Despite the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis which has led to widespread physical isolation a priest based in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary has urged people struggling with their mental health to reach out and “keep talking”. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Micharel Toomey said: “If anyone is feeling really down and really suicidal, there is still people…
Category: Irish News
Bocelli’s Easter concert spreads ‘love’ in ‘painful’ time
World-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed to an empty Duomo in the heart of Milan in Italy, in an event live-streamed to the world from one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis on Easter Sunday. Across the globe people tuned in to witness the concert which was streamed live via YouTube and now has…
Bringing living water to Dundrum during the pandemic
On Easter Sunday, people started to gather – observing physical distancing – outside the locked doors of Holy Cross Church in Dundrum, south Dublin. The streets were eerily quiet, and people nodded and exchanged warm smiles from a distance. As the clock struck 2pm, the doors of the 19th Century church swing open and Fr…
Aontú leader thanks priests and religious
Peadar Tóibín expressed his thanks for all of the priests and religious for their work in the current crisis in a Tweet on Easter Sunday. The leader of Aontú told The Irish Catholic: “It think it’s really important that we recognise that the priests and religious have played a phenomenally important role over the last…
Parishes in Down and Connor hand out ‘Faith Survival Kits’
‘Faith Survival Kits’ were handed out to several parishes in Down and Connor over Easter. They contain a prayer, some reading material, parish updates and sometimes a candle, a mini Easter egg or some holy water. In the parish of Ardkeen they began giving packs out almost a month ago. Paula McKeown, a parish volunteer,…
Taoiseach praises role of religious in crisis
Ruadhan Jones A number of religious leaders, including Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, held a conference call with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss the Covid-19 emergency on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Mr Varadkar sought their views into how we can care for our communities and our most vulnerable at this time. He thanked…
Pope Benedict turns 93 this week
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his 93rd birthday on April 16, which comes three days prior to the 15th anniversary of when he started his Papacy. Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger, served as head of the Church and sovereign of the Vatican from April 19, 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II, until his resignation…
Zoom giving rise to ‘new Eucharist’ experience
Fr Eamon Aylward SSCC believes online video conference platforms for streaming Mass, such as Zoom, are redefining the Eucharist. “I felt in my heart that it touched a spot and, out of this ‘evil’ (coronavirus) touching our world, is coming something good,” he told The Irish Catholic. “It is forcing us as a Church, and…
‘The sun dances on Easter morning’ – Archbishop Eamon
Róise McGagh Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland has issued a hopeful message for the people of Ireland after the announcement of extended coronavirus restrictions until May 5. In his Easter message the archbishop shared a memory of his mother, “leaving a basin of water out in the back yard on a bright Easter…
Bishop Phonsie carries cross around Waterford as sign of Good Friday hope
Róise McGagh Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan walked through an empty Waterford City yesterday morning carrying a large cross over his shoulder in commemoration of Good Friday. He invited people to take out their own cross, crucifix or light a candle and spend some time in silent prayer. “Some people stopped some knelt, there is something about…