Sweet Treats September is here, and for me that can only mean one thing – blackberry season has begun! They are excellent in anything from a brandy to a crumble, and here I suggest another way to use the humble berry. If you are feeling up to the challenge, source the blackberries from hedges or…
The Sunday Gospel Last Sunday we completed the first half of the ministry of Jesus and moved into the second stage. “Who do you say I am?” The first half of Mark is complete when Peter recognises him as the Christ, the Anointed One. Jesus is his personal name and Christ is his career name,…
Amateur archaeologist unearths pre-Viking treasure in Denmark An amateur archaeologist has found 22 gold objects with sixth century symbols that could yield new details about pre-Viking peoples in Denmark, the museum that will house the treasure has said. Some of the objects have runic motifs and inscriptions which may refer to the rulers of the…
Being born and raised in Tyrone, I can hardly be taken as an impartial commentator when it comes to Gaelic games. I was delighted to be in Croke Park on Sunday to see the senior footballers crowned All-Ireland champions. It’s hard not to have sympathy for Mayo as their long wait for elusive All-Ireland success…
I don’t like the phrase “whatever you’re comfortable with”. Yes, it may be someone trying to make you feel relaxed, but at other times it can be the setting of a low bar, as if the aim of life is to be ‘comfortable’. Many of the people we admire went way outside their comfort zones…
Notebook Mark Pattison The 20th anniversary remembrances of the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States is renewing a canonisation push for the first identified casualty: Franciscan Fr Mychal Judge. Fr Judge, a New York Fire Department chaplain, was at the World Trade Centre site praying with and ministering to attack victims when debris falling…
Well, as Ira Gershwin, brother of George, said, “Things are looking up”, to which I will add “Praise, the Lord” as the National Concert Hall welcomes back its audiences. Commemorating its 40th anniversary, the NCH, which opened as the country’s principal concert venue on September 9, 1981 (I was there), presented a less demanding, but…
Dear Editor, This is a sad time for older supporters of the SDLP with the passing of Pat Hume, just over a year after the death of her husband and Nobel Laureate John. That more or less concludes the era of the more successful SDLP with John’s votes continually maintaining a healthy lead over Sinn…
UK bishops criticise upcoming arms fair A major arms fair in London has drawn fire from Catholic bishops and justice and peace groups who say the trade in weaponry fuels conflict around the world. In a joint statement, they criticized the DSEI arms fair, which will bring together more than 1,600 companies that develop, manufacture…
Pope Francis is to receive President Michael D. Higgins in private audience at the Vatican next Friday, September 17. As part of his visit to the Vatican, Mr Higgins will also meet with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. A communique from Áras an Uachtaráin today (Friday) said that the president will discuss with Pope…
Michael Kelly
Brendan O’Regan