30 Jan 2016

31st January 2016 - Good Queen Katherine: Exploring the story of a possible saint? - 4th Sunday in Ordinary time

On this weeks programme we broadcast an interview with Canon John Baker exploring the story of Katherine of Aragon. We have a short reflection on this weeks gospel as well as some local notices especially for things relating to the upcoming Limerick Diocesan Synod  
 
You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE
 
Good Queen Katherine - Exploring the story of a possible saint?
 
The understanding of marriage and the care of those who have been divorced and remarried has dominated a lot of discussion in church (at the Synod in Rome) and in state (with the marriage referendum last year). One person who is held up as a model for Catholics of fidelity to marriage no matter what is Katherine of Aragon.
 
On this weeks programme we have an interview between Canon John Baker of Peterborough Cathedral and John about the cathedral and of course the story of Queen Katherine.
 
The interview hears how the Spanish Princess from one of the greatest royal houses in Europe became stranded in England following the death of her first husband, the teenage Prince Arthur, and how his younger brother came to her rescue when he became King - Henry VIII. When the succession didn't go to Henry's plan after twenty years of marriage he sought to divorce her which led to the separation of the church in England and the English reformation. She however,never wavered in knowing who she was, as a Catholic, a wife, and a monarch who had made vows to God, her husband, and to the English people whom she was to aid her husband in governing, that she would fulfill her vows no matter what the cost to her personally. 
The call for the opening of Katherine's cause has some support and the following can give some further information:
You can listen to the podcast of the interview excerpted from the main programme here

Gospel - Luke 4:21-30

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”
He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,
‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,
‘Do here in your native place
the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”
And he said, “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you,
there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away
 
Reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy
Salt + Light
 
Liturgical odds & ends
 
Liturgy of the Hours - psalter week 4, 4th week in ordinary time
 
Saints of the Week
 
February 1st - Feast of St Brigid - secondary patron of Ireland
February 2nd - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)
also World Day for Consecrated Life
February 3rd - St Blaise - Day for the Blessing  of the Throats
February 4th - Saint Cuanna of Lismore
February 5th - St Agatha (First Friday)
February 6th - Ss Paul Miki & Companions - the Martyrs of Nagasaki
 
Pope's Monthly Intentions

Universal: Care for Creation - That we may take good care of creation–a gift freely given–cultivating and protecting it for future generations.

Evangelization: Asia - That opportunities may increase for dialogue and encounter between the Christian faith and the peoples of Asia

26 Jan 2016

Some web browsing.........UPDATED


Rite & Reason: The ‘altruistic evil’ of 1916 Rising - Retrospective public consent in 1918 election provides only limited justification

Secular strife causes upcoming Council the be moved to Crete - The first major council of the world’s Eastern Orthodox churches in over 1,200 years will take place in Crete after the influential Russian Orthodox Church said political tensions between Moscow and Ankara ruled out holding it in Turkey.
The Inside Story on the Turnpike Mass, From the Priest Who Led It

The Angel of Dachau: Pope Francis declares concentration camp priest a martyr

Sudden Sadness and the World Around Me

Straddling the tricky secular-religious divide - Jean Vanier is a spiritual point of reference in the turbulent seas of contemporary discord, writes Michael W. Higgins

Preparing for the watershed - As the year of centenaries and elections begins to unfold, opinions on party manifestos and commemorative events are reaching a crescendo. Amid the clamouring views, one authoritative voice, with an all-island perspective, needs to be heard. Archbishop Richard Clarke is the Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland. Members of his flock are found north and south of the border. Indeed, one of the flock, Arlene Foster, is now at the helm in Northern Ireland as First Minister and leader of the DUP.  

Religious liberty at center of Pope's meeting with Iranian president

Bishop Barron: Christianity 'running on fumes' as Eucharistic devotion wanes

Pope Francis: Persecution of Christians Is Persecution of Jesus Christ

What is Spiritual Direction?
 




