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Friday, September 29, 2023

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Fr Paddy – Keep life simple

Once upon a time there was a businessman who was sitting on the beach in a small Italian village. As he sat, taking a brief...

Fr Paddy: The season of creation

Recent Harvest Thanksgiving Masses, in our local churches, have been a source of deep inspiration. The colour, fragrance, coupled with creativity and gratitude, offered hope...
Pope Francis Mongolia

Fr Paddy – Never Give Up

This month of September, has begun with bright, warm sunshine. We all respond positively to light and warmth, its energy helps us to grow...

Fr Paddy – September, a time to harvest

Imagine that you had to employ a gardener. You ask around among your friends and neighbours, and eventually you hear of two gardeners who...
Foundations

Fr Paddy: The importance of building solid foundations

This was a major week, for over 60,000 students who received their Leaving Certificate results. Sincere best wishes to all students, who soon begin...
Peace of Mind

Fr Paddy – Be kind to your mind

I remember being very moved by Brendan O'Connor’s interview with Brent Pope some time ago. Brent spoke of his reflective time during the lockdown. He...

Fr Paddy – Room in the church for everyone

At 86, Pope Francis, is the oldest Pontiff in over 120 years. Last June, he underwent serious surgery and has made a remarkable recovery. His words...

Fr Paddy – When will the Sun come out to shine?

As I write this article, I look out and wonder when the sun will come out. July has been the wettest month ever recorded on...

Fr Paddy – The Month of August

This week we begin the month of August, traditionally the harvest season. Weather has been a huge focus on conversation and contemplation in recent...

Fr Paddy – The Cost of ‘Stars’

Every institution needs to be accountable, transparent and discerning. We have lived through the consequences of poor governance and its drastic consequences from church to...
Silence

Fr Paddy – Sitting in Silence

From the crowded city streets to the busy town hall square, from the local village community to the crofter’s moorland cottage we find human...
Orlaith Miller writes the Leaving Cert Diary 2023 for LaoisToday

Leaving Cert Diary: The exams are over – ‘Home is behind, the world is...

Orlaith Miller WAS a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally,...
Summer Solstice

Fr Paddy: Summer tales of wisdom

How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you're trying to get...
Dorothy Day

Fr Paddy: Dorothy Day … An inspirational lady

Recently, Cardinal Dolan of New York celebrated Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral to mark the end of the diocesan phase of the cause for...
Summer Solstice

Fr Paddy: We all live better in the summer brightness

This week we celebrate the summer solstice. The past few weeks we have all enjoyed magnificent weather. The summer brightness awakens within us a...
Orlaith Miller writes the Leaving Cert Diary 2023 for LaoisToday

Leaving Cert Diary: Sailing through, an essay title to work with and THAT maths...

Orlaith Miller is a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally,...
Fr Paddy

Fr Paddy: All God’s creatures have a place in the choir

I recently came across this inspirational story... A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said: “Puppies for Sale.” Signs like this always have...

Fr Paddy – The Strangest Dream …

People meeting with people, discussions held round tables decorated with flowers, microphones adjusted for clarity of sound and a fine meal together in the...
Orlaith Miller writes the Leaving Cert Diary 2023 for LaoisToday

Leaving Cert Diary: Lighting candles, Elizabeth Bishop and aspiring for survival

Orlaith Miller is a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman's NS in Stradbally,...
Fr Paddys Article (1)

Fr Paddy – Make hay while the sun shines

There are some very sharp turnings in life, as we know – and if we don’t we’ll find that out soon enough. Most of us,...

Fr Paddy: One step at a time

Summer, is a wonderful time of year, long bright days that awaken within us all, a sense of peace and calm. Traditionally during summer time...

Fr Paddy: A prayer for students

In the last years of his life, the great cellist and conductor Pablo Casals suffered greatly from rheumatoid arthritis and emphysema. At 90, he was...

Fr Paddy: The more at peace we are within ourselves, the more at peace...

Pope Francis often refers to the “Poison of Gossip”. Passing on bad news is negative and toxic. The more at peace we are within...
Turf

From the Archives – Pat Critchley: Priceless memories from working on the bog

This Pat Critchley piece originally appeared on LaoisToday in 2017 Long before the Spanish sun holidays became the norm, we had the bog. It was...

Fr Paddy: Our model of church, as we know it, is dying rapidly

The Irish Bishop's conference has initiated a year of prayer for vocations to the diocesan priesthood. Prayer and priesthood are closely connected. Priesthood ultimately...

Fr Paddy: Spread the faith…

Recent fine weather has given us an opportunity to refresh and renew. It amazes me, how we awaken with such hope and energy because...
Pat Critchley fire brigade column

From the Archives – Pat Critchley: Remembering the Portlaoise Fire Brigade from back in...

This piece by Pat Critchley was originally published in his book Hungry Hill and later on LaoisToday in July 2017 The members of the Fire...

Fr Paddy: ‘Empathy and kindness bring friendship and love’

In his recent Easter message, Pope Francis, reminds us “God loves us as we are, in our own unique way, our Creator, delights in...
Easter General

Fr Paddy: Easter – All is new

Easter is a wonderful time of year. Nature, reflects the transformation, from darkness into light. New green leaves, spring blossoms and brighter days lift our...

Fr Paddy: How often do we find ourselves thinking where has time gone?

How often do we find ourselves thinking where has time gone? Already in 2023, we have moved from the darkness of winter into the...