News

A total of 102,500 people attended the first day of the 2019 National Ploughing Championships, a figure confirmed  by the National Ploughing Association (NPA). This figure  is substantially up on the 97,500 attendees that attended day one of last year’s ‘Ploughing’. Today, those who attend experience everything from farming to fashion, artisan foods to top-of-the range machinery, as well as ...

As the National  Ploughing Championships begin in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow in these days we are reminded of the vitality of  our daily relationship with nature and of the inter-relatedness of all life; whether ‘walking lightly on the Earth’ or working in and for this ‘Our Common Home’.  Through this  experience we have the opportunity to ‘keep pace’ with the ...

This poem by the poet Hafiz, provided the powerful reflection piece shared with participants at our North East Province Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission Justice event in November 2018. I have come into this world to see this I have come into this world to see this: the sword drop from men’s hands even at the height ...

In December 2016, President Michael D. Higgins announced that sculptor Rachel Joynt had won the prestigious competition to create a 1916 themed sculpture for Áras an Uachtaráin. The winning design, was\entitled ‘Dearcán na nDaoine / People’s Acorn’ and used the symbolism of an acorn’s journey from small seed to majestic oak, to commemorate the past events of the 1916 Rising ...

Every time of year and season has its beauty if we have the ‘eyes’ to see. However, more often than not, that beauty beckons ‘heart to heart’, without us having to do anything at all, other than just be present to it.  This experience  can help  confirm in us a realisation of  ‘what beauty is for’.  The poet Mary Oliver ...

Pope Francis has established the 1st September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. The day is inspired by Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si, which calls on “every person living on this planet” to care for our shared Earth.  He calls us ...

Today is the 140th anniversary of the apparitions at Knock, Co. Mayo.   The Story of Knock began on Thursday evening of the 21st August, 1879, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the church at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland.  Beside them and a little to their left was an altar ...

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is held every year on 19th August to pay tribute to Aid Workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. The theme of the 2019 WHD is ‘Women Humanitarians’. We honour the work of women in crises throughout the world. We focus on the ...

On August 15, we celebrate the Assumption of Mary.  Although the Assumption of Mary is not recorded in Scripture, the Church has vast historical knowledge regarding this early Christian celebration. After the building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 336, the sacred sites there began to be restored and memories of the life of Our Lord began to ...

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said in his message, “The world is indebted to the people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the other A-bombed city, for their courage and moral leadership in reminding us all about the human cost of nuclear war.” Hiroshima marked the 74th anniversary of its atomic bombing by the United States on Tuesday 6th August, with ...