The Blogging Brother

Happy St Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T01:39:00.000-08:00

Today, 14th February, is of course St Valentine's Day.

But who was St Valentine? There are some conflicting accounts but we know he existed and his remains have been identified in the catacombs of Rome. This feastday has been celebrated for 15 centuries!

Three things you need to know:
1. He was a Catholic priest.
2. He was arrested for tending to the needs of the persecuted Christians of Rome.
3. He was executed for refusing to renounce the Catholic faith during the persecution of Roman Emperor Claudius.

For anyone who is discerning a vocation, then there is an obvious resonance here.

For a start St Valentine answered the call to serve by embracing a religious vocation. Secondly, he served those in need and risked his own life to do so. Finally, he refused to deny his faith and has since been remembered as an icon of love.

It's ironic that at a time when celibacy and chaste love are dismissed, the day on which the world celebrates love is in fact a day in honour of a priest who died for his faith!

A New Blogging Brother

2012-02-13T01:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
As you know Brother Ray who was the original "Blogging Brother" has been working as chaplain at Presentation College Bray for the last few months. I’ve now moved into the role of vocations director for the Presentation Brothers in Ireland and England so that means that I will be the new “Blogging Brother”! I’ll try to post regularly, I promise! My hope is that the blog will give folk an idea of what the life and vocation of a religious brother involves. I'll also try to post some discernment advice and tips. Naturally, anyone who wants to get in touch with me can reach me at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

Here’s some information about me to kick-off:
I was born in the parish of Allihies on the Beara peninsula in the county of Cork and in the diocese of Kerry. I went to primary school there before attending secondary school with the Presentation Brothers in Cork city.
I did my degree in Arts (history and Irish) in University College Cork and then went on to study spirituality in Dublin.
I always had an interest in working with young people and from an early age I felt a call to religious life. The Presentation Brothers whom I had met in school really inspired me and I felt that I had a vocation to religious brotherhood.
I’ve worked in several ministries since I made my final profession. Here are some of the highlights:
• The Give a Year to God programme in Cork city – a programme where men interested in discerning their vocation came to live for a year with the Brothers.
• Serving as a teacher and principal at Presentation College Bray and Presentation Brothers College, Cork.
• Working for twelve years in Ghana, including six years as the Province Leader for the West Africa Province.
In addition to working now as vocations director, I’m also a member of the Congregation Leadership Team (CLT). The team consists of five brothers, elected at our chapter in 2011, who have responsibility for steering our congregation for the next six years.
It’s not all work - I love to relax by hill walking and listening to classical music. And I’m an Arsenal fan too.
I really enjoy being a Presentation Brother. It is a rich and a rewarding life. Yes, it has its challenges too – but that’s true of every way of life.
I hope and pray that God will gift me with many more years of life as a Presentation Brother!

Just ask Eli...

2012-01-15T00:47:00.000-08:00

Here's a nice little cartoon illustrating today's very-vocation-relevant gospel.

Notice that Samuel was being called but did not know who it was that was calling him. That's a very common experience for men and women wondering if they are being called to religious life.

When people ask to meet me for a chat I often notice that they are often feeling confused. Here are two sound pieces of advice if you recognise yourself in this description: (i) pray about what you are experiencing and (ii) talk to Eli!

I'm Eli for the Presentation Brothers - an older character with a bit of experience in this line! Feel free to shoot me an email at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org if you have any questions or want to meet for a coffee. That's what I'm here for!

"Here I am Lord, I come to do your will"

Blessings for 2012!

2011-12-31T14:35:00.001-08:00

Wishing you and your loved ones every blessing for 2012!

For those discerning a vocation may the year to come be a time of decision and peace.

Feel free to contact me for an informal chat at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

A bit of a change....

2011-12-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone and, firstly, my apologies for not posting an update for some time.

In September I was asked to take on a new assignment - chaplain at Presentation College Bray. Needless to say, that is taking up most of my time now.

In the Presentation Brothers, we have always prioritised vocations ministry. We passionately believe that the Lord is calling men to be religious brothers today. We also feel that our congregation and its charism provides a valid and exciting way of living that call today. In order to do vocations ministry justice, I'm handing over the reigns to Br Anthony O'Sullivan. Br Anthony is based in Cork and will be free to travel around Ireland and England meeting men interested in furthering their discernment.

You can still follow my work by keeping an eye on our congregation website, www.PresentationBrothers.org, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and checking out our YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/PresentationBrothers

Working as a vocations director in Ireland over the past three years has been interesting, to put it mildly. But I can honestly say that it's been among the most rewarding and blessed periods of my life.

Thanks to you all for reading the blog, for your comments and your prayers.

If you want to give me a farewell gift then please encourage a friend to consider the vocation of a Presentation Brother.

God reward you all!

A Garden View

2011-10-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

How does your garden grow?

Br Majella was busy with his camera lately and he took some nice shots of the garden of the Brothers House here in Dublin. Br Eunan gets the credit for keeping it neat and tidy.

You can see all the pics on our Facebook page

12 Months Later

2011-09-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

It's hard to think that a year has passed since those magical days when our Holy Father came to visit the faithful in Britain. I was there! Here are some highlights from Day One...

Come, follow me...

2011-09-01T09:58:00.001-07:00

"Come, follow me..."

To conclude this little meditation on the Sunday readings of August 28th I want to focus on the Gospel that we heard that day. It was from St Matthew.

Christ outlines in very clear and startling terms what is demanded of his followers. And, as before, I'll let the words speak for themselves...

"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.What then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life?"

Advice from St Paul

2011-09-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

St Paul

I mentioned earlier in the week that last Sunday's Mass Readings were very rich with advice for a discerner.

Take a look at the Second Reading, from St Paul to the Romans. Again, it speaks for itself:

"Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do."

When discerners ask me how they can know the will of God, I often point them to this passage. St Paul's advice is to put on a "new mind". That new mind is in imitation of Christ. This is a big aid to those who are discerning. The more one lives the Christian life, the more the will of God should be easier to discern. And, of course, one cannot begin to think of religious life until one is already living the Christian life...

Jeremiah on Vocations

2011-08-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

The Prophet Jeremiah

As I listened to last Sunday's Mass readings and Gospel I wondered if they had been written especially for discerners!

The words speak for themselves. Take a look at the First Reading from the prophet Jeremiah which I think might be of help to anyone who is intimidated by the challenge of being a Christian in a hostile environment or who has been trying to put the idea of a vocation out of their heads...

"You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me.

I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion."

World Youth Day success...

2011-08-23T02:28:00.000-07:00

An aerial view of the 1.5 million who turned out for the closing Mass of World Youth Day in Madrid.

The 26th World Youth Day has come to an end. What a great success it turned out to be.

There are some lovely video clips of the ceremonies available via our Congregation homepage. Take a look here. If you have the time, take a look at some of Pope Benedict's addresses too. Always well worth reading.

World Youth Day begins

2011-08-16T04:33:00.000-07:00

The 26th World Youth Day opens in Madrid this evening.

Many people will tell you that they heard more clearly the voice of Christ calling them to religious life during a World Youth Day.

Let us pray that God will bless the young people gathering in Madrid, their supervisors, the organisers and our Holy Father who will arrive on Thursday.

You can listen to the World Youth Day hymn, "Firm in the Faith", below....

Vision 2012 Discernment Guide

2011-08-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

The front cover of Vision 2012

I received in the post today Vision 2012 - the Discernment Guide published by the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC) in America. This publication comes out every year and is circulated across the USA and other countries. In this year's issues there is an article I wrote about my call to religious life. As I re-read it this morning, one line stood out:

"After two decades as a brother I can honestly say that this is a life of potential and promise, of excitement and adventure".

