Overcoming Unemployment

Posted on 04. Jun, 2015 in Community, Mental Health

Recent figures show a decline in unemployment, but the story is somewhat more complex for people who have been in long-term unemployment. Michelle Murphy from Social Justice Ireland, who are working to build a just society, spoke about how people who have been long-term unemployed for  suffer consequences their entire lives. Also the reducing in […]

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 […]

In Gratitude

Posted on 14. May, 2015 in Christian Values, Community, Nature, Vocation

In Gratitude: The Story of a Gift-Filled Life, published by Orpen Press, is the story of Catherine McCann, who grew up in Simmonscourt Castle in Dublin 4, before joining the Religious Sisters of Charity. Last week we looked at one of her great lifetime achievements, The Shekinah Sculpture Garden. This week we explore her life […]

Shekina Sculptures Garden

Posted on 07. May, 2015 in Art, Community, Ecology

Catherine McCann has lead a very eventful life, including doing a phd at 70 and travelling to India to deepen her spirituality at 81. She is also the founder and owner of the Shekina Sculpture Garden Shakina garden in the Glenmalure Valley, close to the Avonbeg river and under the shadows of Fannierin mountain in […]

Ending Mortgage Arrears Crisis

Posted on 07. May, 2015 in Community, Economy

2015 has seen a dramatic increase in Possession Orders. This mean a great deal of stress for the individual involved. This is no surprise to the legal rights organisation, Free Legal Advice Centres or FLAC, who have been working  with and on behalf of borrowers in mortgage arrears for some time. They have been insisting […]

First Lady Bishop

Posted on 23. Apr, 2015 in Christian Values, Church of Ireland, Community, Feminism/Women in the Church, Vocation

It’s been nearly two years since Bishop Patricia Storey was appointed to succeed Richard Clarke as Bishop of Meath and Kildare. At the time there was great media interest in the first woman to be elected as a bishop in the Church of Ireland and the first female Anglican Communion bishop in Ireland and Great […]

The meaning of Spring

Posted on 05. Feb, 2015 in Community, EcoCongregations, Ecology, Nature, Saints

Spring is a season, bringing fresh life and new hope, beginning with St. Brigid’s Day.  It is a time of renewal and planting, something that is well known to Sr. Pauline McGrath, a Dominican sister who lives and works down in An Tairseach. An Tairseach is an organic farm where the Dominican sister live and […]

Beatification of Chiara Lubich

Posted on 29. Jan, 2015 in Community, Feminism/Women in the Church, Gospel Values, Saints, Young people

With interest and excitement members and friends of the Focolare in Ireland and all over the world have welcomed the news that their founder Chiara Lubich has begun the journey towards beatification. The beatification takes place in Rome where Msgr. Raffaello Martinelli has chosen the Cathedral of Frascati, for the official opening of the “process on the life, […]

Creating a Fair Economy

Posted on 29. Jan, 2015 in Community, Economy, Faith and Justice

Social Justice Ireland are working to build a just society where human rights are respected, human dignity is protected, human development is facilitated and the environment is respected and protected. At a recent conference they looked at some ways in which the tax system could help contribute towards a fairer society. Michelle Murphy, from Social […]

The Pope in the Philippines

Posted on 22. Jan, 2015 in Community, Faith and Justice, Humanitarian Aid, Mass

The Pope captured the world’s attention with his recent trip to the Philippines. Gathering record crowds of over six million in Manila, he brought a message of compassion and simplicity to the people. His Papacy has been strongly focused on people living in the economic margins and he faced up to some hard questions from […]