In this series we have been exploring the depth of meaning in the John Main prayer which we say before meditation. We have examined each of the key phrases in the prayer and now I want to reflect on its overall meaning and how it mirrors the prayer variously known as the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ or…
Category: Family & Faith
A traditional treat: cherry almond loaf cake
This is an old-fashioned family favourite that remains ever popular. It is an essential recipe for every baker’s repertoire. There is nothing better with a cup of tea in the evening with its crunchy crust and delicious buttery inside studded with sweet pops of cherry. Ingredients l 200g red glace cherries l 190g butter l…
Be the face of Christ for 2021
A Parent’s Perspective A quote I saw on Pinterest says: “Dear God, I’m placing 2020 in your hands.” I’m not sure if it was written at the start of 2020 or as the year progressed but, it’s a very good prayer for what was a strange, strange year. As we head into 2021, we have high…
Dad’s Diary
I’ve always loved New Year’s Eve. The clock ticks past a threshold in time, and we are suddenly gifted a new beginning. The old year is gone and a new one is born. Anything seems possible in the dawn of a new year. As 2021 comes into being, we leave a strange year behind us.…
Chocolate meltdowns to welcome in New Year
Children’s Corner Although Christmas day has passed and we look towards the New Year, there’s sure to be some chocolate leftover from the Christmas festivities than can be used for scientific purposes. Enjoy this simple melting chocolate experiment that will keep anyone’s attention. No doubt everyone has noticed chocolate melting on a hot day, so…
Family News & Events
Parental leave to be extended to five weeks The Cabinet has approved Minister for Children Roderick O’Gorman’s plan to extend parental leave from two to five weeks. Mr O’Gorman has also received Cabinet approval to extend the time the leave can be taken from just the first year to the first two years of child’s…
Welcome Christmas news of ‘triumph’ of science
Medical Matters The approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by British authorities early this month truly marks a great triumph for science and not just in the battle against Covid-19. Scarcely could anyone have imagined that at the start of the year the hopes of the world would rest on the approval of a vaccine for…
Dad’s Diary
Our childhood Christmases are too few. Before the age of three, children know too little to truly appreciate Christmas. After the age of 11, or so, they know too much, as they veer recklessly towards their teenage years. This means that we have perhaps eight pristinely innocent childhood Christmases. We parents must do what we…
Using Advent to strive for a healthier world after pandemic
Laudato Si’ Advent is one of my favourite seasons where we are encouraged to embrace waiting and hope. If 2020 has taught us nothing else, it has certainly shown us what it is like to wait! Perhaps it has also reminded us of what it is like to hope, to hope for an end to…
Family News & Events
Minister for Health announces the allocation strategy for COVID-19 vaccines The strategy prioritises those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities, frontline healthcare workers who are in direct patient contact and those aged 70 and over. Minister Stephen Donnelly also announced that there should be no barrier to people accessing a vaccine,…



Maria Byrne

Chai Brady

Dr Kevin McCarroll


