From a life of music to a life of silence, one chaplain is now listening to the voice of students. Born in 1967, Fr Gerard Magee was reared in a turbulent period when the “troubles were about to break out”. He received a Catholic education from St. Malachy’s College, North Belfast, which was also complemented…

Religious scrupulosity can be destructive, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Although piety is a  virtue that should be extolled, there are circumstances when devotion can become neurotic and damaging. All of us have compulsive tendencies at times that take shape in either the form of thought or action. This may be as simple as wondering if…

Personal profile Colm Fitzpatrick learns about the power of the homily   Although homilies at Mass can sometimes sound repetitive or even boring, one Capuchin priest is offering helpful tips on how to make the homily more interesting and thought-provoking. Cork-born Fr Silvester O’Flynn is well known for his reflections on the three cycles of…

Porn addiction can have longstanding effects, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   With one in three Irish people viewing porn before turning 16, addiction can become a serious and harmful issue. In an age where sexually explicit images and videos are available at the push of a button, questions need to be raised about the negative effects…

Personal Profile Claire Devaney tells Colm Fitzpatrick about her youth mission   From exciting camps and clubs to vital school ministry, one woman is stepping up to the mark to give religious education a new lease of life. Claire Devaney is Primary School Co-ordinator with Scripture Union Ireland, an ecumenical Christian organisation which focuses on…

The people of South Sudan need Ireland’s help, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   With poverty, hunger and fear still rampant in war-torn South Sudan, a lay missionary is calling on all Irish people for support. Noeleen Loughran, who originally hails from the small village of Emyvale, Co. Monaghan, now helps suffering children in Africa, having sold…

We are all guilty of poor listening at times, writes Barbara Duff   Do you ever feel that your partner does not really listen to you? Well, don’t worry – you are not alone. And chances are that at times your partner feels the very same. For most of us, the art of true listening…

Colm Fitzpatrick explores relationship abuse in Ireland   With 40% of those women who experience domestic violence first experiencing it during pregnancy or soon after childbirth, it is clear that relationship abuse is a crisis in Ireland. Domestic violence appears in many shapes and sizes which can range from verbal and emotional abuse to sexual…

Youth Space ‘Cathy’ describes the transformative powers of a Dublin Catholic Youth Group   The ‘Transformer: Life in the Spirit’ seminar was an absolutely incredible experience. From the moment I walked through the door there was a most beautiful sense of welcome, joy and peace. As I entered the large spacious room jam-packed with young…

Life coach Eileen Hopkins advises Colm Fitzpatrick about tackling New Year resolutions   ‘New Year, New Me’ is a modern aphorism so entrenched into Irish society that personal transformation in January has become a sobering thought for many. From reading more and taking up gardening, to quitting smoking and finally making use of that harrowing…