Come & See Inspirations

On this weeks podcast  excerpt we take a second trip across the Atlantic to Indianapolis in the USA to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress which was held 17th - 21st July  where 60,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis. We are sharing a talk given by Bishop Robert Barron about "How you can change the world".Bishop Robert Barron is the bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN, and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.Speaking on the last night, Bishop Robert Barron emphasized the significance of the Eucharist as the real presence of Jesus and a call to be bearers of His light to the world. He encouraged detachment from worldly goods and living chastely to allow God's grace to flow through us and change society. Barron also discussed the importance of obedience to God's voice and criticized reducing others to mere instruments for personal gain. He imagines the impact if Catholics lived according to the Evangelical Counsels of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience, and emphasiz

On this weeks podcast we are taking a trip across the Atlantic to Indianapolis in the USA to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress which was held 17th - 21st July  where 60,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis. We are sharing a talk given by Fr Mike Schmitz about "The Greatest Love story ever told". We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends of the coming week and also give a brief outline of a few things we are hoping to cover on the podcast in the next few months. We have our reflection on this Sunday's gospel as we continue to reflect on chapter 6 of John's gospel on Jesus discourse on the Bread of Life. The Greatest Love story ever toldFr Michael Schmitz is an American Roman Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, Fr Schmitz is most notable for his social media presence, which mainly consist of his YouTube videos and The Bible in a Year podcast, both of which are produced

On this weeks podcast we are taking a trip across the Atlantic to Indianapolis in the USA to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress which was held 17th - 21st July  where 60,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis. We are sharing a talk given by Fr Mike Schmitz about "The Greatest Love story ever told".Fr Michael Schmitz is an American Roman Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, Fr Schmitz is most notable for his social media presence, which mainly consist of his YouTube videos and The Bible in a Year podcast, both of which are produced by Catholic publisher Ascension Press.This week we listen back to a talk given by Fr Mike Schmitz as based around the story of God’s love for us. Fr Mike set the talk around the story of Jesus meeting the disciples on the road to Emmaus where Jesus explained his connection with journey of Scripture and the Cross at Calvary.  Fr Mike reminds us that although we know the sto

On this weeks podcast we are sharing one of the talks given at the Clonard Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Belfast which took place from 19th June until 27th June 2024. The theme of this year's Novena was Pope Francis' call of cultivating a culture of care, following the example of our compassionate God.We are sharing a talk given by Dr Andrea Renny about creating a culture of care for those suffering discrimination, abuse and injustice. She shares her experience of witnessing to the various sufferings of people she has encountered over the years and the need to create a culture of care to help those in these situations. In addition we have our regular weekly inputs on the podcast with saints of the coming week, some liturgical odds and ends and local notices. In part three we have our reflection on the Sunday gospel which continues with the discourse by Jesus on the Bread of Life from John's gospel 

On this weeks podcast excerpt we are sharing one of the talks given at the Clonard Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Belfast which took place from 19th June until 27th June 2024. The theme of this year's Novena was Pope Francis' call of cultivating a culture of care, following the example of our compassionate God. We are sharing a talk given by Dr Andrea Renny about creating a culture of care for those suffering discrimination, abuse and injustice. She shares her experience of witnessing to the various sufferings of people she has encountered over the years and the need to create a culture of care to help those in these situations.

On this weeks podcast C&SI continues with our series on sharing vocation stories and this week we are joined by Fr Raphael Okanumeh who is currently assisting in the pastoral area covererd by the Newcastle West group of priests who shares his vocation story with us. Fr Raphael tells us his story of life in Nigeria and what it has been like to minister in Ireland.

On this weeks podcast C&SI continues with our series on sharing vocation stories and this week we are joined by Fr Raphael Okanumeh who is currently assisting in the pastoral area covererd by the Newcastle West group of priests who shares his vocation story with us. Fr Raphael tells us his story of life in Nigeria and what it has been like to minister in Ireland.We have our regular run through liturgical odds and ends as we enter into the 18th week in Ordinary time including up coming saints of the week. We have our reflection on the weekly Sunday gospel where we continue journeying through chapter 6 of John's gospel where Jesus tells us he is 2the Bread of Life". 

On this weeks podcast, John meets up with Fr Eamon Kelly from Donegal who shares with us his experience of volunteering with the charity Mary's Meals. We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ins this week and the reflection on the Sunday gospel with our wandering panellist Shane to assist John in the process.  Step by Step to feed the next Child - Mary's Meals.Starting out initially as a response to the needs of families in the former Yugoslavia in 1983, the charity has now expanded serving 2,429,182 children across 17 countries, in communities where hunger and poverty would prevent children from gaining an education. Fr Eamon tells us how for the past eleven years in Ireland, volunteers have walked to Knock Shrine to raise awareness of, and funds for, Mary's Meals. For 2024 they are now launching Step by Step to Feed the Next Child 2024 with walks originating in Malin (Donegal), Thurles, Cavan, the Spire (Dublin), Kilkenny, Longford, Limerick and N Ireland. All walks go from 7

