Picking up a new language is a daunting prospect with a tantalising reward, but it’s easier now than ever, writes Jason Osborne Most of us would like to be able to speak at least one other language, and most of us leave school without the ability to do so (unless we attended a Gaelscoil). Or at…
The bishops of Ireland plan to undertake a pilgrimage to the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Knock to concelebrate Mass for all those who have died in Ireland throughout the pandemic, and their families. The bishops will also offer prayers of thanksgiving “for all those who so selflessly sacrificed so much” during the pandemic.…
‘I wouldn’t want any other parent to feel the way I did’ A well-known lay missionary who was dramatically hospitalised with Covid-19 has appealed for Catholics to set aside divisions over vaccines and stand with the Pope. Speaking from his hospital bed, Tony Foy, Executive Director of NET Ministries Ireland admitted that looking into his…
Pro-life politicians have decried the launch of a bill that would introduce so-called ‘safe access zones’ outside hospitals and clinics providing abortion, arguing that it’s the attempted “criminalisation of peaceful pro-life speech and protest”. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan said the bill is “nothing short of an ideological wrecking ball”.…
Hotelier and TV personality Francis Brennan spoke recently about the importance of faith in his life and his disappointment about “an element” introduced into Irish society that doesn’t receive faith well. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Brennan spoke about how fear around a birth condition, which saw him born without an ankle…
Ireland’s wake culture is necessary for establishing a healthy relationship with death, hears Jason Osborne The pandemic brought the Catholic tradition of memento mori (‘Remember your death’) back to the forefront of the public’s mind, a virus which proved deadly for many intruding upon the removed safety of our daily lives. Key to combatting the…
Procrastination is an issue that plagues everyone, and we’d be better off if we chose to confront it now, rather than later, writes Jason Osborne From schoolchildren who put off doing their homework for hours, to politicians who avoid addressing pressing issues and everyone in between, procrastination is an issue that affects us all. In…
Youth ministers at the grassroots level in the Church in Ireland have said a new survey revealing that younger people are twice as likely to pray than older people is an opportunity for the Church to reach out beyond those who currently attend Mass regularly. The study found that 51% of 18 to 34-year-olds polled…
Students in Limerick are facing a “very tight” situation when it comes to finding accommodation, the Catholic chaplain of Mary Immaculate College has said. Fr Michael Wall told The Irish Catholic newspaper that student accommodation is becoming increasingly scarce, and that it is a concern of some of the students that he interacts with in…
The return to offices, colleges and schools means more presentations, so it’s a good idea to practice public speaking, writes Jason Osborne Whether it’s in front of a large audience or before a small team of colleagues, most of us have to speak before groups of people at some time or other. The pandemic mitigated this…