fr chris o'donnell

For many people September is like New Years 2.0 with the return to routines with back to school, back to work etc after the breaks over the summer. As part of that people like to plan ahead for time out and also how to prepare for the dark of the winter especially in the northern hemisphere. On this weeks podcast we have two possible suggestions for listeners. 

We are delighted to welcome back to the podcast Noirin Lynch who is the director of the FCJ House of Spirituality in Spanish Point. Noirin reflects for us first off on the Season of Creation which is on-going at the moment until 4th Oct. And then she shares with us the residential course upcoming between now and the end of March each month.

There are a lot of upcoming events, residential, non-residential, some online and also for those living in west Clare things where you could pop in to say hello. The best way to check it out is to look at the website HERE and the events page HERE.

We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends including saints of the week. Also  in part one Fr Chris O'Donnell shares with us what is happening with Alpha in the Limerick Diocese over the next while.

We also have our regular sharing on the Sunday gospel (Matthew 18:21-35) which Noirin joins us for as well this week. 

Excerpt from this weeks podcast where we are joined by Fr Chris O'Donnell who explains what Alpha is about.

Alpha is a parish tool for evangelisation based on hospitality, sharing and open conversation. The same Alpha content is run all over the world by Christians of all traditions and provides a common expression of faith. Last year alone, more than 5,000 people in Ireland experienced Alpha, and millions more have attended Alpha in over 100 countries and over 100 languages around the globe.

It started in London in 1977 in a small parish with the idea of creating a space for encounter, people come to discover a relationship with Jesus and experience the Holy Spirit. Guests explore life, faith, and meaning in an open and welcoming environment. Fr Chris tells us that Alpha serves two purposes - it gently introduces the good news of Jesus who never find themselves inside a church and those who are in the church to reflect and deepen their faith. Fr Chris says that courses run by Alpha are gentle, reflective, welcoming and gives people a chance to chat, to think, to experience and learn from each other

More info on Alpha at - https://alphaireland.org/alpha
 

So on this weeks podcast our old friend Fr Chris O'Donnell returns to talk to John about what is the Alpha course. In addition we have some regular items including saints of the week and of course our reflection on the Sunday gospel.

Alpha is a parish tool for evangelisation based on hospitality, sharing and open conversation. The same Alpha content is run all over the world by Christians of all traditions and provides a common expression of faith. Last year alone, more than 5,000 people in Ireland experienced Alpha, and millions more have attended Alpha in over 100 countries and over 100 languages around the globe.

It started in London in 1977 in a small parish with the idea of creating a space for encounter, people come to discover a relationship with Jesus and experience the Holy Spirit. Guests explore life, faith, and meaning in an open and welcoming environment. Fr Chris tells us that Alpha serves two purposes - it gently introduces the good news of Jesus who never find themselves inside a church and those who are in the church to reflect and deepen their faith. Fr Chris says that courses run by Alpha are gentle, reflective, welcoming and gives people a chance to chat, to think, to experience and learn from each other!

More info on Alpha at -  https://alphaireland.org/alpha

We are delighted to have Fr Chris O'Donnell on this weeks programme to give us a few thoughts and reflections about the forgotten season of Advent. In our rush to celebrate Christmas we sometimes overlook the opportunity and preparation within the season of Advent. 

In addition Fr Chris reflects on the blessings which are available to all of us with the sacrament of reconciliation and how in the midst of preparations for Christmas, perhaps we might consider a call to that sacrament. 

Happy new "liturgical" year!

On this first Sunday of Advent we welcome you to the programme as we start a new season here on SacredSpace102fm. We on the C&SI team are delighted to have you join us via the joys of our podcast.

On this weeks programme we are delighted to welcome Fr Chris O'Donnell to the programme to share with us a reflection on the meaning (and opportunity) of Advent. 

We have some local notices, a run through the saints of the coming week and of course a reflection on the Sunday gospel where we have our first encounter with the gospel of St Mark in this liturgical year. 

As the holy season of Advent draws to an end, on this weeks programme John and Shane are joined by Fr Chris O'Donnell to reflect on the fourth Sunday of Advent and how we have some last chances to find the daily "divine moments" of preparation in the manic chaos of the preparations for Christmas Day.

As the holy season of Advent draws to an end, on this weeks programme John and Shane are joined by Fr Chris O'Donnell to reflect on the fourth Sunday of Advent and how we have some last chances to find the daily "divine moments" of preparation in the manic chaos of the preparations for Christmas Day.

We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some local notices as well as the celestial guides who take us through Christmas week.