The Marrakesh Declaration: Muslim Leaders Pledge Support for Minority Rights

Crux - The bond between the Vatican and Iran is a partnership destined to endure

Goodbye, Starbucks: A Glimpse Inside a Young Nun’s Life

Meditation when you can’t sit still - Many of us spend our days on a perpetual treadmill. Going from one thing to the next. The suggestion of slowing down to mindfully meditate might sound like an invitation to climb Everest. Note to inner self: it is worth the effort.

Can we live without beauty? - A magazine clearinghouse somehow got the idea that our family wants every women’s health, fitness, and lifestyle magazine in the world delivered to our house.

Simple spiritual goals for a happier 2016 - Reading scripture is a habit I struggle with. I do well for a while, then go on vacation, or have my schedule interrupted.

An Unteachable Society and the Church - The rare virtue of "docility": an eagerness of mind and heart to be taught the most satisfying truth. 

Bishop Barron: Eucharistic faith is counter-culture

Pope Francis risks traditionalist anger with Martin Luther commemoration

Not everybody wants to wash women’s feet on Holy Thursday

Merkel opens exhibition of Yad Vashem’s Holocaust art in Berlin

The Great and Holy Council: Who, When, Why? 

March for Life gets snowed under blizzard coverage

Pope Francis: Powerful and Rich Risk Going to Hell If They Ignore the Poor

New Video from Diocese of Phoenix Explores “Society’s Crisis in Masculinity”

Taize:

Limerick priests to visit Paris to see what future holds - The Irish Times

Eleven clerics travel to Evry-Corbeil-Essonne, where laity is more involved in church work

Eleven priests from the Limerick diocese, where more than half of all priests are over 65, will on Tuesday travel to Evry-Corbeil-Essonne in Paris to see how the Catholic Church there is dealing with the collapse in vocations.
 
A total of 28 of the churches in the French diocese, one of seven in the city, are served by just five priests. For some, Evry is the future for the Catholic Church in Ireland, too.
 
Faced with collapsing numbers of priests, the Parisian diocese began 20 years ago to create teams – with a priest in charge, but with the laity involved doing much of the work.
 
“There are other examples of it around the world where there has been a break from the traditional parish model,” explained Fr Eamon Fitzgibbon, director of the Limerick Diocesan Synod and Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Planning.
 
“We are going over on an exploratory visit, to see if we could do something similar here, or if we could adapt to this model. In many ways Paris is where we will be in 15-20 years. It is something we could learn from.”
 
Like others dioceses, Limerick is struggling with a shortage of priests. More than half of all of its 71 priests are over 65. Research carried out a number of years ago found that more than 50 per cent of clergy in the diocese were over 65.

A Synod Sports Conference


Limerick is a city and county in love with and passionately interested in Sport. One of our themes for the Synod is ‘Building Community’ and sporting organisations have much to teach us in this regard. This one-day conference will be a mix of keynote speakers and workshops.

Keynote Address One:

‘Building Community – Lessons from the World of Sport’

Michael "Mickey" Harte is the current—and most successful—Gaelic football manager of the Tyrone senior inter-county team. He has led Tyrone to three All-Ireland titles, four Ulster titles, one National League, and eight Dr. McKenna Cups to date (as of January 2015). Harte has been very forthcoming with his Christian views.

Workshops

A variety of workshops will be provided by sporting personalities including:
  • Gerry Hussey has been working at the fore front of Olympic and International Sport since graduating from Trinity College Dublin in 2003. In his role as Performance Consultant, Gerry has coached elite athletes for Olympic Games, Heineken Cups, European and World Championships.   
  • Ger Downes and local GAA personalities including Cian Lynch, Seamus Hickey and Declan Hannon.
  • Pat O’Sullivan from Limerick Soccer.

Keynote Address Two:

'The Fellowship of Sport'

Gerard Hartmann is a native of Limerick City, Ireland who, over the past twenty two years, has developed a reputation for treating many of the world's elite sport stars. Gerard has treated 61 Olympic medal winners, 47 World Champions including World Record holder. He has worked with a record seven winners of the London Marathon including world record holders Paula Radcliffe and Khalid Khannouchi. In this input Ger will elaborate on the concept that sport connects people and communities giving identity, purpose and unity.

