Explore A Way Vocations Discernment Programme 2012

It is with great pleasure that we support the Explore A Way Vocations Discernment Programme 2012.

This programme has been running for the past few years and is designed to support men and women who are discerning a vocation to Religious Life or Diocesan Priesthood.

Please follow the attached link for further details

Explore Away Discernment Programme 2012

Pax
Br Martin

Reminder: This is your invitation to.....

Capuchin Franciscan Vocation Weekends 2012

Experience life as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar!

 October 26^th – 28^th & December 7^th – 9^th

 Church St, Dublin 7

•           Live, pray and share meals with the Friars.
•          Experience working with the poor in our Day Centre for Homeless People.
•          Learn about our missionary work.
•          Take time for personal contemplation and prayer in our garden, oratory or Church.
•      Have an opportunity to meet and talk with a Friar about where God is calling you in life.

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These weekends are open to men from the ages of 18 – 40

If you feel called to attend one of these weekends or would like to arrange a visit to any of our Friaries, we would love to hear from you.

Contact: Br Terence Harrington OFM Cap, Vocations Direct
 E-Mail: tharr@eircom.net
Ph: 086 3230638

Visit our vocations pages

 Blogger: www.capfrans.blogspot.ie          Facebook: www.facebook.com/Irish-Capuchin-Franciscans                         Twitter:   www.twitter.com/capfrans

                                                                      http://www.capuchinfranciscans.ie/

World Homeless Day 2012..

Today, October 10th is designated as world homeless day. The last Irish census showed us that over 3,000 people were sleeping rough or in hostel accommodation on the 10th of April 2011. The survey gives us a snapshot of the homeless situation in the country stating that:

•  84% were unemployed,
• 294  homeless family units were accounted for
•  12% of the homeless population are children, aged 14 and under
• > 25% did not have education beyond primary level compared to 8% of the general population
• 42% had a disability of some kind and their overall standard of health was rated much lower than the general population. 

But statistics, though helpful, only tell one side of the story. They cannot account for the human impact of homelessness on individuals, families and society as a whole. In the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin, we encounter the human side of this tragic tale everyday. Over 700 meals are provided each day to people who have nothing and nowhere. 

St Francis took the radical step of embracing the Lepers who lived near Assisi. He re-orientated his life to facilitate them regaining their dignity as human beings. In many ways, sadly, our homeless can be considered the lepers of today. The call of a day like this is a call to awareness, it is a call to embrace the message of Justice and Peace that our Baptism calls us to, it calls us not to simply walk by, but to stop and embrace, in whatever way we can, those who cannot pay us back....to give and expect not return. It may just be a smile, a 'hello' or a few moments of your time. Each small act is a huge step towards restoring human dignity.

For more information on World Day of the Homesless visit www.worldhomelessday.org and for more information on the work of the Capuchin Day Centre please visit www.homeless.ie

Pax

Br Martin

Year of Faith 2012 - 2013

In three days time we begin the Year of Faith. This year has been designated to allow us to reignite the Spirit given to us at our Baptism, to reinvigorate our call to discipleship by deepening our understanding of and love for our Faith.

The attached link will prove a valuable resource as we journey together over the year. The website is packed with information, reflections and suggestions on how to fully enter into this time of Grace.

Click Here for the Year of Faith page

Our vocation as Christians has to be founded on faith and be sustained by faith. A faith centred on Christ, a faith that calls us to become fully human and fully alive. A faith that allows us to reach out to others and to go beyond the fears that hold us back from wholeheartedly following Christ, who came to give us 'life and life to the full' (John 10:10). We have been given a beautiful and precious gift, that of Faith, this year, if we open our hearts to it, can allow us to open that gift and fully appreciate it.


Let us consider the words of Mother Teresa,"The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace."
Pax and enjoy the journey!!
Br Martin

Happy Feast of St Francis!!!

Today we celebrate the Feast of our founder St Francis of Assisi. Though he lived over 800 years ago, his spirit is thriving in the world as much today as it was then. Francis was a man of Peace, of Justice, of Integrity. Somebody who stood for those who had no voice. He heard God's call and had the courage to respond wholeheartedly.

Franciscans are found on every Continent, dedicating their lives to bringing the Good News message of Jesus Christ to a World racked by division, violence, injustice and secularism. As Capuchin Franciscans we have a particular call above and beyond all this to Fraternity.....to making our world more Fraternal, to welcoming with open arms those who are not welcomed elsewhere, to hearing the cry of the poor and to responding to it, as Christ and Francis would have done.

If you feel a similar call to a heroic life spent in the service of Christ and his most vulnerable people, then take time to consider that Christ himself, may be asking you for come follow Him as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar.

Contact us for more information on our Order, way of life, service to the poor or if even if you would like to talk about how you feel God is calling you to service. Our vocation Director is Br Terence and he would love to hear from you. You can make contact by emailing tharr@eircom.net or phoning 086 3230638.

Peace and Goodness to you all on this great day and always

Br Martin