14 September 2010

Heart Gives Unto Heart, the dedicated Papal Visit radio station go live

With an amazingly eclectic line-up of programmes, the long awaited Heart Gives Unto Heart launches their radio station with a very humble bang!

As a community online radio station dedicated to the Papal Visit, you can't get any more 'community' than this: the coordinators and project team of Heart Gives Unto Heart (who I shall henceforth abbreviate as HGUH) have, since April, been volunteering their little socks off to make this happen. They've got schools, solo artists, bands, choirs, religious & clergy, Catholic charity organisations, as well as Christian legacies like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan contributing towards the mix. Not an easy feat considering the school holidays have only just finished! Hats off to that, HGUH!

Prayers for the sick, pilgrimage diaries, plus coverage of the Papal events fill the airtime too, so now there really IS NO excuse to miss the big celebrations with the Holy Father!

And it gets better... they're not just an aural outlet for all the creative talent within the Catholic church, you know... they've set up competitions to give young people the opportunity to share their flourishing talents through photography and video clip competitions. They'll also have a fantastic competition going for all budding musicians to win a recording studio session. Those less creative can relax on the receiving end and vote for their favourite hymn instead.

Jillie, one of the project's associate directors (I don't think that's her formal title, but that's how I see her :)), says "We've got some fantastic, energetic programmes coming from volunteers and schools so interested in the project, and in sharing their faith".

There's something in the schedule for Catholics and Christians of all ages - and it's all good! I love the fact that they start and end the day in grace through prayer. Such a wonderful concept, and so important for people of faith to receive these reflections daily whenever the opportunity arises. 

At the time of blogging, the schedule is completed up until Saturday... so from that list, here's my 10 favourite programmes in order of schedule time to look out for. Remember, I'm more partial to music than speech, but this doesn't take away the appeal of their other programmes - you're just gonna have to visit the schedule yourself ;) :

1) St. Patrick's Gospel Choir @ 10:15 on Tuesday. They're gifted Catholic singers,  and sing some sick (I means sick good sick) Gospel. I'm a big fan of Gospel music/singing, and so this makes my list.

2) Music Special: The Priests @13:00 on Tuesday. I've heard so much about them, I can't wait to hear what they sound like though.

3) Richard Challenor school explores the life of Cardinal Newman @ 15:00 on Tuesday. Oooo... intruiging.

4) Fr. Stan's explanation of the Mass @ 22:00 on Tuesday. Anybody who knows of Fr. Stan, will know that he's seriously... one of a kind - and guess what? His explanation of the Mass comes complete with a rap :) He is always worth going out of your way to listen to. There's a lot of other Fr. Stan programmes on the HGUH schedule - so check it out.

5) Listening with the Heart - daily scripture reflections 2 @ 11:50 on Wednesday. Great prep forthe main theme!

6) The Alchemist 1 - Sean O'Leary sings Gerard Manley Hopkins poems @ 09:30 Thursday.

7) Olympics 2010 - The Christian legacy for Sport @ 16:15 Thursday.

8) Frankie Muldrew "From stand up to kneel down" @ 15:00 on Friday.

9) Live evening prayer from Westminster Abbey @ 18:00 on Friday.

10) "Did I hear a call?" - How Fr Eamon Power, St Teresa, Ilford found his faith @ 21:45 on Friday.

Of course I'd also recommend the daily morning Masses and night prayers. Plus all the live prayer sessions they'll be airing.

HGUH have a facebook page which has grown in audience numbers over the past week quite rapidly. You can follow them on twitter too: @HGUHRadio. And of course, you'll not get any of their stuff without going onto their  website since they air online only (click here).

No joke people, bring your headphones with you so that you can listen to the live stream on your Blackberries, iPhones, HTC's, Samsungs... whatever! If you're driving to Bellahouston, Birmingham or Hyde Park, connect your phones to your car's or coach's audio system. Connect your PCs and laptops to your home entertainment systems. Just  tune in.

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