Ireland Shed a Tear?

Posted on 03. Nov, 2016 in Community, Death, Discrimination, Family, Uncategorized

Ireland Shed a Tear is a play by Michael Collins looking at the fallout of the tragedy of Carrickmines. He said that initially the outpouring of grief and support suggested that there would be a real public examination of how travellers are treated in society. But he now observes that things quickly went back to […]

An Invitation to Communion

Posted on 27. Oct, 2016 in Christian Values, Church of Ireland, Liturgy

The new Dean of St Patrick’s, the Very Revd Dr William Morton was particularly noted for his cross–community and ecumenical events in his previous role in St Columb’s Cathedral Londonery. He continues to feel that ecumenical issues are very important and that all the Christian churches need to work together. He points to the Eucharist […]

Welcoming new Jesuit Leader

Posted on 27. Oct, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Faith and Justice

The new leader of the Jesuits worldwide, Fr Arturo Sosa, is “decisive, visionary and has a great sense of humour,” according to Gerry Whelan SJ, an Irish Jesuit who lectures in the Gregorian Univiersty in Rome. Gerry describes Fr Sosa as a very decisive man, familiar and comfortable with leadership roles. He says he’s not afraid […]

Moving from Fossil Fuels

Posted on 27. Oct, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Climate Change, Community, EcoCongregations

On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Catholic institutions and communities from all over the world celebrated the month-long Season of Creation with the largest joint announcement of their decision to divest from fossil fuels. Major Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican organisations came together between September 1st (World Day of Prayer for Creation) and […]

Loving Sister Earth

Posted on 20. Oct, 2016 in Christian Values, Community, Ecological, Ecology, Gospel Values, Retreats, Spiritual

Brian Grogan SJ talks about how time is running out for our planet and how we are called to fall in love with what St Francis called “Sister Earth”. He explains that as Christians, we are called on to defend and protect our common home. He is part of an organization called “Loving Sister Earth” […]

Broadcasting for the Soul

Posted on 20. Oct, 2016 in Uncategorized

The Radharc awards were presented on November 20th in Stillorgan. The awards are presented every two years to the producers of television documentaries of outstanding quality, that address national or international topics of social justice, history, morality and faith. There is an additional award for similar short documentaries produced for digital media. Over 40 entries […]

Jesuits elect first non-European leader

Posted on 20. Oct, 2016 in Charity, Christian Values, Church Teachings, Faith and Justice

For the first time, the Jesuits have elected a non-European as their Superior General. The 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus has elected Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, of the Venezuelan Province. Father Arturo Sosa was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on November 12, 1948. He has a Ph.D in Political Science from the Universidad […]

This is Palestine

Posted on 13. Oct, 2016 in Charity, Christian Values, Community, Conflict, Faith and Justice, Humanitarian Aid

“This is Palestine” is a photography exhibition by multi-award-winning producer and director John McColgan, founder of River Dance. He recently travelled to the West Bank and Gaza with Trócaire to document the lives of people trying to live as normally as possible in the midst of military occupation and economic blockade. Miriam Gormally met with […]

Budget 2017

Posted on 13. Oct, 2016 in Christian Values, Economy

Social Justice Ireland produced a critique of Budget 2017. They say that it favours the better off and increases inequality within society while doing nothing to solve problems around the housing and accommodation crisis. They do however welcome moves toward increasing social welfare payments, but say that it is still not in line with inflation. Their […]

A Lutheran look at Mercy

Posted on 13. Oct, 2016 in Charity, Christian Values, Community, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values

Californian Amanda Berg has just completed her training in Spiritual Direction at the Jesuit Manresa Centre of Spirituality in Dublin. As a Lutheran, she warmly welcomes Pope Francis’s declaration of a Year of Mercy. She described Mercy as “underserved forgiveness” and says that it is a real gift; something that we’ve “always needed” in our […]