Come & See Inspirations

Stephanie O'Donnell joined John on this weeks programme. Stephanie shares about the Confirmation Preparation Programme (You shall be my witnesses) that is taking place in Abbeyfeale over 4 Sundays for those receiving Confirmation this year. As coordinator of the program she outlines this programme as well as other resources available for teens in Abbeyfeale.Martina and Michael shared their experiences at the Divine Mercy conference held in Dublin recently in particular how they were impressed by the testimonies they heard being shared.

This weeks programme is a little busy with John joined in studio by Lorraine Buckley giving a reflection on the sacrament of reconciliation. Sally Penngelly and Christina Dundon from St Senan's PPC tell us about the upcoming parish mission in Shanagolden-Foynes-Robertstown. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some other liturgical odds and ends.Shanagolden-Foynes-Robertstown Parish MissionThe parish of St Senan are holding a parish mission from March 8th to 13th 2015. The mission begins on the feast day of St Senan on the 8th of March. It is being facilitated by  Fr Derek Messcil and Fr John Hanna from the Redemptorists in Limerick. The theme of the mission is "A New Beginning" which links to the Limerick Diocesan Synod and of course to Lent with the general call to renewal at this time of the year.Lorraine leads us in a reflection on the sacrament of reconciliation this week reminding us how the sacrament of reconciliation is an opportunity for us to experience the l

On this weeks programme John and Shane reflect on the season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday (February 18th). We have our regular reflection on the gospel of the Sunday with some liturgical odds and ends and notices.Lent is seen in a very negative sense - understood in the context of "giving things up", but it also be seen as a joyous season when we return to the embracing love of God. It is a season of time - an opportunity of kairos - where we can do a self evaluation and undertake a spiritual operation transformation. We are given the opportunity to focus on (a) a time for Prayer - a time to enter into a dialogue with God; when we can make the time to allow God speak to us, and for us to speak to God. (b) a time for Fasting - a time to look at our lives and instead of giving up some luxury in our life like chocolate perhaps to do a more serious review and ask ourselves what do I really need versus what do I want?(c) a time for Solidarity - this has generally been expressed as charity and al

On this weeks programme John is joined in studio by Martina O'Sullivan and Michael Keating. Martina gives an update on Limerick Synod 2016. Michael gives us a reflection on Our Lady of Lourdes whose feast day occurs in the week coming which is also the World Day of the Sick. We have some liturgical odds and ends including saints of the week.The 23rd World Day of the Sick will be celebrated on Wednesday 11 February, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The World Day of the Sick is an initiative which was started by Pope John Paul II in 1992. Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have continued this special World Day – an occasion during which the whole Church bears witness with special concern to the tender mercy and love of God towards all who suffer. It is a time to pause and be prayerfully in solidarity with those who are sick and with all who care for the sick.The theme for the 2015 World Day of the Sick is “I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame” (Job 29:15).In his message for this year’s World Day of t

On this the first day of Spring, the feast of St Bridget of Ireland, SS102fm team are joined on air by Fr Eamonn's Conway to discuss the "Joy of the Gospel" - Pope Francis apostolic exhortation and Fr Eamonn's guidebook to the popular papal document. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some other odds and ends.St Bridget of IrelandBecause the feast day of St Bridget falls on a Sunday this year, per the liturgical norms it is not marked except in the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin where it has the rank of a solemnity. But liturgical niceties aside, Bridget is our secondary patron and her day should be marked in some small way.Merciful God,origin and reward of all charity,you called Saint Brigid to teach the new commandment of lovethrough her life of hospitality and her care of the needy;give to your people, by her intercession, a generous spirit,so that, with hearts made pure,we may show your love to all.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and rei

On this weeks programme John speaks to Fr Laurence Brassill OSA who with Pauline Edwards leads a team involved in a "Holy Spirit-led approach to the healing of memories". It is a charism gifted by the Holy Spirit to the Church of our time. This gift is a four-stepped prayer that through the healing of memories contributes to the healing of the whole person. Through this particular way of praying , Jesus shows himself continuing his work of healing amongst us today in the midst of his Church. People are healed so they can testify to the Lord's working in them and thereby draw others to their Lord and Saviour, the Divine Physician.

