Questions of Faith In today’s world, plenty of people have lucky charms; it might be a football that their father gave them when they were a child; a special pen that is always used in exams; or a lucky coin that is kept in one’s wallet or purse. The belief that objects or practices have…
Don’t give up on dating when you’re older, it might just save your marriage, writes Colm Fitzpatrick “Marry, and you will regret it; don’t marry, you will also regret it; marry or don’t marry, you will regret it either way,” the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once remarked. While this quip was written to shed…
Questions of Faith When it comes to marriage, films and television shows often depict the ceremony with the bride donning an elegant, white dress as she walks up the church aisle towards the groom. This portrayal of weddings is not much different from those in real life; most women considering marriage usually take wearing a…
Parents should be the first educators when it comes to sex, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Most people find broaching the topic of sex uncomfortable and for many parents this awkwardness is only heightened when discussing the subject with their children. ‘The Talk’ as it’s euphemistically phrased, denotes the time in your child’s life when you…
Children’s Corner Is it possible to fit a boiled egg through the neck of a glass bottle without it being harmed? Most people would answer that such a feat is impossible, but with science on your side this tiny miracle is easily doable! To perform this curious experiment, place an egg (or multiple eggs if…
Questions of Faith It’s common today for religious or spiritual people to speak of guardian angels – divine entities which protect and guide somebody in their everyday lives. The Church has no qualms about the existence of angels, which are best described as pure spirits created by God. The word ‘angel’ derives from the…
Taking good care of your back should be a health priority, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Most of us are taught from a young age to stand up straight and keep our shoulders back, but very often this advice falls on deaf ears. It can be more comfortable to eat dinner at the dining table or watch…
Personal Profile Colm Fitzpatrick speaks with award-winning nun Sr Moira Keane While nuns are usually portrayed in films as hidden away and sheltered from the outside world in convents, an Irish-born Mercy Sister has instead dedicated her life to those locked-up behind prison bars. Earlier this year Galway woman Sr Moira Keane, who has been…
The Church should fork out some of its “vast tracts” of land to help curb the country’s housing crisis, one of Ireland’s most well-known priests has said. Social activist Fr Peter McVerry SJ told this newspaper that while the Church is not responsible for solving the severe lack of housing across the country, it can…
The Papal visit to Africa Last week marked the beginning of Pope Francis’ six-day visit to Africa, the fourth time he has visited the continent since his appointment. Exploring topics such as war, corruption and climate change, the Pontiff sought to move the hearts and minds of people whose countries have been racked by…