Giant pandas stay chubby on bamboo diet due to gut bacteria Despite almost exclusively eating fibrous bamboo, giant pandas manage to stay chubby and healthy due to a seasonal change in their gut bacteria, a new study has shown. Researchers have found that the animals’ gut bacteria changes at the time of year when nutritious…
In November 2021, Pope Francis launched the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, a seven-year programme for the Church to live out the call to care more deeply for God’s creation. The platform is based around achieving seven Laudato Si’ Goals across seven Church ‘institutions’ over seven years – a jubilee for the earth. The institutions include:…
Mindful Living We all want to be loved. My youngest granddaughter has been staying with us for some time now and has grown increasingly close and loving. She will often tenderly stroke my arm when I’m playing with her or reading a story. And, just before she leaves for crèche each morning, she used to…
“Happy New Year” I said to a parishioner coming out of church. Seeing his reaction, I added; “It is only a few days old, I presume we are still ok wishing each other a Happy New Year.” He stopped, looked at me and replied. “Oh yeah. Many returns.” I had to smile about this short…
This is one of my favourite recipes to make, since it is another easy-to-make-yet-delicious recipe. One thing which makes this recipe excellent is that it is completely customisable. You can use whatever combination of chocolate you prefer, whether it be all dark or all milk. You could even use up some of that Christmas chocolate!…
People spending close to a third of waking lives on phones An analysis of trends in mobile phone usage has found that people in mobile-first markets spend close to a third of their waking hours using their phones. The report, from analytics firm App Annie, concluded that across the top ten markets analysed, the average…
A Parent’s Perspective The words “New year, new me” can ring a bit hollow for us and for our families if we know that so many resolutions and plans that we made in other years were quickly forgotten or abandoned. Left to ourselves, we human beings can often find life a struggle or, even if…
Children’s Corner Over the Christmas many people may have given or received bath salts as a gift. The popular substance is dissolved in bathwater to enhance the experience and is said to have medicinal qualities. The use of salts for healing purposes has been happening for thousands of years and can be tracked back to…
New resource helps care home residents and families during pandemic Care home residents and their families have been particularly affected during the pandemic. In response to this, a new online resource led by Queen’s University Belfast has been developed to bridge the gaps of information to enable carers and their families to make informed decisions around end of life…
by Marta Osborne Love Notes The Christmas season can be a very reflective and prayerful time when after all the preparations we finally stop and consider the great mystery, the Word became flesh, God became man. As our hearts are rejoicing at the birth of our saviour this might just be the perfect time to…
Maria Byrne
Chai Brady