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…

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…

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…

Despite the challenges, returning to the classroom is the right thing for children writes Ruadhán Jones It’s difficult to gauge the impact Covid-19 has had on young people, but the likelihood is that it will not be positive. While the physical threat the virus poses children is slim, the effects on mental health and wellbeing…

Personal Profile The battle for life in Ireland is a vicious one, but there are those out there looking to soften the hard edges it’s being fought with. Carolyn O’Meara is one of them, and she’s seeking to do so through her work with Gianna Care, an organisation that seeks to aid women experiencing crisis…

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…

Personal Profile Fr David Vard represents a face of the Church that is not often seen in the western world today: that of a young man’s. Rarer still is the face of a young priest. While youth Catholicism has its vibrant strongholds around the country, it is yet to bear much fruit on the vocations…

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…

Personal Profile Fr John Bracken is the parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Dundrum, but much of his ministry is devoted to helping people look beyond his office, and that of the other clergy. “It’s one of my great annoyances, that people “see” the priest. I mean, obviously there’s a difference, but there’s not a…

A sense of normality is important to settle children into the school routine writes Ruadhán Jones The balancing act of home-schooling and working will finally come to an end for many as children are set to return to school in September. Unsurprisingly, parents are very keen for their kids to get back to a semblance…