My daughter-in-law and I have never really gotten along. She has recently given birth to our first grandchild and I am desperate to spend time with him but she keeps finding excuses to avoid visits. I’m thinking of saying something to my son, but my husband says it will seem like I’m being critical and…
Month: January 2018
Dad’s Diary
“Mummy’s always vomiting,” my three-year-old daughter told her preschool teacher merrily, “vomit, vomit, vomit, all day long”. “Oh, is she now?” said her teacher, with a smile and a knowing glance in my direction. The teacher had surmised correctly; there was indeed a baby on the way. However, we didn’t want to tell the children…
Amoris Laetitia teaching should be faced with ‘dedication’
Vatican Roundup The difficulties accepting Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia are probably connected to accepting the new attitude and approach to providing pastoral care according to the Vatican Secretary of State. Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Pope’s exhortation on the family “flowed from a new paradigm that Pope Francis is pursuing with wisdom, with…
Around the world
Chile: A priest removes glass from a vandalised church window in Santiago. Pope Francis will visit Chile and Peru from January 15-21.
Titles and entitlement – a gentle warning!
The Notebook Fr Vincent Sherlock He was at a wedding the day before. I caught up to him as he walked towards the door of our local church for the Vigil Mass. He was telling someone about the wedding – a great do with plenty of food and, of course, drink. I smiled as…
Taoiseach says 12 weeks is “one step too far” for majority of public
The upcoming abortion referendum featured heavily in the first cabinet meeting of 2018. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told reporters at Government Buildings there is a fear allowing abortion up to 12 weeks is “one step too far” for majority of public.
Open eyes to ‘subtle slavery’ – bishops warn
Irish people should watch out for migrants being exploited in our communities, and should guard against being “insular”. Responding to Pope Francis’ World Message of Peace and his address to diplomats connected with the Vatican this week, Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns said Irish people know too well the realities of migrating for a better…
Church is ‘illuminating presence’ in award-winning film
Saoirse Ronan’s Golden Globe triumph is for a film about “a strange and surprising breakthrough of grace”, according to a prominent Los Angeles-based bishop. The 23-year-old Irish actress won her first Golden Globe award on Sunday for her performance as the title character Christine ‘Lady Bird’ McPherson in the film Lady Bird. She had previously…
The ‘flu be with you’
Sign of peace up to bishops Removing the sign of peace due to flu outbreak will not be rolled out across Ireland’s dioceses. “There is not a collective position on this – it is a matter for each individual diocese,” Martin Long, spokesman for the Bishops’ Conference, told The Irish Catholic. The HSE has…
Respect for life attained through peace and disarmament – Pope
Nations must find peaceful ways to deal with conflict, because everyone has the right to life and liberty, Pope Francis told diplomats accredited to the Vatican while outlining the need for disarmament and dialogue. The Pope called for debate on the stockpiling of weapons and conflict resolution that “avoids polarising the international community” in his…

Wendy Grace




Chai Brady
Greg Daly
Susan Gately
