Columnists
Fr Paddy: Living in the present moment
One day a man walked past a camp of elephants. Looking closer, he was surprised to see that these mighty animals weren’t held in...
Fr Paddy: Life is our greatest teacher
It's hard to believe that it's back to school time again. This has been a wonderful summer and I do hope that all school...
Fr Paddy: Together we are stronger
There has been much discussion and commentary, regarding the publication of the synthesis of feedback from our national Synod.
The synod is a process, initiated...
Fr Paddy: Brother Kevin … A living Saint
A small number of public figures are instantly recognisable by their first name. One of them is Brother Kevin, the founder of the Capuchin...
From the Archives: An ode to Jack L, the boy from Athy
This piece by John Whelan was originally published in August 2017 ahead of Jack L's appearance at Electric Picnic.
It's a timely article again, following...
Fr Paddy: Time to think – God is with us
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to...
Fr Paddy: The power of prayer and the importance of slowing down
The following is a profound and yet very real story, told in relation to our human need in times of crisis as we turn...
Fr Paddy: Harvest Thanksgiving
Time seems to be moving extremely quickly. It's hard to believe that August has arrived.
This is a wonderful time of year when harvest begins...
Fr Paddy: Stay positive and never give up
The following stories awaken a sense of hope and encouragement for us all. Well worth reflecting upon….
The Frog Race
There was once a bunch of...
Fr Paddy: A guide to prayer
In the secular world, mindfulness is much embraced and practiced. Personally, I find it difficult to differentiate between practicing mindfulness and prayer.
Prayer and meditation...
Fr Paddy: An eight-year old’s explanation of God
A second class student in primary school recently wrote the following wisdom …
One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to...
Andrew McDonald: Get a move on
You know you need to exercise. Doctors tell us so, as does the media, nutritionists, friends, acquaintances, peers, and our families.
The idea sounds good...
Fr Paddy: Summer … A time to rest
Despite all the bad news, regarding huge queues and cancellation of scheduled air flights, it is still wonderful that Dublin International Airport, enjoys a...
Andrew McDonald: Healthy habits to keep up after Covid
For every negative, there’s a positive. Most of us hated lockdown and living restricted lives for long periods wasn’t something we welcomed.
It was necessary,...
Fr Paddy: Synodality … Listening and Learning
Recently, the chiming of a bell at the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise, was significant.
Laity, religious, priests and bishops, all participated at a daylong...
Andrew McDonald: Saving money sensibly
A while ago I suggested you acted on what you can control and didn’t fret about what you can’t.
When it comes to family budgeting,...
Fr Paddy: God’s Coffee
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.
Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in...
Andrew McDonald: Summer days out in Ireland’s Southeast
School’s over for the summer. Kids will be at home for three months and, if you’re a parent, your anxiety levels are probably soaring...
Fr Paddy: 18 Things to remember during our summer rest
The month of June, is a wonderful time of year. Long bright days that awaken within us all a sense of peace and calm.
Traditionally...
Andrew McDonald: Beating bullies needs smart action
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me'. So states the children’s nursery rhyme, familiar to most of us...
Fr Paddy: No state exam, can ever measure how valued and loved these young...
As we have begun the month of June, I pray sincerely that this bright month, will be a time of rich blessing, health of...
Andrew McDonald: You’ll be ‘appier’ after a good night’s ‘sleepio’
A third of all adults aren’t sleeping. Sleepless nights result in miserable days after as you’re never at your most efficient when you’re fatigued.
Alongside...
Fr Paddy: Anything that you have to control, controls you
Anything that you have to control, controls you.
There are many variations to this story, but it’s quite instructive.
In South America, Africa and Asia,...
Andrew McDonald: Eight tips for helping to feel happier
Listen to country music:
Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton could make you live longer! Cardiovascular experts found country music affects listeners’ bodies by...
Fr Paddy: Saint Charles de Foucauld – an inspirational Christian
The following is a biography of the wonderful life, of an inspirational Christian, recently canonised by Pope Francis.
For all of us it is...
Andrew McDonald: Avoiding toothache needn’t be a pain in the … mouth
Of all body pains, there’s nothing quite like a toothache. Maybe it’s that your mouth is so close to your brain that an oral...
Fr Paddy: Without counting the cost …
There is story in the Gospel about a leper coming to Jesus on his knees and pleading with him, saying, ‘If you want to,...
Andrew McDonald: Nine reasons why pets improve mental wellbeing
Pets reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that playing with animals, even just for five minutes, helps fight stress hormones.
This makes having a pet, particularly...
Fr Paddy: Let go … Let God
It’s good to think of prayer, not just as saying prayers, or speaking to God, but as listening to God.
Not just as words but...
Andrew McDonald: Alcoholism – fighting fire with fire
Alcoholism leaves a trail of destruction wherever it appears. It devastates the health and wellbeing of sufferers and tears apart their relationships.
Furthermore, it is...
