On this second Sunday of Easter, the Catholic church gathers to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord but with the sadness of Sede Vacante with the death of Pope Francis on Monday of Easter week.
Our podcast is generally recorded mid week so ahead of the papal funeral on Saturday and then published on the Sunday. So on this weeks podcast excerpt we have an interview with Fr Eamon Conway reflecting on the contribution of Pope Francis to the Church.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this second Sunday of Easter, the Catholic church gathers to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord but with the sadness of Sede Vacante with the death of Pope Francis on Monday of Easter week.
Our podcast is generally recorded mid week so ahead of the papal funeral on Saturday and then published on the Sunday. So on this weeks podcast we have an interview with Fr Eamon Conway reflecting on the contribution of Pope Francis to the Church.
We will cover the papal funeral and discuss the up coming conclave in next weeks podcast.
We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week including the saints for the week. We also reflect on the Easter homilies of Pope Francis from Easter Vigil and the last Urbi et Orbi.
In part three we have some brief reflections on the gospel telling us of Doubting Thomas from the gospel of St John.
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ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA !!!!
CHRISTUS RESURREXIT,
RESURREXIT VERES
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!!
CHRIST IS RISEN,
HE IS RISEN INDEED,
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!
On this Easter Day, from the all on the C&SI teams we wish you and yours every blessing of this Blessed Day!
On this weeks podcast we are delighted to welcome back our old friend Noirin Lynch to share with us some thoughts on Easter, hope and resurrection.
In part one we have some regular notices but no saints of the week this week as it is the Easter Octave which takes precedence over everything else!
In part three Noirin joins John and Shane to reflect on Luke 24:1-12 which is Luke's account of the going of the Women to the Tomb on Easter morning. It recounts the experience of the group which have been given the title of the Myrrh Bearers - Joanna, Mary of Magdala, Salome, Mary & Martha, Mary the wife of Clophas and Susanna - the first witnesses to the great events we celebrate.
Reflecting on Hope in Easter
Noirin Lynch joins with us this week to share a reflection on Easter. Speaking from her experience of living with and getting treatment for cancer for the last 12 months it is from that experience she shares with our listeners how the language of life transforms our experience and understanding of Easter. But even more so at the moment we have a need for the language of Easter to pull us out of the doom spiral of despair in the world. It is a reminder to us that "Easter is a protect against despair", it is not enough for us to say that Jesus has risen from the dead but rather we live in a post Resurrection world and that should make a difference. Reflecting on Kim Rosen's poem "In impossible darkness" Noirin gives us some deeply moving and thoughtful words to reflect on for this Eastertide.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this Easter Day, from the all on the C&SI teams we wish you and yours every blessing of this Blessed Day!
On this weeks podcast excerpt we are delighted to welcome back our old friend Noirin Lynch to share with us some thoughts on Easter, hope and resurrection. Speaking from her experience of living with and getting treatment for cancer for the last 12 months it is from that experience she shares with our listeners how the language of life transforms our experience and understanding of Easter. But even more so at the moment we have a need for the language of Easter to pull us out of the doom spiral of despair in the world. It is a reminder to us that "Easter is a protect against despair", it is not enough for us to say that Jesus has risen from the dead but rather we live in a post Resurrection world and that should make a difference. Reflecting on Kim Rosen's poem "In impossible darkness" Noirin gives us some deeply moving and thoughtful words to reflect on for this Eastertide.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
We have come towards the end of our Lenten journey this year and with the celebration of Palm Sunday we enter into Holy Week and begin to accompany Our Lord towards his Passion, Death and Resurrection.
On the podcast this week we take a slightly different turn and in an extended part 2, starting with Luke's account of the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday we have a reflection and some sharing about the days ahead and how the liturgies we participate in help us to navigate and enter into the great mysteries which we are about to commemorate.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
We have come towards the end of our Lenten journey this year and with the celebration of Palm Sunday we enter into Holy Week and begin to accompany Our Lord towards his Passion, Death and Resurrection.
On the podcast this week we take a slightly different turn and in an extended part 2, starting with Luke's account of the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday we have a reflection and some sharing about the days ahead and how the liturgies we participate in help us to navigate and enter into the great mysteries which we are about to commemorate.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this week's podcast excerpt we begin to turn our attention to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus by prayerfully reflecting on the Stations of the Cross. For our reflection we are using Mary's Way of the Cross by Richard G. Furey C.Ss.R. This Way of the Cross takes us through each station through the eyes and heart and mind of Our Blessed Mother - Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother too. As Richard says "Mary stood by her Son throughout His passion, and in her faith, experienced the joy of His resurrection".
