Fr. Seán McDonagh draws attention to the failure of the developed world to care for God’s creation.

If we are to share the earth’s resources with everyone, we must accept a reduction in our standard of living, writes Peter McVerry, SJ

Cardinal François Nguyen Van Thuan died from cancer in September, 2002. In 1975 he was named coadjutor archbishop of Ho Chi Min (Saigon). Just three months later he was imprisoned by the communist government. He spent thirteen years in prisons of the regime, nine of them in solitary confinement. In his [...]

Advertising, politics, entertainment: are we losing our grip on reality?

In a thoughtful and provocative new book, Fr D. Vincent Twomey SVD assesses Irish Catholicism in past centuries and in our own time.

Mass attendance in Ireland is continuing to fall. Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, argues that counting heads at Mass is not the most important thing.

Fr Pedro Arrupe on devotion to the Sacred Heart.

On 24 March 1980, Archbishop Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass. He was the most high-profile victim of El Salvador’s civil war between powerful landowners and the dispossessed. This tribute is by Haydee Rodriguez, who moved to the US from Guatemala in her early teens. While studying philosophy at Loyola [...]

Brian Grogan, S.J. finds God busy behind the scenes as the haphazard events of each day unfold.

There are strong links that bind us to others who are part of the vast community of the living and the dead, writes Fr Lawrence Cunnignham.

Fr Morgan Costelloe finds a source of hope as he reflects on bereavement and grief.

How do I go about arranging a baptism?

The priest wants us to have the baptism during Sunday Mass, but we think just have the family and friends around on Sunday afternoon would be better.

Do the Godparents need to be Catholics?

Mary Kearney tells how she experienced God in the difficulties she had in her marriage.

Lindsay tells her faith story!

John Lonergan, the Governor of Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, writes about his view of Christianity.

Mary Kenny, author and journalist, recounts how becoming a mother led her to return to the Church, having been deeply critical of it for many years.

President Mary McAleese tells how her experience of have children has given her some understanding of how God can extend his love to so many. There is no exclusivity in God’s love: it is all-including.

Paddy Monaghan is the leader of the Alpha Course Movement in Ireland. Here he tells of the personal experience that changed his life and led him to devote so much of his time and energy to the task of evangelisation.

Businessman and Senator Feargal Quinn, former Director of Superquinn, tells how being in touch with his dead father has strengthened his faith in the hereafter.

Declan and Sarah O’Brien from Prosperous in Co. Kildare share a novel and simple way of preparing for Christmas with their children by building an atmosphere of love in the home.

Opera singer Michelle Sheridan tells how she keeps her faith alive and nourished and how she manages when her faith is shaken.|

Does my son have to make his first Confession before his first Communion?

My husband, who is not a Catholic, says that seven is far too young for a child receive Communion. What do you think?

I go to Church most Sundays but don’t go to Communion as I’m separated from my husband. I would like to go to Communion with my child on first Communion day, is this all right?

My daughter’s school has decreed that the first Holy Communion group this year are to receive communion in their normal clothes with the family at Mass on any Sunday. We expected the usual white first Communion dress for our daughter. I remember my first communion day as such a happy [...]

My child is just beginning instruction for First Communion at school, but I’ve not been to church for years. I’m worried that either pressure will be put on me to go to church or that my child will be made to think that I’m not as good as the other [...]

I don’t go to church, but I think it would be nice to get my baby baptised to please my gran.

How soon after birth should my child be baptised?