The hippocampus, deep within our brain, gathers and organises short term memories, laying down the synaptic pathways for long term memories. Every time we recall a memory we travel down that synaptic pathway and the more we do so, the stronger and more lasting the memory becomes. Memories have the capacity to shape attitudes and…
One of the things myself and my wife are finding really difficult to stay on top of is the housework. With the family at home all the time it is a never ending merry go round of cooking and cleaning and we are both feeling overwhelmed by it all. It’s hard not to feel burdened…
Getting support for loss and grief An eight-week online support group will begin later this month to assist people dealing with loss. Coping with the loss of someone or something is challenging. Grieving can be associated with the death of a loved one—which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any…
The first effect of the pandemic was physical,but a secondary effect was psychological and emotional writes Ruadhán Jones The spread of the coronavirus is a new and a challenging event and can be worrying. It can affect our mental health, leading to a number of different outcomes such as increased anxiety, stress, and loneliness.…
Living Laudato Si’ During Laudato Si’ Week, May 17-24 this year, we were treated to a huge online celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home. Many international speakers, musicians, poets, theologians, activists and families came together to reflect on Laudato Si’ five years on. One of the highlights of Laudato…
Personal Profile As our church buildings move closer to reopening their doors, a sister in Cork says the Covid-19 crisis has presented an opportunity for us to “be Church” beyond physical structures. Sr Karen Kent, coordinator of pastoral development for the Diocese of Cork and Ross, tells The Irish Catholic about her background, taking…
Medical Matters As we move to into the next phase of the ‘unwinding’ of the coronavirus lockdown it is apparent that restrictions of some sort will remain with us for some time. Covid-19 has been the focus of many scientific articles and studies but while there are still many unknowns, we have learned much…
At the risk of being simplistic, I want to say something about prayer in a very simple way. While doing doctoral studies, I had a professor, an elderly Augustinian priest, who in his demeanor, speech and attitude, radiated wisdom and maturity. Everything about him bespoke integrity. You immediately trusted him, the wise old grandfather of…
Family homes across Ireland have been transformed into makeshift schools, thanks to the coronavirus epidemic. Our own home school has three pupils on the roll, along with an enthusiastic toddler who joins in from time to time. Our daily routine involves having all pupils up and breakfasted by 8 in the morning. This allows them…
Free coding workshop for schoolchildren A three-day free coding workshop, facilitated by the Academy of Code and delivered online through Zoom will take place next week, with tickets available from Friday. It is organised by ‘Work Matters at the Library’ and is part of the South Dublin Creative Campus Programme. The event is for secondary…
Bairbre Cahill
Wendy Grace
Ruadhán Jones
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Fr Ronald Rolheiser