Christmas is the ‘Good News’ that never becomes old. It seems quite timely then to revisit the re-telling of this news in a rather special poem written quite some years ago (Christmas 1978) by Sr. Raphael Consedine, pbvm. The words continue to echo in our lives as deep down in their simplicity as they express Presentation Life and the core ...
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Each year as Christmas approaches it seems that one becomes more and more sensitised to the contrast between the ‘commercial frenzy on the streets and in the shops’ and the seemingly ever growing numbers of people who are challenged by life circumstances to the extent that their problems seem insurmountable, and the only way is ‘downwards’. They become part of ...
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Red Wednesday is an initiative of the organisation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) which aims to focus the attention of the western world on the problematic situation that persecuted Christians are facing and to show them our compassion. On this occasion, several churches and public buildings around the world are lit in red. “The persecution of Christians is ...
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On the 24th November the image used at a Papal Mass in Nagasaki had an additional significance: it is a sculpture of Mary that survived the explosion of the atomic bomb in 1945 – The Virgin of Nagaski. When Pope Francis offers Mass during international trips, an image of the Marian devotion of the country he is visiting is usually ...
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The World Day of the Poor is on Sunday 17th November 2019. Such days offer an opportunity for collective focus, concern and commitment to being that living community of consolation, hope and solidarity for those kept poor. They help us to ‘be’ that shelter. As part of his message for the Third World Day of the Poor issued on 13th ...
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So what’s the story with our daily cup of tea/coffee and our desire to help the planet recover from our consumption? Are reusable cups saving the Planet? A reusable cup manufacturer KeepCup have recently shared a number of facts which can really help us assess the contribution we are making. In this article which is shared by www.beanscenemag.com the Keep ...
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It is that wonderful time of year again. The time when we harvest the fruits of our labour and give thanks. It is therefore a fitting time for us to be reminded of the gift of volunteering through the recognition given by the Volunteer Ireland Awards for 2019. Each year, people from all over Ireland are encouraged to nominate the ...
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There can be something quite poignant and breathtaking about the hues, colours and transient light of autumn days. The burnished gold to brown and drop, that signals the ‘turning of the leaf’. These moments of precious recognition, acknowledgement and leave-taking can open up our being to something other than ourselves; the realisation that we are kin to everything. I was ...
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Pope Francis celebrated Mass on World Mission Sunday (October 20th) and in his homily, he challenges us to reflect on the meaning of our mission. See full text HERE Below is a prayerful litany created from his words, as a signpost for our life journey on mission. This should be read in the context of the full article. Life as ...
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“How do we ‘carry Nano’s Lantern’ … and ‘hear the cry of the Earth and those kept poor’ ”? Today, more than ever before, we need people like Nano Nagle*. We need people of courage who are prepared, if necessary, to ‘spend themselves’ for love of the poor and of the planet. This is what it means to carry ‘Nano’s ...
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