Venue: Mary Immaculate College

Date: Wednesday 24th February

Time: 6p.m. to 9.30p.m.

Mass of St Ita - Launch 28th January 2016 REPOST

As part of City of Culture 2014, Bishop Brendan commissioned Fr Columba McCann to write a new Mass setting for Limerick. This Mass setting was first heard at the televised Easter ceremonies from St John’s Cathedral that year.

This Mass setting is now being published and all parishes, schools and chaplaincies are invited to learn the Mass of St Ita, so that we can sing it together during our Diocesan Synod in April and then at future diocesan pilgmages and events.

On Thursday, January 28th, we will launch the Mass of St Ita in St John’s Cathedral at 7:30pm.

 The newly pubished book 'The Mass os St Ita' will be available to registered choir leaders on the night. Further copies, as well as audio teaching tracks, will be available to download online, for free, after the event. After the launch, at about 8pm, Columba McCann and Bernadette Kiely will sing and teach the Mass setting for participants. This will be a welcome opportunity to hear and speak with the composer of a Mass setting that will be a popular choice in the years ahead.  It will also be a reminder and a support for all who are preparing for music for Synod2016.

Launch: We invite all choirs, those who lead and sing music at Mass, those who organise liturgy and those with an interest in the new Limerick Mass setting to the launch of the Mass of St Ita at 7:30pm

Workshop booking: Places must be booked in advance for the 8pm workshop to ensure copies of the sheet music are available for all. Please contact us at 061400133, reception@ldpc.ie or write to LDPC, Denmark St, Limerick to reserve your free place.

Sinner & Pilgrim - A Synod Culture Event - REPOST


Peacach agus Oilithreach
(Sinner & Pilgrim)    
A Synod Culture Event  

This evening of culture will incorporate elements of poetry, music, Gaeilge and local history marking the tercentenary of the birth of Tadhg Gaelach Ó Suilleabháin. 
 
The poet Tadhg "Gaelach" O'Suilleabháin was born in Tournafulla in 1715. Most of his well-known poems were of a religious nature and he wrote these poems while he was living in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Tadhg also lived in East Cork for a while. From about 1760 on, his life changed and he became a pilgrim and it was at this time that Tadhg began to write his religious poems. He died in Waterford Cathedral in 1795 and after his death, the first edition of his poetry was published in Limerick.

The evening will be hosted by Neilus de Róiste.

The key note address will be given by Salvador Ryan with poetry readings by Canon Micheál Liston and music by a variety of local musicians. 
 
Iomainn á chanadh Gile mo Chroí do- chroí-se
Mo Ghrá-sa mo Dhia

Dr. Salvador Ryan is Professor of Ecclesiastical History in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth since 2008. Alongside Bishop Brendan Leahy he has co-edited two volumes of Treasures of Irish Christianity.

Date: Friday 29 January
Venue: Devon Inn Hotel
Time: 7.30p.m.

Céad fáilte roimh ghrástaibh mo Thiarna anois.

=========


Limerick Diocesan Synod 2016 - Your Church, Your Voice



The Limerick Diocesan Synod will take place in 2016 and will be one of the largest meetings ever held in the Limerick Diocese, bringing delegates together from every aspect of life throughout the diocese. It will be an opportunity to look towards the future of the Church in Limerick.
It is important that everyone has the opportunity to shape this future and influence what the Church will look like in Limerick in the years ahead. We need to hear from you so have your say.
The following six themes have been selected for the Synod
  1. Community & Sense of Belonging
  2. Faith Formation
  3. Pastoral Care of the Family
  4. New Models of Leadership
  5. Liturgy & Life
  6. Young People


How can you have your say?

Have you any ideas of what actions could be taken to address the issues within these themes?
If so, please suggest them to your delegates or email them to synod@ldo.ie

In the Spring we will be firming up concrete proposals for action under each of these themes which will then be brought forward and voted on at the Synod in April.

