The recent publication of the Scoping Inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools, details the horrific trauma inflicted by the abuse of young students. This dark chapter in Irish society continues to reveal systemic and unimaginable suffering of young students whose innocent lives were so violated consequently. We must never become desensitised to what seems The post Dark Chapter of Abuse appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.

There was once a bunch of tiny frogs, who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began…No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would The post Don’t Quit appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.

It is not God, but our false images of God we need to challenge ourselves about. God is not a puppeteer who is pulling the strings on everything that happens in our world. God is three persons in one being. John’s Gospel tells us that God is love, three persons madly in love with each The post Meditation….. Food For The Soul appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.

This September a relic of blessed Carlo Acutis will be brought to Ireland by 3 Franciscan friars from Assisi where his mortal remains repose. Portlaoise Parish Church is  privileged to be one of the places chosen to host this visit. We look forward to this on the 11th, 12th and 13th Sept. This soon to The post Blessed Carlos Acutis relics visit Portlaoise Parish Church appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.

Recent violent protests in the United Kingdom regarding racial tensions, displays firsthand the horrible reality of racism and prejudice. We live in turbulent times, where polarisation and extremism are becoming all too familiar. The Gospels tell the story of how to overcome this reality. Written in the context of a new movement, trying to overcome The post Compassion and Kindness appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.

Earlier this summer, Pope Francis, hosted more than a hundred comedians from around the world at the Vatican. The entourage of comedians included some famous names, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien, famed television comedic personalities in the States. Our own Tommy Tiernan and Ardal O’Hanlon were also present. The gathering was organised The post Laughter is Good for the Soul appeared first on Portlaoise Parish.