Posted on 05. Mar, 2008 in Retreats, Young people
School retreats are something we all remember from our teenage years, often as a welcome break from class as usual. Christine Clear, from the Milltown Institute currently runs retreats throughout the country. She looks at what is important in the lives of young people today. Miriam Gormally asked her to explain.
Posted on 20. Feb, 2008 in Celibacy/Sexuality, Spirituality, Young people
Sexuality and spirituality are often considered to be separate, almost opposite. However Christine Clear from the Milltown Institute in Dublin claims that the two are linked, that a healthy and life giving sexuality leads to a vibrant spirituality. Miriam Gormally met Christine to find out more.
Posted on 23. Jan, 2008 in Community, Festivals, Young people
Young people all over the country are preparing for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, through fundraising and group activities. Trish O’Neill is World Youth Day co-ordinator for the parish of Kildare and Laughlin and she is helping young people in her parish prepare for the day. She is also helping organise events for those […]
Posted on 14. Nov, 2007 in Addiction, Alcohol
The story of Matt Talbot’s struggle with his addiction is similar to the many stories of people today who are trapped by addictions of many kinds. Eileen Good spoke to Fr. Tom Ryan, Parish Priest of Shannon Co. Clare and asked him how a novena dedicated to Matt Talbot got started in the parish.
Posted on 11. Jul, 2007 in Community, Crime, Young people
“It’s giving me a place to be. If I was at home I’d either be in bed all day or hanging around and getting into trouble…” Just one of the comments from a young man helped by the Churchfield Community Trust in Cork, which provides a supportive environment to young men in the area at […]
Posted on 11. Jul, 2007 in Addiction, Alcohol
Francis Black is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed performers, originally with the Black family and more recently as a solo performer. In recent years she has spoken publicly about her personal problem with alcohol addiction. In 2004 she returned to college as a mature student and qualified as an addiction counsellor and currently does some […]
Posted on 11. Jul, 2007 in Addiction, Drugs
At a recent conference on Addiction held in Manresa -the Jesuit Centre for Spirituality in Dublin- Fr. Peter McVerry spoke about the rise in the use of cocaine and crack cocaine, and the lack of information available about both substances. Eileen Good asked him to elaborate on his view that cocaine is the ‘new’ heroin.
Posted on 30. May, 2007 in Eating Disorder, Health, Mental Health, Young people
Eating distress has the highest mortality rates of all mental illness and causes serious psychological distress, yet it is often seen as a “fad” or a fashion driven desire. The key to understating eating distress is that food and size are used as a way to control or deal with emotions and this can take […]
Posted on 20. Mar, 2007 in Community, Faith and Justice, Relationships, Religious teaching, Young people
We are so used to hearing about business innovators that the term ‘social innovator’ takes one by surprise. What does it mean? The idea came from Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy who saw a need for young people to express their desire to make a difference in creating change in how we live, think and care for […]
Posted on 21. Feb, 2007 in Alcohol, Church Teachings, Lent, Religious teaching, Schools, Young people
During Lent many people traditionally think of giving up ‘the drink’ – and it is a most worthwhile sacrifice in the Ireland of today where alcohol related problems affect all areas of people’s lives. However at a younger level many children at Confirmation take the Pledge to abstain from drink until they are 18. Ray […]