79 In percentage terms the number of US Catholics who view Pope Francis favourably, according to research conducted by the Pew Research Centre.   Just 4% of Catholics in America say they have an unfavourable view of the first Latin American Pope, while 17% express no opinion or say they have not heard enough about…

The president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has said the Catholic Health Association’s acceptance of rules governing women’s access to contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act was “less than helpful” to the bishops’ effort to seek changes in the mandate. “We have not, ourselves as bishops, been able to arrive at…

On Sunday, September 1 nearly 80 pilgrims set off from the St Laurence Pastoral Area (Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, St John’s, Sacred Heart, Ss Joseph, Benildus and Mary, Killea, Crooke and Faithlegg) in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore on pilgrimage to the Ardmore Monastic site to mark the Year of Faith.   First stop…

Last Saturday saw the Mayo International Choral Festival reach new heights as the 2014 syllabus was officially launched from the top of Croagh Patrick. Climbers representing Castlebar Parish Choir, Cill Aodáin Choral Society, Cór Mhaigh Eo, Mayo Male Voice Choir, the Moy Singers and Westport Choral Society became ‘musical mountaineers’ for the day and hit…

A series of autumn Year of Faith talks in the Diocese of Cloyne examining the documents of Vatican II begins in various locations throughout the diocese next month.   Bishop William Crean said the talks are “a wonderful opportunity” to explore some of the documents from Vatican II and people may be “surprised by the…

On Wednesday night St Patrick’s Parish, Mayobridge, Co. Down welcomed Sr Briege Mc Kenna to speak as part of their Year of Faith Programme of faith talks.   Over 1,200 people flocked to hear Sr Briege share her faith and pray for healing. Mayobridge Parish has been home to the Poor Clare Sisters since 1924.…

On Friday, September 6 St Patrick’s & St Joseph’s parish, Wicklow & Rathnew held a celebration for 28 couples marking 25, 40, 50, 55 and 60 years of marriage.   There was about 200 in attendance for the Mass which was celebrated by Fr Donal Roche Adm, and co-celebrated by Fr Pat O Rourke and…

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore’s plans to force schools to allow parents opt for cheaper uniforms has been branded “strange” by an senior education chief.   Ferdia Kelly, General Secretary of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) told The Irish Catholic “it seems strange that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would want to bring in regulations on school…

Cherry Orchard Parish in Dublin will launch a custom-made Year of Faith boat next week, built by the local men’s shed group.   The idea for the boat, based on the Year of Faith logo, was originally floated by parish priest, Fr Sean Duggan. Parish Pastoral Worker, Jane Mellet and parishioner Mary Barrett both jumped…

Bishop Philip Boyce officially launched the Raphoe Faith Gathering at an event in the Pastoral Centre in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal last Monday.   The Faith Gathering will take place on the weekend of October 19-20 in the Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny with a variety of keynote speakers and workshops, including an address by Papal Nuncio,…