TODAY we celebrate our national holiday, St Patrick's day. The origin of these festivities belong to our rich Christian heritage, which Patrick himself fanned into flame.

Change happens from within.

If you don’t read this to the very end, you have lost a day in your life.

LENT 2026 is a sacred season that invites humanity to enter a time of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and deeper conversion.

St Fintan of Clonenagh, also known as Fintan of Laois, is the saint most closely associated with Co Laois,

ONE of the fundamental tasks of the Christian faith is to communicate well. The early disciples were invited to go and tell The Good News. I'm inspired by the life of Bishop Fulton Sheen.

AS we begin the early pathway of a new year, wisdom suggests walking easy, taking each step at a time. Like every new year, 2026 brings an invitation to begin again.

IN the Book of Numbers, the Lord instructs Moses on how to bless His people: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. " (Nm 6:24-26).

CHRISTMAS 2025 concludes for Christians a jubilee year of hope. I pray that this Christmas will be filled with health of body and peace of mind for all of you and your loved ones.

THESE days, we find ourselves plunged into the depths of winter darkness. Nature seems to have fallen asleep and, yet, in its raw and empty silence, creation continues to inspire hope and contemplation.

POPE Leo XIV visited the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf at the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, Lebanon on 1 December as part of his first apostolic journey abroad.

THERE is a story of six people who froze to death around a campfire on a bitterly cold night. Each had a log of wood they might have contributed to the fire, but for reasons satisfactory to themselves, each person refused to give what they had.

THE Department of Education and Youth has launched a survey to assess demand for different types of primary schools. Its aim is to expand parental choice in education.

SHE was dying slowly in her father's house, forbidden to leave—until a poet's letter changed everything and she risked it all for a love that would become immortal. Elizabeth Barrett was born in 1806 into wealth built on Jamaican sugar plantations.

A PROPHET has the ability to read the signs of the times, mingling the relevance of the Gospel, in a courageous and faith filled manner.

NOVEMBER for many is a challenging month. Winter darkness brings a change of mood, winter makes us all somewhat vulnerable.

THIS week we begin the new month of November.  Traditionally this is the time of year, in the Christian liturgical calendar, when we remember the souls of the faithful departed.

THOSE who care for the vulnerable in all our communities, often silently and heroically, are people who voluntarily care for a vulnerable loved one. For me personally, those who care for a vulnerable loved one are truly inspirational.

I have no hesitation in calling on the Irish Church and the GAA to sever all links with Allianz, regardless of the cost

POPE Leo’s first 100 days in the Petrine Office recently took place. His ministry is fuelled with deep discernment and prayer. Two qualities stand out: calmness and confidence.