“From a vocations perspective, I was heartened by the desire that is in the hearts of young people”, said keynote speaker and Down and Connor vocations director Fr Conor McGrath about the ‘Made for More’ youth conference which took place at Whitefriar Street Church on July 12. In his talk during the conference, Fr McGrath…
“The targeting of the Muslim community through crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces undermines these Gospel principles of respect and compassion as well as freedom of religion which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and Archbishop John…
Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a time of significant challenges and uncertainty, both within the EU and globally. Calls for responses to emerging issues and for reforms of existing policies are growing stronger. In this context, we recognise the efforts of the Irish Presidency to advance key initiatives…
The 38th annual Gerard Manley Hopkins International Festival is set to be held from July 24 to July 30 at Newbridge College in Co. Kildare. The festival, dedicated to Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins, celebrates his interest of poetry, painting, music, philosophy and conservation as well as his mentor John Henry Newman. Throughout the week, these…
The community of Glencairn Abbey celebrated the first profession of three novices last Sunday. The solemn monastic profession of Sr Beatrice Brady, at St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, Co. Waterford, took place on July 12. Presiding over the ceremony was Dom Michael Ryan, Abbot of Bolton Abbey, Co. Kildare and Dom Augustine McGregor, former Abbot of…
Comments come ahead of meeting with Taoiseach as European Council President Two of Ireland’s most prominent bishops have insisted that human dignity is not something conferred by governments, constitutions or public opinion — but a gift from God that precedes and outlasts any human decision to recognise it. The bishops made the comments ahead of…
Laypeople in ministry groups and parish offices can help combat uncertainty amid summer clerical changes, said Fr Padraig Walsh to The Irish Catholic shortly after the Diocese of Kerry announced diocesan appointments to take effect on July 15. Fr Walsh, who will leave the Parish of Our Lady and St Brendan’s Tralee to become Parish…
The Matt Talbot Prayer Society in Derry Diocese has released a new spiritual initiative to support families affected by addiction during their monthly Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. They distributed 200 ‘Spiritual Protection Packs’, each containing an icon of Jesus, an icon of Mary, a prayer card, and holy water. “There is a lot…
Voluntary children’s care providers are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of Ireland’s care system in a submission to the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality on July 9, warning that years of short-term decision-making have left the sector responding to crises rather than planning for the future. CRAVA, which represents Ireland’s voluntary residential care and…
Back-to-back ordinations in the Diocese of Down and Connor have signalled hope for vocations, with nine seminarians now in formation, according to diocesan vocations director Fr Conor McGrath. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr McGrath said the ordination of Fr Thomas Hampton in Downpatrick on Sunday, June 28, followed by the ordination of Fr Esteban…
Renata Steffens