Notebook As I write these words, two events coincide – the first, the re-opening of old wounds following the publication of the ‘Scoping Report’ into historical abuse in religious-run schools and the visit to Ireland of the relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes. Is this a coincidence and what does one have to do with…
In welcoming the audience to the opening of the 2024/25 season at the National Concert Hall, Chairperson Maura McGrath and CEO Robert Read pointed out that the season would be “one of the most ambitious to date comprising more than sixty concerts and other events, showcasing some of the world’s most exciting and dynamic musicians…
The Sunday Gospel Nm 11:25-29 Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 Jas 5:1-6 Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 In our divided and divisive times, this weekend’s Gospel should give all of us pause. It poses some hard questions about how we judge others – and asks us to look more closely at how we judge – or…
Q: Listening to a Catholic radio station one day, they mentioned that leprechauns and fairies were demonic. This shocked me. St Patrick’s Day celebrations always include leprechauns. Fairies are loved by little girls and big girls alike. I made a small fairy garden for me and my granddaughters. We also have many other fairy items. Are we…
Life in modern times can be fractious, fractured, frustrating… and that’s only the fs! Seeking calm in such an environment can be a very attractive proposition. Last Monday morning on Oliver Callan (RTÉ Radio 1) the host had a timely conversation with Capuchin Brother Richard Hendricks, priest and poet, about the ideas in his new…
Safeguarding Sunday has become a regular feature on the calendar of the Archdiocese of Dublin. The idea is to ensure that parishes and communities are acutely aware that the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults was not a single moment or piece of work that was undertaken in reaction to sickening abuse reports, but the…
Letter of the week Every attempt is seized on to attack the Church Dear Editor, Apparently, we will soon exercise our democratic right to vote in a general election. The Sunday Independent poll tells us that two-thirds of the population back a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition for another term. These parties have a majority in…
Faith and Light communities from the Northern Region, including Carrickmacross, Clones, Enniskillen, Lisnaskea/Newtownbutler, and Tydavnet, travelled to Lough Derg to celebrate their annual pilgrimage on Sunday, September 12. Upon arrival, participants were warmly welcomed with tea and scones before enjoying an uplifting session of music and dancing led by Joe McManus. Mass was celebrated by Fr…
Speaking for the first time on the matter of President Higgin’s letter to the new Iranian head of state, and his subsequent claim in New York that it was circulated by the Israeli embassy in Dublin, the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich told The Irish Catholic that the President’s claims were a “baseless accusation”. …
The head of Ireland’s biggest Indian Catholic community has said they have “a responsibility to revive the Faith” in Ireland, particularly as the Irish were missionary pioneers in India. National coordinator of the Syro-Malabars in Ireland, Fr Joseph Mathew Oliakkattil highlighted the impact of secularism on Faith practice in Ireland and how “Government policies and…
Brendan O’Regan
Renata Milán Morales
Chai Brady