The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 3 Silvester O’Flynn OFM Pentecost celebrates the birthday of the Church. Jesus once compared himself to a seed dying in the earth so as to produce multiple grains. In Saint John’s account of the death of Jesus his last words were “It is accomplished.” Job done. Then bowing his…
Ruadhán Jones Bishop Dermot Farrell of Ossory said Catholics look forward to the day they “can attend in person, and receive sacramentally again” and lamented the “loss of the community dimension of our Faith” due to the suspension of public Masses. In his pastoral letter on Ascension Sunday, Bishop Farrell said that people are…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 3 Exclusive Excerpt from Freedom from Evil Spirits by Pat Collins CM Fighting temptation is a difficult task, but through prayer and fasting we become more adept at resisting Satan and his tricks. The temptation to sin is a characteristic of every human life. In Genesis we are…
Archbishop Eamon Martin has written to clergy of the Armagh Archdiocese saying he hopes that the bishops’ plan for safe public liturgies will help the Church North and South to make the case for an early resumption of the public celebration of Mass and the Sacraments “in a measured and safe way”. Noting that this Sunday…
Irish humanitarian aid agency, GOAL, has reached more than 10 million vulnerable people with vital Covid-19 awareness messaging and supports across its 13 countries of operation since the start of the crisis in March. The agency said it has to date reached more than 9.5 million people with coronavirus media messaging in eight of its countries,…
As Pope Francis entrusted China to the Blessed Virgin, police in Hong Kong were firing tear gas and water cannon at protesters rallying against China’s plans to impose a new security law on the territory. The Holy Father imparted a special Apostolic Blessing upon China for the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians at…
Ruadhán Jones “I identify as a Christian first and foremost, that informs everything I do,” said Cáit Glass, Derry Ladies Gaelic football captain from 2017 to 2019. In a video for Derry Diocese, Cáit said captaining her county was “an amazing experience” and “wouldn’t have been the same without my Faith behind me”. “It…
More than 88 laureates and children’s rights advocates have called on world leaders to prioritise vulnerable children in the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s foundation Laureates and Leaders for Children has also asked for a US$1 trillion financial package to protect children. “The Catholic Church has always a special place and concern…
The Vatican Museums will reopen on June 1, two days before Italy opens its borders to European visitors after nearly three months of lockdown. Entrance will only be possible via prior reservation to limit the number of people in the museum and stagger entrance times. All visitors will be required to wear a mask, and…
Nursing homes were left isolated as the Government rushed to prioritise hospitals as the coronavirus struck, it has been claimed. The chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland has told the Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 that key State organisations left nursing homes and their residents isolated in the early days of the pandemic. The NHI and the Health…