Life Matters

Michael Kelly shares his memories from St Peter's Square after the election of Pope Francis in 2013 and his reflections on the Papacy of Pope Francis.

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Julieann Moran and Fr Declan Hurley from the Irish Synodal Pathway reflect on how synodality is a key part of the legacy of the Papacy of Pope Francis along with other key themes including mercy and care for our common home.

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Bishop Paul Dempsey pays tribute to Pope Francis and reflects on the character and legacy of his papacy in 2013.

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In this documentary produced for the World Meeting of Families 2018, we explored how Pope Francis dreamed of a church ready to go out onto the streets. It recounts his early years and how he discovered his vocation, his time as Jesuit Provincial in Argentina, his election as Pope and choosing the name Francis.

This documentary was screened in the main arena in the RDS during the World Meeting of Families 2018 and before the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park.

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TV advert for the Trócaire Lenten appeal for 2025 which features Ilma and Julio's family, who, like many hardworking families in Guatemala, are being pushed further into poverty by the relentless effects of climate change.

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Emmet Sheerin from Trócaire gives a short explainer on Overseas Development Aid and how the work of Trocaire is part funded by the taxpayer via Irish Aid and directly by their donors

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In his prayer intention for the month of March, Pope Francis invites us to pray for families in crisis, and to reflect on the importance of forgiveness: “Forgiveness means giving another chance. God does this with us all the time.”

In this video, produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Pope tells us that “each person” in the family “is unique,” but that “differences can also cause conflict.” He adds that to heal wounds, forgiveness is key, “even when there’s no possibility of the ‘happy ending’ we’d like.”

Through this intention, let's together pray that broken families might experience the healing of their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts even in their differences. 🙏
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“We all dream about a beautiful, perfect family. But there’s no such thing as a perfect family. Every family has its own problems, as well as its tremendous joys.

Every member of the family is important because each member is different than the others, each person is unique. But these differences can also cause conflict and painful wounds.

And the best medicine to heal the pain of a wounded family is forgiveness.

Forgiveness means giving another chance. God does this with us all the time. God’s patience is infinite. He forgives us, lifts us up, gives us a new start. Forgiveness always renews the family, making it look forward with hope.

Even when there’s no possibility of the “happy ending” we’d like, God’s grace gives us the strength to forgive, and it brings peace, because it frees us from sadness, and, above all, from resentment.

Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.”

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By the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostolate of Prayer and the Eucharistic Youth Movement): https://www.popesprayer.va

The Pope Video: https://www.thepopevideo.org/

In collaboration with Vatican Media: http://www.vaticannews.va

Follow us:
/ clicktoprayen
/ clicktopray_en
/ clicktopray
/ @thepopevideo

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The journey of the Irish Synodal Pathway during 2025 will be approached through the stance of “Hope,” which reflects the spirit of the Jubilee Year in the Universal Church.

In spring 2025, diocesan and parish gatherings will bring people together to review the themes that emerged from listening in Ireland and identify priorities for action to be considered at future Synodal Assemblies.

This video is is a resource for prayer and catechesis on the Christian understanding of hope to accompany the spring gatherings and for wider use in general.

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This month, Pope Francis shares his personal vocation story: "When I was 17… I wasn’t thinking at all of being a priest. But one day, I went into the church…and God was there, waiting for me!”

The Pope Video for February - produced by his Worldwide Prayer Network in collaboration with Vatican Media and The Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

https://www.popesprayer.va/
The Pope Video: https://thepopevideo.org/
www.vaticannews.va/en
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles: https://lacatholics.org/

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Bishop Michael Router reflects on the theme for the 33rd World Day of the Sick Pope Francis “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5) but strengthens us in times of trial.‘

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Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, and Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh reflect together on the theme for this year's Week of Prayer of Christian Unity - 'Do you believe this?'

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As we embark on this Jubilee year, Pope Francis reminds us of an urgent need: the right to education for all children and youth.

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Pope Francis -
“Today we’re experiencing an “educational catastrophe.” This is no exaggeration. Due to wars, migration, and poverty, some 250 million boys and girls lack education.

All children and youth have the right to go to school, regardless of their immigration status.

Education is a hope for everyone – it can save migrants and refugees from discrimination, criminal networks, and exploitation…. So many minors are exploited! It can help them integrate into the communities who host them.
Education opens the doors to a better future. In this way, migrants and refugees can contribute to society, either in their new country or in their country of origin, should they decide to return.

And let’s never forget that whoever welcomes the foreigner, welcomes Jesus Christ.

Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a more human world, might always be respected.”

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By the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostolate of Prayer and the Eucharistic Youth Movement): https://www.popesprayer.va/ The Pope Video: https://thepopevideo.org/

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Fr Paul Finnerty, Rector of the Irish College in Rome, on the invitation for people to come to Rome during the Jubilee Year as pilgrims of hope and to follow the tradition of passing through the Holy Doors in the Papal Basilicas.

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Seamus Mulconry, Sec Gen of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, calls for equal capitation funding for Primary and Post-Primary schools.

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An in-depth interview with Archbishop John Kennedy, Secretary for Discipline at the
Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Archbishop John shares with us his vocation story, how he came to work in the Vatican and the challenge of leading the Discipline office that deals with cases of the abuse of minors by clergy, which he calls 'the worse of the worst'.

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Seamus Mulconry details the range of services provided by the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association which includes training and advocacy and their helpline which handles 16,000+ calls a year.

More info - https://www.cpsma.ie/

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Michael Kelly discusses 'Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2022-24' produced by Aid to the Church in Need which highlights the reality that Christian persecution has significantly worsened globally.

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Julieann Moran reflects on the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality in Rome and how the Final Document provides a roadmap for a Synodal Church with training and formation as the primary objective.

Julieann Moran is the Gen. Sec. of the Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland.

for more info - https://synod.ie/

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Bishop Brendan Leahy gives an in-depth review of the Synod on Synodality, his experience in Rome, the final document, what reforms should not follow on and what lies ahead for the Synodal Pathway for the Irish Church.

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Alan Hynes, CEO of the Catholic Education Partnership, discusses with Wendy what defines a Catholic school and the call for divesting more schools from Catholic patronage.

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