As this gospel reading is quite long, you are invited to use your own Bible to read the text. Initial observations This story is found only in the Fourth Gospel, although the other Gospels do tell of people being raised from the dead (Jairus’ daughter, the son of the widow of Nain). Our story, very…
Q: Is it acceptable in the eyes of God to have an alcoholic drink at a bar that was once an altar? My diocese has deconsecrated said altar. A: I of course can’t speak directly for God, but I know I personally would not feel comfortable consuming any kind of ordinary food and drink served…
Thomas Moore, the author of Care of the Soul, teaches that our most important spiritual task is to listen to the promptings of our own soul. If listened to in honesty, it will guide us, protect us, and keep us healthy. I heard him present this to an audience in a church setting and after…
This winter in Ukraine has been a special challenge for everyone who studies and teaches. This includes us, the students of the Institute of Theological Sciences of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in the town of Horodok, Khmelnytskyi region. Prolonged power outages—sometimes up to 18 hours a day—brought cold temperatures indoors, heating difficulties, and water supply…
My father died fourteen years ago. I miss him. His presence in my life mattered when he was alive and his absence matters, now he is dead. Fatherhood matters. It is not a social construct. It is gift of nature that nurtures a child in a way that complements the gift of motherhood. On March…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35). There is something in that quiet detail – “while it was still dark.” Jesus withdrew to pray, choosing silence before noise, communion before chaos, strength before service.…
Irish Jesuit bishop says women are not second class citizens EXCLUSIVE REPORT The bishop of Down and Connor, Alan McGuckian has unequivocally said that he thinks the door to the female diaconate is shut and that his fellow Jesuit Pope Francis should have said so. The bishop made the comments during an interview with…
Public debate about the role of women in the Catholic Church tends to orbit around one question: Will the Church ordain women? In some circles, that question narrows even further: will women at least be ordained deacons? But the latest work emerging from Study Group 5 of the Synod on Synodality offers a sobering reminder:…
Cobh Parish, Co. Cork has launched an appeal for the parish community to contribute to the parish priests’ income through their annual collections, as they reported a “significant shortfall in the income from these specific collections.” The appeal, posted to the parish Facebook site on March 14, outlines the current allocation of parish funds, noting…
Former Taoiseach John Bruton’s deep Catholic faith shaped his politics, his intellectual life and his understanding of public service, his widow Finola Bruton told a gathering at Maynooth during an award ceremony honouring his legacy. Speaking at the event, Mrs Bruton reflected on the late statesman’s religious convictions: “For John, his faith was a given,…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser