A group of around 50 Brazilians gathered in St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church in Dundalk, Co. Louth for the first Mass in Portuguese in that parish. The Mass was presided over by Fr Richard Delahunty, who lived in Brazil for over 30 years, and co-celebrated by Fr Brendan Callanan. During the traditional Brazilian Mass, the attendees…
Month: March 2025
Diverse crop of pre-Summer offerings
An Taibhse (The Ghost, 15A) Is this Ireland’s answer to The Shining? An attempt to reprise the success of Kneecap? An imaginative horror film it has a man and his daughter working as caretakers in a spooky Georgian mansion during a harsh post-Famine winter. What’s next on the national landscape – a gaeilgeoir version of…
Syria: the Christian paradise turned into a jihadist hell
Although the situation in Syria remains volatile, Irish Catholic readers should be in no doubt what they should do to ameliorate the plight of those Syrians, who have so far survived the carnage. Besides informing themselves of the situation so they can lobby their political and religious leaders, they can donate to Aid to the…
Casting out demons through silence
There is an incident in the Gospels where the disciples of Jesus were unable to cast out a particular demon. When they asked Jesus why, he replied that “some demons can only be cast out by prayer.” The demon he was referring in this instance had rendered a man deaf and mute. I want to…
French bishops publish major study to boost interest in faith, help save churches
Following the publication of the General Estates on Religious Heritage report, French bishops are spearheading efforts to restore historic churches, not only to preserve architectural treasures but also to renew interest in the faith. Across France, from Marseille to rural Normandy, communities are celebrating the revival of their Catholic heritage. On February 2, restoration work…
Peace, love and ice-cream: let the buyer beware
The American ice-cream company Ben and Jerry’s has a beautiful motto: peace, love and ice-cream. But frankly, it has an ugly agenda when it comes to babies in the womb. And no matter how much sugar they pour into their ice-cream, it will never sweeten the bitter taste of abortion. And as we approach the…
Shroud of Turin to be showcased online during Holy Year
The Shroud of Turin will be digitally showcased during the Holy Year 2025, allowing visitors to engage with the revered relic like never before. The shroud, a linen cloth many believe is the burial shroud of Jesus Christ and bears his image, traditionally draws thousands of pilgrims during rare public displays. While there will be…
United in the Spirit: parish partnership brings faith to life
“I am hoping that the Spirit will be very busy here,” said Bishop Donal Roche as he opened the Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) in the Our Lady of Good Counsel parish hall. This initial meeting marked the beginning of a seven-week series, organised by the St Colmcille Parish Partnership in South Dublin, bringing…
Cardinal George Pell: A fascinating Lenten companion
Lent kind of crept up on me this year. I had barely adjusted to writing 2025 instead of 2024 and yet it was already Ash Wednesday. I was relieved when my nephew, Jason Conroy, asked if I wanted to be part of a WhatsApp group that would follow along with Cardinal Pell’s prison journals for…
Catechism of the Catholic Church – The mysteries of Jesus’ public life
Jesus’ public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. John preaches “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. “Then Jesus appears.” the Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, “This is my beloved Son.” This is the…

Renata Steffens

Aubrey Malone

Fr Ronald Rolheiser

Martina Purdy


Breda O'Brien
Renata Milán Morales