Columnists
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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: 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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
Fr Paddy: Celebrating Pope Francis on his tenth anniversary
Pope Francis recently celebrated his 10th anniversary since becoming leader of the Catholic Church.
His leadership is a remarkable one. Actions always speak louder than...
Fr Paddy: A mother’s love is a blessing
Sure I love the dear silver that shines in your hair. Does anyone recognise that song? An old, old Irish favourite, Mother Machree.
I...
Fr Paddy: St Patrick … Pray for us
It's hard to believe, three years ago, a national lockdown commenced, as we endured the fear and anxiety, that's part of a pandemic.
That's why...
Fr Paddy: Time to think again
Jesus wasn’t “laid back”. He had a sense of urgency about him, and he communicated that to others, especially his immediate followers. Why? Because...
Fr Paddy: Early Spring – A time of hope
As the evenings lengthen and new signs of life appear in our gardens we welcome a new Spring.
The following ancient story tells how the...
Fr Paddy: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent
February 22, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent. This is a season of reflection that leads us towards the three days of the...
Fr Paddy: Random 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...
Fr Paddy: Deep breath of peace
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, an elderly man was taking a walk along the beach. He was relaxed and content.
The...
Fr Paddy: St Brigid’s National Holiday
I love this time of year, a time to embrace brighter evenings and early mornings. Already there are signs of the new spring. Snowdrops,...
Fr Paddy: Reflection enriches life
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s (1491-1556) great insight came while he was convalescing after a serious injury.
God was communicating within him through his daydreams initially,...
Fr Paddy: Six helpful suggestions for getting through Blue Monday
The third Monday of January 2023 has been branded Blue Monday.
It begins what many describe as the most depressing week of the year. It...
