A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation: Aspects of Priesthood and Baptism edited by Joseph Briody (Smenos Publications, €25.00 plus p+p) This is the eighth publication in the Fota Liturgy Series, the outcome of the regular Fota Conferences, which have drawn select liturgists from all over Europe. The editor is both a priest…
Courtney McGrail
Ardoyne priest verbally abused during marching protest
Nationalist protestors involved in the Twaddell Avenue stand-off in Belfast rounded on Fr Gary Donegan on October 1 as the protest camp was dismantled after three years. Photograph shows Fr Donegan as he is confronted by Ardoyne resident Dee Fennell. Photo: Mal McCann/The Irish News
Is that a bone I see before me?
A bulldog reacts as Fr Dan Viertel, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Bellevue, Wisconsin, sprinkles holy water during a blessing of pets on October 1 in the church parking lot. The blessing was held in observance of the October 4 feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. Photo: CNS
100,000 reasons to be grateful
Young pro-life activists holding balloons to mark how the Pro Life Campaign has calculated that upwards of 100,000 Irish people are alive today who might not be so were it not for the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.
Catholic canon welcomes ‘symbolic’ appointment at Belfast cathedral
Staff reporter The first Catholic ecumenical canon of Belfast’s Church of Ireland cathedral has praised the symbolism of his appointment. Fr Eddie O’Donnell, who was installed as Ecumenical Canon of St Anne’s Cathedral during Evensong on September 25, told The Irish Catholic that his duties will include occasionally preaching in the cathedral and attending chapter meetings,…
John McAreavey thanks God for second chance
John McAreavey, whose wife Michaela Harte was murdered on the couple’s honeymoon in 2011, has remarried and thanked God for getting his life back on track. Five years after the trauma and heartbreak of losing Michaela on the island of Mauritius, John has married Tara Brennan, with whom he worked at the Michaela Foundation, the…
Faith before fame for superstar Wahlberg
A small Catholic church in England had a celebrity surprise last week when Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg arrived for Mass, fresh from saving the world in his latest blockbuster. Currently filming the fifth instalment of the Transformers series in England, Wahlberg left the set to attend Sunday Mass at St Aidan’s Church in Seahouses. Depth of faith…
Priest frauds Wexford woman is given probation
Joe Barrett A young Wexford mother of three children, who obtained a total of €750 from two parish priests in Laois while claiming to be a social worker, was given the Probation Act when her case was concluded at Portlaoise District Court last Thursday, September 22. Rebecca O’Leary (22) had already pleaded guilty to the three…
News in Brief
Vatican expert to speak on Pope’s renewal efforts The lay Catholic reform group, the Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) has announced events in Dublin and Carlow next month examining the progress of Pope Francis in bringing change to the Church. On October 15, at 4pm, at Trinity College Chapel, Dublin, and on October 17, at 7.30pm, at Carlow College, the ACI…
Ploughing away
Cistercian College students Fiacra Murphy and Rian Boylan pictured with the papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Browne at the National Ploughing Championships.