It is funny where the lessons of our classrooms are sometimes understood. I studied philosophy when I was still a bit too young for it, a 19-year-old studying the metaphysics of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. But something from a metaphysics course remains indelibly stamped in my mind. We learned that there are four ‘transcendental’ properties…
Sweet Treats If you can get your hands on some flour and sugar these days, why not try and create a lemon and poppy seed drizzle traybake? This adaption of a classic Mary Berry recipe is the perfect springtime treat to make with the kids. With all the ingredients going into one bowl together…
Before capitulating to the law of the jungle, it is worth thinking about triage and euthanasia writes Dr Catherine Kavanagh Discussion is raging all over the internet (which is currently the only place where it can rage) about triage. Anecdotal claims are being made that automatic ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) orders are being requested…
Dear Editor, I was delighted to see your front page article [IC 16/04/2020] regarding the calls for Sr Clare Crockett to be put on the path to sainthood. Sr Clare’s story is inspirational for us all. Furthermore, I believe her devotion and Faith can be an example for young people today, who are constantly being…
I n our Catholic tradition we often speak of the communion of saints as that spiritual union between the members of the Church on earth and those of us who have died in God’s friendship. Death is not the end for us, and those who have gone before us remain a part of us and…
Regular readers will know how unhappy I am with media treatment of controversial social issues. I find so many presenters pushing their own viewpoints and being unwilling or unable to ask the hard questions of those promoting a supposedly liberal viewpoint, while being well able and willing to grill those of a conservative leaning. I’ve…
Notebook I have been live-streaming Sunday Mass onto our parish Facebook page since March 15, so I feel like a hardened cyber-veteran at this stage. But even with nine broadcast Masses under my belt, the Sunday morning liturgical adventure is always preceded by a sleepless Saturday night. Maybe after a year, when this becomes…
First state in Germany reopens churches Saxony has become the first state in Germany to allow churches to re-open for public services. The governor of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, announced that from last week onwards churches could hold services albeit “on a small scale”. Mass was duly celebrated in the Catholic Provost Church of the Holy…
Mozart’s two Piano Quartets date from the mid 1780s – a period that also brought, among many other things, five of his major piano concerti, two important string quartets and his opera Le nozze di Figaro. While there were earlier incursions by less well-remembered figures into the piano quartet arena, it took Mozart to raise…
Live classes online Gyms have been closed for over a month now. Many of us will have spent hours scouring online for at-home workouts and tutorials and it’s starting to get old. Not being able to interact with a class or get tips on your form can slowly start to take the fun and the…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Michael Kelly
Brendan O’Regan