Michael KellyThe saints did not fall into the modern trap of letting particular worldly experiences ‘measure doctrine’, writes Editor Michael Kelly
The danger of retreating into being ‘beige Catholics’
Month: June 2016
Meaningful parish faith development needed
Dear Editor, Greg Daly’s report on the findings of the survey The Future of Ireland II:Belonging and Community (‘One-third of Irish adults active in local church’ IC 16/06/2016) is a surprisingly good news story for our Church, even if the survey highlights that there is a significant variation in the responses of younger and older…
A centre of activity and teamwork
Balally parish was constituted in 1977 from Sandyford parish and comprises of more than 2,200 homes with a population of approximately 9,000 people. The Church of the Ascension of the Lord has served the people of Balally since its opening, but some items in the church building were not finalised until sale of land for…
Musicians can deserve applause
Dear Editor, Shane Lehane goes too far in ‘Mass is not a performance that requires applause’ (IC 23/06/2016) when he says applause in Mass is both unacceptable and undignified. Clapping can get out of hand, but a po-faced determination to quash expressions of gratitude for our choirs and folk groups is hardly the way to…
Vocations promoters launch new brand
The Armagh branch of a Church organisation dedicated to encouraging and promoting vocations to the priesthood has taken a lead from youth in launching a new logo. “We need to look to the youth as they are the future,” said David Greer, Armagh Diocesan President of St Joseph’s Young Priests Society. Describing how pupils of…
Priority should be hospices, not forum charade
Dear Editor, The letter you published from Henry Quirke (IC 16/06/2016)) is very unfair to Mary Stewart. She did not “demonise” Ken Curtin, or accuse him of “condoning murder”. She simply pointed out that Mr Curtin should not have been surprised at the Church’s reaction (removing him from the rota of readers at Mass) to…
News in Brief
Overcrowded prisons criticised The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has welcomed the “considerable progress” shown in the Irish Prison Service annual report, which was launched this week, but said “chronic overcrowding” still needs to be addressed. Overcrowding continues in the Dóchas Centre, Cork prison and Limerick men and women’s prison, said Eoin Carroll, Advocacy Officer in the…
Little Bray’s big heart
Mags Gargan
Mags Gargan reports on the vibrancy to be found in the parishes of Bray deanery in Dublin archdiocese
Derry diocese celebrates ordination
Courtney McGrailFr Christopher McDermott pictured with his parents, Sean and Rosemary McDermott and brothers, Sean and Aidan McDermott and his sister Fidelma and her husband Gerard McNamee at his ordination for the Diocese of Derry at St Mary’s Church, Melmount, Strabane, Co. Tyrone. Photo: Stephen Latimer
Parishes swap ideas in Midsummer meeting
Eight parish councils took part in the second annual Down and Connor Diocesan Pastoral Council Midsummer evening, which was held at St Genevieve’s High School in West Belfast. This event, developed as part of the Down and Connor Diocesan Pastoral Plan, was planned to celebrate the contribution of new initiatives to the ‘Living Church’ project,…