Young people are increasingly feeling unhappy, writes Colm Fitzpatrick The 21st Century has been a period of dramatic technological, economic and cultural progress, meaning that society is reaching new highs – but why is it that young people are increasingly feeling so low? Almost half of young people in the UK have experienced a…
Colm Fitzpatrick explores confusion around Easter recycling Easter is a time of spiritual reflection and celebration where families come together and, in many cases, indulge in chocolate eggs and all things confectionary. But now that the festivities have wrapped up, what exactly should you do with the chocolate-smudged wrappings? With so many bins and…
Personal Profile Jake Trant speaks about a university Catholic society The Dublin University Laurentian Society which takes its name from St Laurence O’Toole, Archbishop of Dublin, was founded in 1953 to provide a meeting place for the growing number of Catholics attending Trinity College. It was one of several societies formed in the period…
Colm Fitzpatrick explores how former carers can be supported With over 62,000 people having their time caring for family members come to an end every year in Ireland, a new booklet is promising to guide former family carers through experiences of grief and loneliness, as well as provide information on what steps to take next…
Personal Profile Colm Fitzpatrick speaks with a kidney failure sufferer Although organ donation is very rarely spoken about in a religious context, a parish priest is calling on all people to think about this worthy and self-sacrificing act. Fr Patrick Guilfoyle, who is now 72, has been a parish priest based in Tullaroan, Kilkenny,…
Personal Profile Colm Fitzpatrick speaks with a pro-life activist and campaigner Although Niamh Uí Bhriain is known for her passionate and vocal activity in the pro-life movement, her initial zeal and enthusiasm for activism has much deeper roots, originating from the influence of her parents when she was growing up. For them, it was…
David Kennedy In his letter on the joy of love, Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis calls on Catholic families to live their Easter faith and to recognise that at its centre one finds authentic Christian hope. In fact, he emphasises that “in our own day dominated by stress and rapid technological advances, one of the…
Parents can help protect their children online, writes Colm Fitzpatrick A few decades ago the most useful safety advice given to children was that when out and about you should never speak to strangers. This message was often summed up by the useful adage ‘stranger danger’, which stressed that all strangers can be potentially dangerous. This…
Youth Space Missionaries have to trust their labours will bear fruit when they’re gone, writes Kelly Koerwer “Hi my name is Kelly and I’m a recent graduate of the University of Notre Dame. I live in Dublin and I work at the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason at University Church on St…
Although gaming brings joy to millions of people globally, it is important to remember that virtual reality can have real effects. The world of gaming has evolved rapidly in the last few decades; now it is an immersive online experience where gamers can communicate internationally with one another, create their own unique characters, and enter…
Colm Fitzpatrick