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this week's podcast we begin to turn our attention to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus by prayerfully reflecting on the Stations of the Cross. For our reflection we are using Mary's Way of the Cross by Richard G. Furey C.Ss.R. This Way of the Cross takes us through each station through the eyes and heart and mind of Our Blessed Mother - Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother too. As Richard says "Mary stood by her Son throughout His passion, and in her faith, experienced the joy of His resurrection.
In part one we have our regular run through the up coming liturgical odds and ends. In part three we have our reflection on the Sunday gospel which is John's account of Jesus and the Woman caught in adultery which continues the theme of God's mercy from last Sunday's gospel of the Prodigal Son.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this Laetare Sunday we are delighted to have + Paul Dempsey, one of the auxiliary bishops of Dublin join John and Shane on the podcast to share his journey to priesthood and to becoming a bishop but also what he learnt on a visit to Kenya in January 2024 and what the people of the diocese of Marsabit in northern Kenya could teach the Irish church about sharing the faith.
We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends including the upcoming saints of the week and prayer space in part one. In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is the great parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32).
Rediscovering the Church
Bishop Paul Dempsey is one of the current auxiliary bishops of Dublin although he started out his episcopal service as the bishop of Achonry in the west of Ireland until Pope Francis decided to move him to assist Archbishop Farrell in Dublin as part of the reorganisation of the dioceses in the west of Ireland. He shares with us some of his vocation story and about what he ministers to now in Dublin. But he also shares with us his experience of visiting the diocese of Marsabit in January 2024 and what he learnt about being church in that vast space in northern Kenya. He takes us through the role of the catechist in the small Christian communities and how key they are where there are no priests, reflects on the basic nature of missionary work and what we can learn from that in Ireland where the assumed role of the faith in the fabric of society has come under so much strain and rupture. Taking the work of the theologian and missionary Fr Vincent Donovan, Bishop Paul reminds us that as a church we are called to work with people "not to call them back to where they were......not to try and call them to where you are, as beautiful as that place might seem to you. [We] must have the courage to go with them to a place neither you nor they have ever been before".
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this Laetare Sunday we are delighted to have + Paul Dempsey, one of the auxiliary bishops of Dublin join John and Shane on the podcast to share his journey to priesthood and to becoming a bishop but also what he learnt on a visit to Kenya in January 2024 and what the people of the diocese of Marsabit in northern Kenya could teach the Irish church about sharing the faith.
Bishop Paul Dempsey is one of the current auxiliary bishops of Dublin although he started out his episcopal service as the bishop of Achonry in the west of Ireland until Pope Francis decided to move him to assist Archbishop Farrell in Dublin as part of the reorganisation of the dioceses in the west of Ireland. He shares with us some of his vocation story and about what he ministers to now in Dublin. But he also shares with us his experience of visiting the diocese of Marsabit in January 2024 and what he learnt about being church in that vast space in northern Kenya. He takes us through the role of the catechist in the small Christian communities and how key they are where there are no priests, reflects on the basic nature of missionary work and what we can learn from that in Ireland where the assumed role of the faith in the fabric of society has come under so much strain and rupture. Taking the work of the theologian and missionary Fr Vincent Donovan, Bishop Paul reminds us that as a church we are called to work with people "not to call them back to where they were......not to try and call them to where you are, as beautiful as that place might seem to you. [We] must have the courage to go with them to a place neither you nor they have ever been before".
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast excerpt, John and Shane are delighted to catch up with Fr Columba McCann, the recently elected abbot of Glenstal Abbey, one of the oasis of prayer in the Limerick region.
Fr Columba McCann joins with us to share how things have been going for him since his election as abbot of Glenstal and what it means both to be a monk but also the leader of that monastic community in Ireland today. He shares his journey from being a priest of the Dublin archdiocese as to what drew him to monastic life. He reflects on both the day to day challenges of the role but also with the reminder out before him in the chapter two of the Rule of St Benedict that that ultimately the abbot's primary role is to bring the monks towards God.
