Come & See Inspirations (C&SI)

On this weeks podcast excerpt we take a quick run through some of the main highlights from 2025 in the area of church life including things papal, worldwide, and at the national and local level here in Ireland. Usually we aim to do this particular podcast in January but it slipped out a bit on us this year - the joys of life and other events! From a global perspective 2025 was a Jubilee Year with two popes! This marks the third time in history this has occurred, following the Jubilees of 1390 (Urban VI and Boniface IX) and 1700 (Innocent XII and Clement XI). In Ireland we saw movement towards the Assemblies of the Irish Synodal Pathway in October 2026, anniversaries for St Oliver Plunkett and St Lawrence O'Toole and Dublin finally gets a catholic cathedral!
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

On this weeks podcast we take a quick run through some of the main highlights from 2025 in the area of church life including things papal, worldwide, and at the national and local level here in Ireland. Usually we aim to do this particular podcast in January but it slipped out a bit on us this year - the joys of life and other events! From a global perspective 2025 was a Jubilee Year with two popes! This marks the third time in history this has occurred, following the Jubilees of 1390 (Urban VI and Boniface IX) and 1700 (Innocent XII and Clement XI). In Ireland we saw movement towards the Assemblies of the Irish Synodal Pathway in October 2026, anniversaries for St Oliver Plunkett and St Lawrence O'Toole and Dublin finally gets a catholic cathedral!
We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends in part one including a brief prayer space.
In part three we have our reflection on the weekly Sunday gospel which continues Matthews account of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:13-16) where Jesus challenges his disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. 
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

Lá Fhéile Bhríde shona daoibh go léir! (Happy St Brigid's day!)
On this the feast day of one of Ireland's patron saints (did you know we had three! - Patrick, Brigid and Colmcille) here on C&SI we explore the question of who was the real St Brigid renowned for her hospitality, kindness and generosity and care of the sick. We share an interview with Dr Edel Bhreathnach which was shared on TheWay.ie
In part one of the programme we have our regular look at the up coming liturgical odds and ends including the saints of the week and a prayer space.
In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is the beginning of Matthews account of the Sermon on the Mount from chapter 5 of his gospel and which begins with Jesus' teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).
Who is the real St Brigid?
In part two of this weeks programme we have interview with Dr Edel Bhreathnach on TheWay.ie which seeks to explore the history behind the saintly woman Brigid. 

Saint Brigid was born in 454 and she went on to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth.  The Saint Brigid’s Cross, in legend used by Brigid to explain the Christian faith, remains a popular sign of God’s protection.  Her legacy is one of compassion, courage, faith and female leadership. However many confuse Saint Brigid who founded her monastery in Kildare with a preceding pagan Goddess myth.

Medieval historian Dr Edel Bhreathnach aims to answer the question – Who is the real St Brigid?

Dr Breathnach is a medieval historian with a particular interest in interdisciplinary studies that connect archaeology, history and literature.  She has done extensive research on St Brigid focusing on areas like why she chose Kildare, the historical and political context in which she achieved so much and her impact on the spread of Christianity in Ireland.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

Lá Fhéile Bhríde shona daoibh go léir! (Happy St Brigid's day!)
On this the feast day of one of Ireland's patron saints (did you know we had three! - Patrick, Brigid and Colmcille) here on C&SI on this weeks podcast excerpt we explore the question of who was the real St Brigid renowned for her hospitality, kindness and generosity and care of the sick. We share an interview with Dr Edel Bhreathnach which was shared on TheWay.ie
Saint Brigid was born in 454 and she went on to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth.  The Saint Brigid’s Cross, in legend used by Brigid to explain the Christian faith, remains a popular sign of God’s protection.  Her legacy is one of compassion, courage, faith and female leadership. However many confuse Saint Brigid who founded her monastery in Kildare with a preceding pagan Goddess myth.

Medieval historian Dr Edel Bhreathnach aims to answer the question – Who is the real St Brigid?

Dr Breathnach is a medieval historian with a particular interest in interdisciplinary studies that connect archaeology, history and literature.  She has done extensive research on St Brigid focusing on areas like why she chose Kildare, the historical and political context in which she achieved so much and her impact on the spread of Christianity in Ireland.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]

On this weeks podcast excerpt we are joined by Fr Frank Duhig to reflect on Sunday of the Word of God 2026 which falls on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary time. In his Apostolic Letter of 30 September 2019, Aperuit illis Pope Francis established that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be the Sunday of the Word of God. It is a day to be devoted to the celebration, study, and spreading of the Word of God. 
Fr Frank reflects on Sunday of the Word of God which is celebrated this weekend. Using the Parable of the Sower from the gospel of Luke Fr Frank reminds us that God is a God who wishes to communicate and the ultimate expression of that was Jesus as the Incarnate Word. Reflecting on the parable we need to ask ourselves where do we individually fit into the parable? Ask ourselves the question are we listening to the Word of God? How do we turn down the volume of the noise of the world to allow us to hear the Word of God? Where and how do we present "good soil" to allow us to receive the seed from God?
Resources for Sunday of the Word of God from Irish Bishops Conference
Dei Verbum - Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
Pope Leo XIV General Audiences on Dei Verbum - 7 Jan 2026, 14 Jan 2026, 21 Jan 2026.
Text us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]