Rose Kennedy on Grace and Grief

Posted on 12. Dec, 2019 in Achievement, Christian Values, Community, Faith and Justice, Grief

Rose Kennedy was the grande dame of contemporary American politics, seeing three of her children find great success. Success came with even more tragedy for Kennedy, as she lost two children in the 1940s and sons John and Robert were assassinated in the 1960s. In this archive piece from Radharc productions, we hear of her remarkable […]

Prepare the Way of the Lord

Posted on 12. Dec, 2019 in Christian Values, Community, Music

In this second piece of music for Advent, “Prepare the Way of the Lord” by Sister Marie Dunne, we contemplates the sense of excitement and anticipation that precedes the arrival of Jesus. Sister Marie is a native of Dublin, and member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Faith. She has been a composer […]

Religious Literacy

Posted on 12. Dec, 2019 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community

Dr Fainche Ryan is the director of the Loyola Institute in TCD Dublin, and she is organising a conference on “Religious Literacy – Challenges for Today”. Here she explains to Pat Coyle that religious literacy means knowledge of core religious beliefs, symbols and practices operative within a culture. She adds that many have noted an […]

Waiting – Advent Music

Posted on 05. Dec, 2019 in Advent, Community, Music, Seasons of the Church Year

Our piece of music for Advent comes from Sister Marie Dunne, a native of Dublin, and member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Faith. Entitled “Waiting” it sums up the feelings and expectations that all surround the Advent Season. Marie has been a composer of liturgical and religious music for over 30 […]

Support a Child for €5 a Month

Posted on 05. Dec, 2019 in Charity, Christian Values, Faith and Justice, Humanitarian Aid

An Irish parish group in Dublin which has linked up with a parish in Zambia by feeding children and supporting their school is now looking to expand on their success. The parish of Star of the Sea in Sandymount has been supporting the development of St Mary’s Community School in Matero, a Jesuit parish. The Jesuits […]

Pressure at Christmas

Posted on 05. Dec, 2019 in Achievement, Christian Values, Christmas, Church Teachings, Community, Economy, Faith and Justice

Christmas is a time for celebration, but for many living on low or fixed incomes, it can be a time of stress and worry. In this piece from our archives, Michelle Murphy from Social Justice Ireland said she sometimes gets calls from people in summer wondering how they will manage over Christmas. She says that […]

Celebrating Marriage

Posted on 28. Nov, 2019 in Christian Values, Community, Family, Married Couples, Mass, Music, Sexuality, Vocation

Not many know that marriage was one of the last sacraments to be included, says Richard Leonard SJ in his book, Hatch Match & Dispatch: A Catholic Guide to Sacraments. He talks about why it is so important and that it’s wonderful to have a sacrament to celebrate and promote the healthy sexuality of marriage. He […]

Forgiveness

Posted on 27. Nov, 2019 in Church Teachings, Mental Health

Can even the most awful of crimes be forgiven? Robert Enright is a Professor  of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and has given his input into education to Le Chéile, a school trust with the object of developing a vision of Catholic Education. He is a co-founder of the International Forgiveness Institute […]

Adding a Christian Voice

Posted on 21. Nov, 2019 in Community, Environment, Faith Groups

Ciara Murphy and Keith Adams speak to Pat Coyle about the importance of their roles at the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. They see great value in having an independent Christian voice talking about issues ranging from housing to the environment. Ciara is environmental policy advocate at the Jesuit centre. Her role includes working […]

Controversy over Wooden Carving

Posted on 21. Nov, 2019 in Christian Values, Church of Ireland, Feminism/Women in the Church

“A moment of sheer joy”. This is how the author and theologian Gerry O’Hanlon SJ described the recent Amazon Synod last month (October 2019) hosted in Rome by Pope Francis. The recent Amazon Synod last October, hosted in Rome by Pope Francis was seen as a great moment of hope. It was described by Gerry […]