Personal Profile Lockdown has left many people, businesses and organisations struggling and the Pioneer Association – a Catholic movement against alcohol abuse – is no different. Knowing this, for life-long member and activist Mary Brady it was a no-brainer to put her recovery from a hip operation to good use. She has raised more than…

Mounting evidence suggests that taking a Vitamin D supplement may be a game-changer in the fight against Covid-19, writes Jason Osborne In recent weeks, the cross-party Oireachtas Committee on Health published a 28-page report suggesting that Irish people should take daily Vitamin D supplements. This comes due to growing evidence that it might help to prevent Covid-19…

Personal Profile As integral to a parish as a priest is the local sacristan. Like a civil servant to the recently elected politician, he or she ensures continuity in change. Since 1973, 91-year-old Mary Geraghty has been a continuous presence as sacristan and volunteer in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Gainstown, Co. Westmeath. As…

Christ is risen, and this should be reflected in our daily life and activities, writes Jason Osborne Christ is risen! Oftentimes we partake in the Lenten preparation and the drama of Holy Week but forget about it all as soon as Easter Sunday turns to Easter Monday. As Catholics however, not only are we obliged…

Personal Profile There is a temptation, when faced with the ease that abortion and similar evils are accepted in this country, to withdraw from the fight. It was exactly this temptation that Aontú representative for Cork North West Becky Kealy faced in 2018 – and ultimately resisted. “When the referendum passed, I was just devastated…

Now may be the perfect time to get our legal affairs in order writes solicitor Elaine Byrne The pandemic may have been a time when many of us have reflected on and considered our legal affairs. In this article I would like to look at various matters which may be on our minds and also…

Personal Profile Dr Jessie Rogers made history recently, becoming the first lay person and the first woman to be dean of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. To her, it seemed as natural as anything – but she recognises the privilege and responsibility that comes from the appointment. “From my own internal experience of Maynooth, it didn’t…

After a long and arduous Lent compounded by lockdown, some Easter activities can breathe new life back into your house, writes Jason Osborne If Lent is a challenge every year, it has been an arduous slog this year in particular. We’ve already given up so much that we took for granted, and we found ourselves…

Personal Profile When Fr Norman Davitt SVD was nine years old – this being back in 1930 – the local parish priest came across him in a field near the Church. “He said, ‘what do you want to be’, I said, ‘I want to be a missionary’,” Fr Davitt explains. “About two years later, he…

As we approach Holy Week, a couple of activities can help families hold fast to their Lenten resolutions, writes Jason Osborne The end of Lent is rapidly approaching, and it would be all too easy to let our guard down now. In particular, children who are just beginning to grow into the liturgical life of the…