Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon tells Cathal Barry he hopes the synod in Limerick will reinvigorate the diocese With the first synod to take place in Ireland in half a century fast approaching, organisers are busy putting the final preparations in place. Delegates met for one last time ahead of the upcoming Limerick Diocesan Synod at Mary…
Cathal Barry takes a look at who receives and who administers the Sacrament of the Sick The Church teaches that Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death”. “Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness…
A former government minister has criticised the State after the Diocese of Elphin confirmed it was forced to pull out of a local family life centre to guarantee future funding. Dr Martin Mansergh, who also served as special adviser to successive Taoisigh said it “is sad when the State withdraws financial support for work that…
The headmaster of one of the country’s leading Jesuit schools has spoken of the importance of “academic rigour” in religious education (RE). Belvedere College SJ Headmaster Gerry Foley also called on Catholic schools to develop a “common language” to articulate their unique ethos. Speaking to a meeting of Catholic educators at Marino Institute of Education…
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill, writes Cathal Barry The Church teaches that Christ invites his disciples to follow him by taking up their cross in their turn (Mt 10:38). “By following him they acquire a new outlook on illness and the sick,” according to the…
Crystal Swing star Mary Murray-Burke has said she was “shocked” after being told by a researcher on a prominent radio programme not to discuss her faith as it might “offend” listeners. The singer told The Irish Catholic that she was keen to talk about a recent trip to Medjugorje on the show but was told…
Cathal Barry meets an actress firm in her faith Singer, songwriter, actress, DJ. It seems there is very little Rebecca Ryan can’t master once she puts her hand to it. Readers of The Irish Catholic may recognise her from illustrious roles in Fair City and The Tudors. Others from tuning into Spirit Radio’s breakfast programme…
Further State funding for bodies with a religious ethos appears in doubt after the Diocese of Elphin confirmed it was forced to pull out of a local family life centre to guarantee future funding. It was first reported in The Irish Catholic last week that Tusla – the State’s child and family agency – was…
This column regularly deals with the pitfalls of obesity and advises those weight conscious readers on how to avoid gaining weight unnecessarily or how to shed excess pounds in a healthy fashion. I’m conscious, however, that some readers may in fact be struggling to maintain their weight or indeed gain some on doctors’ orders. Weight…
The Church teaches that Jesus’ compassion allows him to identify with those who suffer, writes Cathal Barry Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us…