Mount St. Anne’s Retreat and Conference Centre (Killenard, Portarlington, Co. Laois) is located in the heart of the Irish midlands. The very special surroundings and the closeness to nature contribute to the renewal that can be experienced through these Autumn Opportunities on offer through the Centre. All courses will run from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm (GMT). Mount St. Anne’s ...
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In the old Europe we inherited from the Bronze Age, this great feast of the Solstice was celebrated with multitudinous small fires lit throughout the countryside. Fire and the great living sun two great aspects of the flame to be honoured. The Summer Solstice on June 21st traditionally marks the start of the astronomical summer which ends with the autumn ...
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Sunday June 20, 2021 is UN World Refugee Day. As the world celebrates the progress made to advance refugee protection polices and acknowledges the contributions that refugees have made in their host countries, it is important to remember that the need to continue to advance humane policies is now more critical than ever. We often think of refugees as those ...
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At a time when the role of women in shaping society was severely restricted, [Nano Nagle] lived on the razor’s edge, a woman fearless before a tyrannical world. A woman ‘Ablaze with God’. ‘Nano Nagle, a woman ablaze with God, you daily walked the razor’s edge of life, witnessing to the divine conspiracy of love. Awaken within us the fire ...
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This year’s World Day Against Child Labour is the first World Day since the universal ratification of the UN’s International Labour Organisation’s Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, and takes place at a time when the COVID-19 crisis threatens to reverse years of progress in tackling the problem. This Day falls each year on June 12 ...
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For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority. COP26 in 2021 will be the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. ...
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The publication of the encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home” by Pope Francis, on 24th May 2015 was truly a landmark moment – a vital reference document of theological and spiritual impact, a rich meditation, and a practical signpost on collaboration, as well as a call to each of us individually, and together, to acknowledge our ...
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May 1st is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker. The Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (8 December 2020) was written by Pope Francis, for this year dedicated to St Joseph (from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021). The Letter provides a direct inroad into the heart of this man Joseph, spouse of Mary, who was a beloved, tender, ...
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Racism is a deeply rooted evil. It transcends generations and contaminates societies. It perpetuates inequality, oppression and marginalization. Our duty, as responsible global citizens, is to eradicate it. Wherever we see racism, we must condemn it with-out reservation, without hesitation, without qualification. This includes looking into our own hearts and minds. Each of us needs to ask: Am I and ...
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Wednesday 24th March was the feast day of St. Oscar Romero. Both Oscar Romero and Nano Nagle were people who allowed themselves to be disturbed by the suffering of humanity around them, by the injustices and ‘unjust actions’ perpetrated on behalf of those who should have been the ‘guardians of care and support’ for those kept poor. Disturb Us, Lord. ...
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