Celtic Connections

Title: A Dark Day in Irish History - Pro-Life Leaders Respond Hosts: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with Fr Patrick McCafferty and Bernadette Smyth Description: October 21st will go down as one of the darkest days in Irish history. The British Westminster Government, in cooperation with ‘Irish Nationalist’ political parties in Northern Ireland, imposed the most radicalised abortion regime in all of Europe - and also full ‘same sex marriage’, on N. Ireland. Paul MacAree talks to two of the most prominent pro-life leaders in “The North’; Bernadette Smyth, founder and director of Precious Life, the largest pro-life group in N. Ireland - and Fr Patrick McCafferty, PP Corpus Christi Parish West Belfast,a voice of faith on behalf of ‘the least of these’ in Ireland. Both respond to events this week and see sure signs of hope that change can come.

Title: Northern Ireland’s Darkest Hour - Praying for a Miracle Host: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guests Liam Gibson and Bernie Smyth. Monday 21st of October could mark a dark day in Irish history. On that day the British Westminster Government has pledged to impose radicalised abortion on Northern Ireland. People of faith are praying constantly for a miracle. We have the latest developments politically and spiritually from the capital Belfast. As perpetual adoration is prayed at St Mary’s Parish Church downtown Belfast, for life, Celtic Connections talks to Laim Gibson, Political Officer for Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. And from the Belfast headquarters of pro-abortion political party Sinn Fein, we join Bernie Smyth of Precious Life, Northern Ireland’s largest pro-life group, praying the rosary and reflecting on God’s power to protect “The North” from imminent British imposed abortion.

Title: Saint John Paul II’s Prophetic Message to Ireland Today Host: Kathy Sinnott with Saint Pope John Paul II Pope Saint John Paul II visited Ireland 40 years ago. At that time Northern Ireland experienced a time of civil strife called The Troubles. The pope pleaded on his knees for those engaged in violence to turn to the ways off peace. 40 years on his prophetic voice is once again directed to the North, because a new and even more terrible violence is threatened once more, this time a violence directed most innocent and vulnerable in Ireland inflected by the British Government in Westminster. Little defenseless children in the sanctuary of their mothers wombs. In today’s show we hear his prophetic message in full, speaking to us today about violence and peace and the choice once more that Northern Ireland most face.

Title: Children’s Adoration - Forming a New Generation of Saints Host: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guest Antoinette Moynihan. Children of the Eucharist is a mission to enhance the faith of children by guiding them gently in quiet prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Director Antoinette Moynihan witnesses to this fast growing Apostolate throughout Ireland and across the world. Children of the Eucharist is under the auspices of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration in Ireland. www.childrenoftheeucharist.ie

Title: Journey in Church History through the Rosary. Host: Kathy Sinnott, guest Kathy Sinnott Kathy brings us on a journey through Church history mirroring the mysteries of the rosary. Speaking at the annual conference for the Legion of Mary in Dublin, Kathy reflects on how the life, ministry and passion of Jesus also follows the journey of fallen humanity through 2000 years of joys and sorrows, wars and peace.

Title: Spiritual Response to the Sins of Clerical Sexual Abuse Host: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guests, Bishop John Keenan of Paisley and Fr. Dominic Allain There is little doubt that the Church is experiencing one of the most major crisis in it’s 2000 year history. Perhaps the greatest occasion of the crisis has been the sins of clerical sexual abuse against the vulnerable. In recent years there has been various attempts and failures among Church leaders to address the issue. The scriptures tell us that sin, especially sins that cry out to God for vengeance, need to be taken very seriously by all, especially by those who would be leaders among God’s people. Next Saturday September 28th marks an important moment in Britain in response to the crisis. At Westminster Cathedral London a service of Divine Mercy involving repentance, reparation and prayer will be held for the sins of sexual abuse - and prayers for healing for those wounded and broken by these crimes, committed on many levels. Celtic Connections guest Bishop John Keenan of Paisley diocese in Scotland will led the service. Also Fr. Dominic Allain, chaplain to Grief to Grace, a world wide apostolate ministering to abuse survivors. Today’s show examines the Devine Mercy Day of Prayer at Westminster, a deeply spiritual response to clerical sexual abuse.

Title: March for Their Lives Belfast Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests: Fr. Patrick McCafferty, Baroness Nuala O’Loan DBE, Bernadette Smyth, Adele Best, Niamh Uí Bhriain, Fiona Rush, Sarah Haire and Rev. Jack Lamb One of the most pro-life places on earth is Northern Ireland. What is it that makes Northern Ireland so strongly pro-life when so many other nations make laws that outlaw, discriminate and kill their fellow human beings in the guise of ‘choice'? Pro-life advocates consistently witness to Christ in the public square in Northern Ireland on behalf of the unborn and their vulnerable mothers. The government in London has set in motion a law to legalise abortion up to 28 weeks for any reason whatsoever in Northern Ireland. The people are on the move to confront this evil. People are praying, fasting, and witnessing Christ in the streets and before government, demanding that justice, democracy and the cause of right be respected on behalf of the unborn. Following Mass at St. Patrick's parish Belfast, tens of thousands took part in a 'March for their Lives’ in the largest pro-life march ever to take place in Northern Ireland. Keynote speakers including, Baroness Nuala O’Lone, Fr. Patrick McCafferty and Bernadette Smyth spoke out boldly in defence of the unborn and advocated Christ to protect the country from the international abortion industry. This weeks show hears powerful testimonies from the 'March for their Lives’.