On this weeks programme the SS102fm interviews one of our own with a friendly discussion with Lorraine Buckley about her new role in as Faith Development Coordinator in the diocese of Limerick and the opportunity for people to learn more about their faith with a particular focus on the Irish Catholic Catechism for AdultsThe Irish Catholic Catechism for Adults and Limerick Diocese Faith Development ProgrammeJohn interviews Lorraine Buckley about the role of Faith Development Coordinator in the diocese of Limerick and the need and importance of adult faith formation particularly in the Irish church at this time.The Faith Development Coordinator works at the direction of the Bishop, chief catechist of the diocese, in the promotion of and co-ordination of faith development initiatives in the diocese. Such initiatives range from preparation programmes for the sacraments of initiation to adult faith development. Why is faith development so important? Sherry Weddell wrote in Forming Intentional Disciples:“The majori

On this weeks programme John is joined in studio by Martina and Michael Keating who discuss the role and history of St Ita in Limerick diocese as well as a reflection on baptism. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel which is the last gospel of the Christmas period as well as other liturgical odds and ends.The Sacrament of Baptism is the doorway into the church as it is the first sacrament of initiation into the Body of Christ and on this weeks programme John and his panel reflect on the meaning of the sacrament and its impact on our lives as Christians and how it is an opening to grace in our lives.Pope Francis has reflected on the sacrament of baptism at numerous times since he was elected Pope with many reflections.He has reminded us that baptism is no just a formality. "It is an act that touches the depths of our existence. A baptized child and an unbaptized child are not the same. A person who is baptized and a person who is not baptized are not the same. We, by Baptism, are immersed i

On this weeks programme the team does their annual review of the previous year 2014, we find out who our patron saints for 2015 are going to be and we have our regular reflection on the gospel of the Sunday.Review of the YearAs is customary at this time of the year we have our review of 2014 from a church perspective looking at the highs and lows of the year in Ireland, Limerick and around the globe with a special focus on what has happened with Pope Francis over the last twelve months.Gospel - John 1:1-18In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not th

On this weeks programme, John is out and about as a roving correspondent for SS102fm and brings you a programme he recorded during the summer in France at the shrine of Paray le Monial. For many people this Burgandian shrine of course is closely associated with the devotion to the Sacred Heart which is a favourite devotion among many in West Limerick. John is joined by Philip Milligan to discuss the history and devotion at the shrine.

On this weeks programme Michael Keating makes a welcome return with a reflection on the Rosary as October is the month of the Rosary. Love it or hate it, the Rosary is a prayer very much associated with the Roman Catholic faith. Michael Keating takes us through a reflection on this Marian prayer which has a long history and is a guide and meditation to the events of the life of Jesus

On this weeks programme John is joined by Paul Glennon who is a deacon of the Dublin archdiocese ordained on June 1st in Maynooth. Paul shares his faith journey with us on the feast of Corpus Christi. We also have some reflections on the feast as well as links to reflections for the gospel of the day.

John introduces us the Emmanuel Community via Ed and Fiona Collins whom he interviewed about their journey in faith. Both are members of the Emmanuel Community based in Belfast and go on ‘Mission’ on with other members of the Community on the third Saturday of each month in the Tallaght Shopping Centre. Originally broadcast on 26th January and 2nd February 2014.

On this week's programme, we have the second part of the interview with Ed and Fiona Collins about their journey in faith. Both are members of the Emmanuel Community based in Belfast and go on ‘Mission’ on with other members of the Community on the third Saturday of each month in the Tallaght Shopping Centre.

On this week's programme, we have the second part of the interview with Ed and Fiona Collins about their journey in faith. Both are members of the Emmanuel Community based in Belfast and go on ‘Mission’ on with other members of the Community on the third Saturday of each month in the Tallaght Shopping Centre.Ed has written a book entitled ‘ Heart of Love’ which details the amazing series of events that were to change their lives and as Fiona writes in the Forward 'led our two paths to become one'. Although both were brought up in Catholic families their path in faith started differently. Ed had a deep-rooted and solid faith where as Fiona as says 'I was caught up in the material world searching for a meaning to life and wanted my freedom'. This week we listen to part two of a 2-part interview, which as Ed says, 'is their journey to the Sacred Heart of Jesus though Mary'. Ed's book is available from Veritas in Belfast. If you would like to contact Ed or Fiona, their em

