Chai Brady discusses what sustains a marriage   St Valentine’s Day is a time many couples spend quality time with each other and focus on their relationship, with care, intimacy and love being key objectives. But what happens when passionate feelings of love become more subdued, when the ‘honeymoon phase’ is long over and married…

A varied diet could save the planet, writes Chai Brady   We’re constantly hearing that the planet is on the verge of a precipice, that a veritable apocalypse will befall future generations once the earth’s temperatures rise above a catastrophic level, and the human race is railroading itself with its irresponsible actions – doomed to…

Personal Profile Chai Brady speaks to a 
pro-life prodigy   When disaster strikes it can be a severe test to Faith, and for one of the most devout and well-known figures in the pro-life movement, this was when she lost her mother at the tender age of 19. Bernadette Smyth, the Director of Precious Life,…

Youth Space   Annette O’Donnell   Speaking at his recent papal visit to Ireland, Pope Francis said: “Young people are the future. It is very important to prepare them for the future, preparing them today, in the present, but also rooted in the past.” Such words summarise well a trip taken by 60 Irish youth…

Mindful Living   Dr Noel Keating   I am looking forward to exploring in this column the ancient yet very modern practice of meditation and to reflecting on its deep fruits for individuals, families and communities. One of the wonderful things about meditation is that it can be practiced by anyone, of any age, at any…

There are plenty of benefits to cannabis oil, but it’s not a miracle drug, writes Chai Brady   The controversial cannabis plant is known to have many uses other than the illegal varieties, but sometimes it’s difficult to separate quackery from truth, especially with so many products purporting to be miracle cures. Many parents shudder…

Personal Profile Chai Brady discovers more about the new director of the Missionary Society of St Columban   Navigating an increasingly secular Ireland continues to be a challenge for the new director of the Missionary Society of St Columban, who says in some ways he’s still adjusting after decades spent in the hyper-Catholic Philippines. Despite…

Chai Brady explores seven ways to make New Year’s resolution a solid reality   Don’t give up on your resolutions, especially if they’re for your physical or mental health. That’s the message a professional addiction counsellor wants to expound. It could be as small as forgoing your cheeky weekly chipper, to more insidious habits such…

Schools are increasingly faced with the challenge of understanding how adversity affects children’s growth, writes Bronagh Starrs   Several generations ago, the school environment was a compartmentalised space where children carried their books and a simple lunch to each day – and even maybe a clod or two of turf for the fire. The world…