Gerald Korson The family that prays together stays together” has been an international Catholic catchphrase for 80 years, a truism that is instinctively self-evident even if it admits of exceptions. Another popular slogan, “A world at prayer is a world at peace,” likewise proposes prayer as a prevention or remedy for conflict and disunity on…
Former minister and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke, who was the first woman elected to Athlone Urban District Council and subsequently held cabinet positions as the Minister for Health and also the Minister for Education throughout the 1980s and 1990s, was described as a person of “strong character and personality” and somebody whose life was…
Our Lady of the Rosary and the Guardian Angels Church in Sallins, Co. Kildare is celebrating 100 years. The parishioners of the unusual church celebrated its anniversary with Mass led by Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty and Fr Liam Morgan PP. Also present were descendants of the parishioners who helped build the church. The unique…
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has appointed Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe as its delegate for the 2025 Jubilee Year. Bishop Monahan announced the launch of a countdown timer on CatholicBishops.ie to help people anticipate the Holy Year. Various groups, including clergy, religious communities, and lay ministries, will mark special jubilee occasions both in Rome…
Letter from Rome On the first day of the final session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, a study group responsible for evaluating the female diaconate has said that, while still exploring other forms of women’s’ involvement in the Church, they will not become deacons. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Vatican’s…
Pope Francis last Sunday announced a consistory in December for the creation of 21 new cardinals from all over the world, representing yet again the Pope’s love of the peripheries and his inclination to reward key allies. Speaking during his October 6 Angelus address, the Pope announced that “on December 8, a consistory will be…
Sr Hosea Rupprecht Think for just a moment about the pace at which digital technology has grown over the past 20 years. Saying ‘fast’ would be a bit of an understatement. Most of the time, the expansion and innovations of the digital culture leave our heads spinning. Now, with generative artificial intelligence, or AI, there’s…
If a problem isn’t measured, it won’t be fixed, so the saying goes. It certainly rings true in politics – if there aren’t enough voices raised on an issue, no matter how fundamental it is, then politicians will ignore it. This has been the case when it comes to abortion and other life issues, where…
Rathfarnham Castle Guidebook, by Jane Fenlon and others (OPW, €5.00) There must be thousands of living Dubliners who have memories of Rathfarnham Castle as it was back in the last century under the auspices of the Jesuits, when it was a noted Jesuit seminary and retreat centre. The Jesuits, who had taken over the…
Gabriel Dupén A brief testimony of St Therese of Lisieux showering down roses You gave birth to a late-born child in our Lord Jesus Christ. A shadowed soul exhaustingly downgraded by its sins, thirsty for the truth, light, and salvation, surrendered to you. Thus, in Jesus. Overwhelmed, doubtful, hopeless, empty, you have found me. Accidentally…
Brandon Scott
Renata Steffens
Eilis Mulroy
Peter Costello