Watching too much television is a silent problem in Ireland, writes Colm Fitzpatrick It’s hard not to marvel at today’s technologically advanced world; the fact that we can connect with family and friends from different sides of the planet; find any desired information with a device that fits neatly in our pocket; or order items…
Homework can seem like a never-ending chore but a parent’s help can make all the difference, writes Colm Fitzpatrick With school once again in full swing, pupils will be arriving home in their droves to a hot meal, comfortable clothes, and reams of homework. The bane of most children’s lives, homework is seen as a barrier to complete…
Questions of Faith Modern conceptions of the Devil often depict him as an evil, red-tinged, horned fiend, relishing in the torture of lost souls as he malevolently impales the damned with his pitchfork. This, however, is not how Satan has always been perceived; the Church provides us with a much richer account of who the…
Personal Profile Colm Fitzpatrick speaks with the youngest parish priest in Ireland At a time in Ireland when many young men no longer value religious life as a desirable vocation to pursue, the youngest parish priest in the country is setting an example to the next generation that God is still calling them. Antrim-born…
Housing scarcity and expensive rents have forced Dublin’s Capuchin’s Day Centre to provide “day-to-day” essentials for children and babies. Speaking in the centre on Monday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland, its founder Bro. Kevin Crowley OFM Cap. said the welfare of families is a priority, but that the provision…
A Scottish parish is praying for one of its young footballers who has just signed on to a premiere league team in a record-breaking deal. St Brendan’s Church, Motherwell, congratulated Kieran Tierney who earlier this month transferred from boyhood club Celtic FC to Arsenal for £25 million (€22.5mil). The parish said they hope the 22-year-old…
Questions of Faith Deism is the belief that a supernatural entity created the universe, but that this being does not intervene in its creation. The Church describes it like this: “Some admit that the world was made by God but as by a watchmaker who, once he has made a watch, abandons it to itself…
The grave of a Co. Tyrone poet who died two centuries ago is to be given a long-awaited headstone next month. Strabane-native John McCrossan – also known as the Evish Bard – has lay in an unmarked grave since his death in 1895. Around 100 members of his family from around the world will meet…
The back-to-school routine doesn’t have to be a daunting military operation, writes Colm Fitzpatrick It’s been a summer of late nights, gluttonous meals and relaxed rules, but with school just around the corner, the dread of dealing with tantrums from a pouting child is becoming more palpable. Every year, parents around the country must…
Tipperary priests are celebrating “the golden age of hurling” after its county’s players were crowned All-Ireland champions over the weekend. Hurling enthusiast Fr Vincent Stapleton, who attended the match in Croke Park which saw the Tipperary senior hurling team beat rivals Kilkenny 3-25 to 0-20, said he was “over the moon” about the home win.…