Come & See Inspirations

Limerick Diocesan archivist David Bracken joins John and Shane this week to share some of the story of Edward O'Dwyer the former bishop of Limerick who died in 1917.Born at Holy Cross, Co. Tipperary, Edward Thomas O'Dwyer was educated at the C.B.S. in Limerick and at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in June 1867. Having served as CC in Rathkeale, Bruff, St. Patrick’s Adare, Newcastle West and St. Michael’s, he was appointed bishop in May 1886. One of the most famous Irish bishops of the late nineteenth century, he was also one of the most controversial. Honoured by Pope Leo XIII for his part against the Plan of Campaign, he ended his life with approval from his people for his stand against General Maxwell in the wake of the 1916 Rising. General Maxwell wrote to various Bishops directing them to remove suspect priests from the active ministry. But he picked the wrong man in Bishop O’Dwyer when he named two priests in his Diocese who had preached against the dangers of conscripti

On this programme SS102fm (with the permission of Knock National Shrine) broadcasts the reflection given by Dr Mary Healy during this years national novena entitled "Life to the full: Jesus the Healer" which was given at Knock on 14th August 2017.  She related her talk to the Gospel read at the Mass - The Healing of the Woman with a Haemorrhage. She reminded us to ask and to expect marvellous healings from the Lord for ourselves and our countryDr Mary Healy was on the programme back in January and spoke to us about her experiences in Charismatic Renewal and Healing. She also spoke to us about family life and marriage. She is professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and an international speaker on topics related to Scripture, evangelisation, healing, and the spiritual life. Dr. Healy is chair of the Doctrinal Commission of International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services in Rome. In 2014 Pope Francis appointed her as one of the first three women ever to serve on the

On this weeks programme Geraldine Creaton from the Emmanuel Community returns to join John and Shane to reflect on the role of Mary - the simple Jewish woman who became the linchpin to the story of salvation.

On this weeks programme, John is joined by some of the Limerick people involved with Youth2000 - Mariah Culloty, Niamh O'Donnell, Aine Keane and Grace Leahy - along with Fr Patrick Cahill the national spiritual director. They share their experience of Y2K and tell us about the forthcoming Youth Festival in Roscrea.

Geraldine Creaton and Lorraine have a discussion this week about prayer and also introduce to us the new initiative of Archbishop Eamonn Martin of Armagh called myprayer.ie. MyPrayer.ie being a new and creative way of providing a space and opportunity for prayer online urging as many as possible to register and join this initiative conceived in prayer.The purpose of Myprayer.ie is:• To give people a safe space to share their prayer with others.• To make requests for prayer online.• To pray for the intentions of those who have requested prayer.

John interviews Sharon Harty about Lough Derg this morning. They explore the history of pilgrimage to this sacred isle which has with stood the ravages of the centuries and persecution.Sharon shares about the experience of pilgrimage at Lough Derg and what it can mean to link in with the history of the spirituality of the pilgrimage and the opportunity for people to take a moment out of the busy lives that we liveLough Derg offers families a unique connection with their ancestral family whose spiritual footsteps down the generations awaits them in this sacred Island. The Lough Derg Pilgrimage season connects us with the flame of faith, hope and love lit in Ireland by St Patrick in the fifth century and continues to give light to families today.Fr Owen McEneaney, Prior of Lough Derg extends a personal invitation to one and all to come and walk in the spiritual footsteps of your family – parents, grandparents, relations – walk the same ground where they walked and prayed, reconnect with their prayer for their f

Fr Bryan Shortall is a member of the Irish Capuchin province of friars and joins us this week on the programme to reflect on vocation, priesthood and his recently published book "Tired of all the bad news".Shane and John have an interesting chat with this Dublin born padre about his ministry and his experience of ministering to ordinary people in the midst of their daily lives and struggles.His book which arose from his blog of the same name is described as "a superb insight into the lessons he has learned through the selflessness of his parishioners, the words spoken ‘out of the mouths of babes’, and a close examination of the gospel message. As Bryan himself says, ‘while we can’t blind our eyes to the struggles of people, of families, of communities, it’s important to listen for the sounds of good news that emerge too.’ This little book is his way of helping to bring that good news into the light." As Fr Bryan reminds us it is about pointing the way to Christ in the midst of our daily li

On this excerpt from this weeks programme, we are joined by Fr Seamus Enright to speak about the upcoming annual novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help being held at the Redemptorist church in Limerick

Fr Frank leads us in a reflection on the forgotten person of the Trinity  - the Holy Spirit on this weeks programme.We reflect on how the Holy Spirit is an the Agent of God present in us to fulfill Jesus' promise. The question for us this week is where do allow ourselves to create space for the "gentle one of the Trinity"; where do we allow ourselves to discover the beautiful thing called silence.The Holy Spirit is being crowded out by the voices and noises of the modern world - we are interconnected but are we truly communicating both with each other and with God?

