The events surrounding the Passion and death of Jesus feature many interesting characters who show up and are then entered into legend. Joseph of Arimathea, Simon of Cyrene, the centurion. But among the secret believers is one who is not, one who in fact seemed to be the opposite of Jesus and that is the…
In the busy life of a young person trying to juggle school, work, hobbies, family and our social lives, sometimes we might forget the importance of stepping away from the constant hustle and bustle of life and giving time to reflect on spiritual growth and reconnect with God. Yet, this is often exactly what we…
Recently, the Youth 2000 regional Spring retreat for Connaught took place in The Claddagh, Galway. Facilitated by Youth 2000 National Leader, Helena O’Shea and organised by Connaught Youth 2000 leaders, Kathryn Freney and Stiofán Mac Brádaigh, the tone was set for the one-day retreat by final-year psychology student, Kieran Barrett-Gomez. Kieran, a convert to Catholicism,…
Currently based in the parish of Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and recently appointed as administrator of Sligo Cathedral parish by Bishop Kevin Doran, Fr Chris Garrett was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Elphin in May 2023 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo, by Bishop Kevin Doran. His mother was Irish, and his…
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…
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…
The dramatic Passion according to St Luke is proclaimed at all Masses throughout the Christian world today. In a sense you could say that in our physical standing for the Gospel we stand FOR Christ when so many fell away, and we stand with those who suffer this day in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria and elsewhere.…
The idea of union with God is, for most people, alternately attractive and terrifying. Attractive, because no matter how far we have fallen through the sin of Adam and our own personal sins, we cannot shake the feeling that such union is what we were made for by the very God to whom we desire…
Everyone loves a good ‘battle-between-good-and-evil’ – luckily, it’s not just for the movies, it’s for all of us! Like Solzhenitsyn said, the battle line between good and evil runs through every human heart. Our enemy is the devil and his demons; our comrades, the angels and saints; our captain, the Lord. Exciting stuff! But most…
The call to resurrection goes beyond physical revival; it’s about embracing transformation, says Fr Barry White You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face,” said Ian Fleming. Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:21-43), the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser