The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. May I begin by wishing us all a very happy birthday. It is the birthday of the Church, the day when the coming of the Holy Spirit utterly transformed the apostles from being fearful and directionless into a community empowered to carry on the mission of Jesus.…
It’s hard to believe Bob Dylan will be 80 on the 24th of this month. He’s ingested so many substances into that hard-travellin’ body of his over the years. There was a time I didn’t think he’d even make it to 50. To quote Kris Kristofferson, another singer-songwriter who has no right to be alive…
Dear Editor, Recent statements by politicians regarding Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) are very revealing. In effect they are demanding that the Government devise a RSE programme which would be imposed on all schools, irrespective of the school’s values and ethos. I wonder how they would feel if the same logic were applied to politics, i.e.,…
Jesuits prepare to celebrate Ignatian Year The roughly 15,000 members of the Society of Jesus, their collaborators and many people who draw on the spiritual heritage left by St Ignatius of Loyola are preparing to mark a special Ignatian Year beginning May 20 and lasting until the saint’s feast day, July 31, 2022. Anticipating the…
Growing up in the late 1980s, a staple of my childhood reading was magazines like the Far East filled with stories of the heroic work of missionaries in distant lands. I remember being enthralled by what I read about Irish priests, brothers and sisters and the risks they took in their ministry. Whether it was…
The issue of the homeless got something of extra profile when Covid-19 kicked off, with extra efforts being made to make sure they had shelter and protection. It showed we could move on the problem when there was enough motivation. On Times Radio Breakfast last Saturday morning presenter Jenny Kleeman covered an aspect of homelessness…
Ennistymon Púca statue sidelined after criticism Plans to erect a púca statue in the Clare town of Ennistymon have been put on hold following criticism from local people, who described it as “grotesque and scary”. Clare County Council had proposed placing the six foot tall piece on a plinth at the end of Lower Church…
Children’s Corner The pandemic has been a stressful time with everyone not being able to socialise or go to school for so long. Despite Ireland beginning to reopen, it can be tough to get back to normal life. Why not make something that helps people relax? Lava lamps are undoubtedly satisfying to observe, there’s something…
Notebook A conversation between a grandfather and his grandson went like this: “Grandad, what happens when you die?” Grandad explained as best he could. Still puzzled, the boy asked, “Does that mean you won’t be here anymore?” Grandad nodded: “Yes, that is true”. “Does that mean you won’t be able to play hurling with me…
Those who overcome distractions or obstacles when praying learn the value of perseverance in times of trial, Pope Francis said
Aubrey Malone
Michael Kelly
Brendan O’Regan
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones