Rev. Lawrence F. Murphy’s personal recollections of the epoch-making election of Pope John XXIII.
Irish Catholics should welcome the open space that secularism provides, not fear it, writes Sean O’Conaill.
Sister Maureen MacMahon OP writes on her passion for art.
David Gaffney SJ proposes many ways in which we can de-clutter our own lives and assist people in need at no extra cost to ourselves.
Helen Doherty learns that to be a good mother one doesn’t have to be perfect, just good enough.
For Eileen and Brian Foley, their daughter Catherine has been a blessing and a joy, in spite of her severe health problems.
Nancy Donoghue reflects on the blessings beyond the tragedies in her life as a mother, particularly the tragedy of losing her eight-year-old daughter.
Mass attendance in Ireland is continuing to fall. Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, argues that counting heads at Mass is not the most important thing.
In a thoughtful and provocative new book, Fr D. Vincent Twomey SVD assesses Irish Catholicism in past centuries and in our own time.
Advertising, politics, entertainment: are we losing our grip on reality?
How soon after birth should my child be baptised?
I don’t go to church, but I think it would be nice to get my baby baptised to please my gran.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 husband, who is not a Catholic, says that seven is far too young for a child receive Communion. What do you think?
Does my son have to make his first Confession before his first Communion?
Opera singer Michelle Sheridan tells how she keeps her faith alive and nourished and how she manages when her faith is shaken.|
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.
Do the Godparents need to be Catholics?
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.
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 [...]
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
Fr. Seán McDonagh draws attention to the failure of the developed world to care for God’s creation.
I want my baby baptised but I’m not married, will the priest make a fuss about this?
I’m worried that our non-church-going guests might not feel at home?
How much does a baptism cost?
My mother says babies who die before being baptised go to limbo. What does this mean?
Isn’t it best to let children make up their own mind about religious things when they are old enough rather than baptise babies?
How do I go about arranging a baptism?
