Fr Paddy
Fr Paddy is the parish priest of Abbeyleix. From Carlow town, he was educated in Carlow CBS and studied Business and Politics in Trinity College Dublin before training to be a priest in Carlow College.
He writes for a number of media outlets. He has almost 31,000 followers on Twitter.
Fr Paddy: Vocation is a rich and deeply fulfilling way of life
There is a real sense here in Ireland, that the vocation crisis, to the priesthood, is having real consequences in terms of aging clergy...
Fr Paddy: Pope Francis – a voice of sense and reason in a turbulent...
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...
Fr Paddy: Make the most of Lent 2025 as we are reminded of Christian...
Our world is indeed going through very troubled times. In a time of turbulence, it is important to be reminded that Christian values such...
Fr Paddy: The life story of Matt Talbot – a powerful recovery
Addiction is lived reality for many good people. The life story of an Irish man and his recovery is an inspirational one.
Matt Talbot was...
Fr Paddy: A different kind of love on St Valentine’s Day
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.
There were...
Fr Paddy: Tales of wisdom after the storm
Weather wise January 2025 has been dreadful. Because of heavy snow and dangerous pathways, it was reminiscent of lockdown.
The recent storm Eowyn caused devastating...
Fr Paddy: St Brigid – A woman of great hope
February is it time of growth and invitation for us all. The light of spring slowly triumphs over winter darkness.
The story and celebration of...
Fr Paddy: The inspirational life of Sister Clare Crockett
The beatification cause of Sister Clare Crockett, an inspirational young Irish religious sister who died in 2016, formally opened Sunday, January 12, with a...
Fr Paddy: First 25 years of new Millennium prove to be turbulent chapter for...
Where does time go by? It's hard to believe that it is now 25 years since the world anxiously embraced the new Millennium.
Now, we...
Fr Paddy: May the Lord fill us with health of body and peace of...
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ this year, I’m conscious of all what we have to be grateful for.
Many long for...
Fr Paddy: May Christmas 2024 be a time of great blessing
A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children.
After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing...
Fr Paddy: ‘There is something inherently decent and kind in all our hearts’
More than 300 people recently attended the funeral of a woman in Carlow, after an appeal on social media by a funeral director who...
Fr Paddy: The more I care for myself the greater I can care for...
It's wonderful these days to see the brightness of Christmas lights decorating our streets, shops and homes.
In the darkest days of the year, we...
Fr Paddy: The Advent season – a time to get ready for Christmas
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...
Fr Paddy: Never underestimate the incredible genius that defines our human spirit
The gift of creativity and vision always brings hope and optimism.
Hope is a great gift and an important value to maintain and cherish these...
Fr Paddy: ‘When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden’
A motivational speaker walked confidently around the room holding a glass of water while leading a seminar on stress management.
Everyone guessed she was going...
Fr Paddy: Alzheimer’s Disease – Who cares for the Carer?
In every community, often silently and heroically, are people who voluntarily care for a vulnerable loved one.
For me personally, those who care for a...
Fr Paddy: Samhain – the Celtic festival that became Halloween
Time continues to move as we now have entered winter time. We begin this Season with Halloween.
It’s origins are strongly connected to ancient Celtic...
Fr Paddy: Economics and justice plus the important roles that political leaders play
The Gospel has a very challenging relationship with economics. Justice is at the heart of the Gospel message.
In growing and vibrant economy those who...
Fr Paddy: The story of Medjugorje, a major pilgrimage destination
Medjugorje, located in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, is where the Virgin Mary has allegedly revealed herself on a regular basis to six local children...
Fr Paddy: St Francis of Assisi – the most beloved and familiar of all...
Throughout this month of October, the universal Synod of the church continues in Rome.
This is a wonderful process, where discernment , reflection and pragmatic...
Fr Paddy: Angel of God my Guardian Dear
This week we begin the month of October. October is the time when leaves fall and darkness begins to be felt, nature produces beautiful...
Fr Paddy: Huge numbers expected as relics of St Bernadette to come to Portlaoise
Currently the relics of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, are visiting many churches across the Country.
Saint Bernadette’s relics will be present in the Carlow Cathedral...
Fr Paddy: Random tales of wisdom – Sleep When the Wind Blows
How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you're trying to get...
Fr Paddy: Scoping Inquiry details dark chapter of abuse
The recent publication of the Scoping Inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools, details the horrific trauma inflicted by the abuse of young students.
This...
Fr Paddy: Ignore the pessimism of others – stay positive!
There was once a bunch of tiny frogs, who arranged a running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A...
Fr Paddy: Where is God in the midst of war, violence and human suffering?
It is not God, but our false images of God we need to challenge ourselves about.
God is not a puppeteer who is pulling the...
Fr Paddy: Blessed Carlos Acutis Relics visit Portlaoise Parish Church
This September a relic of blessed Carlo Acutis will be brought to Ireland by three Franciscan friars from Assisi where his mortal remains repose.
Portlaoise...
Fr Paddy: We live in turbulent times, where polarisation and extremism are becoming all...
Recent violent protests in the United Kingdom regarding racial tensions, displays firsthand the horrible reality of racism and prejudice.
We live in turbulent times, where...
Fr Paddy: Laughter is good for the soul
Earlier this summer, Pope Francis, hosted more than a hundred comedians from around the world at the Vatican.
The entourage of comedians included some famous...