With ‘decluttering’ a popular New Year activity, Pope Francis has urged Catholics to emulate Mary by leaving behind “useless baggage” and learning what truly counts. “Devotion to Mary is not spiritual etiquette; it is a requirement of the Christian life,” the Pope said in his homily in St Peter’s Basilica on the solemnity of Mary,…
Roscommon: Deacon Martin Reidy stands with his son John, wife Anne, daughter Orlaith and Bishop Kevin Doran after his ordination to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Doran in Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon. Photo: Ann Hennessy.
The Notebook Fr Bernard Healy The release of an animated movie called The Star caught my attention. The premise of the film – an imaginative telling of the Nativity focusing on the donkey and his animal companions reminded me that we have a plethora of traditions about various animals associated with the Christmas story.…
Dear Editor, Thank you for the excellent article by Fr Andrew McMahon on the Church and the media (IC 14/12/17). As Fr McMahon states, the media is generally hostile, sometimes very hostile, to the Church. In particular, the incessant pro-abortion propaganda in much of the media, most notably the Irish Times, which stands in contrast…
Much-loved Clogher priest dies A priest described as a man who shared his Faith with passion, loved travel and had a kind and gentle manner, died following an illness he “bore with great courage and serenity”, the Diocese of Clogher said. Fr Tom Finnegan, the parish priest of Magheracloone in Monaghan, passed away in St Francis’ Hospice in…
Meath: Bishop Michael Smith, Anne Crinion the curator of the exhibition, Provincial Leader of the Sisters of Mercy Sr Ann Brady and Fr Sean Henry PP of Trim at the celebration to mark 150 years since the order came to Trim. Photo: Anne Crinion
Although Pope Francis’ visit next year is likely to cost about €20m, events for children and the Mass in the Phoenix Park will be free in order to reduce financial stress on families, the Archbishop of Dublin has assured. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that he wants the events at next August’s World Meeting of Families…
JANUARY The new year began with the Dáil preparing to debate a full motion condemning the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. This was sparked by the failure of politicians to include Christians in a motion attacking the treatment of Iraq’s Yazidi minority by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) – an omission described as “outrageous” by Bishop John McAreavey. Mark Zuckerberg, founder…
An influential publication within the country’s largest Protestant denomination has insisted that any debate on abortion in the Republic must keep the right to life of the unborn to the forefront. An editorial in the Christmas edition of the Church of Ireland Gazette also says that “it would be a mistake to think that the…
The Rutland Centre, Ireland’s foremost addiction treatment centre, has announced details of its Family Support Services for 2018. The Centre will operate workshops throughout the New Year to support family members of people affected by addiction. Maebh Leahy, the centre’s chief executive, said: “No matter what the addiction is, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, sex, food…