FIRST Holy Communion continues to be a very special day, not just in the life of young people but for their entire families and their school communities.

THERE has been huge focus on the Catholic Church over the past number of weeks. Following the death of Pope Francis, media commentary intensified with the subsequent conclave which elected Pope Leo X1V.

AS I WRITE this article, the cardinal electors are currently in conclave. Their task: to select the 267th successor of Peter. I pray that the spirit of discernment and peace will descend upon them and their choice will reflect the heart of Jesus.

AS I WRITE this article looking out of my window, the month of May begins in splendid sunshine. Birds singing loudly and leaves on the trees suggest a new season, a new time. In this Easter season, Christ’s resurrection continues to inspire hope.

THE DEATH of Pope Francis fills me with a deep sadness as we mourn the loss of a kind, courageous and gentle pastor. I also have a sense of gratitude to God for the great leadership he has given to the Church over the course of his papacy.

ON Sunday 27 April, Carlo Acutis will be formally canonised and declared saint. This will take place at an open-air ceremony in St Peter’s Square, The Vatican. He will be the first saint born in this new millennium.

THESE DAYS of bright blue skies and spring blossoms make it easy to identify with the Easter message. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Easter reminds us we belong to such a positive and wonderful reality.

THE month of April has begun with splendid sunshine and blue skies. This is a beautiful time of year as nature awakens within us all a time of hope and new beginning. On 13 April, Palm Sunday heralds the beginning of Holy Week.

AS I WRITE this article, taoiseach Micheál Martin is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House as part of the traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

THERE IS a real sense here in Ireland that the vocation crisis to the priesthood is having real consequence in terms of ageing clergy and priest-less parishes. In the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, the average age of clergy is 70 years.

AS I WRITE this article, I'm very conscious that the health of Pope Francis seems to be seriously declining. Pope Francis has led the Catholic Church with a deep sense of integrity and humility.

OUR WORLD is indeed going through troubled times. In a time of turbulence, it is important to be reminded that Christian values such as faith, hope and love are deeply relevant. Kindness and compassion are qualities that will always prevail.

ADDICTION is lived reality for many good people. And the life story of one Irishman and his recovery is truly inspirational. Matt Talbot was born May 1856 in Dublin. He was one of 12 children, six of whom lived to adulthood.

THIS WEEK we celebrate St Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, this day is associated with romance and love. Historically, it is interesting to trace its evolvement.

WEATHER WISE, January has been dreadful. Because of heavy snow and dangerous pathways, it was reminiscent of lockdown. The recent Storm Éowyn caused devastating damage and inflicted hardship on so many households without water or electricity.

FEBRUARY is a time of growth and invitation for us all, when the light of spring slowly triumphs over winter darkness. The story and celebration of St Brigid remains deeply relevant in a turbulent world.

THE BEATIFICATION cause of Sister Clare Crockett, an inspirational young Irish religious sister who died in 2016, formally opened on Sunday 12 January with a ceremony at the Cathedral of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid, Spain.

THE third Monday of January has been branded Blue Monday. It begins what many describe as the most depressing week of the year.

THE best resolutions are elastic – they cannot be broken with a single act. If you swear never to touch red meat, one burger ruins the resolution.

WHERE DOES time go by? It's hard to believe that it is now 25 years since the world anxiously embraced the new millennium.