Host: Kathy Sinnott with guest Fr. Eugene O'Neil

In this month of the Holy Souls, Kathy's guest reflects on Irish traditions around the death of a loved one. Fr. Eugene O'Neill, St. Patrick's parish Belfast, laments that some Irish Catholic traditions are being eroded or even replaced by secular one's. Father takes a close look at the traditional Irish wake and the rich spirituality that undergirds the final journey of the Christian.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with Clare Short and Caroline Farrow

Clare Short is a Catholic blogger and mother of three young children. Following her husband’s debilitating illness Clare became the sole wage-earner for her family but then disaster struck when she was forced to close her wedding cake business for fear of falling foul of legislation surrounding same-sex marriage. Divine providence struck when Clare was inspired to indulge her passion for creativity and began designing and producing beautiful and affordable liturgical vestments. This then lead to a very special meeting with the Emeritus Pope Benedict to present him with a bespoke chasuble for his 90th birthday, crafted by hand with much love.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guest: Fr. Michael Sheehan

St. Patrick’s parish in down town Belfast lies at an interface between Orange and Green, Catholic and Protestant, Loyalist and Nationalist. The parish has become a flashpoint during the Protestant marching season because it is on-route of Orange parades. Parish priest of St. Patrick's Fr. Michael Sheehan talks to Celtic Connections about the troubled history of the parish, and shares a fascinating account of historic meetings between the Orange Order and a delegation of Catholic clergy including local Bishop of Down and Connor, The Most Rev Noel Treanor.

Guests: Prof. John McCarthy / Dr. Eanna Johnson

Part 1.

Two leading academics talk about the state of the Catholic Faith in Ireland. Professor John McCarthy, professor emeritus of History at Fordham University New York, talks about his book 'Twenty first century Ireland: a view from America'.

Part 2.

From Ireland, Dr Eanna Johnson talks about his research into the schools religious education programmes over the last half century in Ireland.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guest: Jeff Cavins

It is a heartbreak for every Catholic parent when their children stop practicing the faith. Jeff Cavins left the Catholic Church in dramatic style as a teenager. This week on Celtic Connections Jeff, speaking in Portsmouth England, tells the moving story of a son's return to the Catholic Church. He explains that there is much the Church and parents can do to make the faith a central part of their adult children's lives. Jeff Cavins, former host of Life on the Rock, is a internationally renowned Catholic broadcaster, writer and founder of "The Great Adventure", a bible study and seminar initiative.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with Monsignor Robert Mercer and Michelle Moran

Part 1.

EWTN in Britain is at the beginning stages of starting Catholic talk radio serving Britain and Ireland. Celtic Connections has an exclusive sneak preview of two new series made for the network. Part one of today's show features a series called Damascus Moments. Guests share their journey into the Catholic Church and special moments along the way. Hosted by Catherine Utley, this first episode features the last Anglican bishop in Central Africa. Former Anglican bishop, now Catholic priest Monsignor Robert Mercer, shares his conversion to Catholicism.

Part 2

"Evangelization and how to do it" is a new series for radio. Host Kathy Sinnott describes it as a kind of beginners guide to evangelization. From her home in Cork Kathy talks to Catholic lay evangelist Michelle Moran, a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. In this episode Michelle challenges us to examine our image of God to make sure it matches the God of the Gospel.

Host: Kathy Sinnott w/ guests Gillian Doherty / Fr. Guy de Gaynesford

Part 1

19th century Ireland was a cold and hungry place for Irish Catholics. The Potato Famine wiped out one million of its citizens, the great majority of them poor Catholics. Mary Aikenhead, native of Cork, was born into a Protestant family. Her story of conversion and call to serve the poor shows her to be one of the great lives of 19th century Ireland. Mary Aikenhead’s life also has lessons for 21st century Ireland as it faces new challenges that undermine the foundations of Irish society and threaten to marginalise the Catholic faith. Kathy's guest Irish historian Gillian Doherty tells Kathy the remarkable story of Mother Mary Aikenhead, declared venerable on March 18th by Pope Francis.

Part 2

How can Catholics have confidence that those in positions of leadership adhere fully to the Faith as they exercise their office? How can those who serve in leadership affirm their commitment to the teachings of the Faith they are pledged to proclaim? The Solemn Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity are made by those who would take up office in the Church. Though this oath is commonly undertaken in private, England's School of the Annunciation’s new rector Fr. Guy de Gaynesford made his oath in public. Dr. Caroline Farey, School faculty member, talks to Fr. Guy about why he choose to make the Oath of Fidelity before staff and friends during Holy Mass. The new rector also explains why he believes the Oath is integral to the mission of the School of the Annunciation, dedicated, as it is, to the New Evangelisation.

Host: Kathy Sinnott w/ guest: Fr. Vincent Twomey / Fr. Paschal Burlinson

Part 1.

'The challenges facing the leadership of the Irish Catholic Church today'. This was the title of a talk given recently by eminent Irish theologian Fr. Vincent Twomey in The School of History, University College Cork, Ireland. The talk was given at a symposium in honour of Professor John McCarthy, Professor Emeritus of History in Fordham University, New York.

Part 2:

Miracles of conversion and divine healing through the intersession of St. Pio with guest Fr. Paschal Burlinson, former spiritual director of the Padre Pio Prayer groups in England and Wales. Fr. Paschal is currently parish priest of St. David’s Church, Pantasaph Friary, Holywell, North Wales, the national shrine of St. Pio.

"The whole of Christendom is experiencing this terrible disaster of entire nations, including Ireland, walking in the opposite direction to Christ."

These are the words of EWTN host Frances Hogan in her message to the Maranatha Prayer Ministry Community in Limerick, Ireland. Frances gives a frank analysis of the state of the Faith in Ireland today; in the Church, in the nation and in the personal lives of every Christian. Drawing from the message of Chronicles, she points out that God has already shown the way forward which involves repentance, atonement and turning back to God, as a nation and as individuals. Kathy says that Frances' message is not just for Ireland but for all nations who have their foundation in the Christian Faith. Frances' message is from her new book 'A Path to Healing a Nation'.

Host: Kathy Sinnott

Guests: Prof. John McCarthy / Dr. Eanna Johnson

Part 1.

Two leading academics talk about the state of the Catholic Faith in Ireland. Professor John McCarthy, professor emeritus of History at Fordham University New York, talks about his book 'Twenty first century Ireland: a view from America'.

Part 2.

From Ireland, Dr Eanna Johnson talks about his research into the schools religious education programmes over the last half century in Ireland.