Family News and Events

Food for thought walk For those who are enthusiasts of Ireland’s ancient past, the Ennis Gourmet History Walking Tour will be right up your street. The walk takes attendees on a journey that serves as an edible experience of the town’s past and present. The tour, led by Jane O’Brien of the award-winning Ennis Walking…

In Brief

Two bishops ordained in China after agreement The ordination of Bishop Anthony Yao Shun of Jining in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region was the first episcopal ordination in the country following the provisional agreement signed in 2018 between China and the Vatican. The ordination was “the first to take place in the framework of the…

Cloyne
 priests 
on
 the
 move

Bishop William Crean has announced the latest round of clerical changes in Cloyne Diocese. He has accepted the retirements of Fr Donal Coakley as PP of Inniscarra, Canon David Herlihy as PP of Youghal and Canon Michael Fitzgerald as PP of Mitchelstown. Effective September 21, Msgr Anthony O’Brien PP of Mallow is also to  become…

Thirty years ago, Athlone woman Marion Carroll arrived at Knock Shrine in a stretcher suffering from multiple sclerosis. During the Mass she received benediction with the Blessed Sacrament and her sight and speech was restored and she began to walk. At the weekend she returned to Knock to hear Archbishop Neary pronounce that “today the…

Listening to those who might hear God’s call

A workshop on priestly vocation was an eye-opening experience, writes Bishop Phonsie Cullinan   At the Youth 2000 Summer Retreat in Clongowes Wood College this month 39 young people gathered for a lunchtime conversation workshop on vocations to the diocesan priesthood.  The gathering was initiated by the Vocations Council of the Bishops’ Conference which I…

Hospital probe reveals ‘marginalisation’ of disabled

There is a lot of scope for people with intellectual disabilities to be “marginalised”, a leader of a parish group has said in light of reports of mistreatment in a Belfast hospital. Leader of Spred (Special Religious Education) in Holy Rosary Parish in Belfast, Grainne McMacken, said that she was aware of the situation regarding…

Missionary boat sets sail on Amazon river

A hospital boat named the ‘Pope Francis’ set sail last week in the Amazon River to bring medical care to rural populations. “Just as Jesus, who appeared walking on water, calmed the storm and strengthened the faith of the disciples, this boat will bring spiritual comfort and calm to the worries of needy men and…