Over 2,000 people gathered for a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis in Knock Basilica on April 23. The Mass was led by Fr Richard Gibbons PP and Rector at Knock Shrine and had people from Knock Parish and surrounding areas attending. According to Fr Gibbons, the Pope “is fondly remembered in Knock,” resulting from his…
Irish priest returns St Thérèse’s rare book to France
Celebrating the centenary of the canonisation of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a rare first-edition of her biography will be returned home through the hands of an Irish priest. Fr Declan Hurley, Adm. St Mary’s Presbytery, Navan and Chairperson of the National Synodal Team, bought the book in an auction in 2022 and will return it to the…
‘We are ministering in a time of increasing pressure’ says bishop
“Our role as priests…is more important now than ever,” said Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll, in his homily at the Chrism Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on April 16. “The Ireland we serve today is different from the one many of us knew in years past. The Church no longer holds the central place…
Statue of Irish saint sold for ten times estimate
A rare statue of the Irish saint of gardening and gardeners was sold for ten times the estimate at auction on April 9 in the UK. The value of the 15th Century medieval elm carved figure of St Fiacre was firstly estimated at £1,000-£1,500 but sold for the total of £15,750. The 83cm tall statue…
Vocation presented as a possibility to students during career night
The Vocations Team in Ferns Diocese provided information on this lifepath to students during a ‘careers night’ in St Peter’s College Secondary School, Wexford on March 12. Fr Billy Swan, Vocations Director and Breda Murphy from the parish of Kilrush, a member of the Ferns Diocesan Lay Vocations Council represented the diocese in the event.…
Chaplains gather in Dublin for annual symposium
Healthcare chaplains from across Ireland gathered for their annual symposium in Dublin last week. In its third year, the event gathered 137 chaplains from all the main hospitals, hospices and other care facilities in the Republic and Northern Ireland at The Gibson Hotel on April 2. Fr Dwayne Gavin, Head of Mission at Bon Secours…
Lough Derg prior pays tribute to local sculptor following his death
Lough Derg’s Prior Msgr La Flynn paid tribute to local sculptor Brendan McGloin who was the responsible for sculpting the threshold stone at St Patrick’s Basilica in the Station Island. Mr McGloin died on April 4 and was buried in St Ninnidh’s Cemetery, Bundoran on April 7. Msgr Flynn said that “apart from his widely…
LGBTQI+ people to gather in Limerick in response to Synod
A group of from the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe have been gathering “in response to the Universal Synod invitation to engage with those who feel ‘excluded or judged because of their marital situation, identity or sexuality’.” Aiming to create a welcoming environment where LGBTQI+ people, along with their family members and allies can meet,…
150 children Confirmed in Clane Parish last weekend
The Clane and Rathcoffey Parish celebrated the confirmation of 150 children last weekend. Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty said that “Confirmation is a wonderful moment of encounter with the young confirmandi… I had two celebrations in Clane on Friday and one in Rathcoffey on Saturday.” This year, the bishop is “focusing on the life…
Kilmore Diocese on board of native forest plan
Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) are launching a pilot programme aimed to empowering local community groups to create small forests with a free training programme. The initiative ties well with Laudato Si’, Season of Creation, and the Bishops’ pledge to return 30% of Church grounds to nature said Patricia Keenan, Chair of the Diocese of…

Renata Steffens








