“Whatever you are doing, that which makes you feel the most alive…that is where God is.” (Saint Ignatius of Loyola) This year the Society of Jesus, celebrates an Ignatian Year, marking the 500th anniversary of the conversion of Saint Ignatius. Saint Ignatius’ life and spirituality encourages us to see God in all things, to enter...
Doors of Hope – Fr Raymond McCullagh
Recent news about the battle for control of the north Ethiopian state of Tigray has filled me with deep sadness because Ethiopia is very dear to my heart. Since 2005 Habitat for Humanity has developed a special partnership that has resulted in the building of many houses for poor families across the country. During our...
My Cup is Overflowing – Cora O Farrell
Where do you see God? – Mary’s Meals
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the disciples in pairs and instructs them to take the bare minimum with them saying, ‘take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses.’ If you are like me, the idea of going on a journey unprepared, without the...
“Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.” (Mark 6:31)
Welcome the gift of Summer as an opportunity… to reflect on the journey that you have travelled since last Summer, to thank God for his steadfast presence in all that you have experienced, … in your joys, your successes, your dreams fulfilled, … in your struggles, your pain, your sadness, … in moments of clarity...
Come Follow Me – Mary O Donnell
During this month of June, the Church has been celebrating some of the saints whose witness to the faith led to their martyrdom, such as Saints Peter and Paul, whose feast day is on Tuesday, June 29, and the First Martyrs of Rome, Wednesday, June 30. With this great focus on those who were prepared...
A Reflection on the Word-Julia Fitzgerald
Is the Invisible Visible? by Tony Brennan
“Those who seek the Lord shall want for no Manner of Good Thing” – Fr Neal Carlin
I write this as we approach the great feast day of Columba, 9th June and this year as we prepare to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of his birth. I was baptized in Saint Columb’s Waterside, went to school in Saint Colmcille’s, Newtowncunningham and then on to Saint Eunan’s Letterkenny. (Eunan was the biographer of Columba.)...
Mary’s Magnificat-Lizzie Rea
In our Thought for the Week, when we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, Mary’s visit to share her ‘Good News’ with her cousin Elizabeth, Lizzie Rea sings The Magnificat. This is Mary’s beautiful prayer, praising God for the ‘great things he has done for her.’ (Luke: 1:39-56) As you listen to the words Lizzie...
More Haste … Less Speed – Sean Coll
The story is told of an explorer who was making an expedition on foot, through the Amazon rainforests of South America, with some native guides. For two days they made excellent progress and covered a large distance, much to the explorer’s satisfaction. However, on the third morning when it was time to set off again,...
Life Through a Screen-Teresa McMenamin
I have lived my life in the countryside, in rural Tyrone. There is no bus service, no shop within walking distance, no street lights, no pub within walking distance! In winter, travel can be particularly difficult, given that the road on which I live is not treated. All these drawbacks may not sound very attractive...
The Transforming Work of God’s Love – Archdeacon Robert Miller
In the shadows-Sr Anne Lyng
Judgement Versus Compassion-Tommy Canning
I have lived the greatest part of my life as someone in recovery from addiction and have spent a large part of my working life with a wonderful Derry based organisation called Northlands. Addiction carries a huge sense of stigma with it and it is most certainly the disease that no one wants to speak...
The Way-Brian McCormick
I’ve been walking, over a number of years, the pilgrim path from St Jean-Pied-De-Port in France over the Pyrenees mountains into the North of Spain, ultimately heading to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the burial site of Saint James the apostle. The journey is known as the Camino which means the way or the...
Easter Springs Eternal-Kevin Finan
It is no coincidence that Easter in our part of the world, and that in which Jesus lived, comes in spring. Also, that the Nativity is in the depths of winter near the shortest day. The nascent hope of Christmas is fulfilled in the renaissance of Easter. Our supernatural hope is mirrored in the natural...
Taking a Moment to Look Back-Frank Brown
A Special Place to Be-Briege Lewis
We all need special places where we can be freed from the confines of daily chores, from distractions that impinge on our ability to express our inner thoughts freely. I wanted to share with you two such places that have helped my family cope with the difficult restrictions imposed on us since last Easter due...
Opportunity in Distancing – Fr John Farren
Faith filled people don’t show signs of weakness. No tremors or tears allowed. They must be certain about all they do. No hesitation, no wondering what direction to go. They must be fearless, strong unflinching. They must have no low moments. No end to their endurance. Nothing defeats them. They know that God will never...
From Derry to Dunkeld – Noreen Hickey
As the daughter of wonderful Derry parents, who emigrated to Scotland in the late 1940s, I was born and raised in the west of Scotland. Blessed with a loving upbringing, I was steeped firmly in the Catholic Faith and Catholic values. I’m proud to say my roots are in Derry, where I visit family as...
What’s in a Name? – Ciaran McAlister
Create! – Kirsty McCartney
Hibernation – a Happy Fault of Lockdown-Paula McKeown
Home schooling has many parents figuring out how to explain new concepts to their children. I found myself teaching about hibernation and migration. And in the midst of talking about geese migrating and bears hibernating, my six-year-old reflected that Coronavirus meant we were all having to hibernate this winter and no one could migrate to...
Lent-A Season of Grace-Fr Aidan Mullan
A Community of Faith, Hope and Love in Pandemic – Geraldine O Connor
As we approach the anniversary of the first case of Covid in Northern Ireland few could ever have predicted, twelve months ago, how a virus originating from the far side of the world would impact our school community. With a heavy heart I closed the gates of Saint John’s Primary School on 19th March 2020...
Saint Brigid – A Woman of Inner Strength and a Listening Heart
On February 1st, 2021 we celebrate the feast of Saint Brigid of Kildare (Church of the Oak) who along with Patrick and Colmcille/Columba is one of the three principal patrons of our Island. Brigid had a burning desire to help the poor and the sick, but her father tried to dissuade her. Despite this, she...
Catholic Schools – Communities of Faith and Resilience-Bishop Donal McKeown
A couple of weeks before Christmas, I was walking round in the deserted Derry city centre. There I met one of our local teachers and her nine-year-old niece. They had gone to one local charity shop that supports children – and they were so disappointed because they had found it closed. Why, I wondered to...
Reflections on Catholic Education- Carmel Dunn
“The mission of schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful.” Pope Francis (October 2017) In writing this article, I have been provided with an opportunity to reflect on my 40 years as both a teacher and Principal in the Catholic system of Education. I have recalled...