You can also have a listen to Fr Columba's story of coming to Glenstal in more depth in a video that was made in a series from Glenstal back in 2021.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast, John and Shane are delighted to catch up with Fr Columba McCann, the recently elected abbot of Glenstal Abbey, one of the oasis of prayer in the Limerick region.
We have our regular part one looking at the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week and prayer space to start things off. And in part three we have a brief reflection on what is an awkward enough gospel from Luke this week (Lk ) which is definitely one to sit and commune with to see what way the Lord is speaking to us as we enter into this third week of Lent.
Elected and called to Abbot
Fr Columba McCann joins with us to share how things have been going for him since his election as abbot of Glenstal and what it means both to be a monk but also the leader of that monastic community in Ireland today. He shares his journey from being a priest of the Dublin archdiocese as to what drew him to monastic life. He reflects on both the day to day challenges of the role but also with the reminder out before him in the chapter two of the Rule of St Benedict that that ultimately the abbot's primary role is to bring the monks towards God.
You can also have a listen to Fr Columba's story of coming to Glenstal in more depth in a video that was made in a series from Glenstal back in 2021.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast we dip into the archive from 2018 where Michael Keating joins us to reflect on the celebration of St Patrick's Day when all the world decides it is Irish and turns green for a day. But who was St Patrick?
Like so many Christian feasts, St Patrick’s Day has been somewhat hijacked. St Patrick has about as much to do with a pint of Guinness as St Valentine has to do with a box of chocolates and a romantic meal for two. But what does this saint, so strong in missionary zeal and about whom we know very little, have to do with our modern day celebrations?
While we have many legends about St Patrick, it is makes sense to look to see what writings the saint himself has left us which are regarded as some of the earliest literature from Ireland to discover who he was.
The answer to the question comes from his Confessio itself. "My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers. I am looked down upon by many. My father was Calpornius. He was a deacon; his father was Potitus, a priest, who lived at Bannavem Taburniae. His home was near there, and that is where I was taken prisoner. I was about sixteen at the time. At that time, I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity in Ireland,along with thousands of others. We deserved this, because we had gone away from God,and did not keep his commandments. We would not listen to our priests, who advised us about how we could be saved. We have gone aside from your commandments … we have not listened to your servants the prophets".The Lord brought his strong anger upon us, and scattered us among many nations even to the ends of the earth. It was among foreigners that it was seen how little I was." We should enjoy the celebrations of St Patrick’s Day, but also remember Christ’s call to conversion in our lives; a call to conversion and change that St Patrick felt so strongly that he left behind everything he had and followed Jesus so that he might bring the gospel to others.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast we dip into the archive from 2018 where Michael Keating joins us to reflect on the celebration of St Patrick's Day when all the world decides it is Irish and turns green for a day. But who was St Patrick?
In part one we have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week and some notices including some up coming events at Knock. In part three we reflection on Luke's account of the Transfiguration and asks ourselves where do we have our "Tabor moments".
Who was St Patrick?
Like so many Christian feasts, St Patrick’s Day has been somewhat hijacked. St Patrick has about as much to do with a pint of Guinness as St Valentine has to do with a box of chocolates and a romantic meal for two. But what does this saint, so strong in missionary zeal and about whom we know very little, have to do with our modern day celebrations?
While we have many legends about St Patrick, it is makes sense to look to see what writings the saint himself has left us which are regarded as some of the earliest literature from Ireland to discover who he was.
The answer to the question comes from his Confessio itself. "My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers. I am looked down upon by many. My father was Calpornius. He was a deacon; his father was Potitus, a priest, who lived at Bannavem Taburniae. His home was near there, and that is where I was taken prisoner. I was about sixteen at the time. At that time, I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity in Ireland,along with thousands of others. We deserved this, because we had gone away from God,and did not keep his commandments. We would not listen to our priests, who advised us about how we could be saved. We have gone aside from your commandments … we have not listened to your servants the prophets".The Lord brought his strong anger upon us, and scattered us among many nations even to the ends of the earth. It was among foreigners that it was seen how little I was." We should enjoy the celebrations of St Patrick’s Day, but also remember Christ’s call to conversion in our lives; a call to conversion and change that St Patrick felt so strongly that he left behind everything he had and followed Jesus so that he might bring the gospel to others.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this first Sunday of Lent podcast excerpt we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig to reflect on our Lenten journey and looking at how the season provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal. Fr Frank Duhig reflects on our journey in Lent and then leads us into our reflection on the Sunday gospel which is Luke's account of the temptation in the wilderness (Lk 4:1-13).
