Sowing the Seed

Posted on 02. Jun, 2016 in Christian Values, Community, Gospel Values, Vocation

In this second piece with Sr Loreto or Evelyn Mc Laughlin, author and former school principal, she talks about the people in her life and the impact that they had on her. She talks about how life is about “sowing the seed” and that the Kingdom of Heaven is about the goodness and growth that […]

Hurrahing in Harvest

Posted on 26. May, 2016 in Church Teachings, Gospel Values, Vocation

Sr Loreto also known as Evelyn McLaughlin thought she had said all that she wanted to say in her biography “Down the Arches of the Years”. But then she was struck by two events that changed her life and made her reconsider what her life was about. One was a mugging, the other the death […]

Beatification of John Sullivan SJ

Posted on 05. May, 2016 in Achievement, Christian Values, Saints, Vocation

On April 27th Pope Francis approved the beatification of Venerable John Sullivan. Many miracles have been attributed to the Jesuit priest who was baptised into the Church of Ireland (his father’s tradition) and who became a Roman Catholic (his mother’s tradition) in the second half of his life. Church of Ireland Archbishop Michael Jackson remarked that the […]

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 […]

The Sister’s Café

Posted on 18. Feb, 2016 in Community, Faith Groups, Family, Feminism/Women in the Church, Relationships, Vocation

Margaret Cartwright A new pop up café is to open its doors on 25 February in the Dominican Adult Education Centre in Blackrock. The “Sister’s Cafe”  it is being run in conjunction with vocations Ireland and is aimed at developing awareness among young women of the role that Irish Sisters play in society. Director of […]

Prayer by Thomas Merton

Posted on 24. Dec, 2015 in Christian Values, Community, Faith and Justice, Prayer, Vocation

Thomas Merton was a writer, mystic, monk, poet, social activist and student of comparative religion. He was fascinated by Eastern Spirituality and met with the Dalia Lama who said he considered himself one of [Thomas Merton’s] Buddhist brothers. John Cooney, journalist and broadcaster has had a long time fascination with Thomas Merton and has written about […]

The Mystery of Thomas Merton

Posted on 10. Dec, 2015 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Eastern Spirituality, Education, Faith and Justice, Gospel Values, Vocation

The monk and hermit Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is hard to define. He was a poet, prolific spiritual writer, diarist, jazz buff, pioneer of inter religious dialogue, advocate of radial social reform and precursor of liberation theology. His works were known worldwide. However despite all his productivity, he was a man of inner turmoil, who died […]

Understanding Alpha

Posted on 22. Oct, 2015 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Gospel Values, Vocation

Fiona O’Connor The Alpha Course, now known simply as Alpha, is an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions. It is described by its organisers as “an opportunity to explore the meaning of life”. More traditionally attended by evangelical Protestants, it has, in recent years been embraced by Christians of all […]

A Different Story

Posted on 27. Aug, 2015 in Church Teachings, Spirituality, Vocation

This week’s pieces come from 2007. Jan Phillips is someone who has a very different story to tell.  At 8 she decided she wanted to become a nun and at 18 entered a convent.  However things didn’t work out and she was asked to leave.  After an initial period of shock and then recovery, she […]

Inspiring Music

Posted on 04. Jun, 2015 in Community, Music, Vocation

Previously we heard from Tim Valentine SJ who entered the army in his forties to train to become a Chaplain. However he literally has many strings to his bow and he is also an accomplished musician. Along with his brother, Peter Valentine, he composed and wrote songs. to share their love of music and their desire […]