On this weeks podcast excerpt, John meets up with Fr Eamon Kelly from Donegal who shares with us his experience of volunteering with the charity Mary's Meals. Starting out initially as a response to the needs of families in the former Yugoslavia in 1983, the charity has now expanded serving 2,429,182 children across 17 countries, in communities where hunger and poverty would prevent children from gaining an education. Fr Eamon tells us how for the past eleven years in Ireland, volunteers have walked to Knock Shrine to raise awareness of, and funds for, Mary's Meals. For 2024 they are now launching Step by Step to Feed the Next Child 2024 with walks originating in Malin (Donegal), Thurles, Cavan, the Spire (Dublin), Kilkenny, Longford, Limerick and N Ireland. All walks go from 7 August to 15 August. They are seeking people to help create new walks, join in the walks for a day or half day or a few hours, collect funds, take a sponsor card or promote the walk. It costs €22 to give a child a meal each d

On this weeks podcast excerpt we welcome Juliann Moran back to speak to John and Shane about the Irish Synodal Pathway and where things stand with it. Juliann Moran is the General Secretary of the Irish Synodal Pathway and she shares what has been happening with the Synod on Synodality and also the steps being taken for the Irish Synodal Pathway.In March 2024, a Facilitative Leadership Training Programme training sessions were held around the country to train people in theology of synodality, leadership models, time management and listening as a core leadership skill as just some of the topics covered in the training. In April 2024 the Irish Conference of Bishops appointed the National Synodal Team tasked towards organising the Assemblies and working groups for the Irish National Synodal Pathway. The full team should be post by September 2024. In May 2024 some 300 parish priests gathered just outside Rome to discuss how to implement synodality at the local level. You can read more about the event at Rome here

On this weeks podcast we welcome Juliann Moran back to speak to John and Shane about the Irish Synodal Pathway and where things stand with it. We have our regular liturgical odds and ends and of course our reflection on the weekly Sunday gospel.Updates on the Synod on Synodality and the Irish National Synodal PathwayJuliann Moran is the General Secretary of the Irish Synodal Pathway and she joins the podcast this week to share what has been happening with the Synod on Synodality and also the steps being taken for the Irish Synodal Pathway.In March 2024, a Facilitative Leadership Training Programme training sessions were held around the country to train people in theology of synodality, leadership models, time management and listening as a core leadership skill as just some of the topics covered in the training. In April 2024 the Irish Conference of Bishops appointed the National Synodal Team tasked towards organising the Assemblies and working groups for the Irish National Synodal Pathway. The full team shoul

On this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Ed Foley OFM Cap who is Professor Emeritus of Liturgy and Music at the Catholic Theological Union who introduces us to Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin friar whose cause for canonisation is underway.   Born in America in 1870 from Irish parents, the sixth of sixteen children, Solanus Casey is one of the simple, humble and authentic saints who is an example of how holiness is accessible to everyone, while staying close to our roots and embracing our limitations. Fr Ed takes us through his life and challenges while sharing how the humble doorman who not only answered the door but ultimately came to be the reason came to the door. When he was beatified in 2017, 70,000 gathered in Detroit for the ceremony for this gentle, ordinary guy.   Official website about Blessed Solanus CaseyOSV - Solanus Casey: a model for the value of caringGod’s holy doorman: Fr Solanus Casey 1870-1957

On this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Ed Foley OFM Cap who is Professor Emeritus of Liturgy and Music at the Catholic Theological Union who introduces us to Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin friar whose cause for canonisation is underway.   We have our regular run through liturgical odds and ends including up coming saints of the weeks and some notices. This week in particular John made reference to the 2024 National Novena at Knock which you can find out about more here. In part three of the podcast we have our reflection on Mark 6:7-13 for the weekly Sunday gospel where Jesus sends out the disciples on the road and urging them to "Take nothing with you". Blessed Solanus CaseyBorn in America in 1870 from Irish parents, the sixth of sixteen children, Solanus Casey is one of the simple, humble and authentic saints who is an example of how holiness is accessible to everyone, while staying close to our roots and embracing our limitations. Fr Ed takes us through his life and challenges while sharing

With apologies to our regular listeners for the delay in publishing this weeks podcast, please find this weeks podcast where we take a run around the world for stories that caught our eye. In part one we have our regular run through the saints of the week and other bits and pieces. In part three we reflect on Mark's account of Jesus calming the stormy seas and what it may say to us in our slightly crazy world today.Stories on this weeks news magazine:Archbishop Gänswein appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Baltic StatesChurches in Holy Land denounce ‘coordinated attack’ against Christians by Israeli authorities Carlo Acutis and 14 Blesseds approved for canonization No tattoos or piercings: new rules for Vatican employeesVatican budget black hole swallows Peter’s Pence Ukrainian Catholic priests freed by Moscow after 19 monthsCardinal O’Malley Speaks Clearly on Father Rupnik’s Art, Telling Vatican: Say ‘No More!’The Vatican goes green: Pope announces new solar plant to power Vatican City 400,000 Germans quit Cat

