Bishop Brendan Leahy has said it would be “great” for Christian unity if Churches could agree on a common date for Easter. The Bishop of Limerick told The Irish Catholic it would be a “truly great thing to have a common date for Easter”. Noting that Pope Francis had suggested recently that he would like…
Month: January 2016
Faith helped Dolores Keane overcome alcohol addiction
Irish folk singer Dolores Keane has spoken of how her Catholic faith helped her in her fight against alcohol addiction. In an interview on the Meaning of Life with Gay Byrne, the singer explained that prayer had played a big part in her life growing up, but she then lost her faith until she sought…
Celebrations for St Brigid’s Day in Louth
Ceremonies to celebrate the feast of St Brigid, February 1, at her birthplace in Faughart, (near Dundalk) Co. Louth will commence with Mass in the Oratory of St Brigid’s Shrine at 10.30am. Personal blessing with the relic of the saint will be available at the shrine from 11.30-1pm and from 2-4.30pm. The annual candlelight procession…
The secret of happiness is being content with your lot
“Contentment, I think, is a gift and an occasion for gratitude”, writes Mary Kenny What is the secret of happiness? Many books have been written in its pursuit. My Edwardian mother-in-law used to say “disposition”, and this may well be a key. Alexander Pope said as much in his Essay on Man, comparing a rich…
Pope John Paul II Awards in the Diocese of Kilmore
A group of 55 young people from across the Diocese of Kilmore were recently presented with their Pope John Paul II Awards at a ceremony in the chapel of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan by Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop-Emeritus of Armagh and a native of the diocese. Three young people received bronze awards, 10…
Rebellion’s depiction of Church ‘unfair’ – expert
An Easter Rising specialist has criticised as “inaccurate” the depiction of the Church in RTÉ’s drama Rebellion. Historian Dr Shane Kenna told The Irish Catholic that the programme’s depiction of the then Archbishop of Dublin William Walsh was particularly “unfair”. “Walsh was a nationalist and while he wasn’t a fan of the Rising he was…
Florida diocese rejects ‘completely inaccurate’ Irish priest’s claims
The Diocese of Palm Beach has rejected as “completely inaccurate” claims by an Irish priest that he was “frozen out” by the Catholic Church for raising safeguarding concerns about a fellow priest. The US diocese was responding to an article in the Irish Independent which reported on the case of Strabane native Fr John Gallagher…
Christmas crossword competition winners
Congratulations to Kathleen Magennis from Dublin, who won our Christmas crossword competition. The first prize is a fully inclusive pilgrimage for two to Lourdes in 2016 with Pilgrimages Abroad. The three runners-up who will receive a copy of The Francis Effect DVD are: Mrs P. Gray, Dublin 9; Kathleen Murray, Co. Cork; Margaret McNulty, Limerick.…
Mayo parish prays together and weighs together
A Co. Mayo parish priest is on a mission to improve his parishioners’ health with an Operation Transformation fitness programme under the slogan ‘pray together, weigh together’. Based on the health and fitness programme airing on RTÉ One, 52 parishioners in Tourmakeady are going for regular walks and fitness classes with their PP Fr John…
Electorate should reward good sense and moderation
“It is obvious that the electorate is looking for financial relief, after the income falls of the crash years”, writes Dr Martin Mansergh Voting is a civic duty. Under the Constitution, “all powers of government, legislative, executive and judicial, derive, under God, from the people”. They have the right to choose their rulers, in elections,…

Cathal Barry
Mags Gargan

Mary Kenny





Dr Martin Mansergh