Deep Wells - Ordinary Time: Testing Daily Discipleship

From Glen E Myer's blog Deep Wells:


Ordinary time tests our faith. Are we following Jesus because we are genuinely committed to him, willing to be faithful through thick and thin, or are we doing so because we want more of the warm inner feelings that we enjoy so much?

January and February can be so bland. There is no green to see, no flowing water (at least in frozen-over Minnesota). Confined to the indoors, life can become dull. This is also the season of the Church Year known as “Ordinary Time.” Lost between the hope and light of Advent/Christmas and the intensity of Lent, leading into Easter, Ordinary Time is just that: ordinary. All combined, this can be a flat time of year for me—physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Ordinary life and Ordinary Time, however, are valuable because they test us. If we have been going to church and practicing daily devotions simply because we like beautiful services, inner comfort or spiritual “high,” our devotion dissipates like the morning fog in the midst of commonplace responsibilities and the commitment of daily discipleship this time of year. We shift our focus to more exciting options than the long-haul of spiritual growth. Although we still want to consider ourselves “good Christians,” our lives have little to do with pursuing Christ.

Yes, Ordinary Time proves what is inside us. If our hearts have shallow roots, anchored only in the special times of life, we dry up during long cold seasons. If, however, we choose to put our roots deep down in ongoing discipleship, we will do well, even when spiritual consolations are few and far between. Then, as the world around us begins to thaw--come Lent, Easter and springtime—we discover that our roots are stronger and deeper than ever in our devotion to the Lord.  

Let us, therefore, take courage during Ordinary Time. As Scripture exhorts us:

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly
rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have
done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
For in just a very little while,
‘He who is coming will come and will not delay.’”

     -Hebrews 10:35-37

25 Jan 2016

The Priesthood - iCatholic


Week of Prayer for Christian Unity draws to a close

Pope Francis at an ecumenical Vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, with Orthodox Metropolitan Gennadios and David Moxon, an Anglican bishop, Jan. 25, 2016. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.
(CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Monday marked the conclusion of the Week for Christian Unity, saying all Christians are united by the call to conversion and the mission to proclaim the Gospel.  

“Beyond the differences that still separate us, we joyfully recognize that, at the origin of the Christian life there is always a call whose author is God,” the Pope during his Jan. 25 homily at Vespers for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.

“Conversion means let the Lord live and work in us,” the Roman Pontiff said. “For this reason, when Christians of different churches together to the Word of God listen and try to put it into practice, they accomplish truly important steps towards unity.”

“The mission of the whole people of God is to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the Lord, above all the Paschal mystery of Christ, through whom we have passed from the darkness of sin and death, the glory of his life, the new and eternal.”

The annual Week for Christian Unity runs Jan. 18-25, and is organized by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, the Commission on Faith, and the Order of the World Council of Churches.

This year’s theme, “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord,” is taken from chapter two of the First Book of Peter, and was chosen by a group from Latvia, which is home to a strong presence of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians.

CNA - Christians are united by mission and conversion, Pope Francis reflects 
CNA - Pope will go to Sweden for Reformation anniversary, Vatican announces
Vatican Radio - Pope Francis at Ecumenical Vespers: walk the way of unity 
News.va - Pope Francis: homily for Christian Unity Vespers
Crux - Francis to other Christians: Sorry we mistreated you 
Crux - Francis is proving to be a very ecumenical pope


 


24 Jan 2016

Ireland marks Holocaust Memorial Day 2016

Survivors of Auschwitz after the liberation of the camp

The Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration is firmly established in the national calendar and takes place in Dublin every year on the Sunday nearest to 27 January, the date of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The event cherishes the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust and recalls the millions of innocent Jewish men, women and children and others, who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis because of their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliations or their religious beliefs.

