Radio Maria England

Fr Toby on our call to become God-bearers like Mary.

Anna Whitehead and Anna Fleischer visit the Wintershall estate during their annual Life of Christ plays, bringing you some of the scenes and behind-the-scenes of this joyful drama.

SR Catherine from the community of our lady of Walsingham speaks about evangelisation and how our lives must be rooted in prayer and relationship to Christ in order to fulfil this part of our Christian lives.

Jill McFadden and Benjamin Keyes from the Christian folk music trio Ordinary Time tell the story of how a Christmas gift in the form of a few songs for their friends and family became a 17 year long project that is still going and continues to be a blessing to so many today. We here at Radio Maria are among those who enjoy the wonderful music of Ordinary Time and are pleased to hear the story of how the group came together. Listen to their music and their conversation with Tim here. JUST LIFE is a human formation programme brought to you by Radio Maria, airing on weekdays at 10am and rebroadcast at 10pm.  If you enjoyed this programme, please consider making a once off or monthly donation to Radio Maria England by visiting www.RadioMariaEngland.uk or calling 0300 302 1251 during office hours. It is only through the ongoing support of our listeners that we continue to be a Christian voice by your side.

A playlet, lovingly put together by Tricolore Theatre Company in collaboration with Ghirelli and CaAPa (The Catholic Association of Performing Arts) for Radio Maria England during Advent of 2023. A VISIT FROM ST NICHOLASWriter: CLEMENT CLARKE MOOREClement Clarke Moore, born in New York in 1779, was an American writer, scholar and real estate developer. He is best known as author of this very Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Reader:Jonathan CooteJonathan has performed frequently in the West End (Yes, Prime Minister,The Audience, Witness for the Prosecution) and at the National Theatre(Doctor’s Dilemma, Home, Our Country’s Good).Television includes: Stephen, The Crown.Radio includes: Publish and Be Damn’d, Six Degrees of Assassination,The Diary Of River Song.

A poem lovingly put together by Tricolore Theatre Company in collaboration with Ghirelli and CaAPa (The Catholic Association of Performing Arts) for Radio Maria England during Advent of 2023. THE SHEPHERDS’ PLAY Writer: PENNY CULLIFORDPenny is a playwright, author and speaker.Her plays include Warden Pie, The Gingerbread Man, The Golden Chain, Saffron Hill, A Boy Called Porro, and Grimaldi’s Last Act for Tricolore Theatre company. She also wrote the Theodora’s Diary books, The Art of Standing Still and a children’s novel based on her play, A Boy Called Porro. Readers:Simon BrandonSimon Brandon trained at East 15.  He has appeared in numerous stage productions including: ‘29 Internet Dates’ (Maiden Productions at The White Bear Theatre and OSO), ‘A Boy Called Porro’ (Tricolore Theatre Company at The Pleasance Theatre), and ‘Mayflower’ (Historia Theatre Company at The Hen & Chickens Theatre). Simon has also appeared in a number of short films and features.  Jonathan CooteJonathan has performed frequently in the West End (Yes, Prime Minister,The Audience, Witness for the Prosecution) and at the National Theatre(Doctor’s Dilemma, Home, Our Country’s Good).Television includes: Stephen, The Crown.Radio includes: Publish and Be Damn’d, Six Degrees of Assassination,The Diary Of River Song. Kenneth MichaelsKenneth Michaels is an actor and director and has worked in theatre, radio, television and film and has taught in several drama schools.As an actor he has toured extensively in the UK and Europe in works from Shakespeare to pantomime, Pinter to Agatha Christie. Kenneth works as a specialist ESOL teacher, working with refugees supporting their English learning. He is also the Secretary of the Catholic Association of Performing Arts (CaAPA). Nadia OstacchiniNadia was born in London of Italian parentage, trained as an actor and is the Artistic Director of Tricolore Theatre Company whose first dual-language English/Italian storybook based on Jesus’s parables was published this year.  She has enjoyed organising the Advent Adventures for Radio Maria & would like to give a big shout out to the parishioners of The Sacred Heart of Jesus church and St Peters Italian Church for tuning in as they promised to! Website: www.tricolore.org.uk

A poem, lovingly put together by Tricolore Theatre Company in collaboration with Ghirelli and CaAPa (The Catholic Association of Performing Arts) for Radio Maria England during Advent of 2023. A RIDE IN CENTRAL PARK  Writer: RICHARD FITCHETTRichard, originally from the Midlands, now lives in London. He is married with two children and four grandchildren. He is a playwright, has had work produced on the fringe and has received 5-Star reviews and been commended for a stage prize.This piece was inspired by a sermon at his church, St Anselm’s in Tooting.’ Reader:Kenneth Michaels is an actor and director and has worked in theatre, radio, television and film and has taught in several drama schools.As an actor he has toured extensively in the UK and Europe in works from Shakespeare to pantomime, Pinter to Agatha Christie. Kenneth works as a specialist ESOL teacher, working with refugees supporting their English learning. He is also the Secretary of the Catholic Association of Performing Arts (CaAPA).

Part four of the series.

Fr Wayne is a guardian of the relic image of Guadalupe which is kept at England's Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at The Holy Child and St Joseph in Bedford.

Sarah de Nordwall, a modern-day bard who channels the power of poetry to evoke truth and wonder, delves into the significance of the bardic tradition. She reimagines the myth of Narcissus, exploring the dangers of self-obsession and proposing a transformative twist where he learns to swim. Sarah emphasizes the journey of self-discovery through artistic expression and the spiritual awakening it can inspire. Listeners are invited to share their own poetic creations, highlighting the role of imagination in renewing society.