E-mail: 3rproductions@tinet.ie

Tape Date: 19th November 1997

We continue our focus on Advent with a number of pieces including an interview with an expectant mother who brings a new perspective to this period of waiting; Sr. Una Agnew also spoke to us about Advent and the poet Patrick Kavanagh. World Aids Day is on December 1st and we have an interview with Brendan, a young man with HIV. Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy spoke to us about Home Week, organised by Focus Ireland, which will run from 24th to the 30th of Novermber.

1. Crossways: News in the Church and the World. In our main report this week we focus on the floods which have taken place in Somalia. Mary Healy, Emergency Officer with Trócaire, tells us what the situation is in Somalia and what they are trying to do. The news was read by Alan McGuckian, SJ, and Elaine Comerford.

Time: 6.00

2. World AIDS Day: People do not catch the HIV virus, they contract through risky behaviour. having unprotected sex, that is not using a condom, and intravenous drug use are the ways people contract the HIV virus. You can not get it from shaking hands, hugging or sharing delph. Nor do people die of AIDS, they die of other diseases such as pneumonia, cancer and leukaemia since their immune systems are not able to fight any infections. December 1st is World AIDS Day and Brendan talked openly to Marie Stuart, RSM, about his own experience and what he would say to people who are HIV positive and to their families.

In: (Stuart) "Will you tell............you also need them." Out: (Brendan)

Time: 8.50

(We are enclosing an information brochure, published by the Health Promotion Unit, which has a complete set of telephone numbers for help throughout the country. Access to Open Heart House is by referral from one of the agencies listed in the brochure or by a G.P.) N.B. The following is the telephone number of Open Heart House: 01 830 5000. Under no circumstances is this number to be broadcast. However, if someone should contact you looking specifically for the Open Heart number or Brendan's number, they can be given it. If someone working on another programme at your station wants to get in touch with Open Heart House or Brendan, they should contact Marie Stuart, RSM, at 3R Productions. We are in no way trying to be difficult about this, but we are sure you can appreciate the need for confidentiality with this issue.

3. The Advent Wreath: Where did the custom for the Advent Wreath come from? What do the candles symbolise? What candles do we light each week? These are the questions covered in this interview with Fiona Dowling. Fiona is a graphic designer who is a member of Christian Life Communities, (CLC) and is also doing a course in Pastoral Ministry at All Hallows College, Dublin.

In: (Dowling) "It is thought...............love and joy. Amen." Out: (Dowling)

Time: 6.12

4. Advent with Sr. Una Agnew: In the Christmas tradition Advent has been a penitential period. The poet, Paddy Kavanagh captures this well in his poem Advent. Sr. Una Agnew, a Kavanagh scholar talks to Alan McGuckian about Advent and how Kavanagh understood the penitential aspect of the season.

In: (Agnew) "Kavanagh brings that out...........for the crib." Out: (Agnew)

Time: 6.00

5. An Expectant Mother: Terri Da Costa is a science and chemistry teacher in St. Mary's Holy Faith School, Glasnevin, Dublin. Terri and her husband Mark are expecting their first child. Elaine Comerford spoke to Terri about the changes that have taken place since she became pregnant. The waiting and preparation period also means a lot to Terri, and she tells us how she feels about Advent, and how she identifies with Mary.

In: (Da Costa) "Oh God! Everything has...........instincts as well." Out:(Da Costa)

Time:5.30

2. Twin Pulpits: A unique gathering of Journalists and Church people took place last July in All Hallows College, Dublin. The occasion was a summer school on 'Church and Media in Modern Ireland'. Some of the more important contributions to the forum have just been published in a new book entitled Twin Pulpits. Martin Browne spoke to one of the book's editors, Fr. Colm Kilcoyne, about the relationship between those who occupy the 'twin pulpits' of Church and Media. Fr. Colm, a well-known columnist and broadcaster, is Parish Priest of Cong, Co. Mayo.

In: (Browne) "The book is called.........the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Out:(Kilcoyne)

Time: 5.40

3. A Gospel Line: The Bible has been the inspiration for some of the most successful of all modern stage musicals. Last April saw the premiere of a new show called A Gospel Line, by Gavin Byrne, a young musician from Dublin. The soundtrack of the musical has just been released on CD and Cassette. Martin Browne spoke to Gavin about the show and his reasons for writing a musical based on the life of Jesus.

In: (Browne) " There have been several......................" Out: Music

4. Focus on Home week with Sr. Stan Kennedy: Focus on Home Week will take place from the 24th to the 30th of November. Organised by Focus Ireland its aim is to get Irish people to focus on the importance of home. Alan McGuckian spoke to Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy and asked her what sorts of things people will be invited to focus on.

In:(Kennedy) "I suppose number one............rootless." Out: (Kennedy)

Time: 6.00

5. I Believe - Senator David Norris: A recent series of lectures in Dublin entitled I Believe, focused on the personal spiritual beliefs of a number of public figures. Senator David Norris concluded the series with a talk outlining some of his own personal beliefs. Andrew Lawless spoke to Senator Norris, and began by asking him about his own spiritual background.

In: (Norris) "Yes, well I was lucky...............to them if they want it." Out: (Norris)

Time: 6.16

In our last letter we told you that we would have an interview with Siobhán Parkinson on her own experience of stillbirth. Due to space constraints we will now send this out on our next tape. I hope this doesn't inconvenience you too much.

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