"A substantial number of young people do not ask the Church for anything because they do not see it as significant for their lives."
In relation to the shortage of priests in the Church, Fr Brian McKevitt said it was no wonder there was a shortage, as no young man would want to join “an outfit that doesn’t even believe in itself or doesn’t believe in its own mission”.
“Isobel was so excited for her big day next year and when she found out that she may have to celebrate it without all her friends she was extremely disappointed.”
“I have great faith. I often think of the prophet Abraham who never reached the promised land and yet he remained faithful to what he was asked to do in the mission of life."
We live in a world that encourages euthanasia and views jumping in front of a train as an inconvenience for commuters……… Visiting a friend the other day, he told me that a close relation of his had recently committed suicide. I did not like to ask questions, but learnt that the person in question was
Secretary General of WMOF2018, Fr Timothy Bartlett, delighted at having reached milestone in volunteering numbers, but thousands more volunteers needed.
Symposium will include presentations by John Waters on ‘Taking us Back to the Father’, Rev Ginnie Kennerley on ‘The Family Today: Healing and Expansion in Christ’, and Nick Park on ‘Modern Family – Ancient Problems’.
Parish community and clergy pay tribute to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for his inspirational leadership and his role in WMoF2018.
“People of faith cannot escape, nor should we want to escape, the expansion of perspective on the cosmos that he has given us."
Jesus is risen and is with us and He helps us to be people of life and light in a time marked by many dimensions of darkness.
The Catholic education system has been so successful because it is catholic in the true sense of the word ... It is inclusive, outward looking and thoroughly excited to share the Good News with all and sundry.
Pope Francis releases message for 2018 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Like St Laurence O'Toole "we need a faith where theology and prayer, witness and care of the poor belong together and can influence the world around us and make society more loving" - Archbishop of Dublin.
Archbishop Eamon Martin tells Irish Catholic education conference: "In a Catholic school, religion is not an added extra to be fitted in during break time or twilight hours or registration."
The Finding Faith in Ireland research shows that one-third of Christian youth (33%) attended church in the last week and detects decreasing religious practice among young adults as they mature.
Let us pray for our parishes, that they may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.
“Young people appreciate authenticity and if what we say is real, then it resonates for them,” Bishop of Limerick advises in run-up to Synod on youth.
Over 1,000 young people pray for victims of terrorist attack at Youth 2000 summer festival in Tipperary.
The lessons we learn on this mountain need to be rooted in our everyday routine: great and unselfish teamwork when the person who finds the going tough is granted a helping hand; when the one who stumbles and falls is set on their feet again; when the climber who is confused is welcomed back.
When a Christian becomes sad, it means that he has distanced himself from Jesus. But then, we must not leave him alone. We should offer him Christian hope!
We bring the presence of Jesus on to our streets to bring hope, to be a blessing and to build up communion: communion with Jesus Christ, a communion that then binds us together to build wider communion and community.
Remember what the Holy Spirit took from the disciples in the upper room: their fear and anxiety about the future – Bishop Denis Brennan at the ordination of Fr Billy Caulfied.
At the Easter Vigil Mass in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin regrets that many have experienced Christianity as a “faith of prohibitions”.
Ordained ministers have a responsibility to “help people to lift their gaze beyond the pessimism of those who speak today of ‘new dark ages’ and enable them to discern a distant horizon of hope”.
There were 132,200 fewer Catholics in Ireland over the past five years, down to 3,729,100 from 3,861,300 in 2011.
“I believe in the kingdom to come, and I’ll go on till the end of time,” Fergus McCormack tells congregations in Kildare.
Primate of Ireland speaks about resilience at fundraiser in aid of Aware’s services to the suicidal and depressed at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.
“We had people contacting us from all over the world and today at Knock was no different. I must have met everyone in the basilica after Mass and many travelled for hours.”
“It will be impossible for us to hold on to the ways we lived parish in the past. The parishes of tomorrow will be ‘communities of intentional disciples’ sustained by committed and formed lay people.”
The funeral Mass for Alan and Clodagh Hawe and their three children, Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) has taken place at St Mary’s Church, Castlerahan in Co Cavan.
