The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is running a two-year diploma in Pastoral Ministry for lay people. Thirty one people started the period of discernment with a gathering on the evening of February 7. This period will end in June and the course starts in September. The programme, announced in October 2024, had a series…
‘AI is a tool for an inclusive Church’ says deaf chaplain
Accessible liturgies are an “absolute imperative”, said the Chaplain for the Deaf Community in Munster, John Patrick Doherty. “Today, with Irish Sign Language (ISL) officially recognised as the first language of the Deaf Community in Ireland since 2017, there is an even greater responsibility to ensure that this language is fully integrated into the life…
‘The Church is enriched by the diversity’, says deaf chaplain
“Becoming profoundly deaf at the age of seven shaped my perspective and gave me a unique understanding of the challenges faced by the Deaf Community,” John Patrick Doherty, Chaplain for the Deaf Community in Munster told The Irish Catholic. Mr Doherty believes that was God’s way to prepare him to serve others with compassion and…
Laudato Si’ Movement Director attends inter-faith festival
The annual ‘4 Corners Festival’ in Belfast, received Dr Lorna Gold in her first official engagement as the new Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Recognised internationally for her role in shaping climate campaigns and scholarship in Catholic social justice and ecology initiatives, Dr Gold is the former Board Chair and one of the…
Statue unveiled to honour Medical Missionary Sisters founder
A statue to honour the Irish founder of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Mother Mary Martin was unveiled at Boyle O’Reilly Terrace beside the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda to mark the 50th anniversary of Mother Mary’s death. The opening of the event started with an introduction by Sr Sheila Devane to those gathering and welcoming words…
Parishioners talk tradition on St Blaise Feast Day
On Monday, February 3 the Feast of St Blaise was celebrated, patron of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers and wool trading. In Ireland it was also the bank holiday for St Brigid. Parishioners gathered in St Canice’s Church, Finglas Parish for 10am Mass and blessing of the throats afterwards. Laura Maguire, a parishioner from Ballymun…
Lessons from storms need to be learnt says Knock priest
Almost two weeks into the aftermath of Storm Éowyn the country is still recovering. Fr Richard Gibbons PP and Rector of Knock Shrine said there are still people out there without power and people still need to “keep an eye and keep watch.” With all the work being done to recover “shredded” cables and transformers,…
Dioceses discuss priests’ work-life balance in Co. Clare
The third annual gathering of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora and Diocese of Clonfert recently took place in Spanish Point, Co. Clare. Over 60 people from both dioceses took part in the event facilitated by Nicola Mitchell from the Knock Shrine Development Office. The gathering was divided in three sessions over two days.…
Grandparents flock to schools for a celebration day in Limerick
To celebrate the Catholic Schools Week 2025, two schools in Doon, Co. Limerick organised a ‘Grandparents Day’. Pup ils from Doon C.B.S. Primary School and Doon Convent Primary School enjoyed a nice day with their families. The event took place on January 28 with the grandparents and children attending Mass celebrated by Fr Jimmy Donnelly…
Parish archive opens in Gorey
The parish archive of St Michael’s Parish, Gorey, Co. Wexford has reopened in St Patrick’s Presbytery on January 24. The project was initiated by Fr William (Billy) Flynn PP who completed it with the help of James Grannell and other parishioners. Fr Tommy Curran, who was baptised in 1945 in St Michael’s and celebrated his…