http://www.amdg.ie Audio from the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:20:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 Audio from the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus Audio from the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus JCC no http://www.amdg.ie/2009/11/03/studies-role-in-shaping-modern-ireland/ http://www.amdg.ie/2009/11/03/studies-role-in-shaping-modern-ireland/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:08:53 +0000 Pat Coyle http://www.amdg.ie/?p=6648 http://www.amdg.ie/2009/11/03/studies-role-in-shaping-modern-ireland/feed/ Studies, the long established Jesuit Journal, was the subject of an interesting discussion on Andy OMahonys Off the Shelf programme on RTE Radio 1 , Sat 31 Oct 09.  The panel, economist Fionola Kennedy and historian Tom Garvin, were examining Bryan Fannings latest book The Quest for Modern Ireland: Battle of Ideas, 1912-86. There, the historian explores the intellectual debate that shaped 20th century Ireland as featured in journals such as Studies, The Bell, Christus Rex and The Crane Bag. He argues that after Independence these journals were engaged in a nation-building project with  education as the central concern. Studies, he argues, was to the fore in paving the way for a shift of focus on education that was cultural and religious to one with a more economic objective. Studies, the long established Jesuit Journal, was the subject of an interesting discussion on Andy OMahonys Off the Shelf programme on RTE Radio 1 , Sat 31 Oct 09.  The panel, economist Fionola Kennedy and historian Tom [...] http://www.amdg.ie/2009/09/13/creativity-daring-and-great-humility-for-the-frontiers/ http://www.amdg.ie/2009/09/13/creativity-daring-and-great-humility-for-the-frontiers/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:05:35 +0000 Pat Coyle http://www.amdg.ie/?p=5798 http://www.amdg.ie/2009/09/13/creativity-daring-and-great-humility-for-the-frontiers/feed/ Jesuit  mission today was the issue addressed by Fr Adolfo Nicolas SJ, when he spoke to his fellow Jesuits, their co-workers and colleagues, in Gonzaga College on Sat Sept 12th. In his introduction to the Jesuit Fr Generals talk, Irish Provincial John Dardis SJ told those gathered that there were unprecedented challenges facing the Irish Church today. But we all can make a difference if we respond to those challenges with creativity , discernment and courage. Fr Nicolas outlined some of the challenges such as rapid change in technology and communications, globalisation  and a rise in xenophobia, a pluralism that some choose to intepret as there being no absolutes, and a spreading decline in the influence of relgious belief . He spoke of  the profund transition that had been made in Ireland from poverty to plenty and now to potential austerity. All this, allied to the Ryan report and the pending Dublin report, meant that  the entire landscape of the church was changing. Evaluation and change must be done, he said and all of you are part of that. And the Gospel mercy and justice for the poor must be preached with renewed vigour and dynamism to people who are angry but also hungry. He then went on to outline four key elements of the Jesuit mission, the first being the univeral nature of the call. Jesuits and their co-workers are called to go where the need is greatest. He commended the Jesuits present who had spent many years on missionary work in Africa, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. He was happy that the Irish Province was continuing to send its young men on the missions. In this brief audio  extract, Fr General pays tribute to Irish Jesuits missionary activity, remarking that the Irish have always been great travellers. The second element was being at the frontiers, a term used by the 35th General Congregation and now being picked up by many religious. He  said the frontiers could be geographical or less obvious. They needed to be discerned and in his opinion demanded three important qualities: creativity, daring and great humility! He said that every Jesuit work, be it in justice, spirituality, education, or whatever, should ask the question, How are we at the frontiers? The third element was the pursuit of dialogue with different cultures and religions. He pointed out that this was something the present Pope  modelled in his visits to various countries. He spoke of the need to be sensitive to the nuance of the language that we use in such dialogue. Often people speak to each other using the same words which have very different meanings to each individual. Citing a story from his own life, Fr Adolfo recalled meeting a Japanese man who did not recognise him at first as a priest , because he was wearing a shirt and tie. After some time , when he realised he was talking to a Jesuit, he