Sr Mary Threadgold RSC Sr Mary Threadgold RSC explores ways of coping with the challenges in later life As a child, the love of my life was my grandfather. From infancy, along with my father and brother, I had lived with extended family which included grandparents, uncles and an aunt. My mother had died shortly…

Jemma Halpin Working outside the school and parish model is a challenge and an opportunity, writes Jemma Halpin Presentation Brothers Youth Ministry (PBYM) is situated in what was previously the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre at Mardyke House, Cork. The centre is now used solely for youth ministry, in line with the Presentation Brothers’ mission of…

Anne Alcock Anne Alcock shares how she faced the challenge of a breast cancer diagnosis My bra is getting to me. I am wriggling with discomfort. Finding that loosening the band, or adjusting the cup, isn’t changing things. There is a sharp jab on my right side, going on for some days now like a…

Sean Finlay Sean Finlay recounts a once in a lifetime trip to experience Zambian culture The Zambian Immersion Project at St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise, offers 16 students a coveted once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Zambian culture first-hand through deeply enriching work in schools, orphanages and health clinics over an unforgettable two weeks. Our…

Mags Gargan meets young activists working to solve problems they see in their communities Farm safety, human trafficking, sexual consent, mental health, animal cruelty, eating disorders and climate change were among some of the issues being tackled by teenagers competing for the Young Social Innovators of the Year 2017 title. About 800 young people from schools…

Joyce Meyer Joyce Meyer shares actionable advice and encouragement on how to start enjoying the life God created for us “I’m just having a bad day.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people mutter those words (or muttered them myself). Traffic is backed up, you spill your coffee before you even get…

Gillian Doherty Gillian Doherty reports from a retreat for Transition Year students The hills were alive with the sound of music, prayer, and praise in the Knockmealdown Mountains, Co. Waterford last week, as more than 350 Transition Year students from across Munster gathered for the Mount Melleray Youth Day 2017. The event was organised by…

Mags Gargan talks to the new chief executive of the Irish Chaplaincy in London Sixty years ago, the Irish Bishops’ Conference sent nine Columbans to England to minister to the thousands of Irish emigrants there, mainly to those working in the construction and catering industries. This was how the Irish Chaplaincy in London began and…

Sleep is a precious part of our day that we never have enough of, writes Wendy Grace For many of us, getting enough sleep can be a luxury or, perhaps like me, you’re a parent of a young child and a full eight hours sleep is a distant memory, or there just doesn’t seem to…

Mags Gargan talks to the CEO of a charity supporting the visually impaired “It is hugely brave to walk out the front door with very little sight and take on the world with effectively just a cane,” says Chris White, CEO of the National Council for the Blind (NCBI), of the charity’s service users. Supporting,…