I love visiting the cribs in various churches this time of year. Many of you, have by now placed your crib, in a sacred place at home. Saint Francis of […]

An Irish pub’s Christmas video of a lonely, old man has left people in tears. Viewers were “bawling” after watching the heart-wrenching video for Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, […]

Christmas seems to come earlier every year. Already we are well accustomed to Christmas songs, selection boxes have been on sale in our supermarkets since August!! Yet, the four weeks […]

It’s so easy to feel resentful that others are not as we would want them to be. We want them to change but can be so blind to where change […]

There is story in the Gospel about a leper coming to Jesus on his knees and pleading with him, saying, ‘If you want to, you can cure me’. It was […]

It’s hard to believe that this time, three years ago, we were in the heart of a national lockdown. The second lockdown was harder than the first. Nature seemed so […]

This week we begin the new month of November. Traditionally this is the time of year, in the Christian liturgical calendar, when we remember the souls of the faithful departed. […]

The universal Synod, continues throughout this month of October in Rome. I find it refreshing, following the proceedings, with images of women and men actively engaging and discerning, around round […]

Recently, I enjoyed the enormous privilege, visiting Asia, for the first time. It was a wonderful and unique experience, to engage in a very different culture and tradition. My initial […]

Throughout this month of October, a universal Synod of the church, takes place in Rome. This is a historic moment, where discernment, reflection and pragmatic evaluations will take place regarding […]

This year seems to be flying by. It’s hard to believe that we are now beginning the month of October. I pray, this new month will be a healthy and […]

Once upon a time there was a businessman who was sitting on the beach in a small Italian village. As he sat, taking a brief break from the stress of […]

Recent Harvest Thanksgiving Masses, in our local churches, have been a source of deep inspiration. The colour, fragrance, coupled with creativity and gratitude, offered hope and consolation for many people […]

This month of September, has begun with bright, warm sunshine. We all respond positively to light and warmth, its energy helps us to grow and blossom. I was particularly inspired, […]

Imagine that you had to employ a gardener. You ask around among your friends and  neighbours, and eventually you hear of two gardeners who are available. From people who have […]

This was a major week, for over 60,000 students who recieved their leaving certificate results. Sincere best wishes to all students, who soon begin a new journey. I suggest that […]

I remember being very moved by Brendan O’Connor’s interview with Brent Pope some time ago. Brent spoke of his reflective time during the lockdown. He thought of his mother in […]

At 86, Pope Francis, is the oldest Pontiff in over 120 years. Last June, he underwent serious surgery and has made a remarkable recovery. His words and actions, in recent […]

As I write this article, I look out and wonder when the sun will come out. July has been the wettest month ever recorded on this island. Unfortunately, so far […]

This week we begin the month of August, traditionally the harvest season. Weather has been a huge focus on conversation and contemplation in recent times. July, on our island was […]

Every institution needs to be accountable, transparent and discerning. We have lived through the consequences of poor governance and its drastic consequences from Church to Banking, the latest on this […]

From the crowded city streets to the busy town hall square, from the local village community to the crofter’s moorland cottage we find human beings going about their business. Some […]

Kevin was a giant of a man in so many ways. Throughout his life in all things his role was one of captain, the eldest and proud captain of the […]

How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you’re trying to get to sleep, and the wind keeps […]

Recently, Cardinal Dolan of New York celebrated Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral to mark the end of the diocesan phase of the cause for the canonisation of Dorothy Day. The […]

This week we celebrate the summer solstice. The past few weeks we have all enjoyed magnificent weather. The summer brightness awakens within us a deep sense of gratitude and hope, […]

I recently came across this inspirational story….. A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said: “Puppies for Sale.” Signs like this always have a way of attracting […]

People meeting with people, discussions held round tables decorated with flowers, microphones adjusted for clarity of sound and a fine meal together in the evening. The formal setting of the […]

There are some very sharp turnings in life, as we know – and if we don’t we’ll find that out soon enough. Most of us, most of the time settle […]

Summer, is a wonderful time of year, long bright days that awaken within us all, a sense of peace and calm. Traditionally during summer time those who are fortunate enough […]

In the last years of his life, the great cellist and conductor Pablo Casals suffered greatly from rheumatoid arthritis and emphysema. At 90, he was badly stooped, his head thrust […]

Pope Francis often refers to the “Poison of Gossip”. Passing on bad news is negative and toxic. The more at peace we are within ourselves, the more at peace we […]

The Irish Bishop’s conference has initiated a year of prayer for vocations to the diocesan priesthood. Prayer and priesthood are closely connected. Priesthood ultimately is about service fuelled from God’s […]

