John, 1, “In the beginning was the Word”. Before anything existed in the world, “In the beginning, was the Word.” “And the Word became flesh” John goes on to say, This breath-taking power, the Truth, Life and Way, Came to dwell among us and is still here today. But what is “the Word”?...
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...
“I am Constant in my Affection for You” – Marguerite Hamilton
A New Year filled with Hope, expectations of Great Joy and many Blessings-Roisin Rice
New Beginnings-Fr Declan Boland
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
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
Advent – a time to wait?
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
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;...
