"Come and See" Vocation Weekend! 24th - 26th February 2012

Why not "Come and See"?
 

A “Come and See” vocation weekend is a no-strings-attached chance to spend time learning about the life of the Irish Capuchin Franciscans. The weekend will provide you with an opportunity to take time out, to reflect, to pray, to share the life of the friars and to talk with those who are already journeying as Capuchins. If you are a single Catholic man aged between 18 and 40 and are considering our way of life why not come for the weekend and see for yourself? 

For more information about the weekend, life as a Capuchin Franciscan friar, or to schedule a time to visit the Friary please contact Br. Terence Harrington on 086 323 0638, email: capuchinvocation@gmail.com or visit our webpage: www.irishcapuchinfranciscans.org

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18th - 25th January 2012

Change is at the heart of our Christian faith. Saint Paul said that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, and we are called to live as children in the light. 

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2012 comes to us from the churches in Poland, who have reflected upon their own experience as a nation, and in particular how, as a nation, they have been changed and transformed by the many upheavals of their history, and sustained by their faith.

Change is also at the heart of the ecumenical movement. When we pray for the unity of the church we are praying that the churches that we know and which are so familiar to us will change as they conform more closely to Christ. This is an exciting vision, but also a challenging one. Furthermore, when we pray for this transforming unity we are also praying for change in the world.

Resources for the week are available as downloads from here on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website.  

 

New Year Greetings from Zambia

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Happy New Year to you all!! I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia on the 29th of December to begin a four month mission experience. Over this time I will live, work and pray with the Brothers and people in Zambia. You can keep track of my progress on my blog http://capmexz.blogspot.com/ . As I come across material or experiences which may be useful to those discerning a vocation to our way of life, I will post it directly.

So I look forward to journeying with you and sharing some of my experiences over the next four months

Pax
Br Martin

Mary's Dream: A thought for Christmas

'I had a dream Joseph! I don't understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son.
The people in my dream had been preparing for about 6 weeks! They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They've gone shopping many times and bought lots of fancy gifts. It was strange though, because the presents weren't for our Son! They wrapped them in beautiful paper and put them under a tree covered in coloured lights. Yes Joseph they had a tree right in the middle of their homes!! They even had a figure of an Angel on top!
Everybody was laughing and happy. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, and not to our Son. To be honest, I don't think they even knew him. They never mentioned his name. I had the strangest feeling that, if Jesus had gone to this celebration, he would have been intruding. How sad for somebody not to be wanted at their own birthday party!!............. I am glad it was only a dream'

How will you prepare for Christmas?

Last weekend we were delighted to host and run a one day retreat for the CYC World Youth Day Group entitled 'Putting Christ back into Christmas'. It was a great day which included some input from Br's Martin and Liam, Workshops, an experience working in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, a visit to the Capuchin Mission Exhibition and Museum, Lectio Divina, Reflection Groups, Silent prayer and a candle lit Mass.

St. Francis of Assisi

explorefaith.org - St. Francis of Assisi

This is a great little piece written by a young man, who describes what St Francis means to him and how that has impacted his life, and in turn, can impact ours too.

For those called to follow Francis, we must develop and nurture a relationship with him. He was a real man: who, like us all, found things difficult at times but he was also somebody, who believed and trusted in the immense Goodness of God.

A lot of what is written in this article resonates with me and. by reading and meditating upon it, I pray it will resonate for you also.

Peace and Goodness to you all

Br Martin

Capuchin Franciscan Vocation Experience (Dublin 9th - 11th Dec 2011)

Peace be with you all!!

The Friars of Church Street Capuchin Friary will host a Capuchin Vocation Experience from Friday 9th Dec to Sun 11 Dec 2011. Over the course of the weekend you will experience the life of a Capuchin Friar by:

• Joining in our community prayer
• Joining us for our community meals
• Working with the poor in our homeless centre
• Learning about our mission work in our Mission Museum
• Meeting and sharing with the Friars
• Taking time for personal prayer, contemplation and reflection

If you feel called to follow in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi, working with the poor, living in Fraternity, as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, then this experience is one you won't want to miss.

If you could like to attend, email capuchinvocation@gmail.com or contact Br Terence on 0863230638