A former member of the Irish Defence Forces who now works as a solicitor was ordained to the permanent diaconate on Sunday. The new deacon, Martin Reidy, became the first permanent deacon to be ordained in the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, Co. Athlone. A large congregation gathered including his wife and two children.…
Decorating with a twist
In anticipation of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) next year, a group of students in Kildare created some festive Christmas decorations for their Church tree. Students working towards their Pope John Paul II Award from St Mary’s College (Naas) and Newbridge College helped the Kill Parish Liturgy Group to replace baubles on the Church…
Out & About
Cork: Early risers in a snowy Ballymoe gather for a prayer service in the Fr Flanagan Garden to celebrate the Centenary of US charity Boys Town.
First trimester abortion on demand planned
Unrestricted access to abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is likely to become law if a referendum next year sees the removal of Ireland’s constitutional protections for the unborn, The Irish Catholic understands. Following the recommendation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution that article 40.3.3 of Bunreacht…
People must speak up for Gospel values
Dear Editor, I must congratulate you on your editorial comment ‘The paralysing effects of negativity in the Church’ (IC 7/12/17). While if one counts numbers on pews with comparisons to the past, and if one reflects on recent scandals within our Church, one could be forgiven for being pessimistic. However if you get involved at…
Out & About
Kerry: Br Raj Selvarathinam (centre front), originally from Sri Lanka, travelled to Ireland to become a Presentation Brother and celebrates his First Profession of Religious Vows in a well-attended gathering of Brothers in Killarney, and Br Simon Fernandes from Pakistan (front left) became a novice a few weeks ago.
Out & About
Galway: Snowmen galore as students from St Brendan’s Boys School in Loughrea make the most of the snow.
Out & About
Kildare: (R-L) Claire Rudd, Rachel Rowe, Father Paul Dempsey PP of Newbridge, Ross Sweeney and his mother Brenda Sweeney, all from St Conleth’s Parish, at the launch of the WMOF2018 in Newbridge.
Out & About
Clare: Recipients of the Pope John Paul II Awards from St Mary’s Secondary School in Nenagh, included are students, Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan, Supreme Knight Mr Gerald Harbinson from the Knights of Columbanus and Fr Ger Jones award coordinator for the Diocese of Killaloe.
Out & About
Derry: Winners of the John Paul II award students from St Patrick’s College had a busy week preparing their St Vincent de Paul hampers to be distributed this Christmas.










