You are always in the middle of something critical when you get ‘the call from school’. A surgeon might be about to make that vital incision when his mobile will bring with the news that a kid has a high temperature. A footballer might be about to score the winning goal in the FA Cup…

There are days when the whole idea of the holiness of everyday life seems like bizarre nonsense. Today has been one of those days. I found out today that something I have worked on and had professionally printed has two substantial errors in it and is going to have to be reprinted. I spent the…

It was supposed to be like a scene from a 1980s coming-of-age movie: two soft-focus kids being left at camp, looking back wistfully at their parents, as they slowly waved goodbye. Mom holds back the tears, while dad puts a comforting arm around her shoulder, as they watch their kids take a giant step out…

I have been reading Pope Francis on the call to holiness in today’s world. My heart sings when I see him draw upon images of the family to illustrate what he means by holiness. As always with Pope Francis, it is a very down-to-earth holiness. He says, ‘We are all called to be holy by…

Magic in the forest Kids love nothing more than a day out where they can dress up and have fun with their friends and family. For the tenth year running, fairies and elves of all ages are being summoned to Rathwood in Tullow for a magical day out to remember. During this whimsical May 19-20…

A Parent’s Perspective   “What’s abortion, Mammy?” is one question that many parents have been hearing over the past few weeks. With a referendum on abortion approaching rapidly, the arguments and passion around the subject are going to reach fever pitch leaving concerned adults struggling with how they should deal with it. Children are inevitably…

There is always a snake in the grass. A primitive, but crucial, part of the human mind is always alert for dangers. parents immediately discover a heightened sense of awareness of all the dangers that their new baby faces in the world. When we were expecting our first baby, I had a man over with…

I have long been fascinated by islands. I remember, as a boy, taking my father’s small boat out to unpopulated islands off West Cork. I would step ashore like Robinson Crusoe on to a perfect, silent beach. There was always a profound serenity on these little islands, the troubles of the world were at a remove.…