Every so often I am made more acutely aware of how I live in a very changing Ireland. Our country is increasingly viewed across the world as a modern progressive republic which has shaken off the destructive influence and interference of institutional religion, particularly the Catholic Church. Sometimes this change happens in very public ways…
Corpus Christi – The mystical and the inexplicable
Notebook The Feast of Corpus Christi this weekend reminds us to reflect on and celebrate the extraordinary gift that Jesus left us at The Last Supper. The gift of himself in the form of very ordinary food, bread. One of my fears is that because we have the opportunity to attend Mass and receive Communion…
Irish missionary who was shot twice at close range
In the week leading up to St Patrick’s Day two men died. One you have heard a lot about, the other you probably heard nothing about. Neither man knew each other but both had something of a link with our parish in Rathdowney and more importantly both men had been inspired by the legacy of…
Poorly proclaimed readings lose richness of God’s word
Many of you will remember the name of Eamon Andrews. He was an Irish broadcaster who became very successful in Britain and was perhaps best known as the first presenter of This is Your Life. Eamon was also an active member of his parish community. Preparation I recently came across a response he gave to…
A frustrating frontier for faithful priests
I always find these first weeks of January a somewhat reflective time. A new year has begun, and I find myself reevaluating where I’m at as a person and as a priest and what might I try to do differently in the coming months. I have also spent a few days on retreat with my…
Hollow out a space for Christ this Christmas
On a recent visit to one of my parishioners I noticed a most fascinating centrepiece on the table of her front room. Underneath a protective glass dome was the most perfectly created birds’ nest. The nest was almost so perfect that I thought it had been somehow manufactured by a machine. Breda told me how…
Queue skipping and being serious about synodality
Recently I spent a few days in Rome with two friends who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful experience as the Eternal City always seems to tick so many of the boxes that make for a great holiday. My abiding memory of this recent trip will be one of ‘queueing’. We…
Guard against ‘hierarchy of grief’ after tragedies
After 37 years as a priest, I realise there is one area of my life and ministry where I could be diagnosed with scruples. This scrupulosity occurs when it comes to what priest and parish have to offer and ensuring that every family and individual gets treated exactly the same. Whether they come to Mass…
God in the midst of chaos, fear and natural disasters
My apologies if the tone of my contribution this month is a little depressing, but I hope there might be a more positive ending! In recent weeks I have been very conscious of people being filled with fear. Our TV news bulletins have been filled with images of terrified people caught up in natural disasters.…
Destined to meet: Daniel O’Donnell and Fionn Marum
Recently, a new community garden was opened in the centre of Rathdowney, Co. Laois. The garden is on the site of the old parish church and we hope it will be a place of gathering and celebration but also a space for contemplation and prayer. Among the entertainers who performed at the opening ceremony were…