I would recommend any person discerning a vocation to get a copy and reflect on the stories of the contributors and their decision to answer the call to follow Christ. You can see the magazine here.

What is our vocation?

2011-08-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

Mary's Assumption by Rubens

The past few days have been a reminder to me of what a true vocation is all about.

I attended the funeral mass of a husband and wife who died 48 hours apart. They were devoted to each other and their family for over 50 years - it was a true vocation. Their calling was to be a married couple. May they rest in peace.

We are all called to a vocation in life (be it married, religious/priesthood or single), but we must listen to the call of God and try to be true to it.

Vocation is a calling and we should answer this call just as the Virgin Mary did when the Angel appeared to her and told her that she would be the Mother of Jesus. How many of us listen with an open mind, an open heart and an open will to this call and follow Mary's example?

I will celebrate 24 years in religious life on the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption, and I want to thank God and His Blessed Mother for giving me the strength and courage to continue with my vocation.

Our Lady of the Presentation, pray for us.

First Professions in Dublin!

2011-07-28T05:02:00.000-07:00

Br Cletus kneels as he makes his first profession of vows

We had a great celebration in Dublin recently when three young men made their First Profession at the end of our Congregation Chapter at the Emmaus Retreat and Conference Centre in Swords.

Br Andrew Saul (Our Lady of the Americas Province), Br Cletus Gubil (West Africa Province) and Br Philip Tengan (West Africa Province) had completed their novitiate and were ready to make a one year commitment to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Needless to say it was a joyful occasion and it was wonderful to see these three young men take the next step on their vocation journey.

You can see some photos from the event on our congregation website

A time to pause...

2011-07-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting very much lately.

My father went to his Eternal Reward recently. After the initial shock and deep sadness at losing a parent there has been plenty of work at home over the last few weeks.

I ask you to keep me in the prayers and pray for the happy repose of my dad, Raymond.

Talk soon.

InVocation 2011

2011-06-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

This weekend hundreds of young adults will gather at Oscott College in Birmingham for the second annual InVocation discernment festival.

Our Communications Director, Andrew O'Connell, will be speaking there.

Let's keep all the young people who attend in our prayers. Let's pray that the experiences and prayers of the weekend will make their path clearer and their decision easier.

You can read all about it on the official website.

Who are you becoming...?

2011-06-01T06:47:00.001-07:00

This clip portrays pretty well what many discerners experience as they struggle to figure out what it is that God is calling them to do with their lives.
I'll return to it again over the next few days but for now just take a look...

May - the month of Mary...

2011-05-31T01:59:00.000-07:00

The month of May has traditionally been a time of special devotion to the Mother of God. We, Presentation Brothers, are named after the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.

Here is a beautiful hymn to Mary that I came across and thought I'd share with you on this the last day of Mary's month.

Let's seek her intercession for all those who are discerning their vocation. Let today's young men and women echo her words, "Be it done unto me according to thy Word".

World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Supporting Discerners

2011-05-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

Come, Follow Me...

The theme for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations which took place yesterday was fostering vocations in the local Church.

There is a challenge there for all of us to make sure that we are supporting and encouraging those who feel called to religious life.

I'll let the words of the Pope speak for themselves on the matter:

"Particularly in these times, when the voice of the Lord seems to be drowned out by “other voices” and his invitation to follow him by the gift of one’s own life may seem too difficult, every Christian community, every member of the Church, needs consciously to feel responsibility for promoting vocations. It is important to encourage and support those who show clear signs of a call to priestly life and religious consecration, and to enable them to feel the warmth of the whole community as they respond “yes” to God and the Church."

-Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2011.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Practical Advice

2011-05-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

Come, Follow Me...

Following Christ has always been challenging.

Pope Benedict, in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, offers the following advice:

"It is no less challenging to follow Christ today. It means learning to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus, growing close to him, listening to his word and encountering him in the sacraments; it means learning to conform our will to his."

What does this mean in practical terms for the one who is discerning a vocation to religious life? Well, it means making an effort to attend Mass as often as possible, ideally daily.
It means setting aside time to read, meditate and pray with Scripture .
It means time in silent prayer trying to discern the will of the Father.
All of this is not easy.

That’s why it’s important to have someone to accompany you on the journey. That’s why I’m happy to meet any man who is interested in religious life. The first meeting is over coffee and is very informal.

Just contact me at vocation@presentationbrothers.org

World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Prayer

2011-05-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

" Come, follow me..."

This Sunday, May 15th, is the annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Pope Benedict's message to mark the Day of Prayer contains some good advice for those discerning a vocation and for the wider Christian community.

Over the next few days I'll post some thoughts here arising from the Pope's letter.

1. The importance of prayer.

The Pope notes that Christ spent a night in prayer before he called the first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. He says that Our Lord spent this time in "interior detachment from mundane concerns".

It's difficult to make any decision in life if you are surrounded by noise and distraction. Indeed, it can be easy to put off making a decision in these circumstances.

For this reason, every few months, I organise "Time Out" vocations weekends for men who would like to leave aside their "mundane concerns" for a few days and reflect deeply on what God might be calling them to do with their lives. If you'd like information on the next one, shoot me an email at vocation@presentationbrothers.org

Blessed Edmund Mass

2011-05-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

The sanctuary in St Joseph's Parish Church in Glasthule

There was a great turnout for the annual Blessed Edmund Rice Mass in St Joseph's Parish Church in Glasthule last week.

Pastor Emeritus, Fr Brian O'Sullivan was the Celebrant at the Mass which also included a blessing with a first-class relic of Blessed Edmund Rice.

Afterwards, the doors of the Brothers' House were thrown open to welcome the congregation for light refreshments.

Some of the volunteers who prepared the refreshments

Yours truly during the Mass

Some members of the Family Mass Group

Friends and Associates of the Brothers

Brother Majella (left) presents the relic of Blessed Edmund for Veneration

Glasthule's Senior Choir during the Mass

Some of the large attendance in the Brothers' house afterwards

Enjoying the refreshments afterwards

Deep in conversation...

Catching up in the Brothers' house after Mass

More of the large attendance

Happy Feast Day!

2011-05-05T02:29:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all! Today, 5th May, is the feast of Blessed Edmund Rice, our Founder. I want to wish you all every blessing on this special day.

Edmund was a man with a vision for his time but it is also for our time. Our values and norms are often focused on ourselves and not on those on the margins. We must be willing to put Christ back in our lives and follow both Him and Edmund so that we can be a beacon of light to the world around us- to our communities, our parishes, our families and our society.

Let us focus today on the man called Blessed Edmund and see what we can do in the 21st century that would inspire more men to join us and continue the mission of Blessed Edmund.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T02:38:00.000-07:00

A brief reflection on the joy of Easter.

Something for Holy Saturday

2011-04-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

Something for this unusual day...

A Reflection for Good Friday

2011-04-22T02:44:00.000-07:00

Cardinal Justin Rigali offers a brief reflection on Good Friday...

Holy Week...an overview

2011-04-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

A nice, short overview of Holy Week...Have a look.

Preparing for Holy Week

2011-04-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is Palm Sunday...

Lent is about to move into its most intense phase.

Holy Week can be a very spiritually fruitful period for someone discerning a religious vocation.

I encourage you to make plans now to follow the different ceremonies and to set time aside for private prayer and reflection.

Unite yourself with Christ in the days ahead.

We begin in a few days time with Palm Sunday.

A Brother's Work is Never Done...

2011-03-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

Doing a job I never did before...

The Presentation Brothers here in Dublin are very involved in our local parish, St Joseph's Glasthule.

Br Majella helps out in the sacristy and I assist at weekends with the family mass group. All of the Brothers in our community attend mass daily in the church.

