Jun 15, 2012
RTE's Drivetime is one of Ireland's most popular radio shows
One of the Eucharistic Congress’ themes during the week was vocation to priesthood and religious life. During the course of the day a number of people, including myself, were interviewed by the national broadcaster, RTE. We talked about vocation and how God continues to call men and women to follow Him. The Drivetime programme has a listenership of 239,000 people. You can listen to it by clicking the link below.
Fr. Alan’s Interview with RTE
Jun 14, 2012
Sharing at the Congress
I got a text from a friend earlier today asking me if the Congress was worth all the effort. After all it’s taken years for planning, loads of work and hundreds of hours of sticking up bunting and stuffing envelopes. The answer though is a resounding YES!
As thousands of pilgrims wander around the Exhibition Hall in the RDS, Dublin, what strikes you immediately is the atmosphere. There’s a sense of celebration and anticipation that can only be found in events like the Eucharistic Congress or World Youth Day. As people take time to look at the stands, plan their day’s workshops, grab a cuppa with an old friend or head to the arena for Mass it’s clear everyone is happy to be here, together.
Taking time out at the Congress
Tuesday dealt with marriage and the importance of family. We had talks from Breda O’Brien, the Grandparents’ Association and Archbishop Hickey from Perth. They spoke of the need for seeing marriage as a three way partnership between God and each spouse. The family, they said, needs to be rooted in faith in order to fully grow and flourish.
Wednesday was a day devoted to vocation, priesthood and religious life. In the morning we had a celebration of religious life, led by Chris Monaghan, Passionist from Australia. Following Chris we had two young religious, who spoke of their vocational journey. Priesthood is not to be undertaken as a personal honour, Archbishop Dermot Clifford told pilgrims during the day. In the words of Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Clifford described priesthood as “unique, indispensable and irreplaceable”. He added that “the title of bishop is one not of honour but of function and therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.”
Jun 12, 2012
Taize night prayer at the Congress
Ecumenism was the name of the game at the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) today Monday 11th June, with an extensive programme of events on the RDS campus and main arena focusing on the importance of Christian Unity. The theme of the day was Exploring and Celebrating Our Communion through Baptism.
Brother Alois, Friar of the Taizé Community
A catechesis on our common baptism: ‘Communion and Baptism: A Passion for the Unity of Christ’s Body’ was delivered in the main RDS arena by Br Alois Löser, Prior of the Taizé Community, France. Dr Maria Voce, President of the International Focolare Movement, shared her personal testimony on ‘Word of Life’ before the Liturgy of Word and Water presided which was by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Speaking during the liturgy of Word and Water, Archbishop Jackson said: “The importance to me of this Eucharistic Congress is … it speaks of the broader picture of the life of communion flowing from baptism. Once we accept that mission is, first and last, God’s mission, questions have to be asked about how we enable this gift of God to be the spiritual activity and the active spirituality of the church of today. And we need to be mindful always that God speaks through the world to the church, as also to the world through the church.”
Jun 11, 2012
Amazing sunshine at the opening of the Eucharist Congress 2012
It was a day of football and faith. While the result from Poland wasn’t great it was a wonderful day in Dublin. We had over 12,000 pilgrims from Ireland, England, Korea, Peru, Canada, South Africa, in fact from all the corners of the world for the opening of the 2012 Eucharistic Congress. It marked the beginning of a week of workshops, liturgies and talks aimed at bringing people together to grow in communion and celebrate their faith.
Over the next seven days a wide variety of themes are going to be explored such as ecumenical dialogue, married life, priestly and religious vocation, the importance of reconciliation, the celebration of the Word and above all communion in the Eucharist. We’ll keep you updated on all that’s happening. If you’re coming along drop by Stand 71 and say hello.
Jun 4, 2012
Some of the children who stay at the Holy Family Centre
You couldn’t have planned it if you tried. After a very long drive and a good night’s sleep I’m up and wandering around the Holy Family Centre with Sr. Susan. There are children running around, playing football or simply chatting with one another. As I turn the corner by the hall next to the pitch there are two children aged 11 and 7 and the older one is reading her Bible to her friend. It’s all about Moses, Pa-hair-ooh ( think about it! ) and the ten plagues. She stumbles over some of the words, but soliders on with great energy. It’s about frogs, locusts and plenty of drama. What’s not to love! (more…)
May 31, 2012
After Mass in the neighbouring township of Ivory Park
There’s a clock on the office wall of the Tshwaranang Hospice and Care Centre that advertises the services of a local funeral director. It’s a sombre reminder of the reality facing South Africa in light of the HIV / AIDS crisis. But in a place that could easily be overshadowed by despair hope reigns, at least for now.
As we walk around the ground with Mna. Joanna, the centre director, we meet Sammy working in the garden. Sammy was once a patient in Tshwarang, but because of the care he received he has now recovered, at least temporarily. He is now looking after the vegetables that the Centre grows and sells in order to help support itself.
Tshwaranang Hospice
The word ‘Tshwaranang’ means ‘holding hands.’ It is small centre, with only eighteen beds. On the weekend we visit one person has died and two more patients have been admitted. What is important here is the quality of care. From the food prepared in the simple kitchen, to the grounds where the patients sit out on warm days, to the gentleness of the nurses, there is a sense of something special happening.
Tshwaranang is a place where the Gospel message is very much alive. It’s not enough to treat the sick because they are in need of medical attention or even because they are our brothers and sisters. In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus tells us the mark of a Christian will be their ability to see the divine in the poor, the imprisoned, the refugee and the infirm and to treat them as they would treat Christ himself. This is an essential part of our truest vocation and the greatest challenge of our faith, to see the divine spark in all people, especially those at the margins.
