A Northern Ireland deacon is putting his love for music and ministry to great effect as he preaches the Faith through broadcasts on social media. Deacon Brendan Dowd, one of nine permanent deacons in the diocese of Down and Connor, has been using his Facebook page and YouTube channel to spread the Gospel during the…
How should the principle of a fair days pay apply to those who nurture, grow, and produce the very food we eat asks David Mullins ‘Social solidarity’ is apparently experiencing something of a renaissance of late. Acts of reciprocal kindness are increasing. Our hard-nosed individualism is being destabilised through a reawakening of a sense…
Personal Profile In 2017 Emma Edgeworth took a career break. She left her home county of Kildare and headed for Mongu, the capital of the Western Provence in Zambia. Emma was already working with children and families in the Dublin area when she saw the development role with Viatores Christi advertised on a professional…
RóiseMcGagh gives some ideas on celebrating the ancient Irish festival of Bealtaine Bealtaine is the word for May in Irish, it marks an ancient festival, one of the most significant historic dates in Ireland. It is also known as a month to celebrate and pray to Our Lady. At the moment, gathering for Bealtaine is…
Personal Profile “I was being put up on a barstool in a pub when we came home to Achill from about 1975 to sing for my grandfather’s buddies at the bar,” says James Kilbane. The Gospel and Country singer spoke to The Irish Catholic about his upbringing and his thoughts on faith. He says…
Róise McGagh chats to a specialist in marriage and relationships counselling from Accord about the issues heightened by lockdown No one’s relationship is perfect. They require constant work in order to keep both parties happy, contrary to the songs; love is not always simple. Issues that usually crop up in relationships are undoubtably going…
Personal profile “You have grenades going over, not knowing where they’re going to land and you have bullets flying – like our house had a number of bullet holes,” says Sr Bridget Lacey, speaking of her personal experience of an attack on a refugee camp where she was working at the time. It was…
Looking to do some DIY in your spare time? Róise McGagh shares some tips for getting started with minimal materials Hanging around the house for such an extended period of time is no easy feat. One of the nice things about these times is that you can finally start to get stuck into that…
Personal Profile “It was a great life to live and as one says I would do it all over again.” Fr Martin Keane set off for Kenya in 1971. He had always wanted to be a missionary. Since he was in national school in his home town of Cranny, Co Clare, he recalls being…
Róise McGagh looks at how gardening can be not only a great hobby, but can have a positive impact on your mindset and mental well-being “If you put a seed in the ground it will do it’s best to grow,” says Jennifer Sleeman, an environmentalist and prominent Catholic convert now in her 90th year. She…