Over the past few days, as I prepared for this Easter celebration, something caught my attention. The word “witness” is used five times in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Obviously it is significant. Peter and Paul, John, Mary of Magdala and Luke are all witnesses. The Gospel tells us that...

Our daily life is a continuous cycle of endings and beginnings. Winter turns into Spring. Autumn fades into Winter. Every ending is a new beginning. Fashions change, ideologies are abandoned, and walls crumble, only to be replaced by others, which may be interesting in their own way, but are just as temporary as those that...

A few weeks ago, I sat down one evening with my sister to watch a DVD. The movie is called Wit and it stars Emma Thompson. It is the story of a Professor of English, who discovers her own vulnerability when she has to undergo chemotherapy for Ovarian cancer. The treatment of cancer seems to...

If a historian were to come to Ireland in another thousand years, to study the origins of the St. Patrick’s Festival, she would find that it started out as a religious festival. It was a celebration of faith. Over the centuries it has grown into a celebration of Irish culture and nationhood. I suppose the...

World Day of the Sick – Saturday February 11th 2017, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo Homily of Bishop Kevin Doran  Behind many hall-doors in our parish and throughout the length and breadth of our Diocese, there are people who are sick; men and women, young and old; and more children than you might imagine....

Epiphany – a Celebration of the Nations  Homily of Bishop Kevin Friday 6th January 2017, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Ireland and Israel have a good deal in common. They are both small countries with a history of emigration. Like the Irish, the Jewish people are to be found in every corner of the earth....

Fiftieth World Day of Peace January 1st 2017 Homily of Bishop Kevin, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo The Gospel reading today tells us that Mary “treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart”. This morning, as we stand at the threshold of a new year, we are invited, like Mary, to ponder...

One of the highlights of this year for me was the publication of “The Joy of Love” by Pope Francis. In this letter of encouragement he reflects on the practical challenges of family life against the background of the hope that God keeps in his heart for every person and every family. Pope Francis invites...

Bishop Kevin’s homily at Mass on the day of graduation for students of St Angela’s College, Sligo 4th November 2016, St John’s Church, Carraroe The word “graduation”, as you probably know, comes from the word “step”. Today you take an important step forward when you receive your degree. This will be reflected symbolically when you...

Our Little Brother at the Gate Homily of Bishop Kevin Doran at Knock Shrine Pilgrimage of the Legion of Mary, Sept 25th 2016 As I read the words of the prophet Amos during the week, I was reminded of something Pope Francis said to the young pilgrims at World Youth Day in Krakow. He encouraged...