The Sunday Gospel Dt 4:1-2, 6-8 Ps 15:2-5 Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Are we doers? The letter from James this Sunday lays it all on the line and reminds us of what truly matters. Think showing up at church, saying prayers and dropping an envelope in the collection basket is enough?…
Month: August 2024
‘Social’ media can all too easily lead us astray
Notebook spend a lot of time on social media, sometimes I fear, too much time. Technology and communications have always held an interest for me so, in many ways, it is perhaps natural and understandable that I would pursue these interests and social media sits squarely in that space. For many years I have had…
‘A national disgrace’
Tribunal of Inquiry needed to investigate state and ministerial neglect of kids 100,000 children or almost twice the number of children who will do the Leaving Cert this year will be referred to Tusla, the State-run Child and Family Agency, amid chronic underfunding, missing children, lack of beds, in the ongoing crisis of State care…
Youth 2000 reveals youth’s deep desire for Faith formation
“Young people, they’re searching for more,” said Keith Kelly, Youth Minister in the Diocese of Raphoe, at the Youth 2000 Event, pointing to the eagerness for catechesis to and Faith formation among the younger generations. Youth 2000 hosted a weekend event that gathered a large crowd of young people seeking to deepen their spiritual lives.…
Killarney hears Franciscans’ first professions
Five Franciscan Brothers professed their First Vows on August 15 during the Eucharistic Celebration on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, at Killarney Franciscan Friary. The five young members of the Order came from different countries, but spent the last year in Killarney Town completing their novitiate year. Bro Christophe Samois is from Belgium, Bro…
Faith grounded me in my darkest days, singer Donna Taggart
Omagh singer Donna Taggart, who is best known for her cover of the song ‘Jealous of the Angels’, which amassed millions of views in 2016, spoke movingly about how her resolute Faith has been the “anchor” that’s navigated her throughout all of the storms in her life and something she particularly relied on during the…
Call for ‘very important’ Church dialogue with Islam in Ireland
A Church expert in interreligious dialogue has said as the “phenomenon of Islam” is relatively new to Ireland compared to other countries there must be more education on Muslim theology and mindset. Fr Michael P. O’Sullivan MAfr who spent decades in the Middle East said the Church’s commitment to dialogue with Muslims has been ongoing for…
Down and Connor’s last farewell to Archbishop Noël
Archbishops, bishops, nuncios, priests and laypeople filled St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast to join Archbishop Noël’s family in saying a last farewell to the Monaghan man who was Bishop Emeritus of Down and Connor and Nuncio to the European Union. In his homily Bishop Alan McGuckian recalled working with Bishop Noël. “His dream for the…
Youth choose Catholic festival over Electric Picnic
Thousands of young people gathered in Co. Laois for Electric Picnic. At the same time, another significant youth event was quietly taking place in Co. Kildare. The Youth 2000 festival. “Electric Picnic is not the most important youth event this weekend. This one is. This is the future of Ireland,” said Fr John Harris OP…
Church must emphasise men’s role in passing on Faith – Professor
Recent data from the US which found that for the first time young women are more likely to become disaffiliated from religion should be seen as an opportunity not a threat, according to a Professor in the Sociology of Religion. The Survey Center on American Life found that over the last two decades men have…