May 28 – Pentecost Acts 2:1-11Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 341 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13Jn 20:19-23I Deacon Greg Kandra I can’t remember the last time I heard anyone say, “Happy Pentecost”. We are so eager to send glad tidings at Christmas and Easter, exchanging gifts or food or flowers, but shouldn’t Pentecost be given its due?…
The Irish Catholic Legacy Supplement 2023 – An Enduring Gift Immediate calls for an ambulance by mobile health units reflect the danger of unnoticed high blood pressure, writes Chai Brady Irish people are now living longer than ever before due to advances in medical science and technology as well as better health education, but this…
Ireland and North Macedonia have ‘strong spiritual ties’ Ireland and North Macedonia have “strong spiritual ties”, the Balkan country’s foreign minister told Dáil Éireann, referencing the inspiring effect of Irish nuns on Mother Teresa. “Many things and similarities connect North Macedonia and Ireland,” Dr Bujar Osman said on May 10. He added that it…
One of the good-natured grumbles I hear from priests about Pope Francis is the quip that it wasn’t the Argentine Pontiff who invented being nice to people. What do they mean when they say this? Well, the fact is that the overwhelming majority of priests – almost to a man, I would say – are…
Notebook Recently I spoke at the novena in the Parish of Graiguecullen/Killeshin and it was an honour to be asked. I realise now that I spoke for about twice as long as I was intended to speak! I might not be there again! I should have left out a few bits but, as the song…
Dear Editor, Pope Francis deserves much credit for his heroic witness and work for a just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia [The Irish Catholic, May 18, 2023]. Let me be clear from the outset, this is not a ‘two sides’ conflict. Russia’s illegal, unjust and genocidal invasion of Ukraine must be condemned by…
Following Gluck’s death in November 1787, Emperor Joseph II appointed Mozart as imperial and royal court composer. Among his formal duties the composer was expected to provide music for court balls and other such state occasions and, to fit the bill, Mozart supplied over 30 minuets and German dances in a relatively short time. However,…
Comments on the margin By the books editor The other week, in a review of Bill Manley’s insightful book on the world’s most ancient book, recording the moral maxims of the ancient Egyptian sage Ptahhapt from about 2,400BC, I remarked that it set off in my mind a train of thought, but I postponed writing…
A New Ireland: Memories and Reflections of Cardinal Cahal B. Daly edited by Gemma Loughran, foreword by Archbishop Paul Gallagher (Veritas, €12.99 / £11.50) This little book was edited by Northern Ireland barrister Gemma Loughlan, who knew Cahal Daly from her days as a student. To mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement she…
Chai Brady
Michael Kelly
Peter Costello