Everyday Philosophy   Philosophy is having a bit of a moment in Ireland. It became a Junior Cert short course in 2016, and there are moves afoot to make it a Leaving Cert subject. The Philosophy Ireland organisation is running more workshops every year, in schools, workplaces and prisons. Our President made the promotion of…

Abuse in the home is a reality that must be faced and it is happening in our communities, writes Sr Fiona Pryle   After the murder of Garda Tony Golden in Omeath, Co. Louth in October 2015, it was widely reported in the media that he lost his life keeping the peace. The reality is…

Youth Space Retreats give us time to stop and think about ourselves and God, writes James McNamara   For most teenagers, the prospect of a class outing creates a sense of anticipation, excitement, adventure and fun. A break from school, an opportunity to relax, but Ms Ronan’s next two words rang alarm bells: ‘Lough Derg.’…

Don’t forget that Christmas is a time for sharing, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   The Christmas season has the incredible ability to turn an empty, quiet house into a bustling and lively hub where families – for a short period of time – can catch up and reminisce over stories and jokes long gone past. However,…

Youth Space Challenging discussions can enrich our Faith, writes Rachel Sherlock   Doom and gloom is the typical tone when it comes to talking about young people in the Catholic Church. From parish pulpits to Vatican synods, there are endless calls to reach out to a demographic that seems more and more to be moving…

Choosing to buy your child a mobile phone is a complex and difficult decision, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   In years gone past, choosing a Christmas present for your child rarely raised any moral conundrums or worries about what long-lasting effects it may have on their development. A quick glance at history’s most popular presents from…

Youth Space Gerry Doherty reflects on his spiritual journey with Youth 2000 “I 
want
 you
 to 
be 
happy, 
always 
happy 
in 
the 
Lord!” 
(Phil. 4:4) These were the words that have stayed with me since the night my 16-year-old self had first arrived at the Youth 2000 Summer Retreat in Cistercian College, Roscrea on August 16, 2014. I want to tell you why this phrase is…

Sugar has become an intrusive and corrosive part of our culinary life, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   “Sweet-tooth” is often a phrase tossed around describing someone with a penchant for sugary goods, and while it seems like this term only applies to a small number of people, in reality, most of us are secretly addicted to…

Personal Profile The Croatian community are a vital source of hope in Ireland, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Although a priest is sometimes described as a shepherd tending to his flock, it’s clear that Croatian chaplain Fr Josip Levakovic radically embodies this phrase. Arriving to Ireland in July 2016, Fr Josip has managed to bring life,…