St Pauls Ireland has opened a new bookshop in the Franciscan Friary, Merchant’s Quay. The Bookshop is called St Paul’s Bookshop, and the inauguration and formal blessing will be by Archbishop Dermot Farrell on March 13. Overjoyed with the news, the Killarney Franciscans said, “The opening of this bookshop is a blessing for many people,…
New video series aims to bring St Patrick’s life story to a new generation
A new video series about St Patrick’s life was recently launched. The Way of St Patrick is a three-part series made by Scripture Union Ireland in partnership with Jesus Film Project. The series shows St Patrick as “a real person who faced real suffering, and how life can be a lot like that and the…
Priest’s 60 years of service celebrated in Whitehall
The community of the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, Dublin 9, gathered on Sunday, March 6, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of ordination of Fr Thomas Kearney, Larkhill, Whitehall and Santry’s Parish Chaplain. Mass of Thanksgiving, with Archbishop Dermott Farrell as chief celebrant, took place to mark the 60 years of Fr Kearney’s devoted…
The legacy of St Patrick arises with dawn prayer
Just like Christmas, St Patrick’s Day is now associated with secular traditions. Parties drowning in green shamrocks and leprechaun hats. But the creator of the St Patrick’s Dawn Prayer Gatherings doesn’t see that as a problem. Siobhán Brennan considers it “good fun and children love it. It’s creating memories.” What she believes is that this…
500 students filled Cork City Hall’s stage for Maranatha 2026
“Who here wants to be happy?” Bishop Fintan Gavin asked as over 500 young people “lit up” the stage in Cork City Hall with a concert for Maranatha 2026 on February 26. The bishop addressed the students there to present, as well as the hundreds gathered to watch the show, inviting them to reflect on…
The role of young people in church life
A conversation with the former national leader of Youth 2000 The role of the laity is to evangelise the world, to live and share the gospel out in the world. And I suppose … young people have a particular gift for that,” said Helena O’Shea, Galway Cathedral’s Operations Manager and former Youth 2000 National…
Former Sisters of Mercy convent to become a community centre
The former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Ballina is set to become a community centre, as a planning application was recently submitted to Mayo County Council. A decision is expected to be made by April 12. The convent was built in 1876 and is a protected structure; it closed its doors in 2008. In 2024,…
Late Bishop Willie Walsh honoured with plaza on first anniversary
The first anniversary Mass of Bishop Willie Walsh was celebrated at the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul, Ennis, last Saturday. On the day, the plaza located in front of the cathedral was dedicated to the late bishop’s memory and is now known as the Bishop Willie Walsh Plaza. During his homily, Bishop Fintan Monahan…
‘The West is Awake’, Bishops Doran and Duignan welcome new Bishop of Killala
Bishop Kevin Doran and Bishop Michael Duignan, who also unite dioceses in persona episcopi welcomed the appointment of the new Bishop of Killala. With the appointment of Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam as the new Bishop of Killala, the West of Ireland now has officially three faith communities led by the three bishops. In a…
‘Baptised and Sent in Lent’ – Synodal Pathway’s Lent resources launched
This Lent, Irish Catholics are invited to join in a new set of weekly prayer and reflection resources, Baptised and Sent in Lent, inspired by the preparatory document for Ireland’s National Pre-Synodal Assembly titled Baptised and Sent. “Each week in Lent, Baptised and Sent explores themes such as belonging, healing, renewal and mission – drawing…

Renata Steffens







