An initiative from the pastoral council of Long Tower Parish in Derry City is aiming to help young people to discuss and tackle issues affecting their lives. Youth Fest will involve a series of four interviews held throughout the year to discuss issues of concern expressed by young people, teachers and parents in the parish.…

The Corrymeela Community was founded in 1965 by the Rev. Dr Ray Davey, assisted by a group of students from Queen’s University, Belfast to work in peace building and reconciliation. Today there are approximately 160 community members and more than 5,000 friends living throughout Ireland. As part of its 50th anniversary there are six walks…

The Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre has launched its new updated website, www.kilmoredpc.ieto mark the 10th anniversary of the centre’s official opening in Cavan. Bishop Leo O’Reilly welcomed the launch and expressed the hope that the new website “will be a source of hope and inspiration for those who use it as they journey in faith”.…

Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown paid his first visit to Co. Antrim when he accepted an invitation to visit St Killian’s College, Garron Tower. Archbishop Brown met pupils and staff on his arrival before concelebrating Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in the school chapel. He then addressed the student body in…

Church spokespeople have distances themselves from controversial comments about the film Fifty Shades of Grey made by a high-profile priest. Fr Paddy McCafferty, who serves in the Co. Down parish of Crossgar, has appealed to Catholics to avoid the film, which he describes as “contrary to the Faith and offends against human dignity”. Fr McCafferty…

Two retired De La Salle Brothers (Br George Whyte and Br John McDermott) are discovering a new ministry for themselves. Together they have begun visiting De La Salle schools, primary and secondary, from Belfast to Waterford in order to help students and teachers become more aware of their great Catholic/Christian heritage. The brothers tell the…

Just €1 a day throughout Lent could make a huge difference in the lives of orphaned and abandoned children on the Thai-Burma border, according to a new charity appeal. Thai Children’s Trust Ireland, which supports disadvantaged and disabled children in Thailand and surrounding countries, has launched the Lenten campaign ‘Feed a Future’ to provide a…

Following her participation at the latest meeting of a new Vatican commission set up by Pope Francis to fight sex abuse, a prominent abuse survivor has said she is happy with how progress is being made. Marie Collins had expressed her frustration at the slow pace of progress in advance of the three-day meeting of…

Almost two thirds of people believe that a child is more likely to grow up happy if raised in a home with a mother and father. A survey carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of Accord, the Catholic marriage care service, has shown a strong support for marriage in Ireland. Some 61% considered marriage…