On this weeks prorgamme John shares with us Neil Foley's story. We have our regular notices, saints of the week and short reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel.
Neil’s story explores his story from being an agnostic to contemplation & mysticism, his involvement in a contemporary worship band member and as a lay preacher and environmental scientist.
"I was raised Catholic but was agnostic by young adulthood, particularly following my pursuit of a scientific education. However, I was always a questioning person and began returning to the faith in my late 20s, partly through the influence of a good woman! My wife's brother was ordained to the priesthood and I would borrow books from him. Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son had a huge impact on me then and still does. My primary faith interest is contemplation and mysticism so I'm probably a little unorthodox but that's the beauty of Catholic universality. So now I'm an environmental scientist and part-time lay missionary - an unorthodox and paradoxical pilgrim! I'm involved with a contemporary worship band called the Mustard Seeds who re-imagine pop and rock songs to deliver a faith message, e.g. we sing a trad version of a Guns 'n' Roses song at pro-life rallies! I'm also involved with the Hook of Faith digital envangelisation project in the Diocese of Ferns: www.hookoffaith.com"