Pope Francis has appealed to the US not to launch military strikes against Syria as the Vatican intensifies efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.  Tens of thousands of people answered the call by Pope Francis for a ‘cry for peace’ in Syria by attending a vigil in St Peter’s Square at the…

Parish collections to fund last year’s International Eucharistic Congress raised more than €4m to cover the event, final accounts show.   Figures, which have just been finalised and lodged with the Companies Registration Office, show that overall the Church spent €9.5m on the lead-up to and during the week-long event.   Collections  Funds for the…

African hymns echoed through the Church of the Resurrection in Killarney, Co. Kerry last Saturday during a special ceremony which saw three men make their first vows as Presentation Brothers.   Sebastian Dery (26), Leonard Derbie (33) and McSimon Azenda (34) made vows of poverty, chastity and obedience before Brother Martin Kenneally, the Congregation Leader…

Following the announcement of the latest summer appointments, a priest in the Diocese of Meath has taken the title of youngest priest in Ireland from a Dublin colleague.   Bishop Michael Smith appointed seven parish priests in his clerical changes, which come into effect on September 29, among which Fr Patrick Donnelly (33), currently curate…

So far, in contemplating what appears to be imminent death of the mainstream print media, we have tended to adopt an apocalyptic demeanour. And, yes, there are many potentially ominous aspects of what is happening and likely to happen next. The death of the newspaper may well, under certain headings, have drastic consequences for the…

While the election of Pope Francis has reportedly brought people flocking back to the Church in Britain and the United States, the Pope appears to have had no such effect in Ireland.   A recent survey of clergy based in cathedrals across England and Wales found that two thirds had noticed an upturn in numbers…

For the first time Lough Derg will hold a special day dedicated to supporting those who are living with suicide and for those involved in ministry and support services.   The ‘Living with Suicide’ day offers those affected, either directly or indirectly, the opportunity for deeper understanding and support to make sense of it all.…

A national celebration of Charismatic Renewal will be held on Sunday, September 29 from 2.30pm finishing with Mass at 6.30pm in the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough St, Dublin with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin as the principal celebrant.   Organisers hope the event will serve as a reunion and gathering for people who have been involved in Charismatic Renewal,…

A group of Derry pilgrims have celebrated the Year of Faith with a pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland, to celebrate the 1450th anniversary of St Columba’s departure from their home city.   Led by Fr Roland Colhoun and Fr Paddy O’Kane, the pilgrims retraced St Columba’s footsteps on the island he had made his home for…

Since 2007 the Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Parish Area have been hosting gatherings in each corner of the parish for friends and neighbours to meet and celebrate the Eucharist.  Each house in the parish got a special invitation to become part of the initiative and the gatherings are held during the summer months beginning on May Eve each…