‘Shouldering the Lamb: Reflections on an Icon’ by Dr Richard Clarke of Armagh contains 11 meditations on the ancient figure of the shepherd carrying a lamb across his shoulders.
“A priest is certainly not the man who arrives into a parish, perfectly packaged, with all the answers."
19 new seminarians have begun their formation for Irish dioceses, eight of whom have begun a propaedeutic year in locations in Ireland and abroad.
Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin commends priests from abroad in presence of visiting bishop from Kerala, India.
Founder of website championing rights of children of clergy recommends that guidelines approved by the Irish Episcopal Conference concerning the responsibilities of priests who father children should be adopted by Holy See and applied globally.
“Your lifestyle will be a protest against the stifling hedonism that is presented as the best we can hope for. Belief in God is not repression of our dignity but an invitation to the individual greatness that is God’s dream for each of us.”
Bishop Brendan Kelly ordains Rev Declan Lohan, a former barrister and member of the Legion of Mary and Youth 2000, to the priesthood for ministry in the Diocese of Galway.
Former Man Utd and Northern Ireland footballer, Fr Philip Mulryne, to join the chaplaincy team at Newbridge College.
The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland next year is an opportunity for members of the Irish hierarchy to reach out to those who think differently – Fr Tony Flannery.
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.
“People from abroad are often astonished at the level of antipathy to the Church displayed in our country.”
Archbishop acknowledges frustration over constant condemnation which has given rise to “justified resentment” among priests, religious and committed Catholics at being “unfairly” attacked.
In the Church of St Alphonsus in Rome Archbishop Diarmuid Martin reminded the ordinands of the dangers of clericalism and urged them to “Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
One of the biggest challenges facing the Irish Church at the moment is the shortage of candidates coming forward to priesthood and religious life – Bishop of Ferns.
At the annual Chrism Mass, Dr Nulty said he was “acutely aware of the ... strains that exist ... where the age profile of the priesthood continues to rise, and where sometimes even to organise relief cover is next to impossible”.
Twins Fr Brian and Fr Rory have PhDs in engineering while Fr Jim worked as a civil engineer both in Ireland and as a volunteer with Concern in Cambodia and Burundi, where his vocation story began.
Apart from a short time in pastoral work in New York during the Nigerian Civil (Biafran) War and subsequent studies in Nova Scotia, 90-year-old Fr Paddy Foley spent almost all his 60 years of priesthood in Nigeria.
“We need a Catholic media to champion the Catholic perspective and to which Catholics can turn for support, information, and guidance."
"Where once communal life was characterised by a resilient faith, today many believers carry a grief and a loss of innocence in faith, in dogma, in religious institutions" - Mary McAleese.
In an article questioning what lessons have learned from the Maynooth fiasco, Fr Brendan Hoban is highly critical of Irish bishops who accept unsuitable candidates.
"Today’s world is topsy turvy and there are still serious threats on the world stage. It’s a bewildering place for people. Music gives people a sense of calm, serenity and hope," says Fr Eugene O'Hagan.
Describing prayer as the wellspring of all Christian life, Bishop Kelly said this was the example Jesus showed and priests' whole being and every utterance must be founded on prayer.
Sunday’s ordinations will bring to four the number of new priests ordained for Clogher in the past three years.
Forty-one-year-old Rev Warren Collier spent 16 years working as a driver for Bus Éireann before studying for the priesthood at the Beda College in Rome.
2016 is a special year for the entire Dominican Family as it celebrates the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Preachers.
Over the coming year the diocese will see Sean Jones ordained a priest - exactly ten years since the last priestly ordination in Kerry.
“More than in the Vatican Gardens, with their beauty, your goodness is the place where I dwell: I feel protected” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI tells Pope Francis.
"Make sure that the sacrifice of celibacy is matched with simplicity of life-style. A pampered celibacy is a counter-sign of Christ’s call.”
John McAreavey and Joanne O’Riordan to share their stories and talk about how faith has played a part in their lives and helped them overcome adversity.
In 1965, 441 priests were ordained in Ireland, but these days it is usually 12/13 annually, Bishop Denis Brennan highlighted at a recent conference for vocations directors.
