Posted on 22. Feb, 2018 in Achievement, Christian Values, Community, Ecological, Ecology, Saints, Spirituality
A Miracle of Saint Francis of Paola is the name of the above painting hanging in the National Gallery and is attributed to Pietro Novelli, a Sicillan painter. It depicts Saint Francis of Paola, a vegan and animal lover, from the region of Calabria in southwest Italy. The story depicted is of St Francis […]
Posted on 22. Feb, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Feminism/Women in the Church
The Iona Institute has launched a new national billboard campaign to promote the right to life of the unborn. The billboards show an image of the unborn baby at 11 weeks with the message ‘one of us’. The point, they say is that the “posters show how unmistakably human the unborn child is at […]
Posted on 15. Feb, 2018 in Charity, Christian Values, Economy, Faith and Justice
Dr Kevin Hargaden from the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has written a lenten retreat with a difference to make us consider homeless in the context of Christianity. ‘Home Thoughts from the Bible in a Time of Housing Crisis” is seven week retreat for Lent exploring the theme of homelessness in the bible from […]
Posted on 08. Feb, 2018 in Church Teachings, Community, Gospel Values
Dipping into Lent is a book that offers forty stories all reflecting on diverse themes that can be contemplated during lent. The topics include an intriguing index of hashtags – from #detox to #impressionist to #one_of_our_own – and the reflections are accompanied by quotes from philosophers, songwriters, popes, saints and scholars. The book is illustrated throughout […]
Posted on 08. Feb, 2018 in Christian Values, Community, Ecology, Humanitarian Aid
Climate change is rapidly becoming the most threatening issue of our time and vulnerable communities are already being affected. Radical change is needed and it is a matter of faith and social justice, so says the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal who work closely with people all over the world who are already suffering […]
Posted on 01. Feb, 2018 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Politics
Michael Kirwin SJ is a visiting professor of theology at the Loyola Institute in Dublin – giving a paper – “Stand Upright and raise your head -doing Theology in troubled times.” He says we times are turbulent and that the biggest challenge we face today is how to combat Fascism. He points to the rise […]
Posted on 01. Feb, 2018 in Community, Economy, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values
The Irish Business and Employers Confederation – IBEC recently released a report showing that disposable incomes of Irish households are growing at four times the euro-zone average. However Social Justice Ireland responded with the fact that almost 800,000 people continue to live in poverty in Ireland and up to one million are experiencing deprivation – 105,000 of […]
Posted on 01. Feb, 2018 in Christian Values, Ecology, Feminism/Women in the Church, Saints, Vocation
Feb is the month when we celebrate St Brigid, a woman of the land and national patron saint. Many songs and prayers have been written about Brigid and this one, “Song to Brighid” is a beautiful healing song of prayer by Lisa Thiel, a visionary artist and ceremonial singer. Originally a holistic healing professional in […]
Posted on 25. Jan, 2018 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Ecology, Gospel Values
Spiritual tourism is on the rise. Prof. Bernadette Flannagan, from SpIRE, the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education says that numbers for people going on sacred walks or visiting sacred sites has increased dramatically. Citing figures from those who registered to walk the Camino, she says that numbers from 1987 to now have increased from 3,000 […]
Posted on 25. Jan, 2018 in Book Reviews, Church Teachings, Gospel Values, Saints
Messenger Publications, a part of The Sacred Heart Messenger operation, has a new line up of books to be published both for Lent and Easter time. Stations for the Soul by artist Joan Keogh is one such book. The book features her own paintings and thoughts on Christ’s passion as mediated through her work. Another books is […]