(Vatican Radio) Vatican Radio’s English section is proud to introduce our newest
intern, Michael Gannon. The Director of Vatican Radio’s English Section, Sean-Patrick
Lovett, first met Michael at the “Think Different, Think Europe” event hosted by Vatican
Radio last May. It is a project associated with the Europe for Citizenship programme
for the EU, and brought together citizens from different EU countries who have Down
Syndrome. It was there that Michael suggested an internship at the Radio. Michael
is the first person with Down Syndrome to do an internship at any Vatican office.
We
have asked him to tell us more about himself. Listen:
My
aims for this week
Hey folks this is Michael Gannon here. Just
to introduce myself to one and all: I am from Ireland, I have lived in Kildare all
my life. I have one brother and one sister and myself and my parents. We are out-going,
we do different things together like celebrating Christmas, New Year, we support Kilkenny
in the hurling and follow Kildare in the football and I support Manchester United
The one thing that you need to know is that I am a very hard worker myself. And
keep very busy in what I do.
I have just started in Vatican radio this morning.
What I found most interesting is to work in radio and what it means to work with a
team. I have had a tour around the radio station and seen different places and how
radio works. I was also introduced to different people who work in different stages
in radio. My work friends with me are very nice to be with they are wonderful to work
with, they can be very funny and lot of humour as well. I hope in my two weeks here
in Rome to get to know them very well like making lots of new friends here.
My
first impression of Vatican Radio when I arrived this morning was that I wanted to
work with Sean Patrick and his team. Because they all work together with me and the
way that I work I like to talk to people and show them what I can do. In my two weeks
in Rome I will show them my experience and also give them something that they never
knew they had: the best gift of all.
My challenge this week for me is to make
a power point presentation about my time and working with media and Down Syndrome
Ireland, and about being a student as well, about Maynooth college for radio. I would
like to share some of my experience with everyone here in work: life can be easy,
life can be full of the joys of spring with friends and family. That is all I want
in life and nothing more than that. Life can also mean to celebrate what life is about
and also it comes true like a dream that came true and for everyone around you.
My
aim for my week in Rome is to find out more about myself and to share in everything
that I do and my belief in the message of the Gospel.