Come & See Inspirations

On this weeks podcast we have the first of three podcasts where we share with our listeners a series of talks from Knock Shrine about Synod on Synodality being held in Rome in 2023. As usual, we have our liturgical odds and ends, some local notices and of course our reflection on the Sunday gospel (Luke 6:17, 20-26).Synod on Synodality 2023 On the podcast, we covered the Synod on Synodality in a podcast on 24th October 2021. The Synod meeting in 2023 has been convened by Pope Francis and the local diocesan phase is currently taking place in dioceses around the world. During Advent, Knock Shrine hosted three talks about the Synod. On this weeks podcast we share the first one call "Synodality: What does it mean?" which was  a talk presented by Fr Eamonn Conway, Head of Theology & Religious Studies, MIC, University of Limerick. The talk is also available on the Knock Shrine Youtube channel including the Q&A session at the end of the talk. Liturgical odds & endsSixth week in ordinary timePsa

We are a little behind schedule with this weeks podcast this week with our look back at the year just gone. Usually we aim to do this in January as a review of the events and happenings that happened in 2021 and dig out the crystal ball to see what is up coming for 2022.We take a quick look at events at a global level (with a slight focus on things papal) including Pope Francis papal trips to Iraq, Slovakia and Greece and Cyprus. On the more domestic Irish front we reminded ourselves about the particular challenges of Covid-19 during 2021, the launch of the Irish Synodal Path and the political challenges facing the church in 2021.For 2022 we take a look at possible papal trips, the consistory for the appointment of cardinals, up coming canonisations and beatifications, the on going reform of the Vatican Curia and the beginning of the preparations for the Jubilee Year in 2025.

We are a little behind schedule with this weeks podcast this week with our look back at the year just gone. Usually we aim to do this in January as a review of the events and happenings that happened in 2021 and dig out the crystal ball to see what is up coming for 2022.In addition to our look back and look forward we have our weekly liturgical odds and ends, and our reflection on the Sunday gospel (Luke 5:1-11).2021 Year in ReviewWe take a quick look at events at a global level (with a slight focus on things papal) including Pope Francis papal trips to Iraq, Slovakia and Greece and Cyprus. On the more domestic Irish front we reminded ourselves about the particular challenges of Covid-19 during 2021, the launch of the Irish Synodal Path and the political challenges facing the church in 2021.For 2022 we take a look at possible papal trips, the consistory for the appointment of cardinals, up coming canonisations and beatifications, the on going reform of the Vatican Curia and the beginning of the preparations f

We are slightly behind on this weeks podcast topic wise discussing what is Sunday of the Word of God which is celebrated on the Third Sunday in Ordinary time which was last week (Jan 21st), however, John and Shane talk through what is the meaning of the celebration and the challenges it puts forward for us as individuals and as praying communities.We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends this week as well as our reflections on the Sunday gospel (Luke 4:21-30) Sunday of the Word of GodIn his Apostolic Letter of 30 September 2019, Aperuit illis Pope Francis established that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be the Sunday of the Word of God. He had already proposed something similar at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Sunday of the Word of God is a day to be devoted to the celebration, study, and spreading of the Word of God. Pope Francis is clear from the very first paragraph of this letter that the relationship between the Risen Lord, a community of believers, and sacred

We are slightly behind on this weeks podcast topic wise discussing what is Sunday of the Word of God which is celebrated on the Third Sunday in Ordinary time which was last week (Jan 21st), however, John and Shane talk through what is the meaning of the celebration and the challenges it puts forward for us as individuals and as praying communities.Sunday of the Word of GodIn his Apostolic Letter of 30 September 2019, Aperuit illis Pope Francis established that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be the Sunday of the Word of God. He had already proposed something similar at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Sunday of the Word of God is a day to be devoted to the celebration, study, and spreading of the Word of God. Pope Francis is clear from the very first paragraph of this letter that the relationship between the Risen Lord, a community of believers, and sacred Scripture is essential to who we are as Christians.Sunday of the Word of God is not a new feast! After all, the Word of God is procla