Recent fine weather has given us an opportunity to refresh and renew. It amazes me, how we awaken with such hope and energy because of sunlight. Nature is looking splendid […]

In his recent Easter message, Pope Francis, reminds us “God loves us as we are, in our own unique way, our Creator, delights in what has been created”. A worrying […]

Easter is a wonderful time of year. Nature, reflects the transformation, from darkness into light. New green leaves, spring blossoms and brighter days lift our mood and awakens within us […]

How often do we find ourselves thinking where has time gone? Already in 2023, we have moved from the darkness of winter into the freshness of brighter evenings with the […]

Pope Francis, recently celebrated his 10th anniversary since becoming leader of the Catholic Church. His leadership is a remarkable one. Actions always speak louder than words, Francis, by his humility […]

Sure I love the dear silver that shines in your hair. Does anyone recognise that song? An old, old Irish favourite, Mother Machree. I remember my father singing it to […]

It’s hard to believe, three years ago, a national lockdown commenced, as we endured the fear and anxiety, that’s part of a pandemic. That’s why this year 2023, there is […]

Jesus wasn’t “laid back”. He had a sense of urgency about him, and he communicated that to others, especially his immediate followers. Why? Because he cared passionately about people. The […]

As the evenings lengthen and new signs of life appear in our gardens we welcome a new Spring. The following ancient story tells how the simple spring air can refresh […]

Feb 22nd, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This is a season of reflection that leads us towards the three days of the Triduum, with Easter Sunday falling on […]

How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you’re trying to get to sleep, and the wind keeps […]

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, an  elderly man was taking a walk along the beach. He was relaxed and content. The sun shone brightly in the […]

I love this time of year, a time to embrace brighter evenings and early mornings. Already there are signs of the new spring. Snowdrops, emerging from the winter soil. I’m […]

St. Ignatius of Loyola’s (1491-1556), great insight came while he was convalescing after a serious injury. God was communicating within him through his daydreams initially, leading him away from selfish […]

The third Monday of January 2023 has been branded Blue Monday. It begins what many describe as the most depressing week of the year. It is a gloomy time for […]

In the annals of papal history, Joseph Ratzinger, who has died aged 95, will be remembered principally as the first pope in 600 years to retire, rather than to die […]

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Christmas 2022 is here. Yet another year has passed with all its many changes and immense challenges. Yet, the Christmas message remains timeless. ‘The Word became flesh and lived for […]

We are about to celebrate Christmas once again. I’m sure for the vast majority, this Christmas, will be greatly enhanced as we live in a post pandemic world. It’s hard […]

Time moves by very quickly. Where has 2022 gone? I  sincerely pray that the Lord’s rich blessing will be given to you and your families this Christmas. Christmas, is a […]

In the northern hemisphere, Christmas comes in an extraordinary time of the year. In our most vulnerable and darkest days, we are invited to indulge in a light that is […]

It should be no secret to anyone that we do not know the date of Christ’s birth, and so the Church baptised a Pagan feast. The Pagans saw the world […]

Social media is a great thing. It’s a very clever use of technology which allows us to connect with a wide circle of people in many different locations all over […]

The Art of Letting Go is about deciding to stop making the same mistakes and choosing to take a different path. It has been said that insanity is doing the […]

Ratheniska Children’s Choir Consent Form The post Ratheniska Children’s Choir Permission Form appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.

Recently, Cardinal Mario Grech, speaking in relation to the universal Synod warned against “The Danger of Keeping Silent”. The Synodal process is a time for speech, a time to let […]

Halloween did not come from Hollywood but rather its origins are strongly connected to ancient Celtic roots. In Celtic Ireland, about two millennia ago, Samhain was the point between the […]

Hunger is a problem that has plagued humanity for millennia, and it continues to haunt us. The United Nations and World Food Programme 2021 report, projected that between 720 and […]

Lord Increase our Faith You don’t just wake up one morning, light streaming in from the window, birds fluttering about, and jump from your bed with exuberance declaring “I have […]

Peace of mind, is a feeling of being safe or protected, it is the absence of worry. It’s achieving a calm state of mind regardless of your situation and circumstances. […]

Steve Montgomery was headed home from a painting job when something crazy happened. As he drove down the interstate, he noticed what looked like a pipe rolling around in the […]

The recent National Synthesis document, followed extensive consultation with thousands of Irish Catholics across the island since last October and culminating in reports published last June from each of the […]

