Sunday 21 April 2013

Who am I? Where am I?

The Gospel Acclamation for today, Good Shepherd Sunday, contains one of the great 'I AM' statements found in John's Gospel....'I AM the Good Shepherd'. Through these statements Jesus defines who He is and echoes the words spoken, by God, to Moses....I AM WHO I AM.

Asking such questions is often the first step in discovering what God is asking you to do....Like Jesus to the disciples..'Who do you say I AM?'

'Where AM I' is the first question our new vocations brochure asks.

 Where AM I? or Who AM I? has been the starting point of many vocation. It is a question which causes us to stop and pause, to evaluate and re-evaluate, to prioritise, reflect and ponder:


  • Is my life is the best one I could be living? 
  • Is it allowing me to grow to be fully human? 
  • Is it matching my core values? 
  • Is it making a difference?

If you feel the I AM that God is calling you to will find its expression by living a Gospel life of prayer and service to the poor in fraternity, then he may be asking you to come follow St Francis as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar.

If you feel we may be able to help you form your own 'I AM' statement, remember that the words 'Do not be afraid' appear exactly 365 times in scripture...a daily reminder that God is with you every step of the way.

Your journey to discover the answers to the questions you have always asked yourself begins today!!

Contact our Vocation Director, Br Terence, who is dedicated to helping you on your journey.
The full contact details are found on the right of this post.

Duc in Altum...cast out into the deep!!

Pax
Br Martin






Saturday 20 April 2013

Vocations Sunday 2013

Prayer is the most effective instrument of all in fostering vocations. Tomorrow, Vocations Sunday, please pray for vocations. Better still, keep vocations in your daily  prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support.
 
 

Saturday 13 April 2013

Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People on Nationwide




Peace!!

Recently the RTE Nationwide team visited the Day Centre to see how the Homeless of Dublin are being cared for.

Here is the link: Nationwide

The programme offers a great insight into life in the Homeless centre as part of our mission to the poor

I hope you enjoy it
Pax
Br Martin

Sunday 7 April 2013

Capuchin Day Centre: Sharing in Christ's Ministry to the Poor




The vocation to the Capuchin way of life is a vocation to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is a vocation of listening and being attentive to God within ourselves, our brothers , whom we live with in community and within the world: this is called contemplation.

It is also a vocation of active response to the needs of those, well, who need us to be there for them. The sick in hospital or at home, troubled teenagers in schools, the worried, lonely, anxious, depressed and, of course, the poor. This is our apostolic activity.

As Capuchin Franciscans we are known as Active / Contemplatives. Our prayer feeds and informs our activity and, in turn, our activity feeds and informs our prayer. Both prayer and activity are equal dimensions of the same vocation.

One of our most notable apostolic activities is the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin. Today it was featured in an article by the Sunday Independent and will give you a flavour of the wok done there and of our vocation to be 'Brothers of the Poor'.

In two weeks time (4th Sunday of Easter) we celebrate the day of prayer for vocations. We, like Pope Francis, ask for your prayers to sustain us in our life and work and we, in turn, pray for you all. We also pray, daily in each of our Friaries, that courageous men will respond generously to God's call to join in Christ's ministry as Capuchin Franciscan Friars.

I have attached today's article  Capuchin Day Centre Article 7th April 2013

Pax

Br Martin

Friday 5 April 2013

St. Francis and Pope Francis.

 
An interesting video for all admirers of St. Francis and Pope Francis. It's worth having a look at it. It takes only 6 mins. Enjoy. 
 (Br. Terence Harrington, OFM. Cap. Vocations Director.  Phone 086-3230638) 
 
 

Monday 1 April 2013

The Franciscan vocation.

"For as a mother loves and cherishes her child according to the flesh, how much more diligently should we cherish one who is our brother(sister) according to the spirit." (St. Francis of Assisi)
 
 
We, the Capuchins, are followers of St. Francis. We live in community; we pray, eat and work together. Other important values for us are: looking after the poor, the down-and-outs, and marginalised (Br. Kevin's Day Centre in Dublin) care of creation, justice and peacemaking.
Have you ever considered becoming a Franciscan? If you are interested feel free to contact me. My mobile number is: 086-3230638 and my email: tharr@eircom.net
Thank you for reading this and God bless.
Br. Terence Harrington.