We may see the possibilities of technologies being realised more and more by faith communities even as things start to get back to normal writes Dr Brian Conway Perhaps more than at any other time in recent history, today’s pandemic world has led to a rapid reappraisal of how we organise virtually every single aspect…
Our churches holds memories, not resting in stone but in prayer writes Fr Willie Purcell There is so much to thank God for: the ancient paths where our ancestors trod on their way to Mass, the wonder of the seasons that gave them hope often in times of struggle and despair. The companionship of family…
This is a homily preached by Fr John Carroll at the funeral of Mr Donohue who died from cancer last month I don’t intend to ‘talk up’ Jason’s life, or indeed his many achievements – his is a life that speaks for itself: a gentle life, a noble life, a life marked with gratitude for…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 11 Exclusive Excerpt from The Opal and the Pearl by Mark Patrick Hederman The first half of the twentieth century was a battle for the ‘soul’ of Ireland. The Roman Catholic Church, as the century progressed, became the highest and the loudest bidder. This battle for the citadel became polarized into…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 11 Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill The abbey of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin at Kylemore in County Galway is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine monasteries. The community, established in Ypres in 1665 as an English foundation, was formally designated as an Irish house in 1682. This long history,…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 11 From the book Knock Prayer Book by Fr Richard Gibbons Lady of Knock, Shepherdess of the Lamb of God, from the altar of the cross the Saviour entrusted us to your motherly care. Ask God to send priestly vocations to the Diocese/Order (Name) Shepherd those whom God is calling to…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 11 Exclusive Excerpt from Hallelujah: Memoirs of a Singing Priest by Fr Ray Kelly I grew up in a typical Irish Catholic family and religion played a big part in our lives. My parents believed very much in passing on the faith to their children. There was the regular Sunday…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 11 From the book Achill The Island with poems by John F. Deane and paintings by John Behan THE VIEW FROM HERE On these soft days you may discern whisperings from the bogland cuttings, unfelt breezes gossiping over the wide spread of the heathers; inevitably the skylark will be a speck…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28), a troubled mother pleads with Jesus to cure her tormented daughter. We are surprised to read that he answered her not a word. It’s so unlike Jesus. But he knew what he was doing. He was drawing out deeper depths of her…
‘A paragon of peace’ Archbishop Eamon Martin – Primate of All-Ireland “A great sadness has descended on my home city of Derry today as we learn of the death of one of our greatest sons, Mr John Hume. That sadness ripples out to every corner of Ireland and all around the world where the mere mention…