These are historic times. The death of Queen Elizabeth 11, has brought with it a huge outpouring of grief and sympathy, for a life that has “fought the good fight, […]

One day a man walked past a camp of elephants. Looking closer, he was surprised to see that these mighty animals weren’t held in cages or kept in chains. The […]

It’s hard to believe that it’s back to school time again. This has been a wonderful summer and I do hope that all school communities feel a sense of being […]

There has been much discussion and commentary, regarding the publication of the synthesis of feedback from our national Synod. The synod is a process, initiated by Pope Francis, in an […]

A small number of public figures are instantly recognisable by their first name. One of them is Brother Kevin, the founder of the Capuchin Centre in Dublin’s Bow Street who […]

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door […]

The following is a profound and yet very real story, told in relation to our human need in times of crisis as we turn to prayer. So often we can […]

Time seems to be moving extremely quickly. It’s hard to believe that August has arrived. This is a wonderful time of year when harvest begins to be gathered, a time […]

The following stories awaken a sense of hope and encouragement for us all. Well worth reflecting upon…. The Frog Race There was once a bunch of tiny frogs, who arranged […]

In the secular world, mindfulness is much  embraced and practiced. Personally, I find it  difficult to differentiate between practicing mindfulness and prayer. Prayer and meditation similarly are extremely nourishing and […]

A second class student in primary school recently wrote the following wisdom……… One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so […]

Despite all the bad news, regarding huge queues and cancellation of scheduled air flights, it is still wonderful that Dublin International Airport, enjoys a return to full and active business, […]

Recently, the chiming of a bell at the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise, was significant. Laity, religious, priests and bishops, all participated at a daylong national assembly of the Irish […]

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his […]

The month of June, is a wonderful time of year. Long bright days that awaken within us all a sense of peace and calm. Traditionally during summer time those who […]

As we have begun the month of June, I pray sincerely that this bright month, will be a time of rich blessing, health of body and peace of mind for […]

Anything that you have to control, controls you. There are many variations to this story, but it’s quite instructive. In South America, Africa and Asia, the natives have devised a […]

The following is a biography of the wonderful life, of an inspirational Christian, recently canonised by Pope Francis. For all of us it is good to remember, “Every Saint has […]

There is story in the Gospel about a leper coming to Jesus on his knees and pleading with him, saying, ‘If you want to, you can cure me’. It was […]

It’s good to think of prayer, not just as saying prayers, or speaking to God, but as listening to God; not just as words but as silence; not just the […]

Security is an important reality we all desire, even though most of us spend most of our lives doing just that. We long for certainty, wanting to nail down a […]

As we move closer to the Month of May, it brings a sense of hope and fresh opportunity. A recent walk in Emo Court, reminded me how beautiful creation truly […]

Easter is a time of hope and new life, an opportunity to begin again in a new way. The Angel said to the wounded followers of Jesus “Why look among […]

This is Holy Week, a sacred time when through ritual and symbolism we remember and give thanks for the great sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us. Jesus in […]

The number of priests and members of religious orders in Ireland has dropped by 70% since 1970. In the past three years more than 25% of all priests in Ireland […]

Tanks in the city streets of Ukraine. Blocks of flats on fire. Wrecked and burnt-out trucks, twisted metal and shattered windows. Small groups of cold and frightened civilians shelter in […]

St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) was a French Catholic who became a Carmelite nun at an early age. She died in obscurity at the age of 24. However, after her […]

After two long years of lockdowns and living with the reality of pandemic, it is with a great sense of joy that we can celebrate our national feast day together […]

We can wait no longer. Martin Luther King’s Letter to White Church Leaders In 1960, Martin Luther King was imprisoned after leading a civil rights march. His dream seemed a […]

Saint Basil, known as the Great, was a  fourth-century bishop of the Eastern Church who was known for his care for the poor. He was also the writer of a […]

In the Bible, the Virgin Mary was named Sella Maris, which means star of the sea. The Virgin Mary is a symbol of guidance and protection for people in difficulty […]

Most of us live rushed lives, dashing from one thing to another. One consequence is that we live on the surface of life, skimming over it. We may pass through […]

February, is such a beautiful month, brighter evenings and earlier mornings, awakens within us, a new energy. Winter has passed and thankfully the darkness of a dreadful pandemic also is […]

There was a great sense of relief and unburdening when An Taoiseach Micheal Martin, announced the ending of most of the restrictions, regarding COVID-19. We were all invited whilst keeping […]

The recent tragic death of Ashling Murphy, has left a deep sense of vulnerability and pain, in the heart and soul of our nation. Ashling’s, horrific murder has brought with […]