News

The genealogy of Jesus in Mathew 1:1 – 17 names only five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary.  For centuries people have been intrigued by the inclusion of these diverse and often unorthodox women.  This online course offered by Mount St. Anne’s Retreat and Conference Centre is an opportunity to explore their individual stories through scripture and art, and ...

You are invited to participate in an online journey from Easter to Pentecost facilitated by Gráinne Doherty. This online retreat opportunity is provided by Mount St. Anne’s Retreat and Conference Centre see: HERE    (Please note that Mount St. Anne’s is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions). ‘Peace be with you’ (Jn 20:19): Journeying from Easter to Pentecost ...

“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord.” These are the words that open Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology and care for God’s creation. These words, quoting St. Francis of Assisi’s beautiful canticle, remind us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms ...

Sunday 3rd May, 2020 is the 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. On the 8th March this year, Pope Francis shared a message for this day.  See  Full text HERE In his message he used four key words – pain, gratitude, encouragement and praise. He said:  “I believe that today, on this 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, ...

Poetry Day Ireland takes place on Thursday 30 April 2020 and the theme this year is ‘There will be time’.  Whether you share a poem, read a poem, or programme your own online event, everyone is invited to join in and celebrate this day.  The fact that the theme for this day is on time could not be more apt ...

We celebrate the 5th anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical Letter:  Laudato Si   – On Care of Our Common Home  this year, on 24th May 2020.  This unique, accessible and very powerful landmark document continues to speak to our lives and the needs of our world today when we are experiencing daily, just how intimately human and planetary health are ...

I love the concept of a litany as a poetic form of ‘call and response’.  Also the fact that it is both prayer, petition and pleading but with a comforting rhythm and trust that it will be heard and heeded.  The Greek origin of the word means “entreaty” or “supplication”. In prayer and religious ritual it has such positive cogitations, ...

Having read many pieces written in the past weeks about what is needed to maintain one’s sanity and balance in these perilous and challenging times that we are living now, it seems to me that what is needed is something more than maintaining our balance and well-being.  It is also about sustaining and nurturing our relationship with each other and ...

Earth Hour takes place on Saturday 28th March at 8.30 pm your local time!  The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action.   ‘Earth Hour’ initiated the first symbolic ‘lights out’ event which took place in Sydney in 2007.  This gesture of ‘switching off’ back then was initiated as a trigger to remind humanity to stop, conserve, ponder and act in solidarity ...

  At 12 noon today, Wednesday 25th March, 2020  on the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary, families, individuals and religious communities joined with bishops and priests from all over the island of Ireland in consecrating the people of Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for strength and protection from the Coronavirus, Covid-19. This Consecration also coincided with an ...