At the moment, I'm helping out with preparations for a little party scheduled for the end of Lent for the children of the parish. Today that involved painting strips of paper onto balloons...don't ask...

All I know is that these are the very small ways that as a Brother I help other people. Sometimes trivial tasks like these slow us down a little and help us to reflect on the idea of service- of giving our time for others in small ways.

Giving our time to others in small ways is a big part of being a Brother.

Lent begins...

2011-03-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this video with a reflection for the beginning of Lent.

It's hard to believe that Lent is here again. It's late this year. We almost got used of a springtime without fasting and prayer.

The Church here in Glasthule was packed this morning as people attended Mass to receive their ashes.

"Repent and believe the Good News" - there's a challenge for all of us.

I'm not sure yet what my own Lenten resolution will be. But I think it will involve a renewed focus on prayer. Life is just so busy nowadays that time and space for prayer can too easily be forgotten.

Speaking of prayer- please keep in mind a few men I am in touch with who are currently at the early stage of discerning a religious vocation.

And don't forget to pray for those of us who journey with them.

Happy Lent!

Vocations Information Days

2011-02-23T05:02:00.000-08:00

Have you been thinking about a religious vocation?

Do you have 101 questions to ask?

We, the Presentation Brothers, are holding an Information Day for men aged 18-40 in Dublin on Saturday 5th March 2011 and in Cork on Saturday 12th March 2011. It's an opportunity to meet a Brother and ask questions about what is involved in becoming a member of a religious order.

The Information day begins at 11am and finishes after lunch at about 2.30pm. The event is free of charge and is without obligation.

A free Vocations Information Pack will also be given to those who attend.

Most of the men I meet in my role as vocations director have been thinking about a religious vocation for some time but often the information they need is not readily available. That is the purpose of this day- to provide some advice and support to any man who would like to do something worthwhile with his life and has considered a religious vocation.

For full information, please contact me, Brother Ray Dwyer, at 01-2300824 or email prescall@eircom.net

Don't forget to follow the Presentation Brothers on Facebook.

F.I.T in Church!

2011-02-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

Members of the F.I.T group at a recent meeting.

What supports exist for men and women who are in formation with a religious congregation?

A group of religious women and men have decided to provide that support themselves and have been meeting regularly here in Dublin for the past while.

The group meets to share their experiences, their hopes, struggles and enthusiasm as they journey through their formation process.

Their new blog, Formation, Information, Transformation (F.I.T in Church) contains an impressively worded mission statement:

"Motivated by faith in Christ and the attractiveness of His call we journey in solidarity with each other. For the people of our time this is a radical counter-cultural witness moving from self-centeredness to self-giving, and from self-gratification to self-emptying. Young people are as generous today as in the past in giving their lives to God in the service of others. This life consists not only in a total dedication to prayer but also to an active service of their fellow men and women. Grounded in Christ our self-giving becomes more than a humanitarian outreach, but rather a sharing in the redemptive work of Christ the Redeemer."

Keep an eye on their blog!

F.I.T in Church!

Graduation in Hull

2011-02-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

After the graduation in Hull

I'm just back from a few days in England. I graduated with a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Hull. For the past few years I've been studying part time for this degree and needless to say I'm delighted to have graduated. While the degree is awarded by Hull University, my lectures took place at Presentation Brothers, Mardyke House in Cork city and were run by CLEO.

CLEO stands for Christian Leadership in Education Office and was founded by Presentation Brother, Br. Matthew Feheney. Its courses have been attended by dozens of teachers from all over the Munster region over the years.
Even though my recent studies have been in the area of education my original training was in social care. It's an example of how life as a Brother takes many different twists and turns!

If the life of the Presentation Brothers interests you, just get in touch - prescall@eircom.net

Still time for resolutions...

2011-01-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

Taking down the tree in Glasthule parish church...

I was taking down the Christmas tree in St Joseph's Parish Church here in Glasthule recently and it made me cast my mind back to the day it went up last December. Christmas always seems to fly past.

Now, here we are well into a New Year. I suspect many people who made New Year Resolutions are already probably starting to falter!

I've always thought that it's safer to make your resolution after you've given yourself a chance to settle into the New Year!

On that note, maybe now's the time for you to consider thinking more deeply about your vocation in life.

What is it that you think God might be calling you to do with your gifts and talents?

What good could you do in serving God and other people?

Big questions.

Why not resolve to giving yourself some time to considering these in the next few weeks and months. As always, if I can be of any help, feel free to get in touch at prescall@eircom.net

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

A Happy and Blessed New Year to you all!

This is the time of year for a fresh start- for New Year Resolutions. If you've been thinking about a vocation to religious life why not make a determined effort to explore your vocation seriously in the weeks ahead. If you would like any discernment advice just get in touch at prescall@eircom.net

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T03:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Just a few words to wish you and your families a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Have a good rest over the next few days and may you experience something of the joy of this season.

I will remember in prayer all of you are discerning your vocation in life.

Best wishes,

Br Ray.

Come, Lord Jesus

2010-12-07T06:41:00.000-08:00

This is a special time of year. It's about waiting and preparing. Advent demands patience. It is natural that we would wish the celebration of Christmas to come quickly but there is great wisdom in the idea of a period of repentance and readying.

There is a parallel here with the discernment of a vocation. I sometimes meet men who would like to enter religious life "in the morning". However, it can never be that simple. A process of slow and careful discernment is essential.

If you've ever considered religious life why not make it an Advent Resolution to begin discerning. Just get in touch with me at prescall@eircom.net

"In this Advent Season we shall be granted once again to experience the closeness of the One who created the world, who guides history and who cared for us to the point of deigning to become a man.

This great and fascinating mystery of the God-with-us, indeed, of the God who becomes one of us, is what we shall celebrate in the coming weeks journeying towards holy Christmas."

Pope Benedict XVI, First Vespers of Advent 2010.

To School Again...

2010-11-29T04:46:00.000-08:00

Visiting schools is an important part of my work.

As the month of November draws to a close I get a chance to reflect upon what has been a busy few weeks.

In the lead up to our feastday, Presentation Day, I did a tour of the eight schools in the Presentation Brothers Schools Trust (PBST). There are five secondary schools: Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Coláiste Chríost Rí, Coláiste Muire in Cobh and Presentation College Bray.

There are three primary schools: Scoil Chriost Rí, Greenmount N.S. and St Joseph's on the Mardyke.

I spoke to the sixth class pupils in the primary schools and to the first year students in the secondary schools.

I got a great reception in each school and I'm very grateful to both the teachers and the students for the welcome

Answering questions in the hall in Coláiste Muire, Cobh.

With (left to right): Ms O'Brien, Mr McCarthy (principal) and Ms Cleary.

The sign says it all

Pres Day Mass in Glasthule

2010-11-23T02:44:00.000-08:00

Some of the turnout for Mass in Glasthule last night.

A large crowd turned out for Mass last night in St Joseph's Parish Centre in Glasthule to mark the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr Denis Kennedy, CSSp, celebrated the Mass with Fr Billy Farrell and Fr Brian O'Sullivan. He reminded the congregation about the humility of Mary, Mother of God and that this ought to be a model for us all.

Here are some photos from the event...

Father Kennedy, Farrell and O'Sullivan celebrate Mass.

Brother Joseph Mukasa with Lisa Murphy, Presentation Associate

Trish Madden at St Joseph's Parish Centre

Our great helpers take a break - Ann, Hilliary and Anne.

Liam (left) and Peter enjoying a cup of tea afterwards

Some of the crowd in the Pastoral Centre after Mass

Ellen Moiselle, Presentation Associate, helps out in the kitchen

Br Joseph Mukasa (left) with Br Colm Griffey, CFC.

