Posted on 24. Dec, 2008 in Christmas, Economy, Seasons of the Church Year
Christmas is usually a time that puts a strain on personal finances. However this year in particular has seen more people in need. MABS, the Irish money, advice and budgeting service has seen an increase in calls this year from people looking for help managing their money. Miriam Gormally spoke with the MABS spokesperson Michael […]
Posted on 24. Dec, 2008 in Christmas, Homelessness, Seasons of the Church Year
Alice Leahy is Founder and Director of TRUST. Based in the Liberties in Dublin TRUST provides ‘a befriending, social and health service for people who are homeless.’ Alice stresses that homelessness is not just a Dublin problem, in all our towns and cities every night people are homeless and Christmas-time is especially difficult for them. […]
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 in Christmas, Death, Family, Seasons of the Church Year
James Kilbane has just released a new CD The Christmas Collection which is a heart warming mix of fourteen all time Christmas favourites with a country twist. The album represents James’ musical offering as his contribution to the celebration of Christmas. It is dedicated to his late father, who passed away earlier this year. James […]
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 in Charity, Christmas, Poverty, Seasons of the Church Year
Every year Irish people spend more on presents than any other European nation. And despite talk of recession, we are set to be top spenders again this year. Yet many of those gifts will be things that aren’t needed or possibly even wanted. That is why two organisations Trocaire and Oxfam ask people to give […]
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 in Charity, Christmas, Poverty, Seasons of the Church Year
Every year Irish people spend more on presents than any other European nation. And despite talk of recession, we are set to be top spenders again this year. Yet many of those gifts will be things that aren’t needed or possibly even wanted. That is why two organisations Trocaire and Oxfam ask people to give […]
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 in Christmas, Seasons of the Church Year
Eight year old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s SUN newspaper, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorialon September 21st 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church, has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in […]
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 in Christmas, Economy, Seasons of the Church Year
This Christmas will be a very different Christmas to last year. Many more people are out of work or looking at much more restrained celebrations. Miriam Gormally phoned Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick to find out where people were to find hope or a true Christmas message in all of this, – especially in his […]
Posted on 26. Nov, 2008 in Advent, Christmas, Seasons of the Church Year
Christmas is less than two weeks away, the 3rd candle will be lit and we start hearing something of the joy of Christmas on this Sunday, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice Sunday. For many people it can seem almost impossible to rejoice in these difficult times, so can we enter into the spirit of […]
Posted on 26. Dec, 2007 in Christmas, Seasons of the Church Year
Christmas has become a time for celebration. However that celebration can draw us away from a quieter more reflective meaning of Christmas. Here Christine Clear from the Milltown Institute in Dublin talks to Miriam Gormally about how Christmas, while it is a time for celebration is also a time for darkness, solitude and contemplation.
Posted on 12. Dec, 2007 in Christmas, Ecology, Nature, Seasons of the Church Year
During the Christmas season we have a tradition of bringing nature into out homes, from the Christmas tree to holly to yew logs. Miriam Gormally met John McLaughlin from the tree council of Ireland to find out where these traditions originate. He also explained why it is important to be careful about what we bring […]