Towards Peace

Posted on 14. Apr, 2016 in Christian Values, Faith and Justice

Towards Peace was set up by the Church as an organisation to provide a safe supportive space, where people who have been affected by abuse in a Church context can be accompanied as they seek their own experience of spiritual peace, one step at a time. People who have experienced abuse, in particular by Church […]

The Resurrection and the Rising

Posted on 31. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Easter, Retreats

The Resurrection is the central tenet of Christianity says Eugene McCaffrey OCD. It represents the beginning of something new and miraculous. Fr Eugene believes that the people who took part in the 1916 Rising chose Easter time because they had in mind the resurrection of Ireland and the creating of a new country. He cites […]

Church in a Pluralist Society

Posted on 31. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Faith Groups

The Loyola Institute in Trinity college is organising a conference titled, The Role of Church in a Pluralist Society – Good Riddance or Good Influence? It will take place in Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Con Casey, who has an interest in inter-religious dialogue, believes it to be a “question of great relevance” and that the […]

Asylum seekers in Ireland

Posted on 24. Mar, 2016 in Community, Easter, Family, Gospel Values, Poverty, Refugees, Seasons of the Church Year

40% of asylum seekers living in Direct Provision have been waiting 5 years or more for a final decision to be reached on their claim for protection. JRS Ireland is working to secure durable solutions for these asylum seekers and their families. Miriam Gormally spoke with David Moriarity, policy and advocacy officer with JRS, about how […]

New Look for Trocáire box

Posted on 24. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Easter, Fundraising, Schools, Seasons of the Church Year

This year’s Trocáire box comes with a difference. Instead of focusing on the people who will be receiving the money it will be focusing on those who are giving money. They also talked about why in particular they have been focusing on climate justice and why it is the most important issue of the day. […]

A Candle for You

Posted on 17. Mar, 2016 in Community, Family, Gospel Values, Grief, Prayer

The song, “A candle for you”, sung by Patricia Bourke D’Souza and composed by Marie Dunne CHF has been rereleased for Easter to raise awareness for missing person. The proceeds of the itunes downloads will go to the Missing Persons Helpline, M.I.S.S. – Missing in Ireland Supportive Service. The website is www.missingpersons.ie. Marie says that […]

Pope Francis – three years on

Posted on 17. Mar, 2016 in Church Teachings, Feminism/Women in the Church, Holy Week, Pope Francis, Seasons of the Church Year, Vatican

March 13th 2016 marked the third anniversary of the accession of Cardinal Bergoglio to the Papacy as Pope Francis. He laid out his mission statement for the future of the Catholic Church on November 24th 2013 in his inspirational letter Evangelii Gaudium. In May 2015 another major development occurred with his issuing of his encyclical on […]

Celebrating St. Patrick

Posted on 10. Mar, 2016 in Achievement, Christian Values, Community, Festivals, Gospel Values, Saints, St Patrick

St. Patrick is celebrated all around the world, with more and more cities organising parades. However, according to Dr. Brian Lacey, writer and historian, we don’t know very much about who St. Patrick really was. We do know that Christianity was very important to him, but, says Brian, the idea that he converted Ireland to […]

Mercy at work in Hospitals

Posted on 10. Mar, 2016 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values, Grief, Hospice, Spirituality, Suicide

Marianne Quinn is the chaplain in St Columcille hospital in Loughlinstown, Dublin. Her work involves caring for the dying and for those who have been bereaved. She says that her work allows her to channel God’s mercy and to be present in whatever way she is needed. Mercy, she says, is particularly important in deaths […]

Thanks to your Noble Shadow

Posted on 03. Mar, 2016 in Achievement, Christian Values, Church Teachings, Eastern Spirituality, Education, Feminism/Women in the Church, Film Reviews, Gospel Values, Older People, Vocation, Working Abroad

“Thanks to your Noble Shadow” is a feature-length independent documentary film about Ireland’s last missionary nun in Japan. Sr. Paschal O’ Sullivan returned to Cork in 2010 after 75 years as a missionary nun with the Infant Jesus (Drishane) Sisters in Tokyo. Her cousin, James Creedon – a journalist for the international news channel, France […]