exclaimed ,But you dont really believe in God, do you?. Pausing before replying Fr Adolfo said,  Not the God you have in mind when youre asking that question! Finally he stressed the importance of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits. He said the founders principle of finding God in all things meant that Ignatian spirituality was a particularly suitable one for these times. It took people where they were at and brought them forward when they made the choices. He cited the Jesuit prayer site www.sacredspace.ie, created in Ireland, as an excellent example of this process, and he urged those present to think in a similaraly creative way about how to make the Exercises relevant and accessible to people in all walks of life. Theres no point expecting a mother with two children to go on an eight-day retreat! He urged all present, Jesuits and their non-Jesuit colleagues, to [...] Jesuit  mission today was the issue addressed by Fr Adolfo Nicolas SJ, when he spoke to his fellow Jesuits, their co-workers and colleagues, in Gonzaga College on Sat Sept 12th. In his introduction to the Jesuit Fr Generals [...] http://www.amdg.ie/2009/09/12/fr-generals-vampire-tales/ http://www.amdg.ie/2009/09/12/fr-generals-vampire-tales/#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:23:35 +0000 Pat Coyle http://www.amdg.ie/?p=5784 http://www.amdg.ie/2009/09/12/fr-generals-vampire-tales/feed/ Father Adolfo Nicolas SJ visited Gonzaga College Dublin on the morning of Saturday 12 September 2009 and was greeted by the headmaster Mr Kevin Whirdy, the Superior of the Gonzaga Jesuit Community Myles O Reilly SJ, and the Partners and Mission delegate Ms Deirdre Soffe. In the college, Fr Nicolas met with members of the Ignatian family and with the Directors of Chairs and boards.  He thanked them for their creativity and commitment, which he said was a source of energy for him in his own work. A few eyebrows were raised, however, when he declared that he was going back home to tell them that it never rains in Ireland! At coffee break he was introduced to students of the college who had recently returned from Zambia having worked on a volunteer programme there. In this brief extract, Fr General pays tribute to Irish Jesuits missionary activity, remarking that the Irish have always been great travellers. Father Adolfo Nicolas SJ visited Gonzaga College Dublin on the morning of Saturday 12 September 2009 and was greeted by the headmaster Mr Kevin Whirdy, the Superior of the Gonzaga Jesuit Community Myles O Reilly SJ, and the Partners and Mission [...] http://www.amdg.ie/2009/08/25/return-of-the-lisbon-treaty/ http://www.amdg.ie/2009/08/25/return-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:40:36 +0000 dermot http://www.amdg.ie/?p=5455 http://www.amdg.ie/2009/08/25/return-of-the-lisbon-treaty/feed/ In the first of a series of podcasts, Edmond Grace SJ argues earnestly that the Irish ought to vote Yes to Lisbon in the upcoming referendum. To vote against the treaty, in Edmonds assessment, would be to have recourse to a narrow isolationism that sends out the wrong message to our European neighbours: We cannot trust you, we cannot trust your governments, and we want you to leave us alone. Every nation stumbles into history half-formed, he says, and already bound up with the stories of its neighbours. The Irish can do much more good by contributing to the welfare of fellow-European nations than by separating itself from them. Click on the ‘Read more’ for a link to the audio file. Edmond Grace on the Lisbon referendum In the first of a series of podcasts, Edmond Grace SJ argues earnestly that the Irish ought to vote Yes to Lisbon in the upcoming referendum. To vote against the treaty, in Edmonds assessment, would be to have recourse to a narrow [...] http://www.amdg.ie/2009/05/13/traditions-meet/ http://www.amdg.ie/2009/05/13/traditions-meet/#comments Wed, 13 May 2009 10:15:49 +0000 Piaras Jackson http://www.amdg.ie/?p=4525 http://www.amdg.ie/2009/05/13/traditions-meet/feed/ Tuesday 12 May, at 7.30 p.m. in Gardiner Street Ignatian Room, Bertie Ahern TD launched Todd Morrissey’s new book: Where two traditions meet: John Sullivan SJ. Donal Neary SJ welcomes those present. Conor Harper SJ introduces the event. Bertie Ahern TD launches Todd Morrissey’s book, Where two traditions meet: John Sullivan SJ John Dardis SJ speaks about the book The author, Todd Morrissey SJ, speaks about Where two traditions meet: John Sullivan SJ Conor Harper SJ concludes the launch of Where two traditions meet: John Sullivan SJ [Show as slideshow] 12 Tuesday 12 May, at 7.30 p.m. in Gardiner Street Ignatian Room, Bertie Ahern TD launched Todd Morrissey’s new book: Where two traditions meet: John Sullivan SJ. Donal Neary SJ welcomes those present. Conor Harper SJ introduces the event. [...]