Come & See Inspirations

On this weeks podcast excerpt we are joined by Michael Hopkins from the "Friends of Calcutta" to share with us the work that they do.  Friends of CalcuttaFounded in 1994, the Friends of Calcutta from simple beginnings has  grown to funding 4 schools and since 1996 thousands of students have been educated. The schools have over 800 students.  Their mission is to assist the most marginalised to realise their full potential. Michael shares with John how many groups from Co. Limerick continue to help in fundraising activities.Futher info and opportunity to support can be found at HERE   

On this weeks podcast we are joined by Michael Hopkins from the "Friends of Calcutta" to share with us the work that they do. We have our regular run through the saints of the week, some local notices and of course our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel.  Friends of CalcuttaFounded in 1994, the Friends of Calcutta from simple beginnings has  grown to funding 4 schools and since 1996 thousands of students have been educated. The schools have over 800 students.  Their mission is to assist the most marginalised to realise their full potential. Michael shares with John how many groups from Co. Limerick continue to help in fundraising activities.Futher info and opportunity to support can be found at HERE   

 Our first  playback comes from 21 February 2010  when Fr Frank Duhig shares his vocation story with us HereOur second playback comes 9 May 2010 when Michael Keating reflects for us on the Apparitions at Fatima with us Here Our third playback comes from 23 May 2010  when Mary Keating & Paddy Geary share their reflection on Apparitions at Medjugorje with us HereOur fourth playback comes from 9 August 2010 when Fr john Cribben shares his journey as a Missionary in Brazil HereOur final playback comes from 17 October 2010 when Sr Margaret O'Sullivan shares a reflection with us on Canonisation  sr Mary Mackillop Here

At times it can seem that events and happenings will overwhelm us, - both internal and external to the church - and it can all seem too much. But we are called to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12). During the  the Second Vatican Council in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, the Council Fathers reminded us that "The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ".On this weeks podcast, we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig who shares with us some of the signs of hope he sees in today's world. In particular he focuses on our response to those with special needs and the emergency of climate change as two examples he offers to give us confidence in  hope. 

At times it can seem that events and happenings will overwhelm us, - both internal and external to the church - and it can all seem too much. But we are called to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12). During the  the Second Vatican Council in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, the Council Fathers reminded us that "The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ".On this weeks podcast, we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig who shares with us some of the signs of hope he sees in today's world. In particular he focuses on our response to those with special needs and the emergency of climate change as two examples he offers to give us confidence in  hope. We have our regular run through the saints of the week and the other liturgical odds and ends for the start of the month of S

Welcome to this weeks podcast where we continue a series of reflections from the monks of Glenstal Abbey called "Lord teach us to pray". We originally started this series in May 2022 and continuing with the series on this weeks podcast we share two of the reflections from the series:"Difficulties in prayer" - Fr Columba OSB"An inherited instinct" - Fr Fintan OSB 

Welcome to this weeks podcast where we continue a series of reflections from the monks of Glenstal Abbey called "Lord teach us to pray". We originally started this series in May 2022 and continuing with the series on this weeks podcast we share two of the reflections from the series:"Difficulties in prayer" - Fr Columba OSB"An inherited instinct" - Fr Fintan OSBAs always we have a run through the saints of the week and any notices which we think we should bring to your attention with a particular focus on the national novea at Knock which is on going at the moment. We also have our reflection on the weekly gospel (Luke 13:22-30). 

-Welcome to this weeks podcast from the C&SI team!On this weeks podcast we dip back into the archive to share with you a reflection on the Apparitions at Knock. Originally broadcast on 26th August 2012, Michael Keating tells us of the story of the Apparitions of Knock and leads a panel discussion around the significance of the apparition. While the shrine at Knock is mainly viewed as a Marian shrine, Michael reminds us that the focus of this silent apparition was actually on the Lamb of God on the Altar before the Victorious Cross and how Mary once more is pointing the way to her Son and not to herself. And this point was recognised in 2021 when Knock was recognised as an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine by Pope Francis. We have our regular run through the saints of the coming week, some notices (mainly the details of the annual national novena at Knock) and of course our reflection on this weeks gospel (Luke 12:49-53).Thanks for listening!

On this weeks podcast excerpt we dip back into the archive to share with you a reflection on the Apparitions at Knock. Originally broadcast on 26th August 2012, Michael Keating tells us of the story of the Apparitions of Knock and leads a panel discussion around the significance of the apparition. While the shrine at Knock is mainly viewed as a Marian shrine, Michael reminds us that the focus of this silent apparition was actually on the Lamb of God on the Altar before the Victorious Cross and how Mary once more is pointing the way to her Son and not to herself. And this point was recognised in 2021 when Knock was recognised as an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine by Pope Francis. 

Join John and Shane on this weeks podcast as we explore and share some thoughts on the up coming solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15th. A dogma only defined in 1950 by Pope Pius XII but which expressly set out the belief of the church for millennia. We explore what it is all about and also how we share the celebration with our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Church who celebrate the Dormition of the BVM on the same day.In addition to that reflection in part 2, we have our regular run through notices and saints of the week with a particular focus on the upcoming national novena in Knock.Our reflection in part three is our weekly sharing on the Sunday gospel Luke 12:32-48.

Join John and Shane on this weeks podcast as we explore and share some thoughts on the up coming solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15th. A dogma only defined in 1950 by Pope Pius XII but which expressly set out the belief of the church for millennia. We explore what it is all about and also how we share the celebration with our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Church who celebrate the Dormition of the BVM on the same day.

On this podcast excerpt John and Shane reflect on the Sunday gospel for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary time from Luke 12:13-21 which reflects on the need to make sure that the practicalities of the world do not come between us and our need to focus on God alone.

