Not everyone has someone to ‘look out 
for’ or care for them   Irish Church-goers have been urged to use the Christmas period to try and lighten the burden on people in their communities who may be suffering or feeling vulnerable. In a joint Christmas message Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin and his Church…

Before his big birthday concert this January, Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has said he still prays, takes Communion and believes in miracles. In an interview before his star-studded gig at the National Concert Hall (NCH), Mr MacGowan said his mother was a woman of very strong Faith, and that he believes in miracles, saying: “I’ve…

The Pope’s failure to replace the expert members of the Pontifical Council for the Protection of Minors speaks of a worrying lack of urgency around the issue, campaigner Marie Collins has said. Mrs Collins noted her “surprise” at how the commission’s Fr Hans Zollner had revealed on Twitter that the commission’s new term would not…

A former member of the Irish Defence Forces who now works as a solicitor was ordained to the permanent diaconate on Sunday. The new deacon, Martin Reidy, became the first permanent deacon to be ordained in the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, Co. Athlone. A large congregation gathered including his wife and two children.…

In anticipation of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) next year, a group of students in Kildare created some festive Christmas decorations for their Church tree. 
Students working towards their Pope John Paul II Award from St Mary’s College (Naas) and Newbridge College helped the Kill Parish Liturgy Group to replace baubles on the Church…

The national housing and homeless charity, Peter McVerry Trust, has announced that it will deliver emergency accommodation for 100 single people as well as 24 families in Dublin before Christmas.
Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said the charity was doing everything it could to provide high quality emergency shelter to those in need. “Our…

Parishes have been urged to look out for the elderly and vulnerable during the cold spell, and use Church structures to boost rural solidarity. Raphoe’s Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ called on people coming to Christmas services to think of their neighbours and perhaps offer them a lift to Mass during poor weather, telling The Irish Catholic:…

An Irish Medical Missionary of Mary tragically died in Uganda on the day celebrations were planned for her 50 years of service in Africa. Sr Maura Lynch became unwell while recovering after surgery she needed following a fall, she was admitted to Kampala Hospital last week. Four MMM Sisters and three doctors from Kitovu Hospital…

Amnesty International has been accused of arrogance on a “grand scale” following a vow that the group will not comply with an order from the State’s ethics watchdog to return a donation from a US-based pro-abortion lobby. The Irish section of Amnesty revealed late last week that the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) has…