Courtney McGrailIn a quiet terrace in the East Wall parish in Dublin, neighbours opened their doors for the annual ‘Mass on the Grass’, the final one to be held in this area by beloved priest, Fr Declan ‘Deco’ Blake, who moves parish this year. Organised by the St Laurence O’Toole Parish, this was the third year…
Month: August 2014
Funerals are losing sense of the sacred
Mags GarganDear Editor, I once attended a humanist funeral which was mainly about memories of the deceased person. Today Catholic funerals are largely similar, apart from the formal liturgical content. The homily, which is primarily meant to explain the scripture readings, is instead a combination of a eulogy and canonisation decree. Spiritual input generally presumes a…
A helping hand for Lourdes pilgrims
A group of young people who attended a special Mass and blessing of hands last Sunday in the Church of St Therese in Mount Merrion, Dublin for those who will help care for the sick on the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes which takes place next month. Photo: John McElroy.
Jesus has final word on just war
Dear Editor, A recent article by Mary Kenny (IC August 14) discusses the just war theory of Thomas Aquinas and implores the prudence of our leaders about when to put it into practice. In such matters why don’t we refer such questions directly to Jesus himself? In one of the most solemn moments of his life before…
Murdered journalist prayed rosary in previous captivity
Pope Francis telephoned Mr Foley’s family and offered his condolonces.
Parishes called to celebrate Rosary Sunday
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, has invited parishes to take part in Rosary Sunday for the intention of the ‘family’. Rosary Sunday, an initiative from the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, will be celebrated in parishes across Ireland on Sunday, October 5, the day on which the Church celebrates the ‘Day for Life 2014’.…
Candle light walks for childhood cancer
Next month the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCF) will run the Light It Up Gold awareness campaign, which will involve three candle lit walks in Dublin, Cork and Galway on September 6 at 6.30pm. These walks and candlelit vigils serve to recognise and support the bravery of children undergoing cancer treatment, honour the survivors and remember…
A man of courage and initiative
Albert Reynolds’ former parish priest pays tribute to the late politician
Risking it all for the sake of peace
Archbishop Robin Eames remembers Albert Reynolds as a ‘peacemaker’
Limerick Passion Play on RTĖ television
RTÉ’s Would You Believe programme, broadcast at 10:30pm on September 14, will follow the preparation and production of the Passion in Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick this year. The play attracted 6,000 people to watch a re-enactment of the final hours of Jesus’ life, during the hours of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The event, planned for…