Courtney McGrailThe Books Editor How often do you over hear someone, in a book shop or over a stall at a parish fete, as often as not women, for women are greater readers than men, saying: “Oh, I have read that… I think”. Back the book goes on the shelf or the jumble sale stall. With…
Month: September 2015
Recent books in brief
One Wide Expanse by Michael Longley (UCD Press, €20 / £17) These writings from the Ireland Chair of Poetry, which Ulster poet Michael Longley held between 2007 and 2010, consists of three essays. They are derived from the annual lectures which he was required to give, aside from his teaching, and deal with different aspects…
Honouring 48 years of ministry in Ossory retreat house
Mags GarganEarlier this month a number of priests, religious and laity from the Diocese of Ossory and beyond joined with Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC at St John’s Church, Kilkenny for a Mass of Thanksgiving to honour 48 years of ministry at Peace in Christ, the Ossory Diocesan Retreat House. The large congregation gave thanks for the…
HSE conceal names to protect staff from pro-choice anger
Greg DalyFears for staff safety have forced the Health Service Executive (HSE) to conceal the identities of staff who advised changes to a document on challenging pregnancies which has provoked the ire of pro-choice campaigners. Bereavement Care Standards following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death, which details how the management of pregnancies where children were not expected…
A Meath selfie in Lourdes
Some of the youth group taking part in the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Diocese of Meath Michael Smith and participating clergy.
Papal visit to Ireland would be ‘tremendous blessing’ – bishop
Pope Francis is in “very good form” and while a papal visit to Ireland may seem unlikely for the moment, he continues to pray for the Irish according to the Bishop of Waterford & Lismore. Bishop Phoncie Cullinan said it was “a beautiful, unforgettable moment” to meet Pope Francis last week while attending a course…
When suffering is the mother of compassion
Mary KennyA history of suffering teaches us to have empathy for modern refugees, writes Mary Kenny
Drogheda campaigners in Rome visit
Members of a campaign to stop the closure of the Dominican church in Drogheda have said a meeting with the Master of the Order in Rome has given them hope for the future. In a meeting with Fr Bruno Cadoré, Master of the Order and his personal secretary Fr Vivian Boland, the eight campaigners set…
PLC sceptical of Taoiseach’s assurances
The Pro Life Campaign has said there is nothing reassuring about Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s refusal to commit to a referendum on Ireland’s constitutional protection for the unborn if Fine Gael is re-elected to government. PLC Deputy Chairperson Cora Sherlock said “The Taoiseach never actually said he was opposed to a referendum to dismantle the Eighth…
Redemptorist pleas for help for Thai orphans
Fr Mike Shea, an Irish-American Redemptorist, has made an appeal for funding as more and more children orphaned by HIV/AIDS arrive at his orphanage in Thailand. Fr Shea, whose grandparents were from Ventry in Co. Kerry, is ministering to 145 girls and boys of all ages in Sarnelli House Orphanage, near Nong Khai. Thailand is…