Pope Francis sows seeds of a very different church in the Synod for 2023
Catholics are very used to a top-down church! So when a step is taken to literally turn that upside down, we run the risk of ignoring it!
Getting ready for Mass with a congregation again
We’ve almost forgotten what it is like to be in the same space as others and be able to relax and pray. From Monday June 29th, churches are permitted to have a congregation for Mass again — though the limit is […]
There’s a welcome on the gate …
Following the first phase of restrictions on churches, the Parish church at Enniskeane is open for personal prayer from 10.30 to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm, Monday to Sat. (opens at 11.30 on Sunday)Sanitiser, one way, distance and cleaning in […]
A priest shepherds with the Lord and finds the Lord
When Jesus scanned the countryside looking for an image to help people understand God, he spotted sheep and lambs in their pastures. Among them stood men with staffs in their hands and with folded-up tents nearby. Care of the sheep […]
For Mothers Day
My mother Lena Hayes died in May 2002. As for so many others, this Mothering Sunday is a poignant one, especially as we have a lot of time on our own today. So I’m sharing this in the hope that […]
Lourdes Pilgrimage needs young helpers
Lourdes is a fabulous place. For finding inner peace. For making great new connections with like-minded people. For helping people who just need a hand to enjoy the pilgrimage — and for getting as much back from the good experience. […]
Restoring an orchard
The lawing front of the house where I live was once an orchard. Locals tell of getting bags of apples from people like the late Canon Bill Murphy. Unfortunately, one of his successors had the apple trees cut down and […]
Charming Gougane Barra of St. Finbarr
There are few places in Ireland as enchanting as Gougane Barra – the out-of-the-way but picturesque spot which is associated with Cork’s patron saint, Finbarr. It was once a secluded place of monastic prayer. Later it became a place of […]