On this week's programme, John introduces us the Emmanuel Community via Ed and Fiona Collins whom he interviewed about their journey in faith. Both are members of the Emmanuel Community based in Belfast and go on ‘Mission’ on with other members of the Community on the third Saturday of each month in the Tallaght Shopping Centre. Ed has written a book entitled ‘ Heart of Love’ which details the amazing series of events that were to change their lives and as Fiona writes in the Forward 'led our two paths to become one'. Although both were brought up in Catholic families their path in faith started differently. Ed had a deep-rooted and solid faith where as Fiona as says 'I was caught up in the material world searching for a meaning to life and wanted my freedom'. This week we listen to part one of a 2-part interview, which as Ed says, 'is their journey to the Sacred Heart of Jesus though Mary'. Ed's book is available from Veritas in Belfast. If you would like to contact Ed

On this week's programme, John introduces us the Emmanuel Community via Ed and Fiona Collins whom he interviewed about their journey in faith. Both are members of the Emmanuel Community based in Belfast and go on ‘Mission’ on with other members of the Community on the third Saturday of each month in the Tallaght Shopping Centre. Ed has written a book entitled ‘ Heart of Love’ which details the amazing series of events that were to change their lives and as Fiona writes in the Forward 'led our two paths to become one'. Although both were brought up in Catholic families their path in faith started differently. Ed had a deep-rooted and solid faith where as Fiona as says 'I was caught up in the material world searching for a meaning to life and wanted my freedom'. This week we listen to part one of a 2-part interview, which as Ed says, 'is their journey to the Sacred Heart of Jesus though Mary'. Ed's book is available from Veritas in Belfast. If you would like to contact Ed

St Ita also known as the Brigid of Munster is associated with the parish of Killeedy and is one of the co-patrons of the diocese of Limerick. January 15th is her feast day, and on this weeks show, Michael Keating tells us about this extraordinary woman and her role on the development of the faith. We discuss how she is a role model and especially how she is a role model for women and what she would say to us in Limerick today. We discuss her links with Killeedy, her fostering of various Irish saints and her link with St. Brendan the Navigator. She is reportedly a good intercessor in terms of pregnancy and eye illnesses."St Ita, the patron saint of Killeedy, was born before 484AD in County Waterford, in the Tramore area. Her father was Cennfoelad or Confhaola and her mother was Necta. Cennfoelad was descended from Felim the lawgiver. Ita's name was originally Dorothea or Deirdre. She was a member of the Déisí tribe. Ita refused her father's wish that she should marry a local chieftain, as she be

In this excerpt from the weekly programme, we have a discussion with Fr Michael Liston about his new book "Come & See: the story of Lourdes".Lourdes has been part of Fr Michael's life since 1963 when he hitchhiked to Lourdes and worked in the City of the Poor for two weeks. It began a relationship with Lourdes which has continued right up to today when Fr Michael was always curious about the events of Lourdes.As Bishop Donal Murray notes in the foreword this book is the fruit of many years of during which the author has pondering in his heart the story of Lourdes and about being a pilgrim in Lourdes. It is a story of a person passionate about Lourdes. Lourdes shows the church and the world as they ought to be where the sick and the marginalised have first place in the community where the young enthusiastic volunteers learn to be at the service of all.The book is split into two parts - the history of the events at Lourdes and then a series of reflections on the meaning of Lourdes and pilgrim

On this weeks programme we are joined by Paula Murphy and her family and friends who share with us what it means to them as a family to be involved with Focolare.Focolare was founded by Chiara Lubich in Trent, Northern Italy in 1944. During the Second World War, Chiara and a group of her friends, would read the Gospel together as they took refuge in the air-raid shelter each night and started to put the Gospel into action in their lives. The word Focolare means 'hearth' and those involved in the movement came to be known as focolarini, 'people of fire'. This nickname is appropriate because "there, even in the midst of the appalling destruction of the war, there was a joy, a light" (Susan Gately, God's Surprise).In living the Gospel, especially the call of John 17:21 "Father, may they all be one", the Focolare movement involves a strong inter-faith dimension and follows a communitarian spirituality which places a "deep emphasis on the communitarian dimension of