The first words that God spoke to Abram were: “Leave your country, your birthplace, your father’s house” (Genesis 12:1). I have often wondered what might explain Abram’s immediate and unquestioning compliance with this call from God. In order to reflect on Abram’s astonishing faith, I would like to first point out that there is a…

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Over 1,000 young Catholics descended on Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea in Co. Tipperary at the weekend for the Youth 2000 Summer Festival. The event, which combines faith, fellowship and craic, has become an annual staple on the Irish religious calendar with buses travelling from all parts of the island. Organisers were delighted with the…

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J. Anthony Gaughan This “interview” features Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989) and Eileen Gray (1878-1976). In 1972 it was reported that Chatwin, then still a journalist writing for The Sunday Times Magazine, had interviewed Eileen Gray, the celebrated furniture designer and architect, in her Paris salon.  This was quite a coup for Chatwin in those pre-fame, pre-nomadic days. Shy by nature,…

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There has been much talk in recent times about what fats are 'good' and what fats are 'bad'. Generally speaking, 'good' fats are unrefined animal fats, fat from fish, and certain fats from plants, such as avocados, nuts and certain tropical oils like extra virgin olive oil. They tend to include a higher proportion of…

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