The custodian priest of St Valentine’s relics in Ireland has warned that the Christian idea of marriage as sacramental and not just romantic emotions is being lost as the “world markets the idea that marriage can come and go”. “The worry I have with St Valentine is that he gets mixed up with Cupid, this…
A priority for the new Minister for Education must be to tackle chronic teacher shortages as it is causing schools to “struggle” to help children, particularly those with special needs, according to the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP). Alan Hynes, CEO of the CEP told The Irish Catholic that “from the point of view of a…
The Church presents an ideal vision of marriage but it must also minister to people in their real struggles, Chai Brady hears. As Ireland faces demographic challenges with fewer people getting married and fewer babies being born, there is an open question as to what the future may hold. A recent study by the Iona…
Bumper numbers of pilgrims attended Monasterevin Parish’s ‘Camino walk’ to celebrate St Brigid on St Brigid’s bank holiday Monday. This year saw more than 1,300 people taking part from across Ireland in the Camino’s third year. The walk was led by Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and organised by Fr…
A group of sisters in England have teamed up with two Christian musicians to produce a ‘reggae-pop’ version of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 hymn. A music video of the cover of the song was posted on YouTube by the two-piece band Ooberfuse on the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, February 2.…
A parish church in the centre of Dublin has been helping an “amazing number of young men” who are struggling with “serious loneliness” and a feeling of disconnection. While the church regularly welcomes faithful of all ages and ethnicities, there are many young men searching for someone to speak to, according to Fr James Eivers…
The closure of Ireland’s biggest religious publisher and retailer hit devoted customers, staff and publishers hard, with many still wondering what will replace Veritas. Finding a dedicated source for books and booklets for church racks, along with perhaps Divine Word cards, inspirational sacramental supplies, book printing and all the plethora of seasonal material needed in…
Social media continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing young people today, a Co. Clare GAA star and Catholic school teacher has warned. Senior footballer Gary Brennan, who retired from Clare duty after the end of the 2020 season, told The Irish Catholic that the pressures created by online platforms are having a profound impact on mental…
‘My two priest uncles were a great example of the Faith and priesthood,’ Gary Brennan tells Chai Brady Gary Brennan, Clare GAA stalwart and respected secondary school teacher, has warned that social media poses one of the greatest challenges to young people today. In a wide-ranging interview with The Irish Catholic, he shared how his…
Academics have highlighted Catholic emancipation as a “landmark civil rights achievement” and regardless of Government sponsorship it should be marked significantly in 2029. The bicentenary of the historic 1829 milestone did not appear in the ‘Commemoration’ section of the programme for government which listed several events the new Government “could mark” in their 5-year term.…