Karl Goulding reads a Prayer of the Faithful

Sheila McLoughlin reads a Prayer of the Faithful

Some of the congregation at Mass on Monday evening in Glasthule

Happy Pres Day!

2010-11-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Today, November 21st, is the Memorial of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. It's a day when we Presentation Brothers give thanks to God for the gift of our vocation as Presentation Brothers.

It's a special day in our community here in Glasthule as we come together to pray and to celebrate.

Tomorrow night we will have a special Mass in the parish so that we can share our joy with our neighbours and friends.

Vocations Ireland AGM

2010-11-12T07:04:00.000-08:00

At the Vocations Ireland stand in the RDS recently

I am a member of the National Executive of Vocations Ireland. We had our AGM last weekend in Dublin. It was one of the biggest turnouts in recent years perhaps reflecting a renewed enthusiasm for vocations promotion.

Vocations Ireland is the umbrella organisation for the vocations directors for Ireland's religious congregations. The Presentation Brothers is a member of Vocations Ireland. Check out the Vocations Ireland website for more information.

In November we remember...

2010-11-04T10:36:00.001-07:00

The month of November is that time of the year when we call to mind in prayer our beloved dead. It's also a time when we remember the example of the saints. We are all called to be saints. That's an exciting challenge!

It's a custom in Ireland to abstain from alcohol and/or cigarettes during the month of November also. Fasting and sacrifice help us to focus our mind on prayer. I've given up cigarettes. And, yes, it's tough!

As we spend this month recalling the example of people of faith who went before us, spare a thought for your future too.

Would life as a religious help you to be the saint that you are called to be?

Don't forget that we have a vocations weekend in Dublin on Saturday and Sunday, 27th and 28th November 2010. For more information, send me an e-mail prescall@eircom.net or visit www.PresentationBrothers.org

Time Out!

2010-10-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Does the idea of a religious vocation interest you?

Have you ever thought of life as a religious brother?

I'm organising a weekend of reflection and information in Dublin for men who would like to take some 'Time Out' and spend some time praying and talking about these questions.

For full information take a look at our information page on the Congregation Website.

If you have any questions or would like to reserve a place, just send me an email at prescall@eircom.net

Honouring Toddy O'Sullivan

2010-10-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

With the Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr Mick O'Connell and Mr Toddy O'Sullivan.

I was home in Cork last Friday night for a reception to honour former Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr Toddy O'Sullivan.

It was a great Cork occasion as family, friends and colleagues of Toddy gathered with the Brothers at Mount St Joseph.

Br Andrew Hickey, my predecessor as Vocations Director, entertains the gathering.

Ploughing Ahead...

2010-10-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

With some of the young folk that visited our tent in Athy

Hard to think that a year has passed since I attended the National Ploughing Championship in Athy in County Kildare. That was my first public event after my appointment as vocations director.

I was back again this year at the Vocations Ireland tent to promote religious vocations. Tens of thousands of people attended the Championship again this year and it was wonderful to meet so many supportive people.

Roll on next year!

Back from England and down to earth...

2010-09-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

The tricolour flies high over our group in Hyde Park

I've just returned from a break in England which coincided with the Papal Visit. I went to see the Holy Father in Hyde Park along with 85,000 others! It was an incredible occasion. We waited for almost four hours before he arrived but everyone was good humoured and patient.

During the vigil itself, the atmosphere of prayer was remarkable. During Benediction, you could hear a pin drop. It was a very moving liturgy.

Pope Benedict had some words of support for young people including an appeal for vocations:

"Dear young friends: only Jesus knows what “definite service” he has in mind for you. Be open to his voice resounding in the depths of your heart: even now his heart is speaking to your heart. Christ has need of families to remind the world of the dignity of human love and the beauty of family life. He needs men and women who devote their lives to the noble task of education, tending the young and forming them in the ways of the Gospel. He needs those who will consecrate their lives to the pursuit of perfect charity, following him in chastity, poverty and obedience, and serving him in the least of our brothers and sisters. "

The Pope's visit is now widely regarded as a huge success. You can see video of the the Hyde Park Vigil on the wonderful website http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/

With David in Hyde Park

Spot the Irish...with Andrew in Hyde Park

New Vocations in Ghana!

2010-09-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Harvest is Rich! Brothers Solomon, David and Valerius at work preparing for the new postulants in Navrongo in Ghana.

Our Congregation is growing! There are plenty of vocations to the Presentation Brothers in Ghana and Nigeria. Br Valerius Sandow has reported some good news on the vocations front from Navrongo in northern Ghana this week.

Seven new postulants will arrive in the community in the coming weeks and six of our existing postulants are to proceed to novitiate.

It's another sign that God continues to call!

If you live in England or Ireland I would be happy to supply you with more information about our lives as Presentation Brothers. Contact me at prescall@eircom.net

Summer Festival in Clonmacnois

2010-08-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Some of the huge turnout in Clonmacnois in the main marquee

I'm back in Dublin again after a super few days at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival at Clonmacnois.

The event was run brilliantly and was attended by over 1,200 young people. It was great to see that well over half were there for the first time.

At the final Mass on Sunday, those who were thinking of a religious vocation were asked to stand. A great number stood up. Let's keep those young men and women in our prayers. If any of you are interested in a chat about life as a religious, feel free to give me a shout at prescall@eircom.net

Here are some photos from the experience...

A view of the iconic round tower at Clonmacnois

I'm happy clappy...

The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the main marquee

With Catriona after the Closing Mass

Young people gather for the healing service on Saturday night

England Prepares for the Pope

2010-08-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Pope Benedict XVI will visit the United Kingdom from Thursday 16th September to Sunday 19th September 2010.

I'm in Reading at the moment and will be back in Ireland at the end of the week for the Youth 2000 Youth Festival at Clonmacnois. While I've been here I've noticed that the parishes and the people are making preparations for the visit of our Holy Father in September.

The official website for the visit has plenty of material including the official programme for the Pope's tour which begins in Scotland on September 16th. The Pope will spend Friday 17th and Saturday 18th September in London and will bring the visit to a climax on Sunday 19th September in Birmingham.

Gone to the Dogs...

2010-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

With Kathleen and Kevin at Shelbourne Park

One of the signs of hope of recent years has been the increase in popularity of groups like Youth 2000. In August they will host their annual youth festival at Clonmacnois - beside the ruins of an ancient Irish monastery on the banks of the river Shannon.

They held a fundraiser at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Track in Dublin recently. As they say, "a great night was had by all"!

Taking tips from the Dominicans! With Fr John Harris (left) and Fr Brian McEvitt (right).

Religion Making a Comeback?

2010-07-20T02:26:00.000-07:00

With Mr David Quinn, Director of the Iona Institute, after the talk.

As a vocations director, it's important for me to keep up to speed on any new research which helps me to understand the culture and society better. Recently, The Iona Institute for Religion and Society organised a public talk called "Why religion will make a comeback" here in Dublin. The speaker was Dr Eric Kaufmann, lecturer in politics and sociology at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Popular wisdom proposes that the West will become more secular and liberal in the years ahead and that religion will be driven to extinction. However, his findings show that religion is far more robust than many secular thinkers ever predicted. The fact that religious believers have higher birth rates indicate that they will have a strong influence on the composition of Western populations in the decades ahead.

Dr Kaufmann is the author of the book, "Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?"

I bought a copy on the night. That was the easy part. Trying to find the time to read it is proving more difficult!

Invocation 2010

2010-07-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

With some friends in the "Chill Out Tent"

I'm in England at the moment after spending a super weekend at the first ever national vocation discernment festival at Oscott College in Birmingham, Invocation 2010. As many as 400 people attended.

