Uplifting stories are the true source of inspiration and courage, writes Joanna Moorhead   It’s tempting, when you’re a journalist, to name-drop the famous people you’ve met. I’ve worked in newspapers for three decades, so there have been a few. Martin Sheen was gorgeous; Geri Halliwell was interesting. Damian Lewis was the best lunch date…

Ordination of Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork & Ross Diocese Chai
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Duddy   Hundreds of parishioners laughed as outgoing Bishop John Buckley ribbed that visitors from Dublin would be happy in Cork as they were “simply travelling from one capital city to the alternative capital”. Jokes were always expected as the ‘rebel…

Our society demands productivity, but we can’t let our faith conform to this, writes Ben Swanson   A little while ago I found a little golden ring. I was going up the stairs in my house and it was there sitting on one of the steps. It was thin, it had a break in it, and…

Hannah Harn learns about the history of the Jews of Iraq   As of 2016, Ireland was home to fewer than 3,000 Jews. “In the region of Munster, we have about 95 people on a day to day basis and we’ll meet up occasionally,” said Aida Phelops of West Cork. Ms Phelops is a speaker…

This month, hundreds of people from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore travelled as part of the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Now in its 61st year, 485 people made the journey, with 94 sick pilgrims as part of the group. Noting that all in attendance enjoyed the trip, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan told The Irish…

A new book on meditating on Jesus’ love comes from hard-won experience, writes Martin O’Brien   You come from a conversation with Jim Deeds uplifted and refreshed. Those who have attended the retreats he has recently conducted at Lough Derg (with his friend and fellow author Fr Brendan McManus SJ) or listened to his talks…

Being the child of donor-assisted reproduction can be like having an invisible disability, Susan Gately is told   Joanna Rose was conceived in 1971 using an anonymous sperm donor. She found out when she was eight. Her dad was crying. “I wouldn’t let it go until he told me what the matter was.” As they…

It’s all in your head anyway! The Camino is more than just a physical trail, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   As I walked through the town of Arzúa on a blistering hot day, a message engraved into a wooden post stopped me in my tracks. It read: ‘Why go to Santiago – it’s all in your…

The Annual ‘Fan the Flame’ Mass for all children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Derry during the past year was celebrated in Celtic Park GAA Ground earlier this month. The Mass also marked the end of their primary education. Around 3,000 young people from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone attended, many…

Louise Hall On June 24, 1981, six young children claimed to have seen a vision of Our Lady on a small hill called Podbrdo in the poor Catholic farming village of Medjugorje. Although they ran away terrified at the sight of the apparition, they returned to the same spot at the same time the following…