Tape Date: 5th November 1997

November is traditionally a time to remember the dead and on this 3R tape we have a reflection on the tradition of praying for the Holy Souls. We also have an interview on Sudden Infant Death and the sadness of losing a child. November 23rd is the feast of Christ the King and we look at the purpose and meaning of the feast. There is an interview with the author of a new history of the Church of Ireland, and we have a further interview with celebrated author Charles Handy.

Side One:

1. Crossways: News in the Church and the World. Our main report for this tape covers the murder of a Jesuit priest in the Northern Indian state of Bihar. Some years ago Fr. A.T. Thomas took the side of the Dalit or untouchable people in the area in a struggle for land. As a result some members of the upper caste system were imprisoned. Fr. Noel Barber, SJ, speaks to Martin Browne about the circumstances which led to the death of Fr. A.T. Thomas. The news is read by Alan McGuckian, SJ, and Elaine Comerford.

Time: 6.48

2. Loneliness and Modern Culture: It sometimes seems, in our modern information age, that more people than ever are lonely. John O'Donohue sees loneliness as something natural, not to be feared, indeed something that can be beneficial to us. Embracing loneliness and befriending it is part of the spiritual journey. Marie Stuart, RSM, spoke to John about the whole notion of loneliness in the modern age.

In: (Stuart) "John, loneliness.................and immensly repetitive." Out: (O'Donohue)

Time: 4.33

3. Prisoners Week: Sunday 16th - 23rd November has been dedicated Prisoners Week. This year it coincides with Prisoners Week in Canada, England, Scotland and Wales. The point of the week is to remind people that prisoners exist. According to Helen Haughton (pronounced Hawton), unless we have a family member in prison we never think of prisoners. Helen introduced "The Alternatives to Violence Project", (AVP), to Ireland a couple of years ago. AVP is an organisation of volunteers 'offering experiential workshops that empower individuals to liberate themselves and others from the burden of violence'. AVP continues to do workshops in Mountjoy prison and it is hoped to start them in Limerick prison. Elaine Comerford spoke to Helen about the aims and benefits of the workshops, and began by asking if she thought Prisoners Week is a good idea.

In: (Haughton) "I think it's a good idea.........experience in prison." Out: (Haughton)

Time: 5.56

4. Christ the King: The last Sunday of the Church year is always marked as the feast of Christ the King. This year the feast falls on Sunday November 23rd. To many people's ears the notion of King sounds harsh, in comparison with the vulnerable Baby Jesus at Christmas, or titles like Jesus the Good Shepherd, of Jesus the Suffering Servant. So, what's the purpose of the feast and what does it mean? Martin Browne put these and other questions to Fr. John Keating O Carm. John lectures in liturgy at the Milltown Institute in Dublin and is based in Gort Muire.

In: (Keating) "We seem to refer........................hope for each of us." Out: (Keating)

Time: 5.25

5. The Healing Ministry: Canon Stanley Baird has been the Rector of the parish of Swords, Co. Dublin for the past six and a half years. In 1972, following a move from Belfast, he was appointed to be the Warden of the Church's Ministry of Healing. His job was to integrate the healing ministry into the whole Church as a natural part of ministry. Canon Baird says you can't separate preaching the gospel from healing the sick, they must go together. In this interview with Elaine Comerford, Canon Baird talks about the fact that we've all been healed and tells us who can be healed. Elaine began by asking how he became involved in this ministry.

In (Baird) "Well, I'll have to take............. and give you peace." Out: (Baird)

Time: 5.43

Side Two:

1. Praying for and to the Holy Souls: Paddy Pyne is a farmer in West Clare. He is well known throughout the country for his active involvement in farming organisations and activities. In this interview he talks to Marie Stuart, RSM, about his devotion to the Holy Souls. When he was a nine-year-old youngster his teacher encouraged her students to get into the habit of praying to and for the Holy Souls. Paddy has kept up the practice ever since.

In:(Stuart) "How did you first develop ......................... in another way" Out: (Pyne)

Time: 3.36

2. History of the Church of Ireland: A new one volume history of the Church of Ireland since the Battle of the Boyne has just been published. Written by Dr. Alan Acheson, it's entitled simply A History of the Church of Ireland 1691-1996. It's the first such book in over one hundred years. Martin Browne spoke to Alan about the book, the place of the Church of Ireland in Irish history and the current state of the Church.

A History of the Church of Ireland 1691-1996, by Alan Acheson is published jointly by Columba Press and APCK at £25 (hardback)

In: (Browne)"One often hears............augurs well for the future." Out:(Acheson)

Time:5.52

3. The Doctrine of Enough: In this interview with Marie Stuart, RSM, Charles Handy explores the question of `enough’. How do we know when we have `enough’, what is `enough’, is the same amount `enough’ for everybody. Giving up smoking and chocolate during November and Lent can lead to new freedom and new possibilities for our lives. Charles Handy is the son of a Co. Kildare rector, a well-known broadcaster on BBC and author of a number of books including The Empty Raincoat. His most recent and highly acclaimed book The Hungry Spirit was launched in Ireland recently.

In:(Stuart)"You talk in your ........................ the beautiful white stone" Out: (Handy)

Time: 4.30

4. A Part of Ourselves: Laments For Lives That Ended Too Soon. This year is the 21st Anniversary of the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (ISIDA). To mark this occasion a new anthology is being published about the loss of a child. Forty three Irish writers contributed new and previously published accounts of the deaths of their own children, or based on the experiences of family and friends. The ISIDA approached Siobhán Parkinson to edit the book. Siobhán says this is a book for all those who have lost a child, whether through death, adoption, emigration and even those who experience loss through childlessness. The message, she says, is simple: You are not alone. All royalties from A Part of Ourselves: Laments For Lives That Ended Too Soon will go to the ISIDA. Elaine Comerford spoke to editor Siobhán Parkinson about the sadness of the book and the different sections of it. (Siobhán herself has had the experience of having a stillborn son. Our next tape will have an interview about her own personal experience.)

A Part of Ourselves: Laments For Lives That Ended Too Soon will be launched on 19th November and is published by A&A Farmer. Price £7.99

In: (Comerford) "I've read through................... people through that." Out: (Parkinson)

Time: 4.46

5. In a Winter Garden: Over the past few weeks Crann have been highlighting the importance of trees in our environment. They are also encouraging the public to consider planting trees. In keeping with this theme and reflecting on the winter of the year Marie Stuart, RSM, went for a walk in Rosemount Gardens at UCD with Mary Forrest. They discussed the trees around them in the garden and the pleasure that is to be had from trees.

In:(Stuart) "Mary, we’re surrounded ...................... for us to delight in" Out: (Forrest)

Time: 4.28

6. A Part of the World-Yet Apart: Pope John Paul has declared November 21st a special day for highlighting the contemplative life in the Church. In anticipation of this Alan McGuckian, SJ, spoke about their lives to two contemplative Sisters, a Carmelite, Sister Rosalie and a Dominican Sr. Breda.

In: (McGuckian)"Pope John Paul has..............than ever before." Out: (Sr. Breda)

Time: 6.30