On this weeks podcast we are joined by Martin Browne OSB from Glenstal Abbey to discuss the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. However, some areas observe it at Pentecost or some other time. With Martin we reflect on what is the WPCU, and why are such events still important today. The theme chosen for this year is ‘We Saw His Star in the East’. Materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the churches of the Middle East. We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends as well as our weekly podcast reflection on the Sunday gospel . WPCU 2022 The story of the Magi visiting the Holy Family in Bethlehem is one very familiar to us. The Magi have sometimes been seen as a symbol of the world’s diversity – different religions and cultures – that comes to pay homage to the Christ–child. The story might therefore represent the unity o

On this weeks podcast we are joined by Martin Browne OSB from Glenstal Abbey to discuss the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. However, some areas observe it at Pentecost or some other time. With Martin we reflect on what is the WPCU, and why are such events still important today. The theme chosen for this year is ‘We Saw His Star in the East’. Materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the churches of the Middle East.The story of the Magi visiting the Holy Family in Bethlehem is one very familiar to us. The Magi have sometimes been seen as a symbol of the world’s diversity – different religions and cultures – that comes to pay homage to the Christ–child. The story might therefore represent the unity of all created that God desires.The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2022 has been prepared by the churches of the Middle East, the

On this weeks programme John and Shane are delighted to welcome Noirin Lynch (Director, FCJ Spirituality House, Spanish Point) back to reflect with us and share a few thoughts about January "blues".A few thoughts on the January BluesJanuary can be a month where we are "expected" to be enthusiastic and energetic signified in part by the pressure sometimes for change with our New Years resolutions. But in some ways it goes against nature which takes this time as a fallow period before the exuberance of Spring. But sometimes we need to gentle with ourselves, to allow for the naturalness of the January Blues and to be gentle with ourselves in a month which for many people can be challenging on many practical levels as much as anything else.  Events at FCJ Spirituality HouseNoirin mentioned a few up coming events at the FCJ Spirituality House during the month of January 2022. For those who would like to see what is happening and to make any relevant bookings you can see the events listed on Eve

On this weeks programme John and Shane are delighted to welcome Noirin Lynch (Director, FCJ Spirituality House, Spanish Point) back to reflect with us and share a few thoughts about January "blues".We have our run through the saints of the week and of course our reflection on the Sunday gospel - this week John's account of the Wedding Feast at Cana. A few thoughts on January BluesJanuary can be a month where we are "expected" to be enthusiastic and energetic signified in part by the pressure sometimes for change with our New Years resolutions. But in some ways it goes against nature which takes this time as a fallow period before the exuberance of Spring. But sometimes we need to gentle with ourselves, to allow for the naturalness of the January Blues and to be gentle with ourselves in a month which for many people can be challenging on many practical levels as much as anything else.   Events at FCJ Spirituality HouseNoirin mentioned a few up coming events at the FCJ Spirituality Hous

Fr Gerry Moloney CSsR preached at the 10am Novena Mass in the Redemptorist church in Limerick on 15th January 2022. In his homily he shared his thoughts  about the tragedy of Aishling Murphy's death and his prayer for  her legacy. He finished with these words - "We pray today that Aishling's legacy will be for a country where no woman of any age, race or background will ever again fear for her life and welfare - a country where we look out for one another - a country where we treasure all life from conception to the grave"

On this weeks podcast John and Shane take a virtual visit to France and to the Community of Taize reflecting on the 2022 Letter from Taize - Becoming Creators of Unity. We have regular run through our saints of the coming week and we also select our patron saints for 2022. Our podcast for 2022 is St Anne - grandmother of Jesus.  You can get your own patron saint for the year HERE.Our reflection on the Sunday gospel is on Lukes account of the baptism of the Lord (Lk 3:15-16, 21-22).Taize CommunityThe Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic fraternity in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It is composed of more than one hundred brothers, from Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from about thirty countries around the world. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schütz, a Reformed Protestant. Taizé has become one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage, with a focus on youth. Over 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taizé each y

