Personal Profile In the 1970s, the then Superior General of the Jesuit’s – Fr Pedro Arrupe, called by some the second founder of the Jesuits – had what Fr John Guiney SJ calls “a tremendous insight”: in order for the Jesuits to promote and preach the Faith, they must also promote justice. It was this…

Studying is difficult at the best of times, but especially as the weather turns for the better, writes Jason Osborne A  number of friends of mine have been settling down to study recently as one test or another reared its head. The studies range from college to exams for work, but the fundamentals remain the same. In ordinary…

Personal Profile Vocations Sunday 2021 marked the culmination of ten years hard work for Brother – now Father – Damian Casey OFM, as he was ordained to priesthood by Archbishop of Dublin Dr Dermot Farrell. It was a joyous day for Fr Damian, whose path to the priesthood was a long one, he says. “It’s…

Implementing sustainable practices at home is tricky, but the increased time we spend there now is an incentive, writes Jason Osborne It’s interesting that caring for the environment is such a contentious issue in many Catholic circles these days – although I think it’s often the condescending manner in which the message is sometimes communicated…

Personal Profile Lockdown has left many people, businesses and organisations struggling and the Pioneer Association – a Catholic movement against alcohol abuse – is no different. Knowing this, for life-long member and activist Mary Brady it was a no-brainer to put her recovery from a hip operation to good use. She has raised more than…

Mounting evidence suggests that taking a Vitamin D supplement may be a game-changer in the fight against Covid-19, writes Jason Osborne In recent weeks, the cross-party Oireachtas Committee on Health published a 28-page report suggesting that Irish people should take daily Vitamin D supplements. This comes due to growing evidence that it might help to prevent Covid-19…

Personal Profile As integral to a parish as a priest is the local sacristan. Like a civil servant to the recently elected politician, he or she ensures continuity in change. Since 1973, 91-year-old Mary Geraghty has been a continuous presence as sacristan and volunteer in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Gainstown, Co. Westmeath. As…

Christ is risen, and this should be reflected in our daily life and activities, writes Jason Osborne Christ is risen! Oftentimes we partake in the Lenten preparation and the drama of Holy Week but forget about it all as soon as Easter Sunday turns to Easter Monday. As Catholics however, not only are we obliged…

Personal Profile There is a temptation, when faced with the ease that abortion and similar evils are accepted in this country, to withdraw from the fight. It was exactly this temptation that Aontú representative for Cork North West Becky Kealy faced in 2018 – and ultimately resisted. “When the referendum passed, I was just devastated…

Now may be the perfect time to get our legal affairs in order writes solicitor Elaine Byrne The pandemic may have been a time when many of us have reflected on and considered our legal affairs. In this article I would like to look at various matters which may be on our minds and also…