by John Harris OP Notebook It was the Thursday (February 18) after Ash Wednesday 1858 that the Lady first spoke to Bernadette. On the two previous occasions (February 11 and 14) the Lady had appeared to Bernadette she had said nothing. On this first Thursday of Lent the Lady asked Bernadette to come to the…
One of the reasons I’d rage against war is that it is entirely man made. Natural disasters produce a different response, but human inadequacy or irresponsibility can make the outcome worse. The media coverage of the Turkey/Syria earthquake included suggestions that after the 1999 earthquake in the area, buildings were not subsequently erected to be…
An Irish priest continues to deliver education to vulnerable children amidst economic and political collapse, writes Chai Brady Contending with a dysfunctional government and effectively non-existent banking system is a struggle for the average Lebanese person, particularly the poor, but it’s refugee children who are consistently pushed further into marginalisation and poverty. The Lebanese lira…
This month celebrates the 75th anniversary of the establishment in 1948 of the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra (RÉSO), renamed the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) from January 1, 1990. 1948 also brought the foundation of the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra (RÉLO) – a body of 22 musicians with its own agenda but would supplement the larger…
This Sunday’s Gospel (Matt 5:38-48) is the fourth excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount, the charter of the Kingdom of God, the description of a Christian life. Last Sunday Jesus gave us a new understanding of three commandments, moving from what “You have learnt from what is said” to “But I say to you”.…
Dear Editor, Every year we have the same tired attacks on St Brigid in the media, with claims that she was involved in an abortion and was lesbian. Breda O’Brien’s piece was important as it pointed out the offensive co-opting of such a wonderful saint by those who seek to paint her in a way…
Tuam celebrates inaugural young adult night The Archdiocese of Tuam held its inaugural young adults night, February 4, gathering young people from around the diocese for Mass and a social. Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy celebrated the opening Mass at 6pm in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, Co. Galway. He praised the “moving” event,…
The new national holiday on the first day of February has been judged a great success on its first celebration. Doubtless in the decades to come ways of celebration will become fixed and standardised, and we will all know what we can expect in the way of local events to celebrate the role of women…
Pope urges solidarity with Syria, Turkey after earthquakes Pope Francis urged all people to be in solidarity with the regions of Turkey and Syria struck by two powerful earthquakes early February 6 and that are “in part already martyred by a long war”. The two earthquakes, which both measured above 7.0 magnitude according to the…
Chai Brady and Jason Osborne Priests based in Dublin’s inner city have decried the daily violence, church vandalism and prevalent drug dealing they witness in their communities. For Fr Kieran McDermott, the administrator of St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in the north inner city, security and safety in the area has continued to descend over the last five…
Brendan O’Regan
Chai Brady
Peter Costello