On this weeks podcast we are introducing listeners to an inspiring man who has also been proposed for canonisation - Pedro Arrupe SJ. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, was the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, leading the Society in the realities of serving the Church and people in the post-Vatican II world. Arrupe was a man of great spiritual depth who was committed to justice. His renewal of Jesuit life and mission crystallised around the faith that does justice, and in 1980 he founded the Jesuit Refugee Service which has now spread globallyWe are sharing podcast interviews from Jesuits Ireland where Pat Coyle from Jesuit Communications Office with Fr Brian Grogan SJ (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). Other info and links:Messenger Publications - Pedro Arrupe: A Heart Larger than the WorldAmerica magazine - Father Pedro Arrupe: a controversial Jesuit’s bumpy path to sainthoodCrux - Sainthood cause opens for most controversial Jesuit of last half-century20th Century Ignatian Voices - Pedro ArrupeWe have  our reg

On this weeks podcast we are introducing listeners to an inspiring man who has also been proposed for canonisation - Pedro Arrupe SJ. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, was the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, leading the Society in the realities of serving the Church and people in the post-Vatican II world. Arrupe was a man of great spiritual depth who was committed to justice. His renewal of Jesuit life and mission crystallised around the faith that does justice, and in 1980 he founded the Jesuit Refugee Service which has now spread globallyWe are sharing podcast interviews from Jesuits Ireland where Pat Coyle from Jesuit Communications Office with Fr Brian Grogan SJ (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). Other info and links:Messenger Publications - Pedro Arrupe: A Heart Larger than the WorldAmerica magazine - Father Pedro Arrupe: a controversial Jesuit’s bumpy path to sainthoodCrux - Sainthood cause opens for most controversial Jesuit of last half-century20th Century Ignatian Voices - Pedro Arrupe

On this weeks podcast Shane and John take a run around the world and share some of the stories which caught our eye over the last few weeks. In part one we have our regular run through the saints of the week and other bits and pieces. In part three we reflect on Mark's account of Jesus calming the stormy seas and what it may say to us in our slightly crazy world today.Links for news items:AP - In secular France, chaplains prepare to provide Olympians with spiritual support during the GamesIrish Priests & U.S. Catholics Pray Rosary Together via Video Portal Connecting NYC & IrelandSpanish Poor Clares announce break from Catholic ChurchSchismatic Spanish nuns have last chance to avoid formal excommunicationThe Pillar - How the IOR became the Vatican’s most bankable institutionArmenian Apostolic leader proposes Third Vatican Ecumenical Council to Pope FrancisThree young adult pilgrims walk from Paris to Jerusalem ‘to deepen our faith’Vatican News - Priest kidnapped in NigeriaVatican News - The Bisho

On this weeks podcast we share with listeners a reflection from Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP which was shared with members of the Synod Retreat ahead of the Synod of Bishops which was held in Rome in October 2023.In a world where there is a "pandemic in loneliness" as well as a huge growing alienation and polarisation,  we thought it was an interesting reflection to share where Fr Radcliffe reflects on the need for conversation and dialogue in the world taking the story of the Road to Emmaus as his starting point. Obviously he was reflecting in the context of the synodal process but for the rest of us as we head into the summer and people will be trying to rest and take holidays it provides some food for thought as well.You can find the text of the reflection HERE as well as a video from the retreat HERE.We have our regular weekly run through the upcoming saints of the week and in part three we have our reflection on the weekly gospel which this week is from Mark 4:26-4.

On this weeks podcast excerpt we share with listeners a reflection from Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP which was shared with members of the Synod Retreat ahead of the Synod of Bishops which was held in Rome in October 2023.In a world where there is a "pandemic in loneliness" as well as a huge growing alienation and polarisation,  we thought it was an interesting reflection to share where Fr Radcliffe reflects on the need for conversation and dialogue in the world taking the story of the Road to Emmaus as his starting point. Obviously he was reflecting in the context of the synodal process but for the rest of us as we head into the summer and people will be trying to rest and take holidays it provides some food for thought as well.You can find the text of the reflection HERE as well as a video from the retreat HERE.

On C&SI podcast land this week we are back into Ordinary time in the liturgical calendar but on this weeks podcast excerpt we explore a little what the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus means in the month of June.June is by tradition, the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Reflecting on the devotion to the Sacred Heart we pause and look again at a devotion, a prayer cycle, a belief which is seen as "traditional" or "antiquated" by many. Something associated with a culture seen as oppressive and burdensome in Ireland? How do we rediscover the essentials again of what is the point of this devotion to the Heart of Jesus? What does it teach and remind us of?Mercy and Love!The Sacred Heart represents Christ's love for all mankind, and our devotion to it is an expression of our faith in His mercy.The devotion especially emphasizes the unmitigated love, compassion, and long-suffering of the heart of Christ towards humanity.The origin of this devotion in its modern form is