Tape Date: 15th April 1998

 I hope you all had an enjoyable and peaceful Easter. On our tape this week we hear more about the issues surrounding genetic engineering. Marshall Rosenberg talks to us about communicating with more ease, and we hear about a new helpline set up by older people for older people.

Side 1

1. Crossways: News in the Church and the World. The Dublin Diocese has marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Archbishop John Charles McQuaid by opening up 700 boxes of archive material. In our main report we hear from Dublin Diocesan Archivist David Sheehy, who tells us why this course has been taken. The news was read by Alan McGuckian, SJ, and Elaine Comerford.

Time: 6.09

2. Cardinal Winning: Cardinal Thomas Winning of Glasgow was in Ireland recently to give the Annual Trócaire Lecture. The theme for this year was Gospel and Justice: A Millennium Reflection. In this interview with Elaine Comerford, Cardinal Winning talks to us about how we can prepare for the next millennium, and gives us his views on media coverage of the coming millennium. Elaine began by asking Cardinal Winning about the relevance of the new millennium in relation to today's world.

In:(Winning) "It's the second.............need you very much." Out: (Winning)

Time: 6.09

3. Clear Effective Communication: Most of us get into communication difficulties from time to time. We are misunderstood or we misunderstand others. We are really annoyed with someone and don't seem to be able to do anything about it. Non-violent Communication is a simple and effective way of resolving differences and communicating honestly. Dr Marshall Rosenberg, a clinical psychologist, developed this approach. Here he talks to Marie Stuart, RSM, about the practical use of this approach at meetings or in day to day family situations. (John Quinn recently broadcast two programmes with Marshall on RTE Radio1. Marshall Rosenberg will run a Non-violent Communication Workshop in Dublin at the end of April. Further information from Brenda Blair 01-2801524)

In: (Stuart) "Using the process .......................... for one another." Out: (Rosenberg)

Time: 5.34

4. Senior Helpline: Last February, the Summerhill Active Retirement Group in Co. Meath, began operating a helpline for older people. The national service is available for the price of a local call from anywhere in the country. It is operated by older people for older people who may be lonely, isolated or distressed and who need a listening ear. The service is confidential and non-directive. It is open from 10am to 1pm on Mondays and 7pm to 10pm on Fridays. Calls have been received from as far afield as Donegal and Cork, and it has become apparent that the service needs to open seven days a week. Colm O'Connor is the administrator of the Summerhill Active Retirement Group and he spoke to Elaine Comerford about how the service got up and running. The telephone number of the helpline is 1 850 440 444. To get more information about setting up a helpline in your area phone 0405 57766/57769 and ask for Mary or Colm.

In: (O'Connor) "The Summerhill..............a seven day service." Out: (O'Connor)

Time: 6.35

5. Genetic Concern: Do you ever wonder about the foods you buy in the supermarket? Did you know that even the tomatoes you buy might have been modified with genes from fish? Genetically engineered foods are fast becoming a fact of life, but Mary O'Donnell of Genetic Concern finds this trend disturbing. She spoke to Maria O'Loughlin recently about some of the ethical and political implications.

In: (O'Donnell) "First, we'd be very.............and asking questions." Out: (O'Donnell)

Time: 5.51

Side 2

1. The Light Within: President Mary McAleese recently launched a new video titled 'The Light Within'. The video focuses on the reality of life for travelling people, their joys and sorrows and the distinct faith that keeps them going. Marie Stuart, RSM, asked Fr Frank Murphy about the message of the video. Frank is parish priest of the parish of the travelling people in Dublin.

In: (Murphy) "I think the ...................think gradually disappear." Out: (Murphy)

Time: 6.04

2. Sophie Barat Retirement Homes: The Sophie Barat Housing Scheme is a development built within the walls of Mount Anville School and Convent in Mount Merrion, Dublin. Twenty eight houses have been built and they are available at preferential terms to past pupils who need a sheltered environment, due to their age or altered circumstances. The scheme is the brainchild of the Past Pupils of Sacred Heart Schools in Ireland, and is called after the founder of the Sacred Heart Order. The scheme was completed last year and Robbie Foy met one of the co-ordinators, Irene Doody, and started by asking her how the idea came about.

In: (Doody) "Well, we were looking ..........very near future." Out: (Doody)

Time: 6.25

 3. An Immigrant's Story: Mary Toomey, who was born into a Tamil family in Sri Lanka, has been an Irish citizen for 25 years. She has been happy and successful in Ireland. She believes that her experience of putting down roots and making her home in Ireland is relevant to the current discussions about new arrivals. Mary first came here on a scholarship to study science, but became very involved in Irish life at an early stage. Alan McGuckian, SJ, spoke to Mary about her life in Ireland.

In: (Toomey) "I studied in Trinity............conquer that evil." Out: (Toomey)

Time: 6.29

4. Education and the Poor: The Education Commission of CORI (the Conference of Religious of Ireland) recently published a reflection paper on the role of Religious in Irish education in the future. One of the key concerns identified in this paper is the failure of the education system to meet the needs of the poor. Marie Stuart, RSM, talked to Teresa McCormack, PBVM, about the ways poorer people are excluded and the need to target all additional resources to addressing the difficulties in the most deprived areas. (Teresa McCormack can be contacted at 01-2698220)

In: (Stuart) "How is the educational.........had been also." Out: (McCormack)

Time: 5.53

5. Alzheimers: Des is a middle aged single man whose mother developed Alzheimers almost two years ago. There are seven in his family, but providing twenty four hour care is a difficult task, particularly as most of his family live forty miles from his mother. In this interview Des tells us how the family have coped with this illness. Friday May 1st is Alzheimer National Tea Day. Anyone wishing to host a tea break can contact Barbara Scully on the Tea Day Hotline, 01 284 6616.

In: (Des) "Well, it was a ............few years she has." Out: (Des)

Time: 3.19