Mystical Understanding

Posted on 27. Aug, 2020 in Religious teaching

Hearing voices and having mystical experiences were often in the past taken as signs of deep spiritual intuition. More recently they have been commonly seen as signs of psychosis or a troubled mind. In this piece from the archives, from 2011, Dr Janet Ruffing RSM, Professor in the Practice of Spirituality and Ministerial Leadership Yale […]

Angels for Little People

Posted on 24. Aug, 2017 in Church Teachings, Faith and Justice, Religious teaching

This piece from 2006 looks at guardian angels for little people.  ‘Oh Angel of God, my guardian dear To whom God’s love commits me here…..’ are some of the most familiar lines many of us learned at a very early age  –  probably the first time we became aware of Angels  –   how they care […]

A Tale of Two Belvederes

Posted on 20. Jul, 2017 in Church Teachings, Religious teaching, Schools

  A Tale of Two Belvederes is the story of two houses, both called ‘Belvedere House.’ Belvedere House in Mullingar, built by ‘the wicked earl’, Robert Rochfort, and Belvedere House in Great Denmark Street, Dublin (now part of Belvedere College), built by his son, George.  Belvedere House in Dublin was brought by the Jesuits in […]

Catholic Education

Posted on 04. Feb, 2016 in Christian Values, Community, Education, Religious patronage, Religious teaching, Schools

Until this Saturday, schools everywhere are celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2016, with the theme “Challenged to Proclaim God’s Mercy”. While Catholic Schools have much to celebrate, Bishop Brendan Kelly writing in the Irish Times talked about how they are also unfairly criticised over their admissions policy. Miriam Gormally spoke with Eithne Woulfe SSL, former principal […]

A Jesuit Education

Posted on 30. Jul, 2015 in Christian Values, Religious teaching, Schools

Jesuit Education and their schools are renowned the world over, often which far more people wanting to attend than there are places. But what is it that makes them so special or desirable? Dr Jean-Pierre Eyanga Ekumeloko was educated in Boboto College in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He says that “There are values, […]

Spiritual Direction

Posted on 05. Mar, 2015 in Religious teaching, Spiritual

Brendan McManus, author and Jesuit priest, currently works in the area of spirituality and spiritual accompaniment in Belfast. He has recently published the book “Redemption Road: Grieving on the Camino” which deals with healing and recovery in the aftermath of his brother’s death. He also moves across the border to Donegal to offer spiritual direction […]

Catholic Education

Posted on 29. Aug, 2013 in Education, Religious teaching, Schools

A piece from our archive – September 16th 2009 – This year’s event will be held on October 5th 2013. Here we look back at what the congress looked at in 2005.   September is back to school month and many parents may be wondering or possibly worrying about their children’s education. One area that […]

Education in Ireland

Posted on 09. May, 2013 in Religious patronage, Religious teaching, Schools

David Tuohy SJ, educationalist and author of “Denominational Education and Politics: Ireland in a European Context” looks at the issue of patronage. He explains to Pat Coyle that while the State is clear that there is a need to divest patronage away from the Church, they don’t necessarily have a clear vision of what is […]

Trainee Teacher

Posted on 25. Apr, 2013 in Religious patronage, Religious teaching, Schools

During Croke Park II, teachers’ salaries have once again come under scrutiny, with the unions so far voting no to proposed changes. However for most trainee teachers, the real issue is whether they will even get a job. Miriam Gormally spoke with Sean Henry, a trainee teacher in Religion and English in Mater Dei. He […]

Religious Education

Posted on 11. Apr, 2013 in Religious patronage, Religious teaching, Schools

Last week, we looked at the topic of religious patronage; this week, we are looking at religious education within the classroom and the difficulties that may arise in teaching the subject. Dr. Gareth Byrne is head of Religious Education in Mater Dei. He is editor of the book Toward Mutual Ground: Pluralism, Religious Education and Diversity […]