We enter the season of Lent by putting ashes on our foreheads. What’s symbolised here? Perhaps the heart understands better than the head because more people go to church on Ash Wednesday than on any other day of the year, including Christmas. The queues to receive the ashes in many churches are endless. Why? Why…
Sweet Treats This trifle is perfect for St Patrick’s Day as it is full of delicious custard, fruit, and of course, Irish whiskey! The beauty of this particular trifle is that you can make everything from scratch yourself if you have the time, or you can buy everything pre-made, skip to Step 3, and simply…
The news cycle seems more doom and gloom than ever, and it’s important to figure out how to deal with it, writes Jason Osborne Lent seems timelier than ever this year. The great season of repentance and refocus comes as war erupts closer to home for us in Europe than it has in a long…
National Spring Clean to kick off in April Registrations are now open for National Spring Clean 2022, which is calling all communities around Ireland to register for Ireland’s largest and longest anti-litter campaign. The National Spring Clean traditionally takes part in the month of April. For the past 23 years 85,000 clean-ups have been organised…
A parent’s perspective Pope Francis’ Lenten message to get off our smartphones and do good for others face-to-face is more relevant than ever. Sitting in our homes glued to the unfolding horror in Ukraine, or checking the constant updates on our phones can almost make us feel like we’re really there. We post up Ukrainian…
Last Sunday we were with Jesus on the Mount of Temptation. Today we see him on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36). It’s such a contrast of experiences, from temptation to the vision of divine glory. He took with him Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray. Climbing the mountain is…
Personal Profile Michelle Ward’s faith wasn’t always as strong as it is now, but God has always spoken to her through the relationships in her life. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Mrs Ward says that she grew up with a mother who was very strong in her faith, and it was how this faith…
In his farewell speech in John’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that he is going away but that he will leave us a parting gift, the gift of his peace, and that we will experience this gift in the spirit he leaves behind. How does this work? How do we leave peace and a spirit behind…
Children’s Corner Music is an extremely powerful force in the world. It has the power to make us laugh, cry, become nostalgic, fearful and every emotion under the sun. Very often it is used in film, theatre and more to create a certain mood whether that be tension or levity. National anthems are created to…
Willpower is a major fuel in the spiritual life, and it will come in handy during Lent, writes Jason Osborne Lent has begun, and our spiritual resolutions are hopefully made. As discussed last week in this column, Lent is the perfect opportunity to refocus on the goal of life: God. Unfortunately for us, however, it’s…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Maria Byrne
Chai Brady