedict’s pontificate (Vatican News)The Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Vatican News) Benedict XVI: Key events of his pontificate (Vatican News)Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict: his official biography (Vatican News)Death of Benedict XVI marks passing of a ‘Pope of Ironies’ (Crux)Th

"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”And he replied:“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East."As we enter into the New Year 2023, from all  in the C&SI team we wish you a blessed, peaceful and healthy new year.On the podcast this week we continue our reflections in this Christmas Season on hope with reflections from Noirin Lynch and Jane Mellet. They are both thought provoking (as always). In addition we have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is the reading for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God.We have an extended saints of the week this week as this weeks liturgical calendar is a tad complex depending where  in the world you are sitting and how (and mo

From all the Come & See Inspirations podcast team, wishing you and yours every blessing of the Babe of Bethlehem for the Holy Season of Christmas and into the New Year 2023.Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léirFromJohn, Ann & Shane*******************On this special podcast we celebrate this special day with reflections, favourite Christmas carols and hymns, readings & reflections and our regular reflection on the Gospel of the day. We are joined on the programme with a reflection by Bishop Brendan Leahy and other special guests. "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and

On this weeks podcast we take a musical interlude through Advent with some small reflections to give you some listening space and head space to pause and reflect on the meaning of Advent especially as we head into the final week of Advent. it presents an opportunity for a more intense spiritual preparation for Christmas  - but that requires some effort amidst the generous busyness around us. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel (Matthew 1:18-24) which presents us with the story of the silent man of the gospel - St Joseph. We have our regular run through the saints of the week and some local notices also. 

On this weeks podcast we take a musical interlude through Advent with some small reflections to give you some listening space and head space to pause and reflect on the meaning of Advent especially as we head into the final week of Advent. it presents an opportunity for a more intense spiritual preparation for Christmas  - but that requires some effort amidst the generous busyness around us. 

As we progress into Gaudate Sunday and the third week of Advent we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig who shares a reflection with us on Advent and the time of pre-Christmas. He reflects on  various themes of Advent including waiting, the nature of a penetential  season, and how we can accompany Mary to the Nativity. Fr Frank reflections on how in the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Nativity, Mary, as an Advent saint - perhaps the premier Advent saint - , has so much to teach us.

As we progress into Gaudate Sunday and the third week of Advent we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig who shares a reflection with us on Advent and the time of pre-Christmas. He reflects on  various themes of Advent including waiting, the nature of a penetential  season, and how we can accompany Mary to the Nativity. Fr Frank reflections on how in the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Nativity, Mary, as an Advent saint - perhaps the premier Advent saint - , has so much to teach usWe have our regular run through the saints and of course Fr Frank joins John for this weeks reflection on the Sunday gospel. 

As we continue our Advent journey, on this weeks podcast John and Shane explore an ancient Advent tradition from the 7th century - the O Antiphons! We also have our regular run through the saints of the week, some local notices and of course our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel which this weeks introduces us to John the Baptist and the reminder that we are all called to be "prophets" in our world.O AntiphonsAs the days darken towards December 17th, the liturgical calendar moves into the final octave before Christmas. Beginning with the 17th of December, the liturgical tradition marks each day until Christmas Eve with an ancient and mysterious text, one of the so-called O-Antiphons. On this weeks podcast Shane and John explore these ancient prayers of longing and expectation for the coming of Jesus - both past, present and future coming of Jesus. As we head into the last 8 days before Christmas, why not make a few minutes of sacred space in your day to round out your preparations for the Holy a

O AntiphonsAs the days darken towards December 17th, the liturgical calendar moves into the final octave before Christmas. Beginning with the 17th of December, the liturgical tradition marks each day until Christmas Eve with an ancient and mysterious text, one of the so-called O-Antiphons. On this weeks podcast Shane and John explore these ancient prayers of longing and expectation for the coming of Jesus - both past, present and future coming of Jesus. As we head into the last 8 days before Christmas, why not make a few minutes of sacred space in your day to round out your preparations for the Holy and Festive Season of Christmas using the O Antiphons as your guide. The presents, decorations and parties are important to re-connect with family and friends, but lets not forget why we celebrate the holy-day.......Resources for exploring the O AntiphonsSacredSpace102fm blog historic posts on the AntiphonsLectio Divina resource for each Antiphon Wellspring Day by day reflections for the Octave before ChristmasPra

Happy new liturgical year!On this weeks podcast we enter into the season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year as we begin our preparation for the Christmas Season.  Part two of the podcast is a short reflection on how Advent is an often overlooked season with the panic of preparation for Christmas and plays second fiddle to Lent in terms of it is penitential nature but it still provides us with an opportunity to prepare and to take that time out to allow us to encounter the Divine!

Happy new liturgical year!On this weeks podcast we enter into the season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year as we begin our preparation for the Christmas Season.  Part two of the podcast is a short reflection on how Advent is an often overlooked season with the panic of preparation for Christmas and plays second fiddle to Lent in terms of it is penitential nature but it still provides us with an opportunity to prepare and to take that time out to allow us to encounter the Divine!In addition to that we have our regular run through the saints of the week and of course our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel.

The C&SI team are joined by Jane Mellet from Trocaire to speak about a new film "The Letter" which was released on Youtube on 4th October - the feast of St Francis of Assisi and the last day of the 2022 Season of Creation. In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’ (The Letter); an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. A few years later, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope.Hailing from Senegal, the Amazon, India, and Hawai’i, they bring perspective and solutions from the poor, the indigenous, the youth, and wildlife into a conversation with Pope Francis himself.This documentary follows their journey to Rome and the extraordinary experiences that took place there, and is packed with powerfully moving personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people.The Letter - Youtube trailerThe Letter - film web

The C&SI team are joined by Jane Mellet from Trocaire to speak about a new film "The Letter" which was released on Youtube on 4th October - the feast of St Francis of Assisi and the last day of the 2022 Season of Creation. In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’ (The Letter); an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. A few years later, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope.Hailing from Senegal, the Amazon, India, and Hawai’i, they bring perspective and solutions from the poor, the indigenous, the youth, and wildlife into a conversation with Pope Francis himself.This documentary follows their journey to Rome and the extraordinary experiences that took place there, and is packed with powerfully moving personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people.The Letter - Youtube trailerThe Letter - film web

C&SI are delighted to welcome Deirdre Ni Chinneide to the podcast this week. She has a chat with John and Shane about her work and music and reflects on our need to create moments of time and space which she helps to facilitate at her reteat centre on Inis Mor."Journeying to the Well" with Deirdre Ni ChinneideDeirdre Ni Chinneide is a composer, singer, psychotherapist, spiritual director and workshop facilitator and joins the C&SI team this week to speak on her work. She shares her story of exploring life and life experiences in music and art and helping to create spaces to encounter the Divine for others through music and workshops especially at her Sli Aonghusa retreat centre on Inis Mor. Deirdre reflects on how music is a creative force especially in this month of November to help us to come to terms of grief and loss - loss of loved ones, loss of loosing connection, and fear of loss. Her music CDs provide reflective and gentle space to sing the soul home with the reminder that each step