THE SEASON OF CREATION - YOUTH RESOURCES
The ‘Season of Creation’ began on 1 September 2026, and continues until 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. To mark the occasion, Trócaire’s Church Team has launched a range of youth resources to help primary and post-primary students engage with the themes of creation and care for our common home. Introducing these new youth resources for the Season of Creation, Deirbhile Craven, Church Youth Officer with Trócaire, said, “For this year’s Season of Creation we h
THE FIGHT TO RETAIN THE THREE-DAY WAIT, THE FIGHT TO SAVE LIVES
Pro-Life Campaign New poll findings released show strong public backing for the retention of the three-day reflection period before an abortion. The results come as a Sinn Féin bill to abolish the three-day wait remains under consideration in the Dáil, having passed Second Stage by 86 votes to 70 shortly before summer recess. The latest survey commissioned by the Pro Life Campaign was carried out by Amárach Research. The fieldwork took place between 28th July - 4th Aug 2026.
WHO WAS ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN?
With Bishop Robert Barron and Matthew Petrusek, Word on Fire On 24th September next, the Church will beatify Archbishop Fulton Sheen. By common consensus, Archbishop Fulton Sheen opened the door to the evangelisation of the world through the new media. For this reason, he is considered one of the pivotal players in the modern history of the Catholic Church. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Matthew Petrusek and Bishop Barron discuss Sheen’s theology, legacy, upcoming
HOMILY FOR TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (A)
Fr Billy Swan Dear friends. On Friday, 11th September, the world remembered the terrible events that took place 25 years previously in New York, Washington and when the plane crashed in Pennsylvania, that was destined also for death and destruction. Almost 3,000 people were killed that day. The memory of 9/11 is seared in my mind because I visited New York ten days previously and admired the stunning views from the top of the Skydeck of the South tower on Saturday 1st Septemb
PRAYERS AND SUPPORT FOR BISHOP GER AS HE IS INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF OSSORY THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, 13th September, Bishop Ger Nash will be installed as Bishop of Ossory. We join together in praying for Bishop Ger and for his ministry as bishop in both Ossory and Ferns. Bishop Gerard Nash was born on 27 February 1959 at Glandree in the parish of Tulla, Co Clare. After completing his Leaving Certificate, he studied business and then worked in manufacturing industry for a number of years, subsequently choosing to study for the priesthood with the Diocese of Kill
WHY SHOULD I GO TO CHURCH?
Dr Caitlin West Why should I go to church if I can pray at home? If you can pray at home, watch Mass online, listen to a sermon, or pray with your family, what makes physically going to church different? In this video, Caitlin West explores why going to church matters and what makes being physically present at Mass different from praying at home. For anyone who has ever wondered whether church is really necessary, this video looks at the deeper reason Catholics go to church a
PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION
Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, has offered timely advice to sixth-class candidates preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation across the diocese during 2017. In his video below, Bishop Deenihan highlights the importance of Confirmation preparation through prayer and planning, as well as for choosing a Christian name, a sponsor, supporting parents, clergy and teachers, and to remain faithful disciples of Christ into adulthood. In addition, Bishop Deenihan encour
'THE SAINTS IN A YEAR' - OUR LADY OF SORROWS AND HOPE BEYOND THE CROSS
Fr Billy Swan It is fitting and right that a series of fifty-two meditations on the saints should include one on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is one of the saints and pre-eminent among them because of her unique role as Mother of the Saviour and as the one who shares fully in the divine life, being ‘full of grace’. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on 15th September, the day after the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, which is no coincidence. With the proximit
'WHY EVERYONE SHOULD BE RELIGIOUS'
By Ross Douthat The phrase 'I am not religious but I am spiritual' is commonly used by many people who no longer go to church or who perhaps have never gone to church, to describe their disconnection from institutional worship and religion, but who, at the same time, sense the movement of a deep spiritual need in their lives. In this video interview courtesy of the 'Socrates in the City' Podcast, American author Ross Douthat argues that humanity is not divided into two groups
SINCERITY
By Fr Jim Cogley While chatting with someone recently I became very aware that the inner journey is about a lot more than sincerity. This lady had it in abundance and after having had a close encounter with death she was grateful for being given a second chance and sincerely wanted to give her all to the Christian way of living. She spoke of all the ways she needed to improve her life like become more aware of her shortcomings, being less judgmental, going out of her way to p