It was a very busy weekend with talks, workshops, presentations and, above all, prayer. I participated in the Questions and Answers workshop.

The large gathering in the main tent for a keynote presentation.

I wish more people had a chance to see so many young people discerning a religious vocation. It was very encouraging.

If you have ever thought of a religious vocation feel free to give me a shout at prescall@eircom.net

With the Sisters of St Paul at our display.

Rewarding Faithful Service

2010-07-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

Even though I'm the vocations director for the Presentation Brothers I also have other jobs. One of these is to act as the Chairman of the Board of Management of Greenmount National School in Cork city.

This week I travelled to Cork to join in honouring Mrs Anna Herick, Deputy Principal, who is retiring.

The Presentation Brothers have traditionally been associated with education and that tradition continues today due to the commitment and professionalism of people like Anna.

Happy retirement Anna!

Knock 2010

2010-06-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Dublin today after a super weekend at the Knock Summer Festival.

Several hundred young people from all over Ireland gathered for the festival which started on Friday evening with a presentation by our communications director, Andrew O'Connell.

A highlight for me was the chance to listen to and meet Sr Helen Prejan (left). You might remember her from the movie "Dead Man Walking".

It really was a great sign of hope for the future of the Church in Ireland.

All in all it was an amazing few days.

Below:
1. With friends from the Legion of Mary.
2. With Sr Eileen Linehan and Sr Maureen Condon of Vocations Ireland.
3. With some friends from Cork.

Life after Lourdes...

2010-06-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I'm back at my desk again after an incredible week at Lourdes.

Like many pilgrims, I struggle to find the words to adequately describe the experience of the past few days.

There is an atmosphere of prayer at the shrine which I've experienced no where else.

It's also a place to go to if you need your faith in young people restored. There are hundreds of them there- helping others.

And it's a place where the sick are treated like VIPs.

Here are some pics from the week...

In Lourdes...

2010-06-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not at my desk this week. I'm on pilgrimage in Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. A group of 35 have joined the IPT from St Joseph's Parish in Glasthule.

It's my first time there so I'm excited.

I promise to remember those of you who are discerning your vocation in life at the Grotto.

At Prayer...

2010-06-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

Prayer is a central part of my life as a brother. Each morning we spend some time in private prayer in the chapel in our house. Then we pray the Divine Office together as a community.

We also start the day with Mass. I often find that these couple of hours in the morning help me to get through the toughest parts of the day ahead.

We're very blessed to have the Blessed Sacrament in our chapel. It's wonderful to be able to pay a visit at different times throughout the day.

If the life of a religious brother interests you, feel free to get in touch by emailing me at prescall@eircom.net

Unprovoked Attacks

2010-05-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have the good fortune to live near the sea here in Dublin. The good weather of recent days has brought big crowds flocking to the water.

Sadly, however, there have been some nasty incidents. Two African men were pushed into the sea here last weekend and another man was badly beaten in an unprovoked assault.

These attacks are intimidating our ethnic minorities, frightening the elderly and really worrying local young people.

It's all a sad sign of the level of violence and aggression in our society.

My vocation to religious brotherhood means that I should be standing in solidarity with people who are being bullied or afraid. The men who were pushed into the sea were left feeling humiliated. No one should have to experience that.

All in a day's work

2010-05-24T04:24:00.000-07:00

What does a Brother do all day?

.

Men who are interested in joining our congregation are often surprised to learn that in addition to the most important components of the day- prayer and ministry- it also involves very ordinary and mundane activities such as mowing the lawn!

.

The last few days have been beautiful here in Dublin and it's been a great opportunity to look after the garden here at our house.

.

If the life of a religious brother interests you feel free to shoot me an e-mail at prescall@eircom.net

Mass in Glasthule...

2010-05-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a special Mass at our house in Glasthule in Dublin to seek the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice on his feastday

It was a great occasion and thanks to the people of St Joseph's Parish for the strong turn out!

Monsignor Dan O'Connor of Dun Laoghaire and Fr Billy Farrell of Glasthule celebrated the Mass.

Here are some photos from the event.

Monsignor Dan O'Connor preaches the homily of the Mass.

Maurice delivers the First Reading.

Preparations in the kitchen on Wednesday morning. This is the "meitheal", the team, in action!

The dining room struggles to cope with the crowd again!

Happy Feast Day!!

2010-05-05T03:52:00.001-07:00

Today, Wednesday 5th May, is the Feastday of Blessed Edmund Rice, our Founder.

It's a day when we thank God for Blessed Edmund's extraordinary witness to his faith. We also seek his intercession for our own cares and concerns.

As vocations director for the Presentation Brothers I pray today in a special way for new vocations to religious brotherhood.

Tonight we will offer a Mass at our house in Dublin to mark the occasion.

To learn more about Blessed Edmund, please visit our congregation website's dedicated section.

Vocations in Parish

2010-04-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

The days around Vocations Sunday are always busy for a vocations director.

At the weekend I had a display stand at St Michael's Church in Dun Laoghaire (see left).

The parish invites local religious congregations to highlight their presence in the parish at this time each year.

Last week I was in Togher parish where there was a great gathering to provide vocations resource materials to parish representatives from across the diocese. There was a great turn out and a great buzz.

If you're interested in a religious vocation, feel free to give me a shout at prescall@eircom.net

To England....

2010-04-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last month I was in England. I got in and out before the ash crisis!

Thanks a million to everyone who gave me such a warm welcome. It was very encouraging.

Why was I there? To promote vocations of course!

The first step in promoting vocations is to increase awareness of what the brother's vocation is all about. So I spoke at a lot of Masses in Reading and in Dartfordshire.

Thanks to Fr Joseph Awoh of St Joseph's Church in Reading and to Fr John Nelson and Fr Richard Maniak at The English Martyrs. Thanks too to Fr William Scanlan of St Anselm's Church in Dartford.

There were well over 1,000 people at the masses.

I also spoke to about 100 sixth form students at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School.

I hope to be back in England for the Invocation vocations event in Birmingham in July and for the visit of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict in September.

Planning a Vigil

2010-04-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

The things I do for the Church!

I was in Glendalough in County Wicklow this week to help plan a Prayer Vigil for the eve of Vocations Sunday. The Vigil will take place on Saturday 24th April 2010. It starts at 6pm at the Information Centre in Glendalough.

Other Vigils are taking place at 5pm in Clonmacnois in County Offaly, and 6pm at St Brigid's Well in Kildare (beside the Japanese Gardens Car Park). They are all being co-ordinated by Vocations Ireland.

It's a chance to pray for vocations to religious life and also to pray for and with religious.

I'll be there!

Pictured Above: Me with Sr Peggy and Sr Liz.

A Happy Easter...

2010-04-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter Sunday are always a tonic for my faith. Maybe it's because for a few intense days our ordinary cares and concerns take a back seat and we focus on Christ.

I've been attending the ceremonies here at St Joseph's Parish in Glasthule in Dublin. I'm involved in directing the youth choir so this is a busy time of the year on that front.

I always notice that men interested in religious life seem to reflect more deeply on it at this time of year.

So if you feel drawn to religious brotherhood, why not make an Easter Resolution to take about it and get some more information.

Feel free to give me a shout at prescall@eircom.net

In the meantime, a Happy Easter to all of you!

Emmanuel 2010 - Here's my answer...

2010-03-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

The Emmanuel music festival project is taking place at the Helix in Dublin this week.
_________________________________________________
EXAM

PAPER I
Time Allowed: several years

Question 1
[20 marks]

What will you do with your life?
________________________________

This is the text of an advert I placed in the programme for the music festival, Emmanuel, taking place in Dublin this week.