In the excerpt from this weeks programme Michael Keating joins to  us the story of the two latest saints to the churches calendar - St Francisco and St Jacinta Marto - the little Shepherds of Fatima. Michael takes us through their short life story and their reactions to the events of Fatima and afterwards up to their young deaths during the Spanish Influenza epidemic. He also tells us about the story of Lucas Baptista, who was 5 years old in 2013, when he fell from a window and suffered traumatic brain injuries that doctors said would leave him severely mentally disabled or in a vegetative state, if he even survived. Lucas’ recovery, after his parents prayed to Jacinta and Francisco, was one of the miracles attributed to the children as part of the canonization process.

On the excerpt from this weeks programme we are joined by Fr Eamon Roche and Lisa Blackwell to tell us about Camp Creideamh 2017. The summer camp is a one week , stay-on-site, full-board camp in the picturesque sea-side village of Knockadoon in East Cork for teenagers age 12 – 17. The camp will be a week of fun, friendship and growing in faith: activities include catechesis and prayer, various sports, canoeing, swimming, hillwalking, music, Catholic movies, arts and crafts, and many other activities.Camp Creideamh began in 2016 as an all-boys faith camp. Now, in 2017, there is both an all-boys camp (June 4-10) and an all-girls camp (June 11 – 17). Camp Creideamh seeks to foster Catholic identity.

On this weeks programme Michael Keating joins with us to reflect on the events at Fatima in Portugal 100 years ago this year with the apparition of Our Lady to the three Seers of Fatima.  The Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima, Portugal between May 13 and October 13, 1917. Appearing to the children, the Blessed Virgin told them that she had been sent by God with a message for every man, woman and child living in our century. 

In this excerpt from our weekly programme Geraldine Creaton from the Emmanuel Community joins us to talk about the Community and up coming events. The Community is now present in 67 countries with 10,000 members in every continent. Based on Eucharistic Adoration, Compassion and Evangelisation the community reaches out to support people where they are in life. A typical outreach in Ireland involves members of Emmanuel inviting shoppers at the Tallaght shopping centre in Dublin to visit the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel in the centre to light a candle, leave a petition and say a quiet prayer. Geraldine told us that people often want to chat at these times and this listening ear is just what people appreciate.

On this weeks programme we have a very timely second discussion with Noirin Lynch about the new step being taken in Limerick diocese this week with lay led liturgies in parishes.

The excerpt from this weeks programme is a recording of the Stations of the Cross made with Sr  Phyllis Moynihan.The Way of the Cross is the journey through the Passion and Death of Jesus through out the first Holy Week in the city of Jerusalem. To this day Christians of all denominations will walk the ancient streets of the Old City retracing that journey from the Mount of Olives to Calvary.

The SS102fm team are joined this week by Mike Culloty to explore scripture and the books of the bible.For many Catholics in particular often the only exposure we have to scripture is in the readings proclaimed during liturgies that we attend. It is something which in an ecumenical sense our brothers and sisters in the reformed/protestant tradition can share with us to rediscover a more intimate relationship with scripture.

Sr Beatrice joins us from the Nashville Dominicans on this weeks programme to take a review of how our Lent is going and thoughts for continuing with our Lenten disciplines for the next few weeks

In the excerpt from this programme Noirin Lynch joins us to discuss how as we as Limerick diocese are beginning to explore and think about the Ministry of Public Prayer - the idea of the lay leadership of public prayer where as praying communities we have a few people in the parish who can help us to lead, to start us off in public prayer where the need may arise. During Synod 2016, one of the questions which arose was what happens as a praying community when we want to gather prayer but due to circumstances no priest is available to take their role as presider of the praying community could we build up lay people to assist in leading at times of prayer.The exploration of the Ministry of Public Prayer is looking at the balance between maintaining our sense of community where we gather together but also preserving the understanding of special-ness of the Eucharistic gathering of the community.During the discussion we explore the idea of what is the difference between public prayer (e.g. rosary, taize prayer, p

On this weeks programme we continue our series of reflecting on Lent with Michael Keating who joins us to reflect on Lent and the meaning of the tradition of fast & abstinence, prayer and alms giving. Michael focuses on the need to make some time for prayer and particular to encounter Jesus in the daily scripture of the Lenten season.

On the excerpt from this weeks programme Conor O'Donoghue joins us to tell us about the Legion of Mary.The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval t