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The message of Jesus, proclaimed in a simple, enthusiastic way

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Catholic Schools Week 2023 ‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’ – Bishop Donal McKeown

Published: January 29, 2023

Every year we have this week when we take to time to ask the question, “Who and what are we trying to be as Catholic schools in Ireland in 2023?” It is an important question to ask – because many people are not sure whether Catholic schools have any role to play in modern Ireland....

This Christmas May Christ be Born Again in Us – Fr Pat O’Hagan

Published: December 20, 2022

It’s amazing how quickly time flies by.  Probably because life in today’s world has become so busy, so full of too many things to do, and not nearly enough time to do them all. Here we are, already at the beginning of the last week of Advent.  For those of us who still have so...

Listen, I bring you News of Great Joy – Celine McKenna

Published: December 12, 2022

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

Published: November 28, 2022

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

Published: November 7, 2022

As we journey through November, we continue to remember our beloved dead and reflect on the words of Pope Francis. We find different ways to remember and pray for the dead and support those who have been bereaved.                                ...

Unless a grain of wheat falls…….’ Fr Eddie Gallagher

Published: October 31, 2022

As October comes to an end and November begins, we are slowly moving from autumn and into winter with the clock having just gone back and the hours of darkness increasing. For many it is a difficult month and maybe even more so this year with the colder nights and worries over the cost of...

Mid-Term Reflection Time for School Staff

Published: October 24, 2022

As Mid-Term approaches, we invite our school staff to spend time reflecting where they have experienced God in the work....

Guardian Angels – Michael McCaul

Published: October 3, 2022

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

Published: September 19, 2022

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

Published: September 12, 2022

What Doherty are you? I remember the first time someone asked me that question when I came to live in Derry as a young adult over 30 years ago. It seemed like an odd question to be asking a complete stranger. Being born and raised in England, it’s a question that would never arise. We...

A New School Year – Bishop Donal McKeown

Published: September 5, 2022

From I was 4 till I was 51, my life was constructed around the academic year. Whether as a pupil or as a teacher, I was tied by a year that began as August petered out and ended as June promised never-ending lazy hazy crazy days of summer. But one of my favourite poems from...

Thank you Mum  – Kay McGinn

Published: August 29, 2022

A number of years ago, on an occasion when I was returning to University, my Mum gave me a Padre Pio card – the quotation read: “There are only two things in this world which will never abandon you: God’s eyes, because they will see you wherever you are, and your mother’s hearth, because it...

Memories – Anne Canning

Published: August 15, 2022

I am a hoarder-always have been and probably always will be. I have a red coat I purchased when I was expecting my second son – and he hopes to go to university in September. It gets an airing and an outing and the odd compliment every winter. That’s just a wee example of the...

“For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too”. (Luke 12:34) Grainne Byrd

Published: August 8, 2022

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

Published: August 1, 2022

Holidays are a necessary time for everyone, providing a break from the normal, a time to rest and recharge, to reflect and as Pope Francis says, ‘offer a time to restore the spirit.’ This week why not take some quiet time to ‘restore the spirit’ within you, with a quiet time of prayer. Choose a...

The Challenges and Joys of Change – Mary O Boyle

Published: July 18, 2022

I don’t quite know why my head at this moment in time is filled with the notion of ‘change.’ Perhaps it is due to the fact that change is all round me – schools have closed, work has finished for another academic year, some of those I know and work with have retired or moved...

Our 2022 Lourdes Experience – Hollie Fyrstal and Derry Youth Ministry Group

Published: July 12, 2022

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

Published: July 4, 2022

One of the most quoted lines from Sean O Casey’s play, Juno and the Paycock is the declaration that, ‘the world is in a state of chassis.’ At this time, in the history of the world, it would be hard not to agree! Pandemic, wars, economic crisis, mistrust, all seem to give credence to this...

Rest in God – Reflection for School Staff

Published: June 22, 2022

As we approach the end of the school year, we invite staff in schools to take time to reflect and to rest in God....

Fanning the Flame of the Holy Spirit – Niamh Devlin

Published: June 16, 2022

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

Published: June 6, 2022

The dove, a symbol of Peace and of the Holy Spirit. Columba was born in County Donegal in 521 AD into the ruling O’Neill clan. Before his birth an angel revealed to his mother Eithne in a dream the great work her son would do in God’s name. From an early age Columba stood out...

Sister Clare Crockett – An Inspiration to me and other Young People! – Bella, Saint Cecilia’s College, Derry

Published: May 30, 2022

Sister Clare never waited to do anything. She just did it. I procrastinate a lot, especially whenever it comes to homework, so remembering that Sister Clare acted whether it was an enjoyable task or not inspires me to do the same. It is helping me a lot because I try to do my homework when...

The Golden Rule -Teresa McDaid

Published: May 23, 2022

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

Published: May 9, 2022

“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

Published: May 2, 2022

Talents can be represented in many different ways. They are special abilities and skills that have been given to us by God.  The Bible tells us that we are all born with distinct talents and gifts.  It tells us that when we discover our talents and if we use them correctly you will have a...

Out of Despair comes Hope – Nuala O’ Flaherty

Published: April 25, 2022

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

Published: April 17, 2022

“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

Published: April 4, 2022

For the Thought for the Week, we invite you to journey with Jesus on the Way of the Cross, to reflect, to pray, to comfort and to love Jesus. The Stations of the Cross, found in every Catholic Church, help us to think about Jesus’ last journey to the Cross on the hill of Calvary....

Is the Church Relevant to Young People Today? – Noel O’ Sullivan

Published: March 28, 2022

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

Published: March 14, 2022

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...

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Other Resources

  • Catholic Schools Week 2023 – Conversations with Bishop Donal McKeown
  • Catholic Schools Week 2023 ‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’ – Bishop Donal McKeown
  • Confirmation Preparation Sessions 16th-19th January 2023-Resource Pack

Thought For The Week

The Power of Suffering in our Lives – Fr Ignacy Saniuta

Navigating the Post Pandemic World – Rebecca O’ Doherty

Lost and found! – Fr Michael McGrath

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