World Youth Day – Australia 2008! – Bishop Anthony Fisher

Posted on 18. Oct, 2006 in Church Teachings, Different abilities, Environment, Faith and Justice, Festivals, Relationships

Sydney‘s Randwick Racecourse has just been announced as the location for World Youth Day 2008. The venue is just one of the many details currently being discussed by the organisers in Sydney. Bishop Anthony Fisher is coordinator of World Youth Day 2008 and he told Piaras Jackson of his hopes for the big event.

Child Witches in the Congo – Muireann Kirrane

Posted on 18. Oct, 2006 in Church Teachings, Economy, Environment, Faith and Justice, Health, Poverty

All over the country children here are dressing up for Halloween, many of them as witches and sorcerers.  And it’s all in good fun.  But in the Congo, witchcraft and sorcery has become very sinister and disturbing.  Young children, accused of witchcraft are being thrown out of their homes –and it’s not to go trick […]

Trocáire in Darfur

Posted on 04. Oct, 2006 in Charity, Church Teachings, Death, Environment, Health, Humanitarian Aid, Poverty

Violence erupted in Darfur in 2003, between Arab nomadic farmers and a settled African community competing over land.  Two rebel groups from the African community, who have been largely neglected by an Arab dominated nation, rose up in rebellion in 2003.  The government armed the local militia who have spent the last 3 years attacking […]

The New Maeve Binchy Novel

Posted on 20. Sep, 2006 in Book review, Book Reviews, Church Teachings, Environment, Saints

One of the striking things in Maeve Binchy’s new book, “White Thorn Woods” is the portrayal of a parish priest.  She gives an insightful and sympathetic account of some of the stress and loneliness that a Priest’s life can involve.  Here Peter O’Connor reviews the book. 

The Ploughing Championships

Posted on 20. Sep, 2006 in Church Teachings, Environment, Faith and Justice, Festivals, Religious patronage, Religious teaching, Youth

The diocese of Kildare and Leighlin will, for the first time have an exhibition stand at the World Ploughing Championships in Grangeford, Tullow, Co Carlow from Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th September 2006.  The theme is to reach out to people and let them know about the various ministries, services and initiatives in the diocese […]

Hurricane Katrina, One Year Later

Posted on 06. Sep, 2006 in Death, Environment, Faith and Justice, Poverty

Last September, New Orleans was almost completely wiped out by hurricane Katrina.  Many of the poorest communities were badly affected and one year later are now trying to rebuild their lives.  Maura O’Donovan and Teresa Rooney CHF were both working there at the time.  Teresa was working in the now famous Lower Ninth Ward of […]

Pakistan: Post Earthquake

Posted on 30. Nov, 2005 in Environment, Natural Disaster

Colette Kirwan from Trocaire speaks to us about the devastation in Pakistan after the recent earthquake. She talks about the mood there currently and the feelings of confusion and fear of after shocks. She reminds us not to forget about the people of Pakistan coming up to the Christmas period and to please make donations […]

Trees in Our Lives

Posted on 30. Mar, 2005 in Ecology, Education, Environment

The Tree Council of Ireland is a voluntary non-governmental organisation that aims to educate the public about trees and be a representative voice for tree culture and tree promotion. John McLoughlin talks to Miriam Gormally about the importance of connecting with nature and how they are trying to educate the population by introducing an informative […]

Trees in Easter

Posted on 16. Mar, 2005 in Easter, Ecology, Environment, Seasons of the Church Year

The role of the Tree Council is to promote the planting, care and enjoyment of trees. John McLoughlin speaks to Miriam Gormally about the significance of trees at Easter time, starting with Palm Sunday. He talks about the ‘Crown of Thorns’ of Good Friday, the wood used to make the cross and the Elder Tree […]