Each of us has a divine spark that can fuel our own happiness and brighten the lives of those around us, writes Martina Lehane Sheehan   Research in positive psychology suggests that while around 50% of our happiness levels are influenced by genetic components, only 10% are attributable to external circumstances, despite the huge amount…

Colm Fitzpatrick speaks with missionaries about their impact in South Sudan In a place of despair, starvation and even death, Irish missionaries have begun to bring hope back into the down-trodden lives of thousands. South Sudan remains one of the world’s poorest countries, and continues to be ravaged by violence, illness and extreme poverty which…

Niamh Brady reports on Kilmore’s first Diocesan Youth Day I am currently participating in the John Paul II Awards. These awards recognise young people’s commitment to faith and community. I was told about the Kilmore Diocesan Youth Day and was encouraged to attend. My sister Caoimhe, who is a first year in my school Loreto…

Walking is the easiest way to get active and healthy, both physically and mentally. Most health professionals prefer walking over running as it is a low-impact exercise that goes easy on your heart and joints. It’s inexpensive and can be done anywhere, at any age or fitness level, alone or in a group, and you…

Women’s sport in Ireland has been shattering records in terms of audience viewing this year. The Ladies All Ireland Football final between Dublin and Mayo had an attendance of over 46,000 in Croke Park and an average of 303,800 people tuned in to watch it on TG4 – the highest figure since the Irish language station…

Winter is soon approaching and the time has come once again for many of us to get the flu vaccine. In fact, it may be all the more important this season as predictions suggest we may be facing one of the most significant flu outbreaks in decades. In Australia, rather strikingly there has been a…

Although schools are all too often associated with academic and sporting achievement, a new school-based Irish initiative is beginning to place mental well-being and health on the radar. Buddy Bench Ireland is a child-led positive mental health programme in a schooling environment that promotes emotional resilience and mental wellbeing, through supporting the core competencies of…

  Daniel Miller It was six days before her death. We didn’t know it would only be six days, but we knew that Sarah would not grace us with her presence for much longer. And yet the temptation is to describe the occasion as rather lovely and certainly fun. She had offered us each a…

  Petra Conroy The word is beginning to spread in the town lands and parishes around the country: the World Meeting of Families (WMOF2018) is coming to Ireland next year, and there are high hopes that Pope Francis is coming too. Naturally, news of a possible visit from the Holy Father captures a lot of…

In spite of his surname, Columban Fr Tomás King, has lived a life far removed from social prestige and wealth, spending the past 25 years away from his Irish home, in a country which suffers from internal political disputes, severe poverty and ongoing violence. His journey from working with the Traveller community in Galway to…