Prepare the Way of the Lord

Posted on 12. Dec, 2019 in Christian Values, Community, Music

In this second piece of music for Advent, “Prepare the Way of the Lord” by Sister Marie Dunne, we contemplates the sense of excitement and anticipation that precedes the arrival of Jesus. Sister Marie is a native of Dublin, and member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Faith. She has been a composer […]

Religious Literacy

Posted on 12. Dec, 2019 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community

Dr Fainche Ryan is the director of the Loyola Institute in TCD Dublin, and she is organising a conference on “Religious Literacy – Challenges for Today”. Here she explains to Pat Coyle that religious literacy means knowledge of core religious beliefs, symbols and practices operative within a culture. She adds that many have noted an […]

Waiting – Advent Music

Posted on 05. Dec, 2019 in Advent, Community, Music, Seasons of the Church Year

Our piece of music for Advent comes from Sister Marie Dunne, a native of Dublin, and member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Faith. Entitled “Waiting” it sums up the feelings and expectations that all surround the Advent Season. Marie has been a composer of liturgical and religious music for over 30 […]

Pressure at Christmas

Posted on 05. Dec, 2019 in Achievement, Christian Values, Christmas, Church Teachings, Community, Economy, Faith and Justice

Christmas is a time for celebration, but for many living on low or fixed incomes, it can be a time of stress and worry. In this piece from our archives, Michelle Murphy from Social Justice Ireland said she sometimes gets calls from people in summer wondering how they will manage over Christmas. She says that […]

Celebrating Marriage

Posted on 28. Nov, 2019 in Christian Values, Community, Family, Married Couples, Mass, Music, Sexuality, Vocation

Not many know that marriage was one of the last sacraments to be included, says Richard Leonard SJ in his book, Hatch Match & Dispatch: A Catholic Guide to Sacraments. He talks about why it is so important and that it’s wonderful to have a sacrament to celebrate and promote the healthy sexuality of marriage. He […]

Adding a Christian Voice

Posted on 21. Nov, 2019 in Community, Environment, Faith Groups

Ciara Murphy and Keith Adams speak to Pat Coyle about the importance of their roles at the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. They see great value in having an independent Christian voice talking about issues ranging from housing to the environment. Ciara is environmental policy advocate at the Jesuit centre. Her role includes working […]

Sexuality and Salvation Part II

Posted on 21. Nov, 2019 in Celibacy/Sexuality, Christian Values, Community, Feminism/Women in the Church, Relationships, Sexuality

Fr Bernárd Lynch recently received the Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad from President Michael D. Higgins on November 21 in honour of the work he did as a priest to those with AIDS/HIV. For fifteen years, he was Theological Consultant to Dignity New York – an organisation for LGBT Catholic and their friends. […]

Shining a light on Animals

Posted on 14. Nov, 2019 in Christian Values, Church of Ireland, Community, Saints

Following successful solo exhibitions across Europe, Eve Parnell returns to Germany, with “Sunbeam” a collection offering a series of beautiful, poignant drawings, focusing on animals. Using the great tradition of Fine Art, she gently addresses issues which are having a detrimental impact on our society today. Many of the pictures have an uncanny sense to […]

Remembering Gay Byrne

Posted on 07. Nov, 2019 in Christian Values, Community

The passing of Gay Byrne, one of Ireland’s most recognisable personalities and the man affectionately known as ‘Uncle Gaybo’ was  a blow to the whole nation. It brought back memories of the stories he covered that shaped Ireland and made it the country it is today. He was most famous for The Late, Late Show, but […]

Understanding the Eucharist

Posted on 07. Nov, 2019 in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Gospel Values, Vocation

Australian Jesuit Richard Leonard takes a look at the meaning of the Eucharist.  He says it is the ultimate meal of sacrificial love. Drawing from his latest book, Hatch, Match & Dispatch: A Catholic Guide to Sacraments, with Paulist Press, he says that the Eucharist is more encompassing than people imagine, involving all aspects of […]