Tag: Fr Paddy Byrne

“’Did you not know what the Holy one can do with dust?’ It’s a line from a poem for Ash Wednesday by Jan Richardson. In...

In 1960, Martin Luther King was imprisoned after leading a civil rights march. His dream seemed a long way off. Criticised by white church leaders,...

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...

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...

People meeting with people, discussions held round tables decorated with flowers, microphones adjusted for clarity of sound and a fine meal together in the...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

We are about to celebrate Christmas once again. I'm sure for the vast majority, this Christmas, will be greatly enhanced as we live in...

It should be no secret to anyone that we do not know the date of Christ’s birth, and so the Church baptised a Pagan...

The Art of 'Letting Go' is about deciding to stop making the same mistakes and choosing to take a different path. It has been said...

Recently, Cardinal Mario Grech, speaking in relation to the universal Synod warned against “The Danger of Keeping Silent”. The Synodal process is a time for...

Halloween did not come from Hollywood but rather its origins are strongly connected to ancient Celtic roots. In Celtic Ireland, about two millennia ago, Samhain...

Peace of mind, is a feeling of being safe or protected, it is the absence of worry. It’s achieving a calm state of mind...

One day a man walked past a camp of elephants. Looking closer, he was surprised to see that these mighty animals weren’t held in...

A small number of public figures are instantly recognisable by their first name. One of them is Brother Kevin, the founder of the Capuchin...

Time seems to be moving extremely quickly. It's hard to believe that August has arrived. This is a wonderful time of year when harvest begins...

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in...

There is story in the Gospel about a leper coming to Jesus on his knees and pleading with him, saying, ‘If you want to,...

It’s good to think of prayer, not just as saying prayers, or speaking to God, but as listening to God. Not just as words but...

As we move closer to the Month of May, it brings a sense of hope and fresh opportunity. A recent walk in Emo Court, reminded...

This is Holy Week, a sacred time when through ritual and symbolism we remember and give thanks for the great sacrifice Jesus made for...

Tanks in the city streets of Ukraine. Blocks of flats on fire. Wrecked and burnt-out trucks, twisted metal and shattered windows. Small groups of cold...

St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) was a French Catholic who became a Carmelite nun at an early age. She died in obscurity at the age...

After two long years of lockdowns and living with the reality of pandemic, it is with a great sense of joy that we can...

Saint Basil, known as the Great, was a fourth-century bishop of the Eastern Church who was known for his care for the poor. He was...