Sunday 2nd July 2023 – A day the Columba Community will never forget. A day that hearts were warmed. A day that hope rose throughout the North West of Ireland and we witnessed the goodness of God in their lives through the ordination of our dear friend and community member Fr Shaun Doherty. Fr Shaun’s...
Nature All Around – Charlie Mullan
The recent fine weather has encouraged us all to get outdoors for enjoyment, health and relaxation. No better place to be than the Northwest of Ireland when the sky is blue and the evenings are long. At this time of the year, I always look forward to visiting Saint Patrick’s Sanctuary for the annual Diocesan...
‘Service from the Heart’ – Paula Kennedy
One evening whilst waiting for my son to finish his shift at a local grocery shop, my attention was drawn to a sign in the shop window. It read ‘Service from the Heart’. I wondered about the nature of this service. It is tempting to be skeptical about the service provided by an establishment which...
Optimism – Patricia McMaster
The Saint Eugene’s Cathedral Family – Grainne Nugent
May-the Month of Mary and the Feast of Pentecost
May is the month of Mary, a month of special devotion to Our Lady, associated in years gone by with May altars, processions and devotions. During this month of Mary, the Church celebrates three feasts specially dedicated to Our Lady. The 13th May, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, marks the date of the...
Saint Eugene’s Cathedral – Celebrating 150 Years – Marian McClintock
Why celebrate 150 years of worship in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral? An anniversary often inspires us to reflect on the past by examining the journey so far. It can also inspire us to envisage a future, where every member of our parish is valued and helped to live out God’s plan. The city I arrived in...
‘Believe that a further shore is reachable from here.’ – Fr Paul Farren
Seven Last Words of Jesus
As Jesus hung on the Cross, he uttered seven last words. Over the years meditating on these words has become a tradition in Christian Churches, particularly in Holy Week and on Good Friday. We asked Fr Paul, Karen, Marie, Jim, Marguerite, Fr Aidan and Yvonne to pray and reflect on these words over Lent and...
The Gift of Iconography -Anne Friel
Grandparents -Love them and Let them talk to your Children – Aine McElholm
Grandparents are a treasure in the family. Please take care of your grandparents: love them and let them talk to your children!” – Pope Francis, July 2018 No matter where you look, it is easy to see the impact that grandparents have on the community, particularly through ‘Grandparents Day’. This is a fairly new, yet...
Lenten Promises – Saint Eithne’s Primary School, Derry
Praying the Examen for Lent
Catholic Schools Week 2023 ‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’ – Bishop Donal McKeown
This Christmas May Christ be Born Again in Us – Fr Pat O’Hagan
Listen, I bring you News of Great Joy – Celine McKenna
As we move towards Christmas, many people will make their travelling arrangements in anticipation of being reunited with friends and family. For many this will not be possible for a variety of reasons, on-going conflict and war, financial constraints and homelessness. When we read Luke’s Gospel, we learn of perhaps the most important journey made...
The Season of Hoping for Something Greater- Christopher Burke
The events that unraveled in the world over the last two years seem to have created a conscious shift in the hearts and minds of so many around the world. Normal things that once were taken for granted, like visiting loved ones, going to school/work, even going outside for a walk were altered and had...
November – A Time to Remember
Unless a grain of wheat falls…….’ Fr Eddie Gallagher
Mid-Term Reflection Time for School Staff
Guardian Angels – Michael McCaul
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Heb. 1: 14 In our so called ‘modern’ and noisy world today, one of the world’s most respected Catholic philosophers, Charles Taylor, believes “We have moved from a society where belief in God is unchallenged and indeed, unproblematic, to one in...
Season of Creation -Good Shepherd Primary School
Mrs Mitchell’s Primary 5 class at Good Shepherd Primary & Nursery School, Diocese of Derry, took time this week to reflect upon creation. The Primary 5 children discussed in particular what creation meant to them, and the variety of ways which their senses allow them to experience creation every day. Here are some extracts from...
What Doherty are you? Shaun Doherty
A New School Year – Bishop Donal McKeown
Thank you Mum – Kay McGinn
Memories – Anne Canning
“For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too”. (Luke 12:34) Grainne Byrd
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,...
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...
