I am a past pupil of Thornhill, but for the past 35 years I have lived in the South of England. I teach at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove, Sussex. It is one of the largest Catholic comprehensive schools in Europe; a diverse, inclusive community, vibrant with people from all cultures and social backgrounds,...
Thought For The Week
Holiday Prayer Time
The Challenges and Joys of Change – Mary O Boyle
Our 2022 Lourdes Experience – Hollie Fyrstal and Derry Youth Ministry Group
This ‘Thought for this Week’ is simply a few thoughts from the Derry Youth’s experience of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2022. Our Derry Youth team consisted of six young people from across the parishes of Iskaheen, Moville, Melmount, Maghera Glen and Badoney Upper. Personally, we felt, that this particular pilgrimage provided us with a...
“Go and Do the Same Yourself” – Thérèse Ferry
Rest in God – Reflection for School Staff
Fanning the Flame of the Holy Spirit – Niamh Devlin
My name is Niamh Devlin and I am in 6th class at St. Mura’s N.S, Tooban. I am in the final few days of my joyous and slightly hectic journey through primary school. This year has certainly been an exciting one, between preparing for secondary school and Confirmation I feel that I have grown so much as a young person. I celebrated my Confirmation of the 4th of June in St. Mura’s...
June 9th Feast of Saint Columba (Colmcille) Dove of the Church. Abbott and Missionary -Ann McCay
Sister Clare Crockett – An Inspiration to me and other Young People! – Bella, Saint Cecilia’s College, Derry
The Golden Rule -Teresa McDaid
In 1952, at the peak of the Cold War, American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell was inspired by the humanitarian work of the United Nations (UN). Shortly after, he began painting a picture to present the UN as an organisation that could help save the world. Included were sixty-five people, symbolising the world’s nations –...
Prayers for Ukraine – written by Schools in the Diocese of Derry
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt5:9 ) On the 22nd March 2022, Catholics around the world joined Pope Francis as he consecrated the people of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Francis prayed, “Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we...
Find The Talent Within You – Tina Ruddy
Out of Despair comes Hope – Nuala O’ Flaherty
We have just celebrated Easter, our greatest celebration. All the despair and defeat of Good Friday is over. Something unexpected has happened and all of a sudden life looks very different. The resurrection is a promise of new life. Jesus’ resurrection brings us closer to God and our faith. When we look at the cross,...
Resurrection Faith: Faith in Action – Fr Paul McCafferty
“I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:25) On Easter Sunday, we reflect on the powerful meaning of resurrection. The path of Holy Week leads, through the gates of...
Thought for the Week – Walk with Jesus on the Way of the Cross
Is the Church Relevant to Young People Today? – Noel O’ Sullivan
When asked to write this piece, I struggled to settle on the subject matter, so asked God for guidance. Out of the blue I received a text from someone I didn’t know who asked for my opinion on three questions, suddenly I had the inspiration! Is the church relevant to young people today? Absolutely the...
Good News, Bad News, Who Knows? – Aisling Murray
The Indian Jesuit, Tony de Mello, told this story. There once was a farmer who lived in a village. Along with his neighbours he struggled to make ends meet. One day news came that his old father had died. His friends and neighbours gathered to offer their condolences. “Bad luck”, they said, but the farmer...
The Power of Suffering in our Lives – Fr Ignacy Saniuta
Lent is a great time to reflect upon the value of our suffering and its power in our lives. The salvation of the world was not accomplished by any other means but precisely through the unimaginable suffering of Jesus, through the shedding of His blood throughout His Passion and His ultimate cruel death. Through the...
Navigating the Post Pandemic World – Rebecca O’ Doherty
As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease and so many look forward to life returning to ‘normal,’ it is important to take time to reflect on what we have learned from the last two years and move forward using these important lessons during this challenging and life changing time. A National Lottery Community Fund survey found...
Lost and found! – Fr Michael McGrath
The Gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation – Noah
Blindness can be a Gift – Richard Moore
“I have come so they may have Life and have it to the Full.” – Thérèse Ferry
Next week schools throughout Ireland will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, reflecting and celebrating the words of Jesus, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”(Jn 10:10) It set me thinking about my own experience of being educated in the Catholic School system and of the teachers I encountered who...
Called to be a Saint – Mary O’ Boyle
The Price of Health – Fr Brian Brady
I knew a woman who was stunning looking – her richly gleaming auburn hair cascaded luxuriantly unto her shoulders, framing a face with the contours of a film star. Not only was she gloriously attractive, she possessed an appealing and irrepressible personality that endeared her to all. Hers was no empty beauty, because she also...
Prayer of Gratitude for 2021
The Year of Luke – Fr Colum Clerkin
When the UK City of Culture was awarded to “Derry/Londonderry” in 2013, the leaders of the four main Churches that year agreed on a common initiative to distribute 40,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke as a free gift to homes and families of different denominations throughout the City. It was given the title “Luke’s...
Advent Reflection – Sr Philomena Neary RSC
Advent is a strange time of year, for many of us it gets lost in the rush of Christmas gift shopping and preparations for our family Christmas celebration. Many of us now feel that the real reason for our celebration of Christmas is being swamped by the commercial activities around us and unfortunately many of...
Shine your Light Brightly this Advent Season – Ryan Colton
In the Christian faith, one of the central teachings is the idea of serving God and others around you. Believers are expected to serve each other and the church with great joy and happiness, which is an idea that is constantly repeated throughout scripture and the Bible. “Love one another, care for one another, pray...
Advent -“Are We There Yet? -Sr Anne Frances McNamee, FMA”
“Are we there yet?” is perhaps one of the most common phrases we hear on a journey, mostly from the mouths of excited youngsters fed up with the journey but filled with excitement for what lies ahead at their destination. They can’t recognise the beauty and experiences that the journey can bring and, instead, see...