On this weeks podcast John and Shane take a virtual visit to France and to the Community of Taize reflecting on the 2022 Letter from Taize - Becoming Creators of Unity.Taize CommunityThe Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic fraternity in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It is composed of more than one hundred brothers, from Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from about thirty countries around the world. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schütz, a Reformed Protestant.Taizé has become one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage, with a focus on youth. Over 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taizé each year for prayer, Bible study, sharing, and communal work. Through the community's ecumenical outlook, they are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation.Taize website including resources for biblical meditation, music and podcasts HERE.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022!John and Shane are delighted to welcome you to this weeks podcast as we continue to celebrate the Christmas season from Christmas Eve to the Baptism of the Lord - let no one tell you Christmas is only a day!So on this the second Sunday within  the Christmas season, we decided to take a flying visit to the Eternal City and see what Pope Francis has been saying over the Christmas period and in particular his reflections for Christmas Eve Mass and the Urbi et Orbi on Christmas Day.Just a liturgical calendar point/apology to our non-Irish listeners, but in Ireland we still keep Epiphany as January 6th - it is not moved around probably as much a cultural decision as anything else. We have our regular run  through the liturgical odds and ends including the saints of the coming week and of course a reflection on the gospel of the Sunday which is the Prologue to the gospel of St John.  General Audience 22 December 2022Homily from Christmas Eve Mass during the nightUrbi et Orbi

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.Fr Frank Duhig PP Newcastle West gives us a reflection entitled "Our second Covid Christmas". He reflects that we are asked each Christmas is there room for Jesus in the Inn of our lives? Covid has encouraged us to trim our lives down to the bare essentials - a slight wilderness. But perhaps the "wilderness" of covid has given us an opportunity to work out the essentials for us in our lives. 

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.Fr Luke McNamara OSB from Glenstal Abbey reflects on the origins of the crib - one of the most familiar signs of religious celebration of Christmas. Luke reflects on the inspiration from the apocryphal gospels and of course the original crib of Greccio created by St Francis after his pilgrimage to the Holy Land.   

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.Bethlehem - the city most associated with the Christmas story but what is it like to live in the "capital of Christmas" in 2021? Br Justin shares with us what it is like to live in Bethlehem behind the security wall facing the challenges of the restrictions on the Palestinian community from both a security and also pandemic related ones. He shares with us the huge challenges facing the Christian community who depend so much on tourists and pilgrims but who still maintain hope.

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.Sr Therese Fitzgerald takes us on a reflection taking the reading of Isaiah (52:7-10) and how it provides lectio divina for us throughout the Christmas season. She poses questions for us on how do we respond to the questions of Isaiah and asks us where do we experience beauty, peace and happiness both to ourselves and to others.  

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.In this reflection by Fr Chris O'Donnell we listen to what he calls the message of hope. We can be strong on faith and love but especially at this time we need hope to keep alive both faith and love in our lives. Fr Chris chooses  'The Circle of Love' as a piece of music as he says it captures within its lyrics the message of Christmas.

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.In this reflection Martina Lehane Sheehan invites us to stay with the image of the 'birth of the Divine in our hearts this Christmas'. Martina reflects on the  miracle of the moment, that exquisite moment, when something new is being born, where the Creator of the Universe is choosing to be birthed again in history, in the world right now, through us. 

C&SI brings together a series of reflections to share over the Christmas Season. Originally available for listening on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, we are sharing the individual reflections to allow listeners a bite size moment over the days of Christmas - to allow us to pause and reflect for a few moments and also as a reminder that Christmas is not just "the day" but a season of faith where we celebrate the wonder of the coming of Emmanuel into the messiness of human suffering and existence.In this reflection Geraldine Creaton reflects on the call of John the Baptist who asked us to be content. Geraldine asks if we can be content with what we have but also to be content with what we don't have . Jesus will be present with us no matter what our circumstances. So we are invited to come let us adore him with our presence in the Crib in this season of Christmas