Category: Features

A step in the write direction

Journaling can works wonders in improving your life, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Modern life can be pretty fast-paced; trying to juggle a million different commitments often means that people rarely have the time to sit down and reflect on their day, week or month. However, the opportunity to introspect by analysing your actions and relationships…

A modern saint: Olive’s work in Kenya

Róise McGagh   Personal Profile It all began when Fr Martin Keane, superior of the Holy Ghost Fathers in Kenya, approached Olive Halpin over 10 years ago. Fr Martin has been living in Kenya for around 40 years. He had visited Ireland after his brother passed away. While at home he came to Olive, who…

New Year…New Me

It can be tough sticking to your New Year Resolutions but they are achievable, writes  Colm Fitzpatrick   All of us are guilty now and again of putting something on the long finger; we’ll start that daunting diet next week, clean the car at the end of the month, or look for a new and…

The truth, goodness and beauty of Faith

Youth Space   Friendship and fellowship in university can change your life, writes Sandra Parda   My name is Sandra Parda, I’m the auditor of the Life Society and in my final year of studies in NUI Galway. In February I converted back into Catholicism and received so many graces along the way. It’s been…

What to do about the winter blues?

Winter can put many of us into a state of despair, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Many people look forward to the winter season where you can build snowmen, drink hot chocolate by the fire and cosy up with a Christmas movie. However, this idyllic image of these icy months isn’t shared by everyone – most…

Losing yourself in the wisdom of Lewis

Youth Space   Books can open up our hearts and minds to God, writes Matthias Conroy I had never attended a book club when I heard about the opening meeting of a new reading group for the writings of C.S. Lewis which would be operating out of St Saviour’s Priory on Dominick Street, led by…

A drama-free Christmas

Arguments tend to arise at Christmas so try avoid them before they ruin the day, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Movies and adverts tend to idealise Christmas day; it’s thought that families come together to exchange hugs, presents and kind words in a charitable environment of love and understanding. The only tiffle there might be is over…

Telling an old story in a new way

Personal Profile Young people will open up to God if we bring the message to them, Colm Fitzpatrick learns With an increasing number of young people no longer formally and institutionally identifying with the Catholic faith, being in the business of evangelisation can be a tough job. What’s needed are novel and captivating approaches that…

A merry green Christmas

You should try out an eco-friendly Christmas this year, writes  Colm Fitzpatrick   The environment has a litany of enemies who are all determined to suffocate and destroy it. The list is almost endless; carbon emissions, deforestation, plastic pollution and oil spills all contribute to ensuring the planet will not be in a fit state…

A university chaplain on a mission

Personal Profile Students can be a source of hope and encouragement, Colm Fitzpatrick learns It’s tough being a chaplain, especially when it involves providing pastoral support to students in one of Northern Ireland’s most popular universities. Fr Dominic McGrattan has recently been appointed as chaplain in Queen’s University, Belfast, replacing Fr Gerard Magee. He describes…