Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore’s plans to force schools to allow parents opt for cheaper uniforms has been branded “strange” by an senior education chief.   Ferdia Kelly, General Secretary of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) told The Irish Catholic “it seems strange that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would want to bring in regulations on school…

Cherry Orchard Parish in Dublin will launch a custom-made Year of Faith boat next week, built by the local men’s shed group.   The idea for the boat, based on the Year of Faith logo, was originally floated by parish priest, Fr Sean Duggan. Parish Pastoral Worker, Jane Mellet and parishioner Mary Barrett both jumped…

Bishop Philip Boyce officially launched the Raphoe Faith Gathering at an event in the Pastoral Centre in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal last Monday.   The Faith Gathering will take place on the weekend of October 19-20 in the Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny with a variety of keynote speakers and workshops, including an address by Papal Nuncio,…

Students starting the canonical year with the Pallottines in Dublin pictures with Fr Emmet O'Hara SCA Vocation's Director: Christopher Burke (Derry), Brendan McCarrick (Sligo), John Regan (Mayo), Jamie Twogig (Cork), Charles Lafferty (Derry) and Liam O'Donovan (Kilkenny).

Leader-in-waiting of the Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has taken up a new lead role in the Church’s communications strategy. Dr Martin, who is currently shadowing Cardinal Seán Brady as coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, spearheaded the Church’s campaign against Enda Kenny’s recent abortion legislation. He has undertaken a number of high-profile media interviews in…

  A pharmacist, publican, nurse, engineer, accountant, and former professional footballer are among the 19 men currently in formation with the Irish Dominican friars.   Bro. Philip Mulryne is a former professional footballer from Belfast who played for Manchester United, Norwich City and internationally with Northern Ireland before retiring in 2008.   He joined the…

Students Orla Davis, Clodagh Martin, Cliodhna McManus and Clare Bradley from Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath call on schools and youth organisations to 'Go Do' and enter the YSI Social Innovators Action Programme 2014, supported by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.   Eureka Secondary School holds the title of Young Social Innovators of the Year…

Fr Iggy O’Donovan has denied reports that he is being forced to leave his position as Prior of the Augustinian Church in Drogheda, as he prepared to leave the town on sabbatical this week.   Fr Iggy, who is no stranger to controversy and was heavily criticised for issuing an invitation to Church of Ireland…

Bishop Denis Nulty has issued an invitation to participants at the National Ploughing Championship at Ratheniska, Co. Laois later this month to visit the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin’s stand.   The event, from September 24-26, is one of Europe’s largest outdoor exhibitions and agricultural trade shows, which attracts on average 1,300 exhibitors and 187,000…

Church choirs throughout the Archdiocese of Dublin are joining forces for one rousing performance to close the Year of Faith.   Singers from all corners of the Dublin archdiocese are being encouraged to join an assembled choir to perform G.F. Handel’s masterpiece Messiah at a special ceremony in All Hallows College Chapel in November.  …