Smile, it’s Lent

Bill Dodds   How are you supposed to have a happy Lent, a liturgical season that, to quote the glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “is the primary penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year, reflecting the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer”? The point is learning how…

Being Irish and respecting minorities

Dear Editor, I was listening to R.T.E. recently and heard the article on the Gay Pride protest march in Cork. The Gay Pride person being interviewed commented that she was not impressed by the number of pubs displaying pride flags,  who had no interest whatsoever in the gay movement, but were cashing in on the…

Bishop Willie Walsh: A kind and understanding radical

Bishop Fintan Monahan The quality of Jesus and God the Father that was echoed and reflected in the life and ministry of Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh.  His Episcopal motto was ‘Cineáltas Chríost, the Gentleness of Christ’. During the week we were busy praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis.  While we were doing…

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People need priests more than ever before

When I was asked to contribute to The Irish Catholic series of articles on exploring the challenges of being a priest in Ireland today, I was a bit hesitant as I have never done anything like that before. Then I thought to myself after 43 years in ministry I surely have something to say from…

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A prodigal son who became a Carmelite brother

All my certainties were gone. That love I experienced brought meaning to my life, says Bro. Jander María de Jesus Sharing something about yourself is always challenging, because we do need to figure out what would be relevant to the people who are going to read it but also because we tend to share just…

Eternally grateful to my teachers

Dear Editor, I wish to associate myself with Liam Lally’s Comment [The Irish Catholic – January 30, 2025]. Educated, free, for 12 years by the Sisters of Mercy in Cobh, Co. Cork, I am eternally grateful to my teachers. Wise women who gave their all during those informative years. I know I often put them to the…

Fr Vincent McNabb OP, an Irish light from the past

Matteo Mazzariol   Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death.” These words of GK Chesterton are probably the best to…

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Jesus was the champion of relentless ministry

Fr Tom Grufferty   When Garry O’Sullivan asked me to write an article on “Relentless Ministry” in the Catholic Church, I had never associated these two words as companions. I then began to investigate the topic myself personally. Here is my response: From the first day of my time at All Hallows College in the…