- Premier.org.uk
- Features
- Year of FaithÂ
Pope Benedict XVI announced that the Catholic Church would celebrate a Year of Faith from 11 October 2012 - 24 November 2013.
What is the Year of Faith?
Pope Benedict XVI is inviting Catholics throughout the world to take their faith and encounter with Christ to another level - to deepen and develop it. And with Pope Francis I's installation, this celebration will continue.
How will it be celebrated?
The guidance advocates meetings and gatherings, promotes pilgrimages to the Holy Land, encourages a deeper devotion to Mary and asks Catholics to engage closely with the teachings, homilies and addresses of the Holy Father. More specifically, the Congregation provides dioceses and parishes with ideas to get the most out of what is sure to be a grace-filled year.
World Youth Day, in Rio de Janeiro will take place in July 2013 - and will offer the opportunity for young Catholic pilgrims to celebrate their faith in the presence of the Holy Father.
For more information The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales click here.
How will Premier be communicating the Year of Faith?
Premier will be covering the Year of Faith beginning on 11 October – also the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council - with interviews throughout the year with individuals and organisations from the Catholic community.
LISTEN: Benedict: The Papal Legacy
Join Maria Rodrigues-Toth and a panel of guests taking an in-depth look at the Pope’s legacy and resignation. Below they discuss his successes, failures, and give their thoughts on who should be the next head of the Catholic church.
On the panel are: Dr. Harry Hagopian - international lawyer & church consultant, John McAleer from Catholic Voices, Joanna Bogle - Catholic Commentator, author and journalist and Christian Rees – member of the Church of England General Synod and Archbishops' Council.
The Papal Legacy
Working with the poorest of the poor
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) was founded to live out the teachings of St Vincent de Paul. In England and Wales alone it has a membership of around 10,000 volunteers of all ages from many different backgrounds who join through church contacts. Inspired to give of their time and skills and money these volunteers tend to the needs of the very poor and needy. They tell us about a special scheme entitled “Twinnage” which links parishes here in the UK with parishes overseas in India and elsewhere, to provide direct support.
SVP
Good Friday Passion Play Trafalgar Square
Henri Fiddian-Green spoke to Maria Rodrigues-Toth on Woman to Woman about the wonderful Wintershall plays and, in particular, The Passion staged in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday. Watch it over the next two weeks via the internet and listen to the interview below.
Wintershall
Ace of Clubs
Listen how a local Clapham homeless charity started by the Redemptorists priests – the Ace of Clubs, supported by the wider Christian and local community is helping the homeless.
Ace of Clubs
Youth 2000
Dave Rose chats to Fiona Mansford about the recent Youth 2000 music event. Listen here to how they are reaching out to young people through music.
A Conservative Unifier?
Following the shock resignation in February of Pope Benedict XVI, Justin Brierley examines his legacy and why evangelicals will miss him too. Read the Christianity magazine article here.
The Little Way Art competition winners
Winning and shortlisted entries from the schools art competition can now be viewed here.
Unbelievable
Each Saturday, in the award-winning programme Unbelievable?, Justin Brierley asks tough questions like: Can Christianity live up to the claims it makes? Can we trust the Bible? Why should I believe in Jesus over anything else?
Justin tackles these and related issues, on a show that gets Christians and non-believers talking to each other. Listen on demand to the shows below.
The Gay Marriage Debate
Peter Tatchell is a lifelong gay rights campaigner who has staged controversial protests campaigning for equal rights. He believes that the proposed legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in the UK is long overdue. Peter D Williams of Catholic Voices believes that putting gay marriage on an equal footing with heterosexual marriage is a dangerous and unnecessary step.
The Gay Marriage Debate
Is the Catholic Church the one, true church?
Unbelievable? welcomed Peter D Williams of Catholic Voices and Rev David Robertson of the Solas Center For Public Christianity for a discussion titled "Is the Catholic Church the one, true church?" Don't miss this fascinating debate.
Catholic Church
Other Programmes
Monsignor Keith Barltrop
Listen to this interview with Catholic Truth Society author and parish priest Monsignor Keith Barltrop on his book entitled 25 Tough Questions on the Catholic Faith. He gives some invaluable insights into the Catholic doctrine.
Monsignor Barltrop
Adrian Likorish
Listen to this interview with Catholic Truth Society author and former city lawyer, Adrian Likorish on his book entitled Reasons to Believe. Learn about his faith journey and how this resource can help any Christian.
Adrian Likorish
Bishop Conry
Bishop Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel & Brighton and Chair of the Bishops’ Conference Department of Evangelisation and Catechesis and is the Church’s Bishop for Youth, speaks to Premier about the Year of Faith and the efforts the Catholic Church is making to reach out and connect with those who have lost contact with the Church for all kinds of reasons.
He encourages us to take time out every week to go to church in order to make a space for reflection and contemplation and hopes that we will remember those in need throughout 2013.
Bishop Conry
Clare Ward
Little Way Week, earlier in October, was an initiative - inspired by the teaching of St Thérèse of Lisieux - which aims to encourage prayer and service with the love of Jesus. Clare Ward from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales talks about the schools' Little Way Art competition being run in partnership with Premier Christian Radio.
Clare Ward
Bishop Drainey
Bishop Terence Drainey, Roman Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough, spoke to Premier Christian Radio about his call to the priesthood, life in the Diocese of Middlesbrough and plans for celebrating the Year of Faith in his diocese where faith is very much alive. Listen in and be encouraged.
Bishop Drainey
Bishop Cunningham
Bishop Seamus Cunningham - RC Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Seamus speaks to John Pantry about the importance of faith in his life, even in his childhood. He also speaks about the Year of Faith and how the Diocese is driving initiatives to renew Catholics in their Faith and reach out to the wider community. Listen in and be encouraged.
Bishop Cunningham
Faith Matters
Our thanks to RC Diocese of Westminster for providing recordings of the Diocese of Westminster Faith Matters Lecture series.
Lent 2013
Faith Matters 1: 'O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness’: Art and Architecture, Poetry and Music at the Service of the Liturgy by Archbishop George Stack
Archbishop George Stack
Faith Matters 2: ‘Eucharist: Sacrament of Healing, of Unity and of Life’ by Rev Dr Andrew Cameron-Mowat, Heythrop College
Dr Andrew Cameron-Mowat
Faith Matters 3: Bishop John Arnold invites us to reflect on ‘Reconciliation: Wasted sacrament or valued gift?’
Bishop John Arnold
Faith Matters 4: ‘A Treasure of Inestimable Value’ – Music as Liturgy and Prayer by Andrew Carwood, St Paul’s Cathedral (file to be uploaded next week as OB this Sunday)
Andrew Carwood
Autumn 2012
Faith Matters 1: 'What is Faith & How Do We Believe?' with Archbishop Vincent Nichols
Archbishop Nichols
Faith Matters 2: 'Faith, Science & The Human Person' with Rev Dr Andrew Pinsent
Dr Andrew Pinsent
Faith Matters 3: 'Faith & the Psychologists' with Prof Rachel Blass
Prof Rachel Blass
Faith Matters 4: 'Finding God in other Cultures & Religions' with Profressor Ian Linden
Prof Ian Linden