The young people attending will be asking themselves the question "what will I do with my life?" many times over the coming years.

I just want to show that one of the ways, among many, in which one can find great happiness, challenge and peace is religious life.

On this blog I'm trying to give readers some idea of what I do and why I do it as a religious brother.

Even though those who attend Emmanuel will, for the most part be secondary school students, and would be far too young to enter religious life anytime soon, my message is this: think about it as something for your future. Don't rule it out. It might be for you....

And always remember - this way of life is more than a career.

It's a vocation.

Happy St Patrick's Day

2010-03-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

An idealised image of the great St Patrick

Happy St Patrick's Day to all the readers of this blog. You are to be found in Asia, Africa, Oceania, Latin America, North America, the Middle East and Europe!

I am in England these days so if that's your neck of the woods and if you're interested in discerning a religious vocation, give me a shout and let's see if we can meet for coffee.

For those who might not have seen it before, here is the most famous verse of the prayer, "St Patrick's Breastplate"

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

Farewell to a Brother

2010-03-10T10:44:00.001-08:00

The late Br Gerard

We got some bad news last week. Br Gerard Despathy, the Province Leader of the Our Lady of the Americas Province (covering United States, Canada, and the West Indies), died suddenly in New Mexico. Gerard was only 53 years old.

You can read his obituary notice from our Congregation Website here.

He was a great brother and had a great interest in promoting religious brotherhood in the States.

I take this opportunity to extend my sincere sympathies to his family and to the Brothers in the OLA Province.

Eternal rest grant to him O Lord. May he rest in peace.

Coffee and Ghana...

2010-03-03T05:11:00.000-08:00

Serving a cuppa on Sunday in Glasthule...

I am a member of the Presentation Brothers. We are a congregation of religious brothers. We are international - we are based in ten countries around the world. Even though I'm based in Dublin I'm still part of the wider Congregation. It's important to always remember the needs of those in parts of the world which are not as materially affluent as ourselves.

This morning we held a coffee morning in St Joseph's Parish Centre in Glasthule. Parishioners were invited to drop in for coffee after all masses and, if they wished, make a contribution to the Brothers' mission in northern Ghana.

I prepared a photographic display to show people the situation in our schools there. Thankfully we are making great progress.

Thanks a million to everyone in Glasthule who responded so generously once again in helping the Brothers' missions.

Some of the great turnout on Sunday morning

How Does Your Garden Grow...

2010-02-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

Me giving Br Eunan a hand in our front garden

Every brother has his own pastime or hobby. Mine is sport- Gaelic Football and rugby. For Brother Eunan it's gardening. Every day when the weather is good enough you'll find him at work in the flower beds.

As you can see from the picture our garden isn't too pretty at this time of year. It looks bleak and barren. But the work that Brother Eunan does during these weeks will mean that when summer arrives the garden will look quite beautiful.

Nurturing your vocation is like that. Often, despite all our praying and reflecting, we can feel that there is no clear direction for our lives. The process can feel grey and fruitless.

Discerning a vocation takes patience and time- two things that are in short supply today.

If you're praying and reflecting about a vocation to religious life and feel like you're getting nowhere, just keep at it. The effort you're putting into it now will bear fruit in time.

Spring afterall is just around the corner.

Remember that thou art dust...

2010-02-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

Distributing ashes in St Joseph's, Glasthule on Ash Wednesday

What is it about Ash Wednesday? People flock to the church in huge numbers on this day every year to mark the beginning of Lent. Maybe it has more to do with marking themselves - with the ashes. Symbols still speak volumes.

Maybe it has to do with the honesty of the day. "Remember that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return". Can't get more honest than that. You certainly won't get that message from our media which is obsessed with celebrity and beauty. All passing.

Our local church was packed for 10am Mass and later, when I went to the University Chapel at UCD, the story was the same. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin celebrated the 1.05pm Mass.

Distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday - just one of the jobs of a Presentation Brother!

All in a day's work...

2010-02-13T11:59:00.001-08:00

Installing a new printer in the community office in Dublin. Br Valerius gives me a hand.

I had great plans to do some work in the office this morning but when I sat down at the computer I noticed that the printer was on the blink. The cable pulling the cartridge had snapped.

It turns out it couldn't be repaired so a new one had to be bought. The whole experience took up the whole morning. So much for getting some work done!

But why am I telling you about my printer?

Here's why-

As a vocations director I meet regularly with men who want to talk about following a religious vocation.

After several meetings I often invite these men to spend some time in our community in Dublin to see what this life is like from the inside.

The men who come to these "live in" experiences often tell me that they are surprised to discover that we have to spend as much time as anyone else dealing with the nuisances of daily life- broken printers, leaking radiators, you name it...

You see there is sometimes an impression that religious life has none of the problems of ordinary life.

But religious life is no escape from the small stresses of ordinary living. This is no refuge from reality.

Being a Brother is an extraordinary vocation but it's important to remember that it is always lived in the midst of very ordinary, daily challenges!

If you're interested in talking about a religious vocation feel free to get in touch. Leave a comment or email me at prescall@eircom.net

Loving Lourdes...

2010-02-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at our house at Mount St Joseph in Cork city

February 11th is the Feastday of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Presentation Brothers have traditionally had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin. Our name, "Presentation" Brothers, is taken from the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. We celebrate that feast on November 21st each year.

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is also a day dedicated to prayer for the sick. So, let's remember our sick loved ones during these days and ask Mary, our Mother, to intercede for them.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

St Bernadette, pray for us!

Follow the Leader...

2010-02-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

With Br Martin, our Congregation Leader, at Mount St Joseph in Cork

Last week I spent some time in Cork. One of the meetings I had was with our Congregation Leader, Br Martin Kenneally.

"What's a Congregation Leader?" I hear you say. The Congregation Leader, formerly known as the "Superior General" is the man who has the daunting task of leading the entire Congregation of the Presentation Brothers. The Congregation Leader has a Congregation Leadership Team (CLT) to assist him in this task.

You can read more information about our Leadership structure here.

He is elected by the Brothers at a General Chapter which takes place every six years. Our next Chapter is in the summer of 2011. A Chapter is a gathering of the Brothers and lay colleagues from all over the world. It's serious business. The plans for the coming six years are prayed about and decided on during the Chapter.

Our current Congregation Leader, Br Martin Kenneally, is a former vocations director and he has a great understanding of the challenges which we face. He also has great enthusiasm for promoting religious brotherhood. It's great to have someone to bounce ideas off. We're lucky to have him!

Spring is Here....I Hope...

2010-01-31T12:59:00.001-08:00

A snowdrop at Mount St Joseph on Sunday morning....

“Anois teacht an Earraigh, beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh. Is tar éis na féile Bríde, árdóigh mé mo sheol.” (Antoine Ó Raifteirí (1784-1835)). [Now that Spring is coming, the days will be getting longer. And after St Brigid's Day (1st February), I'll raise up my sail!]

February 1st is the feast of St Brigid - co patron of Ireland. Traditionally, it's also seen as the first day of Spring. That's particularly welcome this year after the dreadful winter we've had - floods, gales, frost and snow.

I spent most of the weekend in Cork where I attended the first AGM of the Presentation Brothers Schools Trust (PBST) in my capacity as Chairman of the Board of Management of Greenmount N.S. in Cork. I also spoke to third year students at Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh who are working on their Junior Certificate R.E. project. I also had a meeting with our Congregation Leader, Br Martin Kenneally. More about all of that later!

A St Brigid Cross. The Irish Times had a piece recently on how to make one...

"Start Blogging" - Pope

2010-01-25T04:51:00.000-08:00

The late Pope John Paul surfing the net...

