On Sunday, September 1 nearly 80 pilgrims set off from the St Laurence Pastoral Area (Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, St John’s, Sacred Heart, Ss Joseph, Benildus and Mary, Killea, Crooke and Faithlegg) in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore on pilgrimage to the Ardmore Monastic site to mark the Year of Faith. First stop…
Mayo musical mountaineers launch choral festival
Last Saturday saw the Mayo International Choral Festival reach new heights as the 2014 syllabus was officially launched from the top of Croagh Patrick. Climbers representing Castlebar Parish Choir, Cill Aodáin Choral Society, Cór Mhaigh Eo, Mayo Male Voice Choir, the Moy Singers and Westport Choral Society became ‘musical mountaineers’ for the day and hit…
Promoting fertility awareness
Dear Editor, Fertility awareness is a subject that comes up for discussion in the media from time to time. However it falls short of explaining that there is information available that every woman should know. This is information, scientifically proven, whereby a couple can plan or postpone a pregnancy, as deemed necessary. It would…
Cloyne Year of Faith talks
A series of autumn Year of Faith talks in the Diocese of Cloyne examining the documents of Vatican II begins in various locations throughout the diocese next month. Bishop William Crean said the talks are “a wonderful opportunity” to explore some of the documents from Vatican II and people may be “surprised by the…
Mayobride Year of Faith talks
On Wednesday night St Patrick’s Parish, Mayobridge, Co. Down welcomed Sr Briege Mc Kenna to speak as part of their Year of Faith Programme of faith talks. Over 1,200 people flocked to hear Sr Briege share her faith and pray for healing. Mayobridge Parish has been home to the Poor Clare Sisters since 1924.…
Nothing justifies voting for abortion
Dear Editor, The President and Taoiseach slammed the Catholic Church with their abortion legislation and they then participated in a Eucharistic celebration – the “Source and Summit of our Faith” – that demonstrated to the Church and future generations their disregard for the Magisterium. Unfortunately there has been little effective response from the hierarchy. …
Wicklow parish celebrates marriages
On Friday, September 6 St Patrick’s & St Joseph’s parish, Wicklow & Rathnew held a celebration for 28 couples marking 25, 40, 50, 55 and 60 years of marriage. There was about 200 in attendance for the Mass which was celebrated by Fr Donal Roche Adm, and co-celebrated by Fr Pat O Rourke and…
Proving existence of God
Dear Editor, I asked a group of young people to do some research with a view to discover whether or not God really exists. They gave me the analysis of their investigations and their resultant proof of the existence of God. This world goes on a huge space journey every 365 ¼ days around the…
Parishes praying for peace
Dear Editor, The Irish Catholic (IC 05/09/2013) report titled “Irish parishes respond to Pope’s peace vigil call,” rightly drew attention to the massive peace efforts of Pope Francis and his pre-announced Saturday Rome vigil of fasting and prayer in respect of Syria. Pope Francis made an international appeal to Catholics, Christians, believers and all peace…
Don’t shoot the messenger
Dear Editor, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin recently criticised sections of the Catholic press in Ireland for a ‘growing tendency to tabloidism’. I presume his criticism is not directed at The Irish Catholic, which while supportive of the archbishop’s work on dealing with clerical sexual abuse, has also raised questions about the extent of his leadership in…