He begins by comparing our preparation for Christmas and Lent. Many people like the preparation for Christmas when we are almost encouraged to pamper ourselves, whereas not many people look forward to Lent which is about taking a more restrained approach to life. Fr Frank makes the point that Lent is not a 'spoiling-of-the-fun' season, its a meant to be a time of renewal in our lives. The idea is that we die with Christ, like the seed in the ground, and rise to abundant life. We die to sin and rise to integrity, we die to selfishness and rise to generosity. The reason why we put ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is as a sign of that death to the selfish self we are prepared to undergo and a reminder to ourselves as we set out on our Lenten journey.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this first Sunday of Lent we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig to reflect on our Lenten journey and looking at how the season provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal.
In part one we have our regular prayer space and also a brief run through the upcoming liturgical odds and ends while recognising that Lent takes liturgical precedence.
Our Journey in Lent
In part two of this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig who reflects on our journey in Lent and then leads us into our reflection on the Sunday gospel which is Luke's account of the temptation in the wilderness (Lk 4:1-13).
He begins by comparing our preparation for Christmas and Lent. Many people like the preparation for Christmas when we are almost encouraged to pamper ourselves, whereas not many people look forward to Lent which is about taking a more restrained approach to life. Fr Frank makes the point that Lent is not a 'spoiling-of-the-fun' season, its a meant to be a time of renewal in our lives. The idea is that we die with Christ, like the seed in the ground, and rise to abundant life. We die to sin and rise to integrity, we die to selfishness and rise to generosity. The reason why we put ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is as a sign of that death to the selfish self we are prepared to undergo and a reminder to ourselves as we set out on our Lenten journey.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
Next Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent so on this weeks podcast we are joined by Jane Mellet from Trocaire who shares with us about the upcoming 2025 Lenten Campaign - the 52nd annual Lenten campaign by Trocaire since it was set up as the development agency of the Irish church.
This years campaign focuses on Guatamala and links in with the Jubilee year and its theme of hope as well as the 10th anniversary of the publication of Laudatio Si.
Link to the campaign including all of the online resources.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
Next Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent so on this weeks podcast we are joined by Jane Mellet from Trocaire who shares with us about the upcoming 2025 Lenten Campaign - the 52nd annual Lenten campaign by Trocaire since it was set up as the development agency of the Irish church.
We have our regular run through the up coming liturgical odds and ends for the coming week noting of course that Wednesday is a day of fast & abstinence (but not a Holy Day of Obligation!). We also go through Pope Francis message for Lent 2025 and some suggestions for resources to help you "make a good Lent" this year. Just to note that next week Fr Frank Duhig will join us for a reflection on Lent and also during Lent we will do a podcast of the Stations of the Cross.
In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is a challenging series of the sayings of Jesus which form part of the discourse of the Sermon on the Plain from the gospel of Luke.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2005
This years campaign focuses on Guatamala and links in with the Jubilee year and its theme of hope as well as the 10th anniversary of the publication of Laudatio Si.
Link to the campaign including all of the online resources.
Lent 2025 links
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this week's podcast, Geraldine Creaton from the Irish branch of the Emmanuel Community introduces us to Pierre Goursat (1914-1991), the founder of the Emmanuel Community. On 18 December 2024, Pope Francis approved the publishing of a decree recognising the “heroic virtues” of Pierre Goursat and declaring him venerable as part of the process of canonisation.
We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends of the coming week in part one including some notices and also our weekly prayer space. In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which continues Luke's Sermon on the Plain with Jesus setting out the challenge of the "golden rule".
Venerable Pierre Goursat
Pierre Goursat has been described as a humble lay person, both contemplative and a man of action. After his conversion at 19 years old, he was on fire with love for Christ, compassion for the poor, and zeal for evangelisation which led to the foundation of the Emmanuel Community. He retired from managing the Community in 1985, and spent his final years in silence and adoration. He died 25th March 1991.
You can watch a video about Pierre called "Pierre et L'Emmanuel" (in French with English subtitles).
