Kerry diocese keeps ‘hope alive’ with mission The diocese of Kerry has launched its online mission, ‘Hope Alive!’, from January 21 to 24. Well-known humanitarian Adi Roche headlines the mission and will reflect on what it means to welcome the stranger on Sunday, January 21, at 8pm. Guest speakers include Fr Michael Conway, Dr Keith…
Bishops called to take harder stance on ‘hurtful’ funerals
Funerals that celebrate the life of notorious criminals are “particularly hurtful” to parishioners who see their church “taken over by those who prey on the community”, according to a Dublin-based priest. Fr Joe Keegan CC in Cabra West has called for Irish bishops to take a harder stance on what is permitted at funerals as…
What is the liturgical calendar?
The liturgical calendar is a spiritually transformative tool of the Church, writes Chene Heady The liturgical calendar is omnipresent in Catholic life. Many parish bulletins list the liturgical days of the week and corresponding Scripture readings. In December, tables in the narthex may be piled high with free calendars that identify the principal feasts of…
Children in State care placed in ‘unregulated settings’ doubles
The number of unaccompanied minors in ‘Special Emergency Accommodation’ has more than doubled in the past four months, according to statistics released by Tusla to the Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD. Previous replies to parliamentary questions from the Meath West TD showed a steady increase in the number of unaccompanied children seeking international protection who are ending…
A lesson for Cardinal Fernández
Mike Lewis Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández has a tough job. Ever since he took over as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) in mid-September, the Argentine theologian has been working hard to be the doctrine chief that Pope Francis asked him to be. When Fernández was appointed in July,…
God is calling your name. Will you respond?
Gretchen Crowe Our sweetest not-such-a-baby anymore turns 20 months old this month. Like any proud mama, I could write an entire column on John Francis’s adorable qualities, like his propensity to silly dance anytime he catches a whiff of a beat, or how he quacks at anything that has wings, including, lately, the angels in…
How to be more thoughtful about your screen time
Sr Hosea Rupprecht The week before Christmas, I encountered airport crowds waiting to board their flights, but spilling out of the gate area and hampering the rest of us trying to get where we were going. I got stuck behind a guy dragging his bag but laser-focused on his phone. His bag kept hitting people…
New report confirms positive effects of religion
A Gallup report titled Faith and Wellness has confirmed that religious people are more engaged in their communities, have more social support and enjoy more positive mentalities. The American analytics company found that there were five key factors of spirituality that have a beneficial impact on a person’s wellbeing: – Positive coping and a sense…
Irish among top 10 Camino visitors in record breaking 2023
Irish men and women were among the top 10 visitors to the famous Camino de Santiago in 2023, as the Spanish pilgrimage saw record breaking visitor figures. Nearly half a million people from around the world hiked this historic route last year, according to statistics from the pilgrims’ office. Nearly 200,000 of the pilgrims were…
What is Church teaching on Protestant Communion and the Real Presence?
Jenna Marie Cooper Q: What is the Church currently teaching about the Real Presence in other denominations? I thought that at one time we recognised both the Lutherans and the Anglicans as having the Real Presence. Does that still hold true? Others? A: For context, let us recall that the Catholic teaching on the “real…
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