Personal Profile In August 2019 Mary Gannon was asked by her parish priest, Fr Odhran Furlong, to come up to him after Thursday morning Mass. He told her that at 11am on Sunday, Bishop Denis Brennan would be presenting her with the Benemerenti medal. “It was unbelievable really because it was something that I…
RóiseMcGagh chats to country music star Jimmy Buckley about his career and his strong sense of faith Jimmy Buckley is a well-known name in many households. As one of the biggest stars in Irish country music for many years he has a long standing career in his industry. This didn’t come without a winding…
Got a curious mind? Róise McGagh looks at the benefits of informal learning and lists ideas to spark some creative experiments at home Many parents are finding it difficult to help their kids to stay occupied and take some interest in their school work since everyone has been sent home. Some kids might not…
Fr Arnie Rosney PP in Shannon has recently launched a creative writing competition that will end on April 19. Fr Rosney has invited people across the island of Ireland to compose a prayer, a reflection, a short story or a poem while they are spending time at home. He asks that the piece reflects the…
Personal Profile “What keeps me going is just a strong faith and belief that this is what Christianity is about,” says Sally Roddy, long-time member and current President of Viatores Christi (VC). She has spent years working on staff and volunteering with VC, the lay missionary group who this year are celebrating their 60th.…
Since being posted three weeks ago, the poem Lockdown by Bro. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap has received 45,000 shares on Facebook and 500,000 on Twitter. Bro. Richard, the Vocation Director at the Capuchin Friary in Raheny, said people of all religions have been getting in touch with him and he is inundated with emails about…
Róise McGagh shines a spotlight on the issue of mental health within the Irish prison system Prisons in Ireland abide by the mission ‘Providing safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities’. Rehabilitation is ‘the action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy…
RóiseMcGagh writes about just how important reading is, and how you can encourage your kids to pick up a book Can you recall the smell of that perfectly flat, untouched paper, the cracking of a stiff spine, and the feeling of excitement after reading the blurb of a new book you have been dying…
ALONE’s Covid-19 helpline for older people received over 1,100 on Saturday calls following the introduction of the cocooning measures. Seán Moynihan, ALONE CEO said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us but particularly older people and especially those who live alone,” The charity commended the practical support being offered by Local Authorities.…
Personal Profile Fr Gerry and his dog Missy called to Therese O’Donoghue, the Parish Secretary in Booterstown one afternoon in July 2019. “I thought that I knew everything that goes on in the parish,” says Thérèse before that moment. He was holding an official looking envelope and informed her she was to be awarded…