Holocaust Memorial Day honours the memory of all of the victims of the Holocaust. The inclusion of all the victim groups is integral to the commemoration, highlighting the consequences of intolerance.   The commemoration demonstrates the Irish Government’s commitment to the Declaration of Stockholm 2000 when the signatory countries undertook to commemorate the Holocaust and to teach about it every year.

Holocaust Memorial Day is organised under the auspices of Holocaust Education Trust Ireland in association with the Department of Justice and Equality, The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration and Dublin City Council.   It is attended by people from all walks of Irish life and society, and from a broad spectrum of political, religious, community and cultural institutions.

Holocaust survivors Tomi Reichantal and Suzi Diamond during the Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at the Mansion House in Dublin
The ceremony includes readings, survivors’ recollections, music and candle-lighting. Six candles are lit for the six million Jewish people who perished in the Holocaust as well as candles for all of the other victim groups.

More than 100 school students from all over Ireland attend the ceremony, some of them reading from the Scroll of Names an Irish memorial to cherished family members of people living in Ireland, who were murdered.
Commemorative booklets are produced by HETI for Holocaust Memorial Day each year. These reflect the ceremony, history and the Holocaust narrative and serve as an excellent resource for schools, students and researchers. It is possible to download any of the HMD booklets by visiting the HMD publications section.

Watch excerpts from Holocaust Memorial Day also at the HETI website.

*****************







Visit the website of the Yad Vashem -

"And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (a "yad vashem")... that shall not be cut off."

(Isaiah, chapter 56, verse 5)
As the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust, Yad Vashem safeguards the memory of the past and imparts its meaning for future generations. Established in 1953, as the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is today a dynamic and vital place of intergenerational and international encounter. For over half a century, Yad Vashem has been committed to four pillars of remembrance:

Munster Rally for Life - 27th February 2016 in Cork

 
Munster Rally for Life

The first ever Munster Rally for Life will take place in Cork on Saturday February 27th, assembling on The Grand Parade, Cork at 2pm.

The rally will be a celebration of life and will call for the continued protection of mothers and babies from abortion.

The Capuchins and the 1916 Rising


A documentary examining the role played by the Capuchins in the 1916 Rising will be broadcast on Monday next (25 January) on RTÉ One at 7.30pm. The documentary titled ‘Capuchins and Rebels’ will include dramatic reconstructions and contributions from the historians, Professor Diarmaid Ferriter (UCD), Dr Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh (NUIG), Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh and Fr. Bryan Shortall OFM Cap. and Fr. Kieran Shorten OFM Cap.

23 Jan 2016

March for Life Group Stranded in Storm, Prays Mass on Altar Made of Snow - UPDATED

Over at Aleteia the folks are tracking the journey home of the participants in the March for Life. Obviously with the snow storm that is blanketing the east coast of the USA some of the marchers have gotten caught but there are some amazing pictures of these youngsters:

 
Go check out the story with Deacon Greg and the amazing Facebook video of the celebration of Mass.
 
UPDATE - More photos here
 
 
UPDATE 3 - Couple of people have asked what was the song being sung in the video from the #TurnpikeMass
 
 



***************

But why do they march?



24th January 2016 - Lectio Divina - "Who leads the Church - Extracts from the Acts of the Apostle" - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

On this weeks programme John, Anne, Martina and Michael explore the book/guide published by Bishop Brendan Leahy on "Who leads the Church? - Extracts from the Acts of the Apostles". We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some local notices and other bits and pieces.
 
You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.
 
Lectio Divina - "Who leads the Church? - Extracts from the Acts of the Apostles"
 

John and the team work their way through a reflection taken from Bishop Leahy's recent book "Who leads the Church?" as an example of lectio divina as guided through the Acts of the Apostles following the steps set out in the guide as an example of lectio divina.

You can listen to the lectio section from the programme HERE.
  
For a freeccopy of Bishop Brendan's work you can get it here.

Find out more about the initiative for prayer and lectio divina on the Synod 2016 website HERE.
 
