Journeys of Faith, Hope and Love; The Inspiration of St. Columbanus Address of Bishop Kevin Doran to Knights of Saint Columbanus, Saturday 19th Oct 2019 In these days we are entering into the last weeks of the liturgical year. The Church invites us to contemplate the end of time and the final establishment of the kingdom...

From time to time, since I was first ordained as a priest, I have been asked to move from one parish or pastoral situation to another. There has always been a certain amount of sadness in saying good by to people but, over the years, some of those relationships have become real friendships, and have...

Some years ago, in a parish where I was working, we decided to set up a Family Mass group, to encourage the involvement of parents and children each Sunday. There was a lot of work involved. The parents and the children were very generous with their time and their talents. The first Sunday, after Mass,...

Saul of Tarsus – Death and the Hereafter A.) Saul of Tarsus  Tarsus Like many people, I imagine, I became aware of Tarsus in one context, namely that it was the home town of St. Paul, who wrote many of the letters (or epistles) of the New Testament. Over the years I have, understandably, paid...

A Joy that Lies Ahead of Us Homily of Bishop Kevin Doran at the Knock Novena The Apparition: It was pouring rain in Knock at around 8 o’clock in the evening on August 21st 1879. There wasn’t anything unusual about that. But people in the West of Ireland are no strangers to rain, so Mary...

We often read in the Gospels how Jesus went out into the wilderness to pray and large crowds of people followed him. Today we come out, not exactly into the wilderness, but to a quiet place to pray. This Holy Well is made Sacred because, for centuries people have gathered here in Jesus name, originally...

“The kingdom of God is very near to you”. The Gospel passage which we have just heard is not specially chosen for our celebration of the Jubilee of Marriage. It is the one assigned for the fourteenth Sunday of the year. Jesus sends his disciples out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and tells them...

“Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call to him while he is still near.” These are the words of Isaiah today and they reminded me of something that happened recently. A few weeks ago, the President of the United States came to Ireland on a private visit and spent two nights here. Just...

Why Look Among the Dead for One Who is Alive? Shock and Disbelief When I was twelve years old, St. Michael’s Church in Dun Laoghaire was destroyed by fire. Even though I saw it with my own eyes I could scarcely believe it. As far I was concerned, St. Michael’s had always been there. It...

Anointed for Communion and Mission   Jesus, the Anointed One of God   Our Scripture readings introduce us to the hope of the people of Israel. They are described in the prophecy as “a race whom the Lord has blessed”. They are blessed in the land that they have been given and in the produce...