Sr Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese nun whose purported visions of the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Akita included stark warnings for humanity and instructions to pray the rosary and repent of sin, died August 15 at age 93. Sr Sasagawa was a convert from Buddhism. A parish priest in Akita, Japan,…
The Sunday Gospel Jos 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b Ps 34: 2-3, 16-21 Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 Jn 6: 60-69 When was the last time you had the opportunity to give public witness to Christian faith? Perhaps it was in the presence of co-workers or neighbours, or maybe among friends and family. Whenever we witness…
Letter of the week Young priests giving hope Dear Editor, I’ve just returned from some time spent in Knock where I met several people who had forgotten the value of this newspaper – there are so many good articles. I find Fr John Harris’ articles so very good. Today many great blessings are bestowed on…
Q: What is the position or rule of the Church concerning cremation? A: There is a short answer to your question in Paragraph 2301 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which tells us that, “The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.” But we can gain…
Regular readers will know I’m a big fan of TV drama, especially drama series. I don’t watch too many comedies, but I have a few favourites. One of these is Young Sheldon (RTE One, Fridays). Comedy or not, of late it has been tackling some serious matters, like the mother, Mary (Zoe Perry), being alienated…
When Mary Robinson was young, she used to look out the window of her home in Victoria Terrace, Ballina, and wonder if she could change the world. Her opportunity to do so came in 1990 when she was elected president of Ireland. Aoife Kelleher’s documentary, Mrs Robinson (12A), is a timely tribute to her as…
It is 2024. Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, one of the most educated populations, running a budget surplus with a stable democracy and solid tax-base, yet repeatedly we are hearing that Ireland’s state care system for children is in a state of crisis. Most recently, we learned that Department of…
Bishops and politicians have expressed their shock and condemnation at the apparent terrorist attack that took place last night in Co. Galway which saw a military chaplain stabbed with a knife. Fr Paul F Murphy, who is in his 50s, is being treated for serious but non life-threatening injuries following the attack at Renmore Barracks,…
It flies in the face of everything Catholics have been told by the media and those who purport to speak on behalf of children but the evidence is in, school children want more religion in their classrooms and not less, and a survey by the Children’s Ombudsman backs this up. The survey revealed that 34%…
Tis supposed to be the year of St Brigid. But with six months to go to the 1500th anniversary of her death, I was thinking there was a dearth of celebrations when a text came through about Brigid 1500. To mark the year, Dana has just written and recorded a new song for St Brigid.…
Brendan O’Regan
Aubrey Malone
Brandon Scott
Martina Purdy