A bumper weekend for the Irish Church saw four dioceses across the island celebrate an ordination to the priesthood, including the first ordination in 14 years for the Diocese of Ossory. On Sunday, Fr Brian Griffin, from the parish of Slieverue, was ordained in St Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny by Bishop Seamus Freeman. In his…
Mags Gargan
Film star credits God for career
Chris Pratt, the star of the box office record- breaking film Jurassic World, credits his successful career to God’s blessing. The 35-year-old actor, who is married to actress Anna Faris, with whom he has a two-year-old son, Jack, has attributed his sudden recent career success to divine intervention. “I’m definitely very favoured by God and…
Clonard novena continues to attract huge crowds
The new rector of Clonard Monastery in Belfast has described the annual novena as a real “phenomenon” with more than 15,000 people attending the services daily. “It is a phenomenon,” said Fr Noel Kehoe. “We estimate that more than 15,000 people are attending daily this year. At the first session at 6.45am we have 1,500…
Clogher hosts first diocesan safeguarding conference
About 200 people attended the first safeguarding conference for the Diocese of Clogher held in Clones. Special guests included: Sr Suzie Duffy of the Diocese of Kilmore; Marie Hamilton; Mary Mc Mahon; and Sr Una Purcell of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. The conference was opened by Acting Chairperson of the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee, Mary Harte and…
Kilkenny parish celebrates priest’s golden jubilee
Parishioners from the parish of Tullaherin/Bennettsbridge in Co. Kilkenny turned out in large numbers to celebrate the golden jubilee of Canon Patrick Duggan. The day began with a Mass of Thanksgiving where Canon Duggan spoke at length about his time in the priesthood. He said the highlight for him would have to be the daily…
Ecumenical service at St Colmcille’s Well
Over a hundred people attended the annual ecumenical service at St Colmcille’s Well in Ballycullen, Dublin 16. The theme for the year was ‘We Stand on Holy Ground’ and the speaker for the occasion was Fr Noel Hession OSA. There was an element of nostalgia surrounding the service this year, due to the impending closure…
Annual pilgrimage to Slieve Patrick
Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor celebrated the annual pilgrimage to Slieve Patrick, the national monument to St Patrick in Saul, Co. Down. A large crowd attended the celebrations including local children who had recently made their first Holy Communion, Knights of St Columbanus and a local Scout group. In his homily Bishop Treanor…
Today’s society can learn from Boys Town priest
Modern society has lessons to learn in caring for vulnerable children from the Irish priest behind the pioneering Boys Town facility in the US, according to supporters of his cause for sainthood, as his canonisation process moved a step forward. Fr Edward Flanagan, a Roscommon priest who adopted a progressive approach to running institutions for…
National celebration in honour of St Oliver
The annual celebration to commemorate St Oliver Plunkett in Drogheda on July 5 will commence with the procession of a first class relic of St Oliver from Holy Family Church, Ballsgrove (south of the river Boyne) at 3pm and proceed three kilometres to the National Shrine of St Oliver in St Peter’s Church, West Street,…
Co. Wexford parish to celebrate bicentenary
This summer the Parish of Horeswood Ballykelly in Co. Wexford is hosting two significant events. The celebration of the bicentenary of St Brigid’s Church in Ballykelly will take place at 11.30am on Sunday, June 28 with a Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Denis Brennan. The bishop will also plant a tree to mark the…