Christianity, Judaism, and Islam ultimately all believe in the same God. Interestingly, too, in the popular mind they also all tend to conceive of God in the same way, namely, as male, celibate and not being particularly happy. Well, the gender of God is not something we can ever conceptualise. God is neither male or…
Category: Your Faith
Dad’s Diary
There’s nothing more terrifying than a clock. For we mortals, the mere passage of time is a memento mori like no other. Yet, in the end, we may hope that the lifting of the veil of this world reveals something vastly more beautiful. The heartache which time causes in the parents of small children is…
Family News & Events
Let yourself Le-go for Halloween Let yourself Le-go with a themed Halloween Camp run by LEGO for children aged between 3 to 12 years in Arklow. “Come to join the fun in our action-packed Halloween LEGO Camp, where kids can enjoy creating spooky LEGO designs, arts and crafts, baking, pottery, fun and games and much…
What to do with autumn’s bounty?
Ruadhán Jones explains how to make the most of autumn fruits Every self-respecting Irish recipe book has its own spin on apple tart. Some proclaim the wondrous effects of brown sugar, others call for no sugar at all! It’s an Irish staple and for good reason – Ireland has a climate ideally suited to autumn…
Ministering medically and spiritually at the margins
Personal Profile Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) is attempting to patch the world up both physically and spiritually, and Sr Carol Breslin is one of those who applies the bandages. Celebrating her Jubilee year with the congregation, Sr Carol’s interest in healthcare was first piqued by her mother’s example as she volunteered for various groups…
Lead us into that mysterious silence
Mindful Living We have been exploring the depth of meaning in the John Main prayer which Christian meditators say before meditation. The second sentence of the prayer reads: “Lead us into that mysterious silence where Your love is revealed to all who call.” In this article I want to reflect on the phrase: ‘Lead us…
Faith in the Family
When the issue of climate change comes up there can be a very natural reaction to step away, saying: “This has nothing to do with me, it’s up to the governments, the energy producers.” Pope Francis however sees it differently. He invites each one of us to an “ecological conversion”. Now just what does he…
Moving beyond mistakes and weaknesses
The excusable doesn’t need to be excused and the inexcusable cannot be excused. Michael Buckley wrote those words and they contain an important challenge. We’re forever trying to make excuses for things we need not make excuses for and are forever trying to excuse the inexcusable. Neither is necessary. Or helpful. We can learn a…
Family News & Events
Hilarious histories and funny folklore Avast there landlubbers, it’s time for some pirate history. Join Hilarious Histories and Funny Folklore at their ‘Hilarious Histories Family Show’ in Ballyroan Library in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin on Friday September 18 from 5.30-6.15pm for “a fun, socially distanced show, suitable for the whole family”. Organisers say: “Captain Ho Ho…
Nothing as great as a cherry and almond loaf cake
Sweet Treats This is an old-fashioned family favourite that remains ever popular. It is an essential recipe for every baker’s repertoire. There is nothing better with a cup of tea in the evening with its crunchy crust and delicious buttery inside studded with sweet pops of cherry. Ingredients For the crumble 200g red glace cherries…

Fr Ronald Rolheiser


Ruadhán Jones


Bairbre Cahill


