OVERSEAS AID EXPLAINED BY TROCAIRE

In the video below, Emmet Sheerin from Trócaire gives a short explanation on Overseas Development Aid and how the work of Trocaire is part funded by the taxpayer via Irish Aid and directly by their donors. This is important information in terms of informing us how and where our donations to Trocaire are spent.

Below the video are some homily notes for the Third Sunday of Lent provided by Mary Kirk

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The Gospel today provides an example of the cruel and brutish behaviour of the Roman Governor Pilate. For whatever reason he ordered a massacre of some Galileans who were offering sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem. We can imagine the shock and consternation of the followers of Jesus as they accompanied him along the road to that same Jerusalem. Jesus knew that it was often assumed that terrible things like this, or tragic accidents like the tower at Siloam that collapsed killing eighteen people, only happened to people who had ‘sinned’ or ’deserved’ it in some way. Jesus immediately put this idea to rest; he is clear that those who are caught up in accidents and tragedies are not to blame, neither are these events punishments from God. Rather than focusing on who was deserving or undeserving of what had happened to them Jesus instead called on the people to repent, to change the focus inward to an examination of their own hearts. Was there fruit growing in their hearts or were their hearts withered like the fig tree? It was not too late, Jesus assured them, to embrace a change of heart. With the right approach, the right care, they too could bear fruit. All they needed to do was turn away from their old ways that were taking them away from God and turn back towards a God who was always merciful. This Sunday in Lent we are called to look into our own hearts and be honest about the fruit we are growing there. Jesus tells us elsewhere in the Gospel, “A good person brings out what is good from the store of goodness of the heart.” (Luke 6:45). When we look into our hearts what do we see? A heart full of goodness, compassion, and love, towards myself and others or a heart withering through bitterness, jealousies, worries, fears and cares? If the latter, now is the time to turn back to God and open our hearts to his love and grace. In that way we can bear fruit again and be a blessing to others and to the world. The world needs our help and our informed choices to reduce and alleviate the effects of climate change. Our Trócaire family this year, Julio and Ilma and their four children, have suffered repeatedly at the hands of erratic weather due to global warning. Already dependent on their crops to feed their families and earn an income, they now live on a knife edge not knowing when the unpredictable weather will destroy their only means of support. When that happens, they are pushed further into poverty, meaning that Julio has no choice but to leave his family to find other work or they rely on other members of the community to feed and look after them. Please support the Trócaire campaign this year and Find out more at trocaire.org