Over 600 schoolchildren and teenagers gathered at St Sylvester’s Parish, Malahide, for a grace-filled day honouring Bl. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint set to be canonised on April 27. Mary-Aoife and Séamus Ong from Carlo Acutis Ireland shared moving testimonies about Carlo’s deep love for the Eucharist, inspiring young hearts to follow his example…
Category: Irish News
Young people not negative towards Church -Bishop Roche
“Most young people today don’t have a lot of negativity towards the Church , they might actually be more curious about what the Church is offering,” Bishop Donal Roche told The Irish Catholic. Bishop Roche is an auxiliary bishop in the Dublin Archdiocese and is charged with visiting the priests and laity of the parishes…
Come and See: fostering vocations amid a priest shortage
According to the Vatican’s Central Office of Church Statistics, the global Catholic population has grown from 1.39 billion to 1.4 billion. However, priest shortages persist in Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, despite vocational growth in Africa and Asia. Against this backdrop, Fr Willie Purcell, head of the National Vocations Office in Ireland, has observed increased…
New community centre to open in former parish church building
St Margaret’s Parish Hall in Finglas, which was purchased by Fingal County Council in 2023 and renovated, will reopen at the end of April as a community centre. The parish hall had been in the centre of the community life for decades and when plans of selling the hall were announced in 2022, the community…
Radio Maria appoints new Priest Director
Radio Maria Ireland appointed a new Priest Director this week. Fr Des Farren MSC is joining the Catholic radio station as it reaches its tenth anniversary. Fr Farren’s new role is to ensure the charism and identity of the radio station are upheld, evangelise and serve as the spiritual and institutional leader for both staff…
Cubism pioneer drawing returns to Kingscourt Parish
An original drawing of the Fatima Window by Evie Hone, Irish artist considered an early pioneer of cubism, has recently been discovered by the Mercy sisters in Co. Cavan. The local parish community was delighted to welcome this original piece of work and accept it back to the parish. It is expected to be on display…
Pierce’s Pilate has licence to kill in The King of Kings
A new animated film, The King of Kings, will be in cinemas on April 11. The project tells the story of the life of Jesus through the eyes of a child as his father narrates it. The film is based on an untold story by Charles Dickens, written in 1849. His retelling of Christ’s life,…
‘Society wallowing in despair and meaninglessness’ – Bishop
There is a real need for good news, because society is wallowing in despair and meaninglessness, the bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic in Derry, Dr McKeown said there is a need for Catholics to develop the confidence to engage as Catholics with our culture, to influence the culture…
Knock Shrine to Launch €1.5m ‘Youth Village’ this summer
Knock Shrine will officially launch its new €1.5m ‘Youth Village’ on June 14, providing a dedicated space for young people to gather, reflect, and take part in retreat programmes, the rector has said The village consists of ten accommodation pods, each designed for two people. According to Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine, the…
St Patrick’s Day address: A missed opportunity?
The final St Patrick’s Day address from President Michael D. Higgins was, as expected, a thoughtful and deeply reflective meditation on justice, solidarity, and shared humanity. Over the past 14 years, President Higgins has been a voice for the marginalised, the vulnerable, and those who seek a more compassionate world. His latest address stayed true…