Title: Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin on N. Ireland Abortion Crisis Host Kathy Sinnott with guests Archbishop Eamon Martin, Fr Patrick McCafferty and Fr Marius O’Reilly. As the deadline for imposed radicalised abortion in Northern Ireland approaches on October 21st, Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin speaks into the crisis. He is this years guest speaker at the Edward M Kennedy Lecture in New Ross, Wexford, Ireland. Celtic Connections has an exclusive broadcast of the lecture.

Title: The Catholic Guide to All Things Brexit Hosts: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guests Caroline Farrow and Bernie Smyth As the United Kingdom makes front page international news again over Brexit, what should Catholics make of the latest ‘meltdown’. This weeks guests have the answers. Caroline Farrow is a renowned British journalist and Catholic commentator for Sky news. The view from Northern Ireland comes from Bernie Smyth, Founder and Director of pro-life group Precious Life.

Title: Everything You Wanted to know about Home Education but Were Afraid to Ask Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests Roy Peachey and Therese McCrystal Human Life International Ireland recently hosted a home education conference at Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Ireland. In the rapidly changing landscape of education in Ireland and Britain, more and more Catholic parents are considering afresh home education options. This weeks show hosts the best authorities in the field including Roy Peachey, education expert and author of ”Did Jesus go to School?” - also Therese McCrystal of Human Life International Ireland, long time home educator, mother of 8 children of ages 1 through 17.

Title: A Plea to the World To Pray For Northern Ireland Host: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guests Fr. Marius O’Riley and Fr. Patrick Cahill According to this weeks guest, Cork priest Fr. Marius O’Riley, Ireland is on the brink of the most gravies crisis in her long history. This is the pending threat by the British Government to impose the most extreme liberalised abortion regime anywhere in Europe - and also so called same-sex marriage, on the people of Northern Ireland. This weeks show is a plea to the world to join Ireland in prayer during this years International 54 Day Rosary Novena for an end to this threat. The novena starts this Wednesday the 21st of August, the feast day of Our Lady of Knock. Find out how you can participate at: www.coastalrosaryireland.ie Part 2. Celtic Connections visits the Holy Family Mission in county Waterford Ireland. Holy Family Mission is a new community of young Irish lay people dedicated to the evangelisation of Irish youth. Co-founder and coordinator of this unique community Fr. Patrick Cahill talks about this sign of hope for Ireland - and about young people in modern day Ireland, their joys and sorrows and their hunger for the Gospel. Find out more at: www.holyfamilymission.ie

Title. Essential News from Britain from a Catholic Perspective Hosts: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guest Caroline Farrow This weeks news review includes; New British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s fascinating cabinet picks / The latest British National Health Services' move to override a family’s right to save their infant daughter Tafida Raqeeb / Parents rights to protect their children from dangerous gender ideology frustrated by two British schools / Is there a Catholic view of what’s best for the United Kingdom when it comes to Brexit? Kathy’s guest news reviewer is eminent British journalist Caroline Farrow, Sky news contributor, news commentator and columnist for the Universe Catholic newspaper.

When British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Came to Belfast Host:Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guests: Laim Gibson, Don Devaney, Fr. John Egan SAC and Micheal Downes Part 1. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came to Belfast Northern Ireland this week to discuss Brexit with the local political parties. He came in the wake of a major crisis concerning proposed imposition of liberalised abortion and “same sex marriage’ on the population, imposed by British members of parliament. Liam Gibson, Northern Ireland political officer for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has an update. Part 2. Paul MacAree visits one of the most beautiful places on earth, between the showers! Fanore by the north atlantic ocean is situated by the spectacular Cliffs of Moher and the famous Burren landscape of west County Clare. Every year a group of Irish faithful holiday there for 10 days sharing adoration, the rosary and daily Mass - as well as soccer and activities for the kids. Paul talks to Fanore team leaders Don Devaney and Fr. John Egan - and he hears a new song from Irish singer songwriter and worship leader Micheal Dowens called “You are Precious in my Eyes”.

Host: Kathy Sinnott and Paul MacAree with guest Tracy Harkin Liberalised abortion and “same-sex marriage” to be imposed by Westminster government on Northern Ireland. Undemocratic, diabolical, destabilising, divisive, unprecedented. This is how northern Irish political and religious leaders are describing the current crisis invoked by British MPs. Paul MacAree talks to EWTN Ireland commentator Tracy Harkin about the nature of the crisis and the call to prayer.

Title: The Betrayal of Unborn Children in Northern Ireland Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests, Fr. Patrick McCafferty, Bernadette Smyth, Dr Trevor Hayes, Bishop John Keenan, Paul Kyle and Joyce Higgins In Northern Ireland the population continues to reject the culture of death - but the local government has been suspended for over 2 years. This has left the province in a vacuum which is being exploited in a move by the great majority of British MP’s in Westminster. This move has been made in cooperation of Sinn Fein, a self identified Irish republican party, who have collaborated with British MP’s to attempt to impose liberalised abortion and a “same sex marriage” regime on Northern Ireland. Such a blatant betrayal of Irish people by Irish republicans is unprecedented in Irish history. If the Northern Ireland government is not restored by 21st October, this imposition will become law. Kathy has a full report and takes a particular look at the spiritual side of this latest and most deadly attack on the unborn in Ireland. Guests include pro-life commentator Belfast priest Fr. Patrick McCafferty, Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life, Obstetrician Gynaecologist Dr. Trevor Hayes and Bishop John Keenan. Two Irish singer songwriters also share their songs on the subject, Paul Kyle and Joyce Higgins.