Catholic Lighthouse media – Sharing the good news!
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:
Australian Mathew Kelly is a
New York times bestselling author, his CD ‘how to become the best version of yourself
reaches people stuck in a rut’ and gives practical steps on how to live life with ‘passion & purpose’. 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.
Why a Protestant Pastor became Catholic. 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!