Personal Profile While the modern offices of Citibank and the humble carpentry workshop of Christ seem to many as though they couldn’t be further apart, Al Byrne informs me that they are really one and the same place, for one trying to live in imitation of Christ. “I see that through work, we can participate…

Advent is a period of anticipation and preparation, writes Ruadhán Jones Advent begins this Sunday, November 29. It’s no secret as to what it’s about – preparing for the arrival of Christ. Because it’s so obvious, because it happens every year, we can overlook the wonder of his coming. But this year we may be…

Personal Profile Recognised around the world for his extensive cycling around the parish, with pictures of his travels reaching America and Australia, parish priest of Headford, Fr Ray Flaherty has made every effort to remain connected despite the unusual year everyone has faced. “People are hugely important. The connection with people – I think that’s…

Superstition to many, but the Church recognises our connection with the dead, writes Ruadhán Jones At the beginning of November, the liturgical calendar turns our minds heavenward with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. As many of our pagan ancestors did, we take the time to commemorate, pray for and commune with the…

Personal Profile A veteran of Youth 2000, Máire McAteer has seen the organisation grow and bear much fruit during her time there. “I’ve seen how it has grown. Like everything we have to be patient to see growth. Like, the mustard seed starts so small, but it takes time to grow into the huge bush,…

Autumn is passing and  it’s time to bed the garden down for winter, writes Ruadhán Jones Do you have a gardening calendar? It’s a useful item and can be purchased, home-made or simply looked up online. Anyway, if you were to consult your calendar, you will most likely be getting little hints that the growing…

Personal Profile Fr Maurice Colgan reflects God’s light into the world through his vocation as a Dominican, and through his work with the Alive! newspaper, although, as is so often the way, he didn’t see his life’s path taking this shape. “I had no serious inclination towards the priesthood so my future as I saw…

Whether of pagan or Catholic origins, Hallowe’en is more than a commercial holiday writes Ruadhán Jones An infrequent and unofficial “battle”’ takes place between Christians, Neo Pagans and sometimes New Atheists. It comes to the fore every time we have a major feast in the Church. Easter and Christmas, it is erroneously claimed, originated in…

Personal Profile With Ireland having entered a second period of full restriction, making an effort to communicate is more important than ever, and Fr Eamonn McCarthy finds himself at the forefront of those efforts through his work with Radio Maria. The Dublin-based priest is well-known on Irish airwaves, helming Radio Maria’s mission in Ireland with…