Lockdown is a chance to recognise that the Eucharist is not some “holy fuel”, but an “intimate communion with Jesus”, said Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry. Speaking on Corpus Christi, Bishop McKeown said that if “we are not open to being in intimate communion with Jesus, allowing him to dwell within us, then receiving Communion…
Lockdown weddings had the “same joy as if the church was full”, said Fr John Bracken, who celebrated two of the just 82 weddings held during lockdown. Thousands of weddings were cancelled during lockdown, but those that went ahead were “oases of joy”, said Fr Bracken of Dundrum. “Both were streamed on the webcam,” he said. “Because of…
Fund established by Pope to help families Pope Francis has set up a fund aimed at helping families and individuals of Rome diocese who are in economic difficulty due to the Covid-19 crisis. In a letter to the Vicariate of Rome last week, the Holy Father says the Jesus the Divine Worker Fund will support…
Catholic charity to send Brazil aid Brazil is to receive emergency aid from a leading Catholic charity as the coronavirus crisis worsens in the country. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has announced 11 new projects in response to this, supporting the work of priests, religious and lay missionaries. In total, the projects will…
Dear Editor, On March 22, we learned of the very sad death of the first Covid-19 victim in our country; a lady in the east of Ireland, who was vulnerable due to an underlying medical condition, we were told. Since then, we have followed the statistics; the rise and fall in death rates, the genders…
Notebook Monsignor Jim Cassin died on Friday, June 5, 2020. He was a priest of the Diocese of Ossory. Dear Jim, I write this letter to you just ten days after you have gone to The Father’s House where no doubt you have received a warm welcome from the Father himself but also a wonderful…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Once upon a time…not too long ago…it took courage of a sort not to go to church in holy Ireland. People who did not go to church were regarded as odd, or maybe worse. They swam against the social tide which equated church attendance with respectability. How…
Helping kids move from primary to secondary Transitioning from primary to secondary school can be difficult and intimidating for children, what better way to get them prepared than an outdoor skills programme in the wilds of Co. Mayo? The day of fun, adventure and life learning is said to be an opportunity to; -Explore how…
The patron of lost things offers a vital link between faith and reason writes Michael Sanfey The Financial Times newspaper has a glossy magazine called How to Spend It. Many of us disorganised souls might feel the need of a title called How to Find It. Listening to the radio recently I was surprised to…
Chai Brady and Aron Hegarty Wexford GAA stalwart Tony Dempsey has called on Gaelic clubs to team up with local parishes to ensure a safe return to public Masses. It comes as the Church this week published guidelines for Masses to be open to a congregation from June 29. Mr Dempsey – a former…