Category: Family & Faith

Hand-made flowers for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day traditionally falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent and so it arrives even earlier this year on March 6. Gifting a simple bouquet of brightly coloured flowers will certainly please mum on Mother’s Day. Go the extra mile and instead of picking them or buying them, make them yourself. Present your mum, your…

Raising children as concerned citizens

A Parent’s Perspective I have a great interest in politics, political programmes and all the discussion and debate that surrounds it. Much to my children’s dismay, I’m monopolising the television in the run up to the general election and the minute yet another debate begins, they beat a hasty retreat. My 15-year-old, who often joins…

A dragon to fire up St David’s Day

St David’s Day is coming up on March 1. St David led a simple life and urged his followers to do the same. He abstained from luxuries which makes his feast day falling during Lent significant. As a vegetarian, he earned the nickname Dewi Ddyrwr which translates as the water drinker. Many miracles are attributed…

Headache is a common reason for visiting a GP

Dr Kevin McCarroll Headache is one of the most common reasons for visiting your GP and accounts for about 25% of new referrals to neurologists. Nearly 50% of adults suffer from headaches in the last year and it is attributed as a reason for up to 20% of work absences. In Ireland, migraine attacks alone…

Dad’s Diary

According to my six-year-old boy, I am “like a rainbow”. His teacher brought me into his classroom the other day to see his little essay, proudly hung on the wall, where he was asked to use similes to describe a friend. I was touched that he chose me as that friend, and I was even more…

Lent is a good time to address sugar intake

Lent is well underway and many readers may have even taken the opportunity to resurrect some of their long forgotten New Year’s resolutions. Among the more popular things to ‘give up’ during Lent are all things confectionary, including sweets, chocolates, cakes and buns. Those who have made such commitments may already be struggling to stick…

The ‘Pope Francis effect’ on youth

María Salto Galdón examines the impact of Pope Francis on young people’s attitude to the Church Pope Francis: a revolution in our Church nowadays but also in the vast width of our world. ‘The humble Pope’, ‘The Pope of the poor’ that is how the Pope is regarded by everyone. However, are young people today…

Parents should trust their instincts

Readers of this column will be familiar with a perspective that encourages strong self-awareness to promote positive parenting and good problem solving skill development in children. It is hard work being a parent and no parent I know gets it right all the time. The acid test of an excellent parent is getting it right…

Hand-make a card for your Valentine

St Valentine’s Day is in a few days and it’s time to start signing those Valentine’s cards. Making your own card to send is much more thoughtful than buying one and you can write your own greeting inside. Sweep your crush off their feet with this love heart hot air balloon Valentine’s card. The heart…

Faith in the Family

We have just completed our fourth session of the Confirmation programme ‘You shall be my witnesses’ with over one hundred children who will be confirmed in our parish on February 13. Our fifth and final session will take place a couple of weeks after the children have been confirmed. I have really enjoyed these weeks,…