There was a short item on ‘This week’ at lunchtime last Sunday which was entitled “Is Sunday Mass becoming a thing of the past?” Two Bishops were interviewed, Fintan Gavin, Cork and Francis Duffy, Tuam and they both had interesting…

I headed over to Westport to cycle the Greenway with a friend. We had a terrific day, cycling out to Newport, past Burrishoole Abbey to our destination, Achill Island, a breeze at our backs, the stunning scenery all around us,…

Last week when I was writing these few words I hadn’t realised that it was a weekend of special prayers for Grandparents and the elderly. Pope Francis, who is getting on in years himself, has many kind and thoughtful things…

When I was a little child we had plastic sandals to wear at the beach. We needed them most on the days that the sand was so hot that the soles of your feet would be roasted if you tried…

I have a Pope Francis mug on my shelf. It is a souvenir of his visit here in 2018, and very predictably his smiling face is looking out. I don’t use it for tea or coffee, but from time to…

Many single people eat alone most of the time, maybe with the radio playing in the background; familiar voices and music softens the isolation. As someone who is single, and lives alone I can speak both to the value and…

I’m sure we have all spent some time during the week wishing the weather was better, praying for some sunshine, asking God to banish the dark clouds, heavy rain and bring us some of the blue skies and gentle breezes…

One of the many joys of the priesthood is sharing bits and pieces of life with brother priests from different countries, cultures and experiences. Recently I’ve spent a lot of time with three African priests from Nigeria, Malawi and Uganda.…

On each one of the past 7 Saturdays I have celebrated Mass for a special occasion, four First Communions, two Weddings and one Jubilee. In between, there have been the ordinary daily Masses, many Funerals, some Baptisms and the celebrations…

Do you remember sitting the Leaving Certificate? All week, at the first mention of the exams starting, I’ve heard people sharing their memories. It seems that no one can quite forget the experience of finishing school, sitting in the examination…

I had an appointment with my GP during the week, a funeral ran a bit overtime, and I had to rush to make it even close to the right time. As I stepped into reception a little flustered, thinking about…

We have had a lot of funerals here in recent months. When I mention that to my own family and friends they often ask, “is the parish very old?”. Of course, they mean are the parishioners mostly in their senior…

This weekend we have a collection for ‘Lay Ministry”, it replaces the traditional collection for the support of students for the priesthood, which we normally had on the Sunday after Good Shepherd Sunday with all its emphasis on vocations. So,…

This weekend is a time for prayers for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. Every year on Good Shepherd Sunday, in the middle of the Easter Season, we pray that the seed of vocation will awaken a call…

On Holy Thursday Archbishop Farrell distributed a Pastoral Letter to share his thoughts with us on the ‘Building Hope’ process that he started shortly after coming to Dublin. The first step was a consultation that many parishioners here participated in…

Blue skies, bright sunshine and mild days made the days after Easter very suitable for free time with family and friends for a bit of fresh air and fun. I trust that everyone who could was delighted to be out…