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

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The Way-Brian McCormick

Published: April 19, 2021

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

Published: April 12, 2021

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

Published: April 5, 2021

After the busyness of Holy Week, I always find this week a good opportunity to take a bit of time to take stock. It’s hard to believe that just over a year ago the only Corona I’d given any consideration to was a fine cigar or a certain pale larger. A lot has happened and...

A Special Place to Be-Briege Lewis

Published: March 29, 2021

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

Published: March 22, 2021

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

Published: March 15, 2021

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

Published: March 8, 2021

Friday past, 5th March, was the Feast Day of Saint Ciaran of Saigher.   Ciarán was Bishop of Saigher (Seir-Kieran) and is the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Ossory. I have to confess that I do not know much about Saint Ciarán of Saigher.  In fact, if I am very honest, I had never heard...

Create! – Kirsty McCartney

Published: March 1, 2021

I come from a line of women who were able to create the most amazing things with their hands. My granny on my dads’ side was the best baker I have ever come across and no matter what I try my Christmas cake is nowhere near as good as hers. My granny on my mum’s...

Hibernation – a Happy Fault of Lockdown-Paula McKeown

Published: February 22, 2021

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

Published: February 15, 2021

Wednesday of this week is Ash Wednesday and so begins the 40 days of Lent. For the people of Israel and indeed for early Christians the number 40 was more than a measure of a quantity, it had a spiritual significance: the number 40 proclaimed a time of preparation for a new beginning in people’s...

A Community of Faith, Hope and Love in Pandemic – Geraldine O Connor

Published: February 8, 2021

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

Published: February 1, 2021

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

Published: January 25, 2021

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

Published: January 18, 2021

“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...

“I am Constant in my Affection for You” – Marguerite Hamilton

Published: January 11, 2021

Each New Year invites us to enter into the unknown. None of us knows what events will surprise us or challenge us in the year to come. If 2020 has taught us anything it is to live with uncertainty and look into the depth of our own vulnerability. It has surely made us aware of...

A New Year filled with Hope, expectations of Great Joy and many Blessings-Roisin Rice

Published: January 4, 2021

  As I read the various posts on social media over the last few days of 2020, it struck me that there was an overwhelming consensus of good riddance to 2020. The year that will be forever etched in the history books.  The year that contained so much pain, and death.  The year of lock...

New Beginnings-Fr Declan Boland

Published: December 28, 2020

Every year at this time we spontaneously and genuinely wish each other ‘Happy New Year.’ We have all being doing it for decades and it is a heartfelt wish for all that is good, prosperous and blessed towards family, neighbours, relations and friends. Like all gestures religious or otherwise it can become mechanical and routine....

The Importance and Gift of Christmas-Stephen Orr

Published: December 21, 2020

This year has been very difficult with COVID-19 and has presented families with many challenges, for example, being unable to visit each other freely.  As a family we always look forward to spending time together at Christmas however this year it will be restrained. We enjoy at Christmas celebrating many gifts like family, friends, presents,...

‘The Magnificat’ – Anne Marie Hickey

Published: December 8, 2020

As we journey through Advent, it is important to take time and reflect on the gift of Mary, our Mother. Pope Francis says of Mary, ‘She teaches us the way of holiness and she walks ever at our side.’ In honour of Mary, our Mother, our Thought for the Week, is a beautiful rendition of...

Advent – a time to wait?

Published: November 30, 2020

Tell me, O rose, what thing it is That now appears, now vanishes? When the American poet Edwin Markham wrote these words, he was referring to a humming bird, hovering delicately around a rose.  However, his words serve to accentuate the life which is encouraged by a single rose – the wide ecology it supports:...

Advent- Niamh McLaughlin

Published: November 23, 2020

On Sunday the 29th of November, the Church will begin to celebrate the season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year. When the word Advent starts circulating, it is for many the start of the Christmas countdown. The decorations if not already up, will be dusted off and put in their places;...

Preparing to Celebrate the Feast of Christ the King

Published: November 16, 2020

On Sunday 22nd November, the Church celebrates the feast of Jesus Christ, the universal king. Jesus is king, not only of the world, but of the entire universe. As we move towards this great feast, we offer daily reflections using the words of Pope Francis. We invite you each day to find some quiet time...

Learning Sanctity from Children-Lisa Hendey

Published: November 9, 2020

Although I began my writing career penning non-fiction for adults, in recent years my emphasis has strongly shifted toward crafting work that will speak into the hearts of children. This happened accidentally. After a flirtation with fiction, an imagined daydream turned into an opportunity to write a series of stories based upon the lives of...

The Gift of Care – Isobel Mc Dowell

Published: November 2, 2020

I am increasingly grateful for the gift of growing up in a family of unconditional love, faith and care. God was ever present in our family and this legacy remains so today. The spiritual nourishment we encountered has journeyed with us as a family. As a mental health nurse, I have had the privilege of...

Scaffolding-Monsignor Andy Dolan

Published: October 26, 2020

Many people are inspired by Seamus Heaney’s Poem, ‘Scaffolding’ which is so often recited as a reflection piece at weddings. It is of course a metaphorical poem about marriage, said to have been written by Seamus to appease  Marie after a difference between them. I must say at the outset these words are not prompted...

The Beauty God Intends for Each of Us-Rosemary Finan

Published: October 19, 2020

Like many others, my husband and I spent more time than usual this summer in our garden, thanks to a combination of lockdown and lots of sunshine. It was as if, by giving us such good weather, God was (emphatically!) inviting us to take time to really appreciate and make the most of all the...

Perspectives on the Pandemic -Sr Margaret Rose McSparran

Published: October 12, 2020

On March 19, 1930, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion moved into Drumalis, the ‘big house’ in Larne, a staunchly Unionist town on the Antrim Coast. It was almost a military operation because of the apparent need of secrecy! Who could have guessed that 90 years later, on March 19, 2020, we would not...

The Day We Are Born For!- Fr Patrick Lagan

Published: October 5, 2020

On a recent visit to St. Eugene’s Cathedral, a music teacher was taking a group of young people for a quick lesson before the Sunday Liturgy.  Normally, such practices are straightforward and uneventful, but upon a closer glance there was something peculiar about this particular rehearsal.  There were no words, there was sound, but the...

Season of Creation-Diocesan School Prayers

Published: September 28, 2020

In a change from our usual Thought for the week, we are sharing Season of Creation Prayers  from our diocesan schools. The prayers were presented at the Diocesan Mass for the start of the new school year, celebrated by Bishop McKeown, in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral on Friday 25th September. Our prayers today are from Saint...

The Father’s Lap-Yvonne Rooney

Published: September 21, 2020

I recently chatted to a priest friend and as we discussed prayer he asked me if was familiar with the ‘Father’s Lap’.  I was not. This prayer intrigued me and sounded very appealing.  Basically, we all know what it is like to see a young child settle into their parents or loved one’s arms.  Most...

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  • Celebrating Mary in the Month of May 2021
  • Create an Outdoor Rosary in May
  • Bake a Special Cake to Celebrate Mary in May

Thought For The Week

Holding Close While Letting Go-Bernadette Sweetman

The Free, Simple Things – Yvonne McGowan

“Beyond the Stars must Dwell a Loving Father!” -Willy Krause

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ddcc@derrydiocese.org

Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre
The Gate Lodge,
2 Francis Street,
Derry,
Northern Ireland
BT48 7DS

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