Side One:

1. Crossways: News in the Church and the World. In our main report this week,

we hear from BBC Correspondent, Fergal Keane about the war raging in the Great Lakes area of Africa. The news was read by Alan McGuckian SJ and Martin Browne.

Time: 5.55

2. The Berry Picker: Fr. Flor McCarthy is a Kerryman, who has worked as a

Salesian priest in Dublin for many years. He is a storyteller and writer and has produced several volumes of homily resources for priests. He is also a recovering alcoholic. His latest book, ‘The Berrypicker’ is a fable, dealing with one man’s struggle with addiction and path to recovery. Flor spoke to Martin Browne.

In: (Browne) "Would it be fair……………….anyone can recover." Out: (McCarthy)

Time: 4.50

3. Lent: What do you think about when you think of Lent? Is it something that happens before Easter or is it a special time? Fr Michael Rodgers sees it as a time to clear out some cobwebs, and he says it is never too late to start even if Lent is nearly over. Michael is a Kiltegan priest living and working in Glendalough. Marie Stuart RSM talked to him about Lent

In (Stuart) 'It's springtime and …………. never too late to do that' Out: (Rodgers)

Time: 5.57

3. Rainbows – Supporting Bereaved Children: Rainbows is a voluntary group

set up to help children who have been bereaved through parental death, divorce or separation, founded in America by Suzy Yehl Marta. Children who attend Rainbows meetings are given the opportunity to articulate their feelings and to meet other children who are in similar situations. John O’Reilly spoke to Sr. Cecilia about Rainbows and started off by asking her about the children whom the support is aimed at.

In: (Sr. Cecilia) "It’s for children………..friendly, here in Ireland." Out: (Sr. Cecilia)

Time: 6.07

(Rainbows will have a fundraising concert in The National Concert Hall on Sunday, 18^th April, where Fr. Liam Lawton and Friends will perform. For more details see leaflet attached to this letter)

4. When the Acacia Bird Sings - New Novel by James O'Halloran SDB: A new book by Father James O'Halloran, When the Acacia Bird Sings, is Book of the Month at Veritas Bookshops this month. A novel set in Southern Africa, the book is very topical here in Ireland now, as it touches on the plight of refugees. Our reporter Peter Scally asked Father O'Halloran to tell him about the book.

In:(O'Halloran) "In the eighties ......…at it with more gentle eyes." Out: (O'Halloran).

Time: 4.55

Side Two:

1. ICTU Reaction to ESRI Report: The latest report from the Economic and Social Research Institute warned that wage increases could damage Ireland's competitiveness. It also said that it would be unwise for businesses to expand or to seek additional orders at this time, as this could have a destabilising effect on the economy. Oliver Donohue is the Research & Information Officer at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Mark Harkin asked him what his initial reaction to the report was.

Time: 5:23

2. Holy Week: When you think of Holy Week what comes into your head? Is it just another week or are there special things you do during the week? Marie Stuart RSM asked Fr Michael Rodgers how we can make the week more meaningful for ourselves. Michael is a Kiltegan priest who lives and works in Glendalough.

In: (Rodgers) 'It's a question of ……. ….that Saturday is about I think' Out: (Rodgers)

Time: 5.49

(This piece talks about either going to the cermonies or reading the scriptures. There are specific questions about Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The piece does not refer to Palm Sunday at all)

3. Experiences of Asia: Fionnuala Gilsenan is Trocaire’s Project Officer for

Asia for the last three years. A lot of her time has been spent in the Phillippines and in India. She talks to John O’Reilly about her experiences. John started off by asking her about the first time she arrived in the Phillippines.

In: (Gilsenan) "First time I…………………...their own self interest." Out: (Gilsenan)

Time: 6.42

4. Healing the Wounds of the Nations: On the 4th of March, the Irish School of Ecumenics in Dublin hosted a seminar on the churches' role in reconciliation and forgiveness. The seminar was led by a German Lutheran theologian, Geiko Müller-Fahrenholz. Our reporter Peter Scally asked him to explain its ambitious-sounding title "Healing the Wounds of the Nations - Towards a Common Mission for the Churches."

In: (Müller-Fahrenholz) "It is in fact ... readiness to forgive" Out:(Müller-Fahrenholz)

Time: 6.08