In the deep peace of Monastery of Pius XII in Fatima the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary are rarely seen behind the grille as they devote their contemplative lives to prayer and meditation. On February 5, however, the convent was buzzing with excitement and merriment as the Sisters came forth to celebrate with joy…
A group of from the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe have been gathering “in response to the Universal Synod invitation to engage with those who feel ‘excluded or judged because of their marital situation, identity or sexuality’.” Aiming to create a welcoming environment where LGBTQI+ people, along with their family members and allies can meet,…
Where might we experience Jesus today in a world that is seemingly too crowded with its own concerns to allow a space for him? The renowned spirituality writer Tomas Halik, in a recent book entitled The Afternoon of Christianity, makes this suggestion. As the world makes less and less explicit space for Jesus, we need…
Here’s a thing: I really would like to hear a sermon on the tangled issue of finance. It could be called ‘the moral maze of money.’ What are we to make of waking up each morning to the heated discussions about ‘the markets’? We tremble to hear that the Nikkei (Japan) has crashed, the Hang…
In the weeks leading up to the canonisation of the millennial Carlo Acutis, a series of events will take place, including an exhibition of Eucharistic miracles in the Bunclody Parish Centre, which started on April 8 and will conclude on Sunday April 13. On April 27, the day of the canonisation, ‘Carlo Acutis Ireland’ will…
Q: Recently my cousin got engaged and is in the planning process of her wedding. She is a baptised Catholic and has received both first Communion and confirmation. Over time my cousin slowly fell away from the Faith. The man she is marrying is a great guy – however, he is not Catholic. From the looks of it, the…
A quiet country retreat in County Down last week began rather unexpectedly when my friend and I spotted a sheep caught in some wire at the edge of a field. A couple of city slickers, we were a bit hesitant. But my friend was concerned enough to knock on a local door that Saturday evening.…
After an incredible 34 years of dedicated service, Sr Carmel Earls, OSF, of the Order of St Francis of Philadelphia, is leaving St Peter the Apostle Parish in Clondalkin. A native of Wicklow, Sr Carmel is moving to the United States for her retirement, though those who know her well say that won’t slow her…
Swift Blaze of Fire – Olympian, Cleric, Brigadista: the Enigmatic Life of Robert Hilliard, by Lin Rose Clark, (Lilliput Press, €18.95 / £14.95) On February 22 1937, Reverend Robert Hilliard died of his wounds at Castellón, in eastern Spain. It was a singular end to the life of a remarkable Church of Ireland clergyman. There…
“We’ve engineered difficulty out of our lives, but we only discover ourselves through challenge,” said John O’Dwyer, author, walker, and chair of Pilgrim Path Ireland. Pilgrim Paths Week 2025, running from Good Friday, April 18 to April 27, invites walkers to reconnect with nature, heritage, and themselves along Ireland’s ancient pilgrimage routes. Eight guided walks…
Renata Steffens
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Mary Kenny
Renata Milán Morales
Martina Purdy