Advent often goes overlooked these days, but it’s a spiritual treasure to be plundered, writes Jason Osborne Advent is upon us, like a thief in the night. Beginning last Sunday, November 28, it will run right through to Christmas Eve. Pointing out the beginning and end of Advent may seem like a moot point to…
Staff reporter Ahead of today’s visit by Pope Francis to Cyprus, Fr Jerzy Kraj, Vicar General of Holy Cross Franciscan Monastery in Nicosia, said the Pontiff’s decision to visit the tiny Catholic community is a concrete application of “his message to go to the peripheries, to encounter small communities and to encourage them”. When the…
Ruadhán Jones weighs up the pros and cons of diocesan priest gatherings For the week of November 15-19, there were no weekday Masses in parishes of Cork and Ross diocese. This was not a Covid-19 measure, it was a self-enforced pause in the celebration of the Eucharist. The priests of the diocese had travelled west…
A Parent’s perspective My 11-year-old son has been asking me for ages “When are we getting the chocolate calendar?” For a small child the promise of a treat every day right up to Christmas seems very appealing. Even adults can see Advent as a time to stock up early on sweets and goodies, anticipate all…
The World of Books by the books editor The other day I was reading a book by the American palaeontologist George Gaylord Simpson about his expedition through part of Patagonia in 1930 in search of fossils. His finds helped recreate an idea of past life; but it was not his comments on geology that caught…
The Australian Archdiocese of Brisbane has announced that all archdiocesan employees, including clergy, contractors and some volunteers, must be fully vaccinated by December 15 in accord with the state’s mandate unless they have a medical exemption. “As we view the situation in Australia and internationally, it is clear that vaccination is the most effective way…
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said last week that the death of 27 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel is “a tragic summons to action”. Cardinal Nichols, appealed on November 25 for “focused international cooperation” to prevent further deaths in the waters between France and the UK.…
For her latest book, Sr Stan asks a wide range of people across Irish society where they find peace From media personalities like Tommy Tiernan, Miriam O’Callaghan, Ray D’Arcy, to politicians like Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Michael D. Higgins, all answer the question in their own way, giving us an insight into their minds…
My Words will not Pass Away by Fr Martin Hogan (Messenger Publications, €19.95/£18.95) Fr Martin Hogan formerly lectured in New Testament studies at Mater Dei in Dublin, and had written some five previous books on reflections for the liturgical years. These commentaries allow readers to enjoy a period of reflection in their own time, recollections…
Personal Profile Deacon John Taaffe was among the first men ordained to the diaconate in the diocese of Armagh. It was a long and winding road to that point, as he moved from a love of materialism, money and success, to a love of the Lord and his people. Deacon John explains that he grew…
Ruadhán Jones
Maria Byrne
Peter Costello