Category: Features

Stopping Scammers

Chai Brady investigates some intricate frauds   No one is completely unsusceptible to the many wheeler dealers and scam artists offering sham services or duping many online. They capitalise on those who may be too trusting or ignorant of the warning signs. Knowing the right steps to take can fortify anyone against making an expensive…

When doing good seems too hard

Everyday Philosophy   Last month I argued against utilitarianism, the school of moral philosophy that seeks ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’. Utilitarianism is false because following it consistently means endorsing the idea that it’s sometimes right to choose evil means to achieve good ends. Here, though, I want to say a word against…

‘Goodness is godliness’ with housing hero

Personal Profile   Working at the coalface to combat homelessness and help communities for most of his life, one priest is determined to help those suffering as a result of Ireland’s insidious housing crisis. Currently focusing on housing families, Fr Patsy Carolan OMI has been helping vulnerable people in whatever community he finds himself in,…

Making a dent at Lent

Chai Brady discusses keeping Lenten promises   Steering clear of constantly searching for instant gratification and focusing on the needs of others in addition to our personal wellbeing sounds like good advice all year around, but perhaps Lent can be a time we take a closer look at making this more of an everyday reality.…

Disordered eating

Chai Brady focuses on the challenges of eating disorders   Body image is a huge issue for many, especially with the concept of a ‘perfect’ body being perpetuated in much social media which nowadays permeates everyone’s reality, but that may be a small, even non-existent factor in the reasons someone develops an eating disorder. A…

Giving youth a reason to stay with the Faith

Personal Profile   Kilmore’s new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry has his fair share of challenges in a world in which many young people are increasingly moving away from the Church, but he is determined to give them a reason to stay. Francis Keaney (29) will be spearheading initiatives that aim to encourage…

Is that a fair trade?

Chai Brady looks into Fairtrade Fortnight   Unbeknownst to anyone who buys a product in Ireland, they could be seriously negatively impacting and perpetuating the suffering of a person who is being exploited somewhere in the world. It’s well known that in many countries, particularly in developing countries, workers are paid a pittance to work…

Keeping the spark

Chai Brady discusses what sustains a marriage   St Valentine’s Day is a time many couples spend quality time with each other and focus on their relationship, with care, intimacy and love being key objectives. But what happens when passionate feelings of love become more subdued, when the ‘honeymoon phase’ is long over and married…