Yes, it's official. Pope Benedict XVI has told us to start blogging!

The Holy Father makes the appeal in his message for World Communications Day.

"The world of digital communication, with its almost limitless expressive capacity, makes us appreciate all the more Saint Paul’s exclamation: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Cor 9:16)," he writes.

Our mission, he says, is to help "the men and women of our digital age to sense the Lord’s presence, to grow in expectation and hope, and to draw near to the Word of God which offers salvation and fosters an integral human development."

"As new technologies create deeper forms of relationship across greater distances, [we] are called to respond pastorally by putting the media ever more effectively at the service of the Word."

You can read the full text of the Pope's message at the Vatican website. Click here.

Filling the Diary

2010-01-18T10:48:00.000-08:00

The year is hardly three weeks old and already my new diary is starting to fill up.

I'll be spending a lot of time this year in England. We have three houses in the Greater London area: in Twickenham, Dartford and Reading.

I'll be visiting parishes and schools and participating in the Vocations Expo in Birmingham in July.

In addition, Pope Benedict XVI is likely to visit in September so I'll be back again for that.

I hope to close out the year with a vocations weekend for men interested in a religious vocation in late October.

If you're interested in religious life yourself, I'd be happy to meet up for coffee when I'm over. Usually guys I meet have 101 questions and I'm happy to answer them and to give a bit of advice. You can reach me at prescall@eircom.net

Looks like I'll be getting very friendly with Ryanair this year!

Provincial Business

2010-01-14T11:03:00.000-08:00

The Anglo Irish Province Leadership Team

(left to right: Br Barry, Br Walter and me!)

As well as being a good name for a race horse, "Provincial Business" is what I'm up to these days.

I'm a member of the Province Leadership Team of the Anglo Irish Province of the Presentation Brothers. That's a bit of a mouthful, so what does it mean.

First of all, the Presentation Brothers congregation is divided into three Provinces (or districts):

Anglo Irish, West Africa and Our Lady of the Americas.

Each Province has its own Leadership Team. Here in Ireland there are three of us on the team. Br Walter is the Province Leader (my boss) and Br Barry Stanton is the Deputy Province Leader.

We meet once per month and discuss issues arising in the Province which covers Ireland, England and Slovakia. The meetings are quite intensive and I'm usually tired returning to Dublin afterwards.

Being in a leadership role is a big responsibility but it's also a great privilege to serve in this way.

It's just another feature of religious life.

Asleep in the Hay...

2010-01-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Crib in the Hallway in Glasthule

Well, I'm back in Glasthule again after my Christmas holiday with my family in Cork. I escaped the worst of the weather in Dublin by being down there. The thaw is in full swing and all the snow has melted now in front of our house here.

Our crib is still up and I thought I'd share a pic of it with you. And while we're thinking of cribs, here's a meditation on the shepherds from Pope Benedict's Christmas Eve homily...

"The first thing we are told about the shepherds is that they were on the watch – they could hear the message precisely because they were awake. We must be awake, so that we can hear the message. We must become truly vigilant people. What does this mean? The principal difference between someone dreaming and someone awake is that the dreamer is in a world of his own. His “self” is locked into this dreamworld that is his alone and does not connect him with others. To wake up means to leave that private world of one’s own and to enter the common reality, the truth that alone can unite all people."

Are you awake to what Christ might be calling you to in 2010?

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T13:18:00.001-08:00

I've been spending the last week here in Glasthule as the other Brothers went home to visit their families and friends. This week it's my turn and I'm off to Cork to see Dad and the family.

Talk soon!

A Blessed Christmas!

2009-12-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard van Honthorst, 1622.

All the hustle and bustle is coming to an end. Christmas has arrived!

To all of you who are discerning your vocation in life and feel called to religious brotherhood - in the peace of these days, I hope that you will be able to hear the whisper of Christ all the more clearly.

A happy Christmas to one and all.

On the Road to Emmaus...

2009-12-17T01:20:00.000-08:00

Sr Mary Condon (Bon Secours) bends my ear...

I attended my first AGM recently of Vocations Ireland at the Emmaus Retreat Centre in Dublin and ended up with a job- on the National Executive, representing religious brothers. The Executive is composed of representatives from the different "types" of congregations of, e.g. contemplatives, missionaries, apostolic orders.

Vocations Ireland is an organisation which supports vocations directors and also promotes vocations to religious life. Over 100 religious orders are members. The Director is a Loreto Sister, Sr Eileen Linehan.

Vocations Ireland has a pretty good website. Take a look - http://www.vocationsireland.com/

The New Vocations Ireland Executive: (left to right) Br Pat Lynch (Franciscan), Sr Gabrielle Fox (OLA), me, Sr Phyllis Moynihan (Mercy), Sr Mary Condon (Bon Secours), Sr Eileen Linehan (Loreto), Andrew O'Connell (our communications director).

Christmas is Coming...

2009-12-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

Br Bernard gives me a hand with the decorations outside our front door in Glasthule

I love Christmas time and here in the Brothers' House, we put up our decorations just like anyone else.

The Advent Wreath has been up for a while and this morning we put up the wreaths and put out the poinsettia plants.

As Perry Como would sing, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

If you'd like to find out more about our way of life as Presentation Brothers give me a shout at prescall@eircom.net

It had to be just right...

Christmas Lights

2009-12-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

With friends from the local Harold N.S. at the switching on of the lights

The parish of St Joseph here in Glasthule was a hive of activity when we switched on the Christmas lights. A huge crowd filled the front yard of the presbytery, across the road from our own house for the annual event.

Hymns sung by the students from the local Harold National School brought a bit of warmth to a very frosty Advent night.

It's a reminder for me to put up the Christmas decorations here too...

With the Maddens outside St Joseph's Presbytery in Glasthule

Open House Day

2009-12-08T02:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks a million to the more than two hundred people who visited us after Masses in Glasthule this weekend. It was a lovely gesture of support. We hope you all enjoyed your time with us and that you got a good opportunity to see the newly renovated house.

With Ann Maree Quinn and Rachel Byrnes in the function room on Sunday.

Choir members from the Family Mass Group..

The Gleeson Family who were visiting the parish from Australia.

The Family Mass Group from the 10.15am Mass in Glasthule.

Sheila McLoughlin and Lisa Murphy who helped out at the weekend.

Anne Maree Quinn, Angela Byrnes and Celine Hoyeau.

Enjoying the Open Day

Open House!

2009-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Part of my mission is to help people to learn more about the vocation of the religious brother. Inviting people to see where we live is a practical way of doing that is . So, this weekend (Sat and Sun, 5th and 6th of December), I'll be inviting massgoers in St Joseph's Parish Church, Glasthule, to call in for a tour of the house and for refreshments.

Now, I've got to get back to cleaning the carpets!

Mass times in Glasthule: 6.30pm (Sat. Vigil), 10.15am (Family Mass), 11.30am, 12.30pm.

[Above: The Presentation Brothers House in Glasthule]

School Visits Continue...

2009-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

I've returned to Cork today to speak to the First Year students in Coláiste Chríost Rí. I worked as a chaplain here before I moved to vocations ministry.

The focus of the talk is my life as a Brother. Most of these youngsters have never met a Brother before. During their time in school it's likely that they never will meet one as a teacher in the classroom.

I just want to tell them about my vocation and give them the chance to ask me some questions. And thankfully, they're never short of questions!

(Above: Br Majella sees me off at our house in Glasthule).

Thoughts and Prayers...

2009-11-26T11:03:00.000-08:00

With the release of the Dublin Report, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who suffered at the hands of clergy and religious. There are no words to express the revulsion and sadness I'm feeling this evening. All I can offer, for what they're worth, are my thoughts and my prayers.

