Albert Poggio OBE, the United Kingdom Representative of the Government of Gibraltar, travelled to Kirkinriola parish in Ballymena, Co.  Antrim during a civic visit last week to thank the community for hosting evacuees from Gibraltar during World War II. Mr Poggio was born in the parish in 1945 and he was presented with a copy…

Dublin footballer Ger Brennan with local GAA stars John Heslin and Shane Dempsey with a selection of children for First Holy Communion attending St Colman’s NS in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Ger spoke at Masses in St Paul's Church, Mullingar on Sunday and talked to spoke to some of the children in Mullingar parish preparing for…

The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Dublin’s north inner-city, which hosts the mortal remains of Matt Talbot, is celebrating his 90th anniversary in 2015. The ‘Year of Matt Talbot’ will open on January 25 with a novena Mass at 3pm presided by Fr Brian Lawless, vice-postulator of the cause of Matt Talbot.…

Some musicians from St Ultan's primary school wait to perform at the launch of Catholic Schools Week 2015 in Dublin on Tuesday. The week runs from January 25 until February 1 and is an all-island annual event which invites Catholic schools to give expression to the ethos of Catholic education. Photo: John McElroy

This Lent St Mary’s Church in Killenummery, Co. Leitrim will host ‘Life in the Spirit Seminars’ each Wednesday from February 11 until March 25. Each evening will begin with Mass at 7.30pm followed by various guest speakers in Ballinagar Hall with light refreshments served. A Life in the Spirit Seminar is a chance to experience…

Churches have a specific responsibility to challenge political leaders to work for peace, according to Bishop Donal McKeown. Celebrating Christian Unity Week at an inter-church gathering in Co. Derry, Bishop McKeown told those gathered “we are called to seek the Lord’s well springs, not to defend our well”. The Bishop of Derry said there was…

The feast of St Brigid on Saturday, February 1 will be celebrated in Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth with the 39th annual candlelight procession from Faughart Old Cemetery to St Brigid’s Shrine. Commencing at 8pm, the procession forms up on the summit of Faughart Hill and following prayers, song, the lighting of a fire and blessing…

Veteran broadcaster George Hook has announced that he “re-converted” to Catholicism during a brief stint in hospital, adding that he found “peace” while receiving daily Communion there. The popular rugby pundit, who underwent surgery on his knee recently, also insisted his return to the Faith was “not a flirtation”. Acknowledging that it is “a lot…

Another Christian community comes under pressure, writes Paul Keenan

An Irish priest who campaigns for street children in the Philippines has said he is heartened by the Pope’s visit, but wished the Pontiff had been “a little more forthright about the terrible conditions” faced by children in the country. Columban missionary Fr Shay Cullen, who highlighted the plight of Manila’s street children ahead of…