Candlelight and prayers for St Bernadette

The Relics of St Bernadette are still travelling around Ireland and arrived at Down and Connor Diocese this week. To mark the moment, parishioners of St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast had a Marian Candlelit Procession on Tuesday, October 15. All ceremonies with the relics were livestreamed via St Mary’s webcam. Speaking to The Irish…

New lay ministry course available in Co. Laois

The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is inviting people to step forward and subscribe to the new Lay Pastoral Ministers programme. The programme is a two-year level 7 diploma course, which will prepare the laity to undertake significant roles in their parishes and pastoral areas. The course offers part-time lessons and will be held over six weekends…

The faith journey of a Myanmar priest

Ireland is the host for many international priests and missionaries who come to study, either for a long period or on short trips, Fr Simon (Young) Ye Yint Naing Saw, from Myanmar, is one of those foreign priests. Fr Young lived in Knock and Portlaoise during the Summer months to improve his English, and in…

Parish centre nominated for all-island award

The Priorswood Parish Centre was selected as one of five Dublin nominees for the all-island Pride of Place Award. “It’s a bit of a shock that we were nominated for this, but we are thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” said Ann Tormey, chairperson for the Parish Centre. The competition focus “is about people coming together to shape,…

Co. Cavan’s saints visit home

Co. Cavan received the relics of its native St Kilian and his companions St Kolonat and St Totnan last week. The relics came from Würzburg, Germany, where the saints lived and were killed over 1,300 years ago. The relics stayed in Ireland for four days, arriving on October 2 and returning to Germany on October…

Book of Irish Missionaries’ story launched

Over one hundred people gathered for a one-day symposium entitled ‘Mission Now’ organised by the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI). The event hosted in Avila Retreat Centre in Dublin happened on October 4 and included the launch of the book Retired Missionaries and Faith in a Changing Society. The publication is the…

Cork launches a year of prayer

Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin in a new pastoral message has called for people in the diocese to commit to a year-long time of prayer, listening and discernment about the future of the Church. The bishop said people are understandably concerned about their parishes’ future when speaking to pilgrims attending the annual Mass at…

The centenary of the Tin church

Our Lady of the Rosary and the Guardian Angels Church in Sallins, Co. Kildare is celebrating 100 years. The parishioners of the unusual church celebrated its anniversary with Mass led by Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty and Fr Liam Morgan PP. Also present were descendants of the parishioners who helped build the church. The unique…