A book setting out his story called "Words of Pierre Goursat" written by Martine Catta, and originally published in 2013 by the Emmanuel Community is a book which shows Pierre as ‘a man of prayer… his teachings and the advice he gave were words of fire. His words reveal his strong character and the way in which he introduced people to a Christian life of evangelization lived out in the real world."
You can discover more about Pierre Goursat at “Pierre Goursat and his Brothers & Sisters” which is a website specially dedicated to sharing about his personal journey and teaching
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this week's podcast excerpt, Geraldine Creaton from the Irish branch of the Emmanuel Community introduces us to Pierre Goursat (1914-1991), the founder of the Emmanuel Community. On 18 December 2024, Pope Francis approved the publishing of a decree recognising the “heroic virtues” of Pierre Goursat and declaring him venerable as part of the process of canonisation.
Pierre Goursat has been described as a humble lay person, both contemplative and a man of action. After his conversion at 19 years old, he was on fire with love for Christ, compassion for the poor, and zeal for evangelisation which led to the foundation of the Emmanuel Community. He retired from managing the Community in 1985, and spent his final years in silence and adoration. He died 25th March 1991.
You can watch a video about Pierre called "Pierre et L'Emmanuel" (in French with English subtitles).
A book setting out his story called "Words of Pierre Goursat" written by Martine Catta, and originally published in 2013 by the Emmanuel Community is a book which shows Pierre as ‘a man of prayer… his teachings and the advice he gave were words of fire. His words reveal his strong character and the way in which he introduced people to a Christian life of evangelization lived out in the real world."
You can discover more about Pierre Goursat at “Pierre Goursat and his Brothers & Sisters” which is a website specially dedicated to sharing about his personal journey and teaching.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast excerpt we are joined by Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick who chats to John and Shane about various things including the Synod on Synodality in Rome and finding christian hope during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. The Bishop delves into the experience of the Synod and briefly discusses some of the areas raised in the final document coming from the synod participants.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast we are joined by Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick who chats to John and Shane about various things including the Synod on Synodality in Rome and finding christian hope during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. The Bishop delves into the experience of the Synod and briefly discusses some of the areas raised in the final document coming from the synod participants.
We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends in part one of the podcast as well as some notices. In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is Luke's Sermon on the Plain with his account of the Beatitudes and the challenges the pose to the established order.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast we share a discussion with Fr Michael Liston who recounts his experience of establishing Muintearas Iosa in Limerick diocese 1974. Muintearas Iosa is the main vehicle for youth ministry in the diocese. Inspired by the community of Taize, Fr Michael established this group which has been marked by over 50 years with a depth of spirituality, fun and friendship.
At celebrations in 2014 marking the 40th anniversary Fr. Liston reminded those in attendance at the celebration that Muintearas is Irish for the spirit of extended family and friendship and that’s exactly what they have developed over the years. “The Muintearas achieved a way of doing things that gave evidence on our weekends to this great idea that being a Christian is about being part of a family. Muintearas is an extended family. Our Muintearas is accessible to everyone and our gatherings enables us celebrate the joy and friendship we have had in a glorious mixture of our ordinary humanity and the work of the Holy Spirit.”
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this weeks podcast we share a discussion with Fr Michael Liston who recounts his experience of establishing Muintearas Iosa in Limerick diocese in 1974. Muintearas Iosa is the main vehicle for youth ministry in the diocese. Inspired by the community of Taize, Fr Michael established this group which has been marked by over 50 years with a depth of spirituality, fun and friendship.
We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week in part 1 including the upcoming saints.
In part three we have our reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is Lukes account of the calling of the apostles.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
So one of the things we try to do on the podcast is bring you talks and reflections which we think might be of interest. And this week we bring you a talk by Fr Mike Smitz given at the SEEK conference held recently in Salt Lake City, Utah and Washington in the USA whose reflection was "You get what you ask for".
The SEEK conferences are organised annually by by Fellowship of Catholic University Students in the USA and is said to be one of the largest regular gatherings of Catholics in the world. This years event was held between Salt Lake City in Utah and Washington DC from January 1 - 5 and had over 21,000 people in attendance including 46 bishops.
Among the guest speakers was Fr Mike Schmitz, whose talk we feature on our podcast today entitled – ‘You get what you ask for’
Fr Smitz is an American Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, and 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 the Catholic publisher Ascension Press.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com