 
 
 


Gospel - Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21
 
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections
 
Liturgical Odds & Ends
 
Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 3, 3rd week in ordinary time
 
Saints of the Week
 
January 25th - Conversion of St Paul
January 26th - Ss Timothy & Titus
January 27th - St Angela Merici
January 28th - St Thomas Acquinas
January 29th - Saint Dallan Forghaill
January 30th - St Aidan of Ferns

Sinner & Pilgrim - A Synod Culture Event - REPOST


Peacach agus Oilithreach
(Sinner & Pilgrim)    
A Synod Culture Event  

This evening of culture will incorporate elements of poetry, music, Gaeilge and local history marking the tercentenary of the birth of Tadhg Gaelach Ó Suilleabháin. 
 
The poet Tadhg "Gaelach" O'Suilleabháin was born in Tournafulla in 1715. Most of his well-known poems were of a religious nature and he wrote these poems while he was living in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Tadhg also lived in East Cork for a while. From about 1760 on, his life changed and he became a pilgrim and it was at this time that Tadhg began to write his religious poems. He died in Waterford Cathedral in 1795 and after his death, the first edition of his poetry was published in Limerick.

The evening will be hosted by Neilus de Róiste.

The key note address will be given by Salvador Ryan with poetry readings by Canon Micheál Liston and music by a variety of local musicians. 
 
Iomainn á chanadh Gile mo Chroí do- chroí-se
Mo Ghrá-sa mo Dhia

Dr. Salvador Ryan is Professor of Ecclesiastical History in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth since 2008. Alongside Bishop Brendan Leahy he has co-edited two volumes of Treasures of Irish Christianity.

Date: Friday 29 January
Venue: Devon Inn Hotel
Time: 7.30p.m.

Céad fáilte roimh ghrástaibh mo Thiarna anois.

=========


2016 National Vigil for Life - Homily of Cardinal Timothy Dolan


 
Read Rocco's report over at Whispers in the Loggia here. 

"We shall not weary, we shall not rest"


The following address, described by Robert P. George as “the greatest pro-life speech ever given,” was delivered by Richard John Neuhaus at the close of the 2008 convention of the National Right to Life Committee. It is a call to action made for the USA but as much a call to arms for Irish people as well. Irish people may not have to battle to over turn Roe v Wade, but rather to defend the 8th Amendment to Bunreacht na hEireann
 
Once again this year, the National Right to Life convention is partly a reunion of veterans from battles past and partly a youth rally of those recruited for the battles to come. And that is just what it should be. The pro-life movement that began in the twentieth century laid the foundation for the pro-life movement of the twenty-first century. We have been at this a long time, and we are just getting started. All that has been and all that will be is prelude to, and anticipation of, an indomitable hope. All that has been and all that will be is premised upon the promise of Our Lord’s return in glory when, as we read in the Book of Revelation, “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be sorrow nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” And all things will be new.
 
That is the horizon of hope that, from generation to generation, sustains the great human rights cause of our time and all times¯the cause of life. We contend, and we contend relentlessly, for the dignity of the human person, of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God, destined from eternity for eternity¯every human person, no matter how weak or how strong, no matter how young or how old, no matter how productive or how burdensome, no matter how welcome or how inconvenient. Nobody is a nobody; nobody is unwanted. All are wanted by God, and therefore to be respected, protected, and cherished by us.
 
We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until every unborn child is protected in law and welcomed in life. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until all the elderly who have run life’s course are protected against despair and abandonment, protected by the rule of law and the bonds of love. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until every young woman is given the help she needs to recognize the problem of pregnancy as the gift of life. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, as we stand guard at the entrance gates and the exit gates of life, and at every step along way of life, bearing witness in word and deed to the dignity of the human person - of every human person.
 
Against the encroaching shadows of the culture of death, against forces commanding immense power and wealth, against the perverse doctrine that a woman’s dignity depends upon her right to destroy her child, against what St. Paul calls the principalities and powers of the present time, this convention renews our resolve that we shall not weary, we shall not rest, until the culture of life is reflected in the rule of law and lived in the law of love.