E-mail: 3rproductions@tinet.ie

For our last tape of 1996 we have a special interview with the recently retired Cardinal Daly. We have a lovely piece on the Journey of the Magi by writer Joe O'Connor, and Fr Brian Darcy gives us his hopes for 1997. We also have two poems with a Christmas theme read by Rev. George Ferguson. Maureen Gaffney talked to us about New Year's resolutions, and we have a special piece focusing on the Simon Community soup run, taking place on New Year's Eve.

Side One:

1.  Cardinal Daly:  After nearly 30 years as Bishop, Cardinal Cahal Daly retired on October 1st last.  During that time he has been Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Bishop of Down and Connor and Archbishop of Armagh.  A few months on, he speaks to Martin Browne about his retirement plans, the current situation in Northern Ireland and the future of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland.

In: (Browne) "It's unusual for us today...............in their faith." Out: (Daly) Time: 9.59

2. Maureen Gaffney:   Maureen Gaffney is a senior lecturer in psychology at Trinity College Dublin, and chairperson of the National Economic and Social Forum. She is also one of Irelands best known and most respected psychiatrists. Mary Forrest talked to Maureen about the importance of New Year's resolutions, and her recently published, highly acclaimed book The way we live now.

In: ( Gaffney) "I think it's much more.............yeh, it would be." Out: (Gaffney) Time: 5.31

3.  Nollaig na mBan: Alice Taylor talks to Marie Stuart, RSM, about her memories of the 6th of January, how she views Nollaig na mBan and her own practices.

In: (Stuart) "Alice, your memories..............quietness of the countryside." Out: (Taylor) Time: 5.00

4.  Journey of the Magi:   Joe O'Connor is a well known journalist and novelist. His books, including Cowboys and Indians and Desperados have sold across the world. He has written much around the issues concerning the Irish abroad. He read for Lorcan Brennan his favourite Christmas story from the bible, The Journey of the Magi.

In: (O'Connor) "I remember as a kid..................by another way." Out:(O'Connor) Time: 2.19

5. Hopes for 1997:   Fr Brian Darcy is a well known broadcaster and journalist. He recently talked to Alan McGuckian, SJ, about his hopes for 1997.

In: (Darcy) "Well my own hope.........................he founded a community." Out:(Darcy) Time: 2.10

6.  Prayer: Marie Stuart, RSM, asked Leo Morahan what prayer means for him.

In: (Morahan) "I think its sharing......... canal than its the river." Out: (Morahan) Time: 5.42

7.  A Christmas Childhood: Christmas wouldn't  be Christmas without a seasonal poem to lead us back into the richness of remembering the better moments of our past life. Patrick Kavanagh, the Monaghan poet, wrote beautifully on many topics but one of his outstanding poems must surely be A Christmas Childhood. Methodist Minister, Rev. George Ferguson read this  poem for us.

In: (Ferguson) " A Christmas Childhood................Virgin Mary Blowse." Out: (Ferguson) Time: 2.44

8.   A Christmas Prayer: At the heart of everything we celebrate this Christmas season is the infant Jesus. To explore such a vast mystery we must turn in our hearts to some form of prayer. Fr Donal Neary is a Jesuit priest who has written much in the area of prayer. Rev. George Ferguson, reads a poem by Donal Neary entitled A Christmas Prayer.

In: (Ferguson) "A Christmas prayer....................for coming among us." Out: (Ferguson) Time: 0.41

Side Two:

1.   Work: In this interview with Marie Stuart, RSM, Fr. John O'Donohue suggests a new and different view of work. He acknowledges difficulties and suggests possibilities. Our next tape will carry two short reflections on related topics, 'Computers and Technology', and unemployment.

In: (Stuart) "John, how do you.........lot of it around." Out: (Donoghue) Time: 3.35

2.  EU Year Against Racism:  1997 has been declared European Year Against Racism. In Ireland a committee has been set up to co-ordinate the year's events which will begin on January 31st. The committee has been drawn  together by the Department of Equality and Law Reform and includes representatives of the social partners and a number of voluntary organisations. John O'Connell, director of the Traveller's Centre, Pavee Point is one such representative. Maria O'Loughlin asked him why the year against racism is necessary.

In: (O'Connell) "A few years back..........ratify the UN convention" Out: (O'Connell) Time:5.32

3. Christian Unity: The Most Revd. Richard Clarke was appointed Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare earlier this year.  In a recent newspaper article, he criticised the small amount of energy the churches in Ireland devote to working for Christian Unity.  He asked if they were going to wait until they were utterly humiliated before they learned humility.  Bishop Clarke spoke to Martin Browne.  (This piece might be especially useful around the time of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18th to 25th.)

In: (Browne) "Do we in Ireland................only way forward." Out: (Clarke) Time:4.51

4. Drumcree:  One of the most significant events in Northern Ireland in 1996 was the stand-off last July, near Drumcree Church in Portadown, between the Orange Order, the RUC and the residents of the Catholic estates around the Garvaghy Road.  Fr. Éamon Stack is a Jesuit priest based in Portadown and a member of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition.  He spoke to Martin Browne about the aftermath of the crisis and the chances of avoiding a repeat of the stand-off in 1997.

In: (Browne) "We're sitting in a housing .............in Northern Ireland" Out: (Stack) Time: 5.05

5. Persecuted Church in China:   Joseph Kung travels extensively promoting awareness of how the Catholic Church is still under persecution in China. Joseph's uncle, Rev. Kung Pin-Mei was elevated to Cardinal by John Paul II in 1991. Through out the years of his ministry Cardinal Kung has spent nearly 30 years in prison for refusing to break communion with the Papacy and Rome. The Cardinal Kung foundation has been set up to directly assist the persecuted loyal Church in China. Joseph talked to Lorcan Brennan.

In: (Kung) "The communists came in 1949........increase the awareness." Out:(Kung) Time: 5.03

6.   Simon Community: Most of us will hopefully ring in the New Year with friends and family, probably over a few drinks with lively conversation. Eleanor Coyne will start the New Year very differently. She will be co-ordinating the soup run for the Simon Community on the streets of one of our cities. Eleanor has been a soup run volunteer for ten years. Lorcan Brennan asked her what she expected to find ?

In: (Coyne) "Well, it's hard to know..........bonus for us as well." Out: (Coyne) Time: 3.48

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