Category: Features

A son guided by his mother’s hand

Personal Profile Fr Jaimie Twohig’s faith has been guided by both his earthly and heavenly mothers from its genesis, and it has coloured his very perception. “Ever since I’ve been ordained, and throughout my studies as well, it’s just a thing that I constantly have to learn, that we’re just really vessels of his love,”…

What to do with autumn’s bounty?

Ruadhán Jones explains how to make the most of autumn fruits Every self-respecting Irish recipe book has its own spin on apple tart. Some proclaim the wondrous effects of brown sugar, others call for no sugar at all! It’s an Irish staple and for good reason – Ireland has a climate ideally suited to autumn…

Ministering medically and spiritually at the margins

Personal Profile Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) is attempting to patch the world up both physically and spiritually, and Sr Carol Breslin is one of those who applies the bandages. Celebrating her Jubilee year with the congregation, Sr Carol’s interest in healthcare was first piqued by her mother’s example as she volunteered for various groups…

Cycling back to health and normality

Jason Osborne discusses the benefits of getting on your bike With Ireland returning to ever-greater levels of normality despite the ongoing presence of the coronavirus, the issue of the daily commute is beginning to rear its head again, albeit in a different way. With children and teenagers returning to schools and students preparing to return to colleges…

The priest making the best of bad situations

Personal Profile Fr Kevin McNamara is a man familiar with making the best of bad situations. “I have a philosophy that you have to grow where you’re planted. Every place that I have worked in, including my current place, is bringing great challenges,” he tells The Irish Catholic. Parish priest of Moyvane, Co. Kerry, Fr…

Coping with binge eating disorder

There’s a fine line between disordered eating and an eating disorder writes Ruadhán Jones Many of us might have felt the urge to padlock fridge and cupboard doors over lockdown. Boredom, stress and the ready availability of food were a tricky trio to overcome. But while that kind of eating might be frustrating, it wouldn’t…

Hidden victims of domestic abuse

Men are often forgotten victims of domestic violence writes Ruadhán Jones Lockdown brought issues of domestic violence to the fore, with social distancing measures restricting victim’s access to help, support and refuge. Consequently, Gardaí and abuse helplines reported increases of between 25-33% over the lockdown period. The majority of domestic violence victims are women and…