For centuries Jerusalem and the Holy Land was a place of great mystique, the hope of pious pilgrims as the object of a once in a lifetime visit. But over the course of the long nineteenth century this began to change: new techniques of image making and reproduction began to alter the ideas that people…
Notebook As this difficult year, characterised by social distance and disconnection, comes to an end I’d like to share a story which created a wonderful memory and celebrates the power of connection. Andy and Sarah Lawrence live in England near Buxton in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales. Andy’s family roots are in the parish of Rathdowney…
Parental leave to be extended to five weeks The Cabinet has approved Minister for Children Roderick O’Gorman’s plan to extend parental leave from two to five weeks. Mr O’Gorman has also received Cabinet approval to extend the time the leave can be taken from just the first year to the first two years of child’s…
Dear Editor, I was pleased to see that you will – please God – again start bringing pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2021. My husband and I were part of the trip three years ago and it had a very moving impact on our Faith and helped us appreciate the scriptures in a new…
An old Irish superstition is that at the stroke of midnight on December 31, those seeking good luck were recommended to enter their house through the front door and leave through the back. It’s not obvious to me how that particular custom arose, but like many superstitions the origins are clouded in a combination of…
The gratitude that comes from encountering Christ’s love and mercy is enough to bring joy and hope to a troubled world, Pope Francis said. “If we are bearers of gratitude, the world itself will become better, even if only a little bit, but that is enough to transmit a bit of hope,” the Pope said…
In choosing the new Archbishop of Dublin, the Vatican is signalling that much-needed reforms are on the agenda writes Michael Kelly Archbishop Diarmuid Martin – who steps down today (Tuesday) as leader of the country’s largest diocese – is widely, and correctly, credited with taking decisive action on the issue of child abuse. It was…
Pope Francis has named the Bishop of Ossory Dr Dermot Farrell as the new Archbishop of Dublin. The announcement came in a communique from the Vatican this morning (Tuesday). Dr Farrell (66) will succeed Archbishop Diarmuid Martin as the leader of the country’s largest diocese and is expected to be installed early in the New…
Chai Brady, Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne An Irish nun who works with struggling Christians in the Holy Land has said that the community will make the most of Christmas despite the fact that there will be no pilgrims this year. “It will be hopeful and it will be joyful and it’ll be family-based, but…
Despite a hard life in which she lost two husbands and three children, 100-year-old Anna-Mae Treacy carries on enjoying life with faith and trust in God. Sharp as a whistle Anna-Mae turned 100 on December 7 and is still “sharp as a whistle” according to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren! Speaking to…
Peter Costello
Michael Kelly
Ruadhán Jones