On this weeks programme John and Shane take a run around the world to look at events happening. We also have  our liturgical odds and ends for this week including saints of the week for the 18th week in ordinary time (Psalter Week II). News from around the worldPope Francis visit to Canada on a penitential pilgrimage  - good summary from CNS here as to why the pope is in Canada.  The Pillar has analysis here.Pope Francis has made College of Cardinals ‘less European,’ analysis showsWill Pope Francis resign? - Pope: ‘If I resign one day, I’ll hear confessions and visit the sick’Changes to organisation of Opus DeiPersecution of Christians in Nigeria - refer to Pillar coverage HERE.In the first three months of 2022, 896 Nigerians were murdered in violent attacks across their country.......In the last couple of months the abduction of priests have been on the rise:A priest of Auchi Diocese, Fr. Christopher Odia, was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped early in the morning on June 26; the priest was taken

On this weeks programme John and Shane take a run around the world to look at events happening. News from around the worldPope Francis visit to Canada on a penitential pilgrimage  - good summary from CNS here as to why the pope is in Canada.  The Pillar has analysis here.Pope Francis has made College of Cardinals ‘less European,’ analysis showsWill Pope Francis resign? - Pope: ‘If I resign one day, I’ll hear confessions and visit the sick’Changes to organisation of Opus DeiPersecution of Christians in Nigeria - refer to Pillar coverage HERE.In the first three months of 2022, 896 Nigerians were murdered in violent attacks across their country.......In the last couple of months the abduction of priests have been on the rise:A priest of Auchi Diocese, Fr. Christopher Odia, was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped early in the morning on June 26; the priest was taken from his rectory.A priest of Kaduna Archdiocese, Fr. Vitus Borogo, was shot June 25 at a prison-farm in Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia road, a

On this weeks podcast we mark World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly which is celebrated on the Sunday closest to the feast of St Joachim and St Anne - grandparents of Jesus - on July 26th. To mark the day, we take an interview from our archives about the Catholic Grandparents Association which was originally broadcast 7th September 2014. Pope Francis established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time in 2021. In 2022, the celebration will fall on Sunday 24 July, the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration is: “In old age they will still bear fruit” (Psalm 92:15).National Grandparents Pilgrimage: A Celebration of  World Day For Grandparents & The Elderly is being held at Knock Shrine Sunday 24th July starting at 2.30pm with the anointing of the sick. You can find more information HERE and if you cant make it physically to Knock you can watch the ceremonies from t

On this weeks podcast we mark World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly which is celebrated on the Sunday closest to the feast of St Joachim and St Anne - grandparents of Jesus - on July 26th. To mark the day, we take an interview from our archives about the Catholic Grandparents Association which was originally broadcast 7th September 2014. Pope Francis established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time in 2021. In 2022, the celebration will fall on Sunday 24 July, the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration is: “In old age they will still bear fruit” (Psalm 92:15).We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week and of course our reflection on this Sunday's gospel with the focus on prayer as Luke puts before us Jesus teaching of the Our Father and the reminder to be persistent in prayer.National Grandparents Pilgrimage: A Celebrati

On this weeks podcast C&SI is continuing a 5 part series for the summer months where we are sharing a series of reflections and homilies by Bishop Robert Barron from Word on Fire Ministries focusing on one of the most understood books of the Bible, the Book of Revelation.The Heavenly CityIn the Book of Revelation we find a detailed description of the heavenly Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven to earth. There is no temple in this city because the whole city has become a temple. What began in the book of Genesis now comes to its fulfillment: the marriage of heaven and earth—the beautiful, integrated place of right praise.

On this weeks podcast C&SI is continuing a 5 part series for the summer months where we are sharing a series of reflections and homilies by Bishop Robert Barron from Word on Fire Ministries focusing on one of the most understood books of the Bible, the Book of Revelation.In addition to the fifth reflection in this series, we have our regular podcast numbers including a run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week, and of course a reflection on the Sunday gospel.Just to note for listeners that Shane is travelling in far distant places over these few weeks so our apologies in advance for some of the sound quality which isn't exactly the greatest.The Heavenly CityIn the Book of Revelation we find a detailed description of the heavenly Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven to earth. There is no temple in this city because the whole city has become a temple. What began in the book of Genesis now comes to its fulfillment: the marriage of heaven and earth—the beautiful, integra

On this weeks podcast C&SI is continuing a 5 part series for the summer months where we are sharing a series of reflections and homilies by Bishop Robert Barron from Word on Fire Ministries focusing on one of the most understood books of the Bible, the Book of Revelation.In addition to the fourth reflection in this series, we have our regular podcast numbers including a run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week, and of course a reflection on the Sunday gospel.Just to note for listeners that Shane is travelling in far distant places over these few weeks so our apologies in advance for some of the sound quality which isn't exactly the greatest.Rescued from the depthsWe continue our reading of the book of Revelation, leaping ahead toward the very end of the Bible. Looking at the arc of the whole story—from God’s creation out of watery chaos in Genesis to the sea disappearing and a new creation emerging in Revelation—we see that God's final and definitive rescue operation, in the

On this weeks podcast C&SI is continuing a 5 part series for the summer months where we are sharing a series of reflections and homilies by Bishop Robert Barron from Word on Fire Ministries focusing on one of the most understood books of the Bible, the Book of Revelation.Rescued from the depthsWe continue our reading of the book of Revelation, leaping ahead toward the very end of the Bible. Looking at the arc of the whole story—from God’s creation out of watery chaos in Genesis to the sea disappearing and a new creation emerging in Revelation—we see that God's final and definitive rescue operation, in the fullness of time, is his only Son. Jesus was sent all the way down into sin and death that he might rescue us who had fallen into those depths.