The Bishop of Derry has appealed to politicians in the North to set aside their tribal differences and concentrate on tackling real issues affecting everyday lives. The power-sharing executive in Belfast is facing collapse over allegations that the IRA still exists and killed one of its former members, Kevin McGuigan, last month. Sinn Féin…
Mags Gargan
Strong faith leads mother to forgiveness after tragic loss of boys
The mother of two young boys killed by their older brother who then took his own life has spoken of how her faith has helped her cope with the tragic loss and led her to forgiveness. Jonathan O’Driscoll (21) killed his twin brothers, Thomas and Patrick (9), in their home in Charleville, Co. Cork last…
Restored St Mel’s attracts more than 100,000 visitors
Longford’s iconic St Mel’s Cathedral, which was almost destroyed by a devastating fire in 2009, has attracted over 100,000 visitors since the restored building was once again opened to worshipers last Christmas. Only a burnt out shell was left of the 19th Century cathedral when a fire took hold in the early hours of Christmas…
Indian missionaries to boost clerical numbers in Waterford
Three Indian missionaries have been invited to serve in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore this year, as Irish vocations continue to decrease. Two priests with the Heralds of Good News, a missionary society founded in India, will begin their ministry in Ireland in October and a third will follow after Christmas. Bishop Phoncie Cullinan…
Primate appeals to North’s MPs to oppose Assisted Dying Bill
Every human life is worthy of our “utmost care and protection to its natural end”
A new phase in religious education
Mags Gargan speaks to the people behind Ireland’s latest RE programme for primary schools
Second ‘Faith and Life Convention’ for Down & Connor
The Diocese of Down & Connor is hosting its second Faith and Life Convention on Saturday, September 26 in Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock, Belfast beginning at 10am. The Faith and Life Convention is a forum for people to gather together and to take part in a range of conversations about the meaning…
Donegal parish to host Biker Mass
Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, September 6 at 1.30pm in St Aengus’ Church in Burt, Co. Donegal for motor bikers. This will be a time to pray and remember all those bikers who have lost their lives in recent times and a time to ask for God’s blessing. After the Mass all the bikes…
Annual pilgrimage to honour St Finbarr
Each year pilgrims gather on the Sunday after September 25, the feast day of St Finbarr, patron saint of the Diocese of Cork, to honour him and ask for his blessing. This year pilgims will gather on Sunday, September 27 in Gougane Barra to celebrate ‘Gougane Sunday’. Rosary will be recited in the oratory at…
Change in Church must come from the ground up – Primate
The Primate of All Ireland has said that real growth and change in the Irish Church will not come from the bishops but from the ground up. Speaking to about 250 young adults at a youth conference organised by the Legion of Mary in Dublin at the weekend, Archbishop Eamon Martin said the three biggest…