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 pays tribute to ‘inspirational’ Stradbally man
The passing of Bernard Fitzpatrick from our faith community leaves a large loss.
Not just to his beloved family and friends but to so many...
Fr Paddy: The homeless crisis and lessons from the Bible
The problem of homelessness is out of control; it is getting worse every week.
The problem is most acute in Dublin where official figures...
Fr Paddy: World Meeting of Families
In truth, all our families are much more like the Simpsons than the Waltons!!!!!!
Recently Kildare and Leighlin Diocese, launched our initiatives for next year's...
Fr Paddy: Back to School 2017
This coming week is a historic one here in Portlaoise Parish. Children will begin to experience the fantastic new school campus in Aghnaharna, where...
Fr Paddy: Charlie Gard… A precious life
Charlie Gard died after his life-support was withdrawn soon after he was moved to a hospice, denying his parents their "final wish" for him to spend...
Fr Paddy: Education can give us the best possible start in life
Education is a right, not a privilege. It is a right that can make all the difference to a child. Education can give children...
Fr Paddy: How much does a prayer weigh?
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of...
Fr Paddy: August – A time to harvest
The Month of August brings with it the gift of Harvest. In Celtic times, this season of Lunasa was an occasion of thanksgiving.
The Celtic...
Fr Paddy: From God … to all his children
Effective Immediately: Please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order...
Fr Paddy: The cracked pot
Life is a sacred journey. Recently I spent time with a young man terminally ill. His frank honesty and wisdom, grounded me to appreciate...
Fr Paddy: Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes 2017
On Sunday July 16th, Kildare and Leighlin Diocese, will partake in it’s first Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Members from all 56 parishes, will come...
Fr Paddy: Grenfell and the Good Samaritan
The Grenfell Tower inferno is not a natural tragedy, but an unnatural one. It was predicted by those best placed to know the risks.
It was...
Fr Paddy: Gods wings…….Gives Hope
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest...
Fr Paddy: Gerard Manley Hopkins … an inspirational Christian life
2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the Hopkins Summer school, taking place in Newbridge College, from July 21-27. This is an occasion for many...
Fr Paddy: Mother Teresa… an icon of love
Mother Teresa was born, 1910, in Skopje, capital of the Republic of Macedonia. Little is known about her early life, but at a young...
Fr Paddy: A change of altitude …
Helen had decided that her best chance of getting hired by a company doing geological survey work in the Alaskan wilderness was to earn...
Fr Paddy: President and Pope…… An olive branch
Last week, Donald Trump met Pope Francis, at the Vatican, on the third leg of his first overseas trip as US president, one year...
Fr Paddy: Our church has a future but we need bold and creative leadership
The Catholic Church in Ireland seems to be in a constant state of crisis.
A crisis that often by its own actions has caused great...
Fr Paddy: Catholicism and the census
So now we know. While commentators were avidly awaiting the results of the 2016 Census to see how Irish society had (or hadn’t) changed...
Fr Paddy: The beatification of Fr John Sullivan SJ
The date for the beatification ceremony of Blessed John Sullivan elect has been confirmed for Saturday May 13 in Gardiner Street Church at 11am.
This...
Fr Paddy: Butterflies and resurrection
As a butterfly soared overhead, one caterpillar said to the other, "You'll never get me up in one of those things."
Yet for every caterpillar...
Fr Paddy: Why Easter 2017 Matters
Will the sun dance this Easter morning 2017? The joy of Easter morning brings much needed hope to a world beset by many challenges:...
Fr Paddy: A Holy Week Monologue
I don't belong here. I really don't. Paradise is the last place I expected to end up after all I've done. Let me tell...
Fr Paddy: And they crucified him…
Our columnist Fr Paddy Byrne writes this week how Jesus being crucified is an invitation to new life.
A medical doctor provides a physical description:
The...
Fr Paddy: Martin McGuinness – an IRA leader turned peacemaker
Tributes have been pouring in from across the political divide since Martin McGuinness’ death was announced on March 21st. Indeed a significant date...The spring...
Fr Paddy: The Tuam babies scandal – anger, pain and disgust
The finding of babies mortal remains in a former mother and baby residential home in Tuam, has awakened much anger, pain and disgust.
The plight...
Fr Paddy: What we can learn from Pope Francis’s simple lessons
Pope Francis continues to inspire so many by his simple and yet profound catechetical teaching.
He speaks with authority by virtue to his radical witness...
Fr Paddy: Lent – a time to be uplifted by brighter mornings and longer...
Ash Wednesday - which is this Wednesday, March 1, marks the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, Lent brings with it a time of cutting back,...
Fr Paddy: It’s so important to welcome refugees
President Trump’s first few weeks in office are proving to be very worrying especially his response a most hard line one. Responding to the...
Fr Paddy: Standing up for our catholic schools
On this Sunday, January 29, at 11am, in St Peter and Paul's, Parish Church, Portlaoise, RTE, will televise a live celebration of the Eucharist,...