Come & See Inspirations (C&SI)

On this weeks podcast the C&SI team head to the diocese of Peoria in Illinois in the US to speak to Msgr. Jason Gray who is the Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation to learn about one of the newest Beati/Blessed from the America's, Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
While the official decree of beatification by Pope Francis was issued in 2019, the formal ceremony will recognise the next step in the process towards canonisation of the man known in his lifetime as "America's Bishop". Gaining prominence initially through his radio programme the Catholic Hour  (1930 - 1950) and then from 1951 to 1979 his television series, Life is worth living, Archbishop Sheen was regarded as one of the premier 20th century Catholic evangelists who harnessed the power of what was then the new media of radio and tv, eventually reaching an estimated 30 million viewers each week, which would make it the most widely-viewed religious series in the history of television. He won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, and became one of the most influential Catholics of the 20th century.
Msgr Gray takes us through Sheen's life story including his role as National Director of the Society for the  Propagation of the Faith, raising money to support the missions, as Bishop of Rochester, his participation in the Second Vatican Council and the cautious approach taken to ensure there was no issues with formally declaring him Blessed. He reflects on Sheen's example to us of daily prayer as Sheen kept a daily Holy Hour and there are many videos of Sheen available online as a resource to us still in the journey of faith. 
Resources mentioned in segment about Archbishop Fulton Sheen
- Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation
Book recommendations:
- Treasure in Clay (Autobiography)
- The Life of Christ
- The Priest is not his own
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

On this weeks podcast the C&SI team head to the diocese of Peoria in Illinois in the US to speak to Msgr. Jason Gray who is the Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation to learn about one of the newest Beati/Blessed from the America's, Archbishop Fulton Sheen. 
In part one we have our regular liturgical odds and ends including a brief mention of the up coming saints of the week.
In part three we have our reflection on the Sunday gospel which this weeks is John's account of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42). 
Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Msgr Jason Gray introduces our listeners this week to Archbishop Fulton Sheen whose ceremony of beatification is due to take place later this year. While the official decree of beatification by Pope Francis was issued in 2019, the formal ceremony will recognise the next step in the process towards canonisation of the man known in his lifetime as "America's Bishop". Gaining prominence initially through his radio programme the Catholic Hour  (1930 - 1950) and then from 1951 to 1979 his television series, Life is worth living, Archbishop Sheen was regarded as one of the premier 20th century Catholic evangelists who harnessed the power of what was then the new media of radio and tv, eventually reaching an estimated 30 million viewers each week, which would make it the most widely-viewed religious series in the history of television. He won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, and became one of the most influential Catholics of the 20th century.
Msgr Gray takes us through Sheen's life story including his role as National Director of the Society for the  Propagation of the Faith, raising money to support the missions, as Bishop of Rochester, his participation in the Second Vatican Council and the cautious approach taken to ensure there was no issues with formally declaring him Blessed. He reflects on Sheen's example to us of daily prayer as Sheen kept a daily Holy Hour and there are many videos of Sheen available online as a resource to us still in the journey of faith. 
Resources mentioned in segment about Archbishop Fulton Sheen
- Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation
Book recommendations:
- Treasure in Clay (Autobiography)
- The Life of Christ
- The Priest is not his own
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

On this weeks podcast we catch up with Jane Mellet from Trocaire to hear about the Trocaire 2026 Lenten Campaign. Trocaire is the overseas development agency of the Irish Bishops Conference (the Irish member of Caritas Internationalis) and their annual Lenten Campaign has been running for over 53 years. This years Lenten Campaign accompanies a three-generation family in rural Rwanda, led by Uwamahoro, a young mother supporting her daughter, niece and elderly mother. Through their story, parish communities are invited to reflect on themes of resilience, care for our common home, and the dignity of every person in the face of poverty caused by climate injustice. Their lived experience helps bring the Sunday Gospels to life and connects faith with the call to solidarity.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

On this weeks podcast we catch up with Jane Mellet from Trocaire to hear about the Trocaire 2026 Lenten Campaign. Trocaire is the overseas development agency of the Irish Bishops Conference (the Irish member of Caritas Internationalis) and their annual Lenten Campaign has been running for over 53 years. This years Lenten Campaign accompanies a three-generation family in rural Rwanda, led by Uwamahoro, a young mother supporting her daughter, niece and elderly mother. Through their story, parish communities are invited to reflect on themes of resilience, care for our common home, and the dignity of every person in the face of poverty caused by climate injustice. Their lived experience helps bring the Sunday Gospels to life and connects faith with the call to solidarity.
In part one we have a quick run through the liturgical odds and ends including the saints  of the week. 
In part three we have our weekly reflections on the Sunday gospel. This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Lent and the gospel is Matthew's account of the Transfiguration which tradition identifies as taking place on Mount Tabor. We reflect on our "Tabor Moments" and what it means for us during Lent and beyond.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

On this weeks podcast excerpt we are joined by Bishop Brendan Leahy to reflect on the beginning of the Lenten Season. Bishop Brendan shares with us his reflection from his Lenten Pastoral Letter 2026 on how we could reframe our understanding of the ancient call to fast during the period of Lent including how to translate it into action for the modern world. Fasting is always put before us in the Christian life.  and reminds that “Jesus' call to conversion and penance… does not aim first at outward works… but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion”. Without interior conversion our external works such as fasting“ remain sterile and false.” In Lent, fasting is never meant as something we do on its own. It is not to be separated from prayer and almsgiving as forms of Christian love. Each of us must decide in our heart and perhaps in consultation with others, what specific form of fasting we want to take on for Lent. And then, we need to persevere in our undertaking. 
He also shares on a Lenten resource that is being made available as part of the preparations for the National Synodal Pathway. Baptised and Sent is the Preparatory Document for the Pre-Synodal Assembly of the Irish Synodal Pathway, which took place on 18 October 2025. A key moment in the Irish Synodal Pathway it was a shared journey of listening, prayer, and discernment as the People of God. The document was prepared to support reflection and dialogue across parishes, schools, faith communities, and dioceses.
This Lent, parishes, schools and groups across Ireland are invited to journey together through a set of reflective resources inspired by Baptised and Sent. Grounded in the conviction that baptism is the foundation of our identity, dignity and mission, these resources help us return to the heart of Christian life, that through Baptism we are reborn in Christ and sent out by the Spirit in service of the Gospel.  Through these Lenten reflections, each person – lay, religious and ordained – are encouraged to rediscover who we are as God’s people, to listen to the Holy Spirit and to take concrete steps, individually and collectively towards living our baptismal calling more deeply.
You can also register to participate online HERE.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]