The Spirit of Pres

2009-11-24T05:04:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy few days and I'll update you on everything during the week. Heading down to Cobh early in the morning to speak to Transition Years, Leaving Certs and First Years about vocation.

On Friday I told you that I was in Bray for the annual Presentation Day school Mass. Matthew Molloy, a student at Pres, delivered the following address. It's worth reading:

"We have gathered here today as one entity, one distinct and prestigious unit. We not only commemorate the roots of all Pres. schools, nourished primarily by Edmund Rice, but celebrate the unmatched spirit, the embodiment of the Pres. ethos that still reigns prominent to this day within its walls.We acknowledge the truest values that Pres. has inspired in our lives so far and also the prominence of these in our lives to come.

A pinnacle of learning, our social development, creativity and community, Pres. recognises and aids both personal and collective talents and is understanding of all forms of individualism. The personal and spiritual development is also a key emphasis specified in the schools' ethos.My time in Pres. has revealed the value of self-belief and self-confidence and the personal freedoms to achieve these are not only encouraged but further inspired.

Our own free will may be, at times, hindered by "rules" and obligations, but we recognise their need on the bases of fairness and equalities - "no running in the corridors!", "homework due on Monday!", "no messing in class!", and, on the soccer pitch, no handling the ball intentionally to get ahead, and then blatantly apologising afterwards!

The Pres. family is one of the greatest versatility. Variety, in all its forms, is immense and dispersed throughout our student body. Whoever we are and whatever our interests, we all find a place to fit in, to belong. We have our Barts, Millhouses, Nelsons and Ralphs, our Cartmans, Kyles, Stans and Kennys, our Charlies, Alans and Jakes.

I truly believe that we are all a product of our cumulative experiences. My experiences here in Pres. could be classed under many headings - good, bad, some challenging, others bringing to mind memories of great joy and contentment, others of disappointment and failure.

C.S Lewis, the creator and idealist, got it right when he said that "experience is the most brutal of teachers. But you learn, by God, you learn."

Life is not built upon a pillar of sand. Sometimes it rains and floods follow. We are vulnerable, our legs are taken from under us. Life is built, mos fruitfully, on a multitudes of all degrees of experience. In Pres., we know that we will always have a permanent, unwavering hand to pull us back on our feet. Pres. is a sturdy foundation for us all to accumulate our bricks upon, even if we don,t as yet acknowledge it.

Today, we give thanks for the life that Pres. has inspired in us. We pray that the new school Trust, replacing the Presentation Brothers as the stewards of our schools, will endeavour in providing the highest levels of education. We ask God's blessing on all our brother schools, and on, in particular, the Presentation school in Ghana, to which we are intrinsically linked.

For 5 years I have attended this very mass and have not, as yet, heard a satisfactory definition of "The Spirit of Pres." I am only now realising that no simple definition exists - it encompasses countless lives, histories and mores of individuals dispersed throughout Ireland and the world.

We pray for all here present. We treasure the friendships that have flourished during our time here - those based upon truth, sincerity and openness. An ancient, biblical proverb tells us that "friends always show their love. What are brothers for it not to share troubles."

We pray for our fraternal friendships and for the sustenance and continuity of Pres.- a beacon of all that we hold close to our hearts."

Pres Day

2009-11-20T07:52:00.001-08:00

The preparations for Pres Day have commenced!! Tomorrow, November 21st, is one of the biggest days of the year for a Presentation Brother. It is our annual Feast Day. Each year it is
marked in different ways by the Brothers and our lay colleagues and friends all over the world.

This morning, I went to Bray to attend a special Mass for the students of Presentation College. There were some 600 youngsters in the church and it was a great experience. Afterwards I was invited to say a few words to the lads about "The Spirit of Pres". I pointed to them and told them that they were the Spirit of Pres and they are the ones responsible for it living on in Bray.

(Above: With Mr. Gerry Duffy, Principal Presentation College, Bray)

I'm driving off to Cork now with Brothers Bernard and Valerius. More tomorrow...

Farewell to a Brother...

2009-11-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

There are a number of reasons why we call ourselves Brothers. One reason is that it defines the manner in which we try to relate to other people. However, it also describes how we relate to one another within our religious congregation. So, when Brother Joe Nealon passed away last week, it felt as though a brother had died.

Br. Joe lived in Cork and was a native of Co. Limerick. He taught for many years in Scoil Chriost Ri in Turner's Cross in Cork city. He was laid to rest at the Brothers' cemetery at Mount St Joseph on Saturday.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord.

To Bray....

2009-11-16T08:59:00.000-08:00

I started the week in Presentation College Bray this morning. At 11am I spoke to the First Year students and at noon I met the Leaving Certificates. The talks went well.

The Transition Year students in Pres Bray have been busy over the last few weeks preparing a mural - 7 feet tall and 24 feet long - on the history of Presentation education. It has been prepared to mark the launch of the Presentation Brothers Schools Trust (PBST) in Cork next Saturday.

The lads did a trial run of the speech which they will deliver during the launch ceremony. The speech is great and the mural looks fantastic. Looking forward to seeing the reaction on Saturday!

Back to School Time

2009-11-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

I started my first round of visits to schools today. Accompanied by our communications director, Andrew O'Connell, I called to Presentation Brothers College, Cork to speak to the Leaving Certificate students about my life as a religious Brother. I was a Leaving Cert. student in Pres 25 years ago and calling in brought back a lot of memories including all the confusion any 17 year old experiences during that stressful year.

The goal of the talk is to remind the students that religious life is still a viable option for the future. We're not looking for any of these young men to join - all we're doing is planting a seed for the future...

Later in the morning we spoke to the first year students. This is an introduction to the Edmund Rice story and is also an opportunity for these new students to meet and talk to a Presentation Brother.

The morning went really well and the students were respectful and attentive.

Thanks lads! Appreciate it.

Take Time Out

2009-11-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

Trying to figure out your vocation is a tough job. It's not made any easier by the fact that life is busy and it can be difficult to find the time to stop and think about where your life is heading.

For that reason, three times per year, we offer guys who are serious about discerning their vocation an opportunity to take some "Time Out". It's a great weekend of information and reflection. A chance to have your questions answered and a chance to spend some time praying about the options available.

This weekend we will hold another "Time Out" weekend here in Dublin. For full details check out our website http://www.presentationbrothers.ie/

or email me at http://www.blogger.com/

New in the Job

2009-11-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

How did I end up here!!!

I've been a social worker in Cork, a missionary in the West Indies, a school chaplain and a member of the Provincial Council of my congregation, the Presentation Brothers, but being the Vocations Director is probably going to be my most daunting task.

Everyone I meet is saying it to me- "that's a tough job". I feel like saying "I know!!!"

So, how do I face this job in 2009- one of the most difficult years in living memory for the Church in Ireland.

So, where do I get the strength to do it. Firstly, I believe in my own call. I believe that I was created by God to serve Him and His people in this way, as a religious brother.

Secondly, I believe in religious brotherhood. Religious brotherhood is fundamentally about being a brother to other people, especially the poor and those in need.

Thirdly, I believe in the Presentation Brothers, my religious congregation. I believe that our mission - To Form Christ In The Young - is still relevant today.

Finally, here's what I don't believe in- numbers. My role is not to press gang people into religious life. My role is to help young men to figure out the best path to follow to use their gifts and talents to serve God. However, I will unapologetically, offer religious brotherhood as a great way to achieve this.

Our Congregation is named after the Presentation of Mary. We celebrate her feast day on 21st November. My prayer today is that Mary's Yes at the Annunciation will find an echo in the lives of many Irish men and women in our day.