What is the Ascension? The Ascension is an event in the life of Jesus and his original disciples, a feast day for Christians, a theology, and a spirituality, all woven together into one amorphous mystery that we too seldom try to unpackage and sort out. What does the Ascension mean? Among other things, it is…
Notebook This is the season for First Holy Communion ceremonies. Important, and sadly often misunderstood occasions, they have the potential for so much good. I enjoy them. Through the years I have had some very memorable moments. I remember my own First Holy Communion Day but, oddly enough, not as much about the Mass or…
If you uttered the word ‘Cheer’ to me before I saw Tanya Doyle’s Eat/Sleep/Cheer/Repeat, I’d have thought you were giving me an instruction to support someone. In actual fact it’s shorthand for cheerleading. For those of you who, like me, thought cheerleading was ‘an American thing’ here’s a corrective to that mindset. Though we’re still…
Questions of Faith Q: I recently moved to a rural area, and my current parish is now nearly an hour drive away. There are no Catholic churches in my new area. There is, however, a Methodist church right across the street from my new home, in easy walking distance. They are open for services on…
Some days I get more confused than others – it could be the weather; it could be the politics but Wednesday of last week it was the law. Listening sleepily to Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1) I heard an interview with Padraic Jones, Chief Superintendent of Community Engagement with An Garda Síochána on foot of…
Dear Editor, I was pleasantly surprised to read, ‘Don’t altogether dismiss ‘clericalism’’ by Mary Kenny [The Irish Catholic – May 9, 2024]. Mary articulated my sentiments so well. I too am attempting to discuss ‘clericalism’ with my priest confreres, on a somewhat informal basis. As a recently appointed co-PP, home from Zambia and formation ministry…
The Sunday Gospel Acts 2:1-11 Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25 Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15 When St John Paul II was elected to the papacy in 1978 among his first words to the world, spoken during his inaugural homily, were, “Be not afraid! Open wide the…
It is in the nature of politics that politicians feel obliged to say that they love elections, and always welcome an opportunity for the people to have their say. The reality is, of course, that politicians mostly dread elections because it might herald the day when the magic dies. With just over three weeks to…
This year’s International Charlemagne Prize goes to Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chairman of the European Rabbinical Conference. He uses his acceptance speech to make a fiery plea in favour of human rights. Aachen (KNA) The Chairman of the European Rabbinical Conference (CER), Pinchas Goldschmidt (60), has called for a resolute fight for democracy and human rights and…
Chai Brady and Theo McDonald Ireland’s immigration issue could turn into a good news story if managed correctly, according to the Chair of Christian Charity Tiglin Aubrey McCarthy. The residential and rehabilitation centre is currently offering services for refugees and migrants at The Light House on Pearse Street, close to where migrants had pitched hundreds of tents…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Aubrey Malone
Brendan O’Regan