An innovative, new faith development ministry is up and running in our Parish. The Lighthouse Catholic Media Project has been providing parishioners with faith based audio presentations on CD. These ‘lighthouse CDs’ include over 100 titles of  inspirational talks by a wide variety of speakers including Scott Hahn, Mother Teresa, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Matthew Kelly and many more. They cover an array of speaking styles and topics from ‘Understanding the Eucharist” and “The ‘healing power of confession”, to powerful conversion stories, coping with anger and forgiveness, Catholic parenting and how to become the ‘best version’ of ourselves. 

To date over 7000 CDs have been distributed through the parish programme in the Down & Connor area and feedback from listeners has been extremely positive.

“When the CD’s were introduced they generated a lot of interest from me and many others. The first CD I listened to was called “Becoming the best version of yourself”. It was an incredibly fresh, articulate and modern look on life and how we can get distracted by the complexities of daily life. It challenged me to look at life with a different perspective. I came back for more CD’s.” Parishioner

Background

It was while living and working in the US that Tom Harkin first encountered these resources. “When My wife and I began Listening to these CDs they really deepened our understanding and enthusiasm for the faith we had so often taken for granted.

I was amazed at the range and talent of these speakers to really engage the listener and  explain the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of church teaching in a straight forward and often entertaining way.

As parents, students or single people we all have huge demands on our time. We rarely take the opportunity to really learn about our faith never mind become excited about it! It seems that as cradle Catholics many of us enter into adulthood with many misunderstandings and unanswered questions about important aspects of our Catholic faith. This is where these resources can really help.

Following our return from the US the possibility of making this ministry a reality, this side of the Atlantic was an idea that just wouldn’t go away.

Fifteen months ago we adapted the lighthouse model for Ireland and began making the resources available to parishes here.

Helping Catholics learn, live and share their faith!

‘Lighthouse Catholic Media Ireland’ is a non-profit ministry of volunteers dedicated to helping Catholics learn, live and share their faith through promoting and distributing good Catholic resources.

As well as proving to be a valuable aid in helping practicing Catholics learn and live  their Catholic faith more fully, the CDs are providing a powerful tool for parishioners to reach out to those family and friends who no longer practice.

Parish Programme

The CDs are made available to parishioners in an attractive display stand for as little as 2.00 each suggested donation. Despite the challenges this involves, ensuring the materials are as affordable as possible to ordinary Catholics is an important ethos of this ministry. Often parishioners will take multiple titles to listen and then pass on to others. We have heard many uplifting stories of family and friends whose lives have been deeply impacted by just one talk and of increased attendance at the sacraments especially confession.

CD of the month programme

 The project also offers individuals the chance to acquire the latest released Lighthouse CD mailed directly to their home. As well as being a unique gift for ourselves or a loved one, this is a great way to support the lighthouse ministry. 

Using CDs is a simple and effective way to evangelise in our modern world and can also serve to complement existing faith development programmes.

As Pope John Paul II reminded us “Evangelisation is not to be left to a group of specialists but requires the participation of all the people of God”

The lighthouse ministry offers one simple and effective way for ordinary modern day Catholics to really make a difference!

For more information about lighthouse Ireland and a full list of titles available

Contact, Tom Harkin @ 028 44614044 or email harkin128@hotmail.com

Now just a brief introduction to some of the topics & speakers that are available in the Parish starter set:

 Do you know anyone who finds it hard to forgive? then pick them up:

Anger & Forgiveness by Deacon Bob McDonald

This man is a Catholic psychotherapist & shares practical wisdom in promoting healing & understanding in very difficult circumstances.

If you have ever had any doubts, questions or misunderstandings about confession or the Mass, then pickup The healing power of Confession by Dr Scott Hahn or The Mass explained by Fr. Richards

Listeners to these have said, it has helped them better understand why these Sacraments are so important and gave them the desire to go more often.

Next, The Passion of Christ Applied to Your Life by Fr. Corapi – before becoming a priest achieved world fame and fortune and then lost it all. In this stirring talk he explains the ‘hard truths’ of the Cross and he provides the practical tools we need to transform our lives.

This testimony has become legendary – he was a militant anti-Catholic but was self driven to seek the Truth. This ultimately, led him to the Catholic church.

Through this talk alone, many who previously left the Church have been inspired to return.

Also available through Lighthouse Ireland for a limited time is the Matthew Kelly book, entitled, ‘Rediscovering Catholicism’ free for only a small donation to cover shipping and your local postage. Don’t miss this opportunity!