Maynooth College annual Christmas carol service to go ahead on Wednesday
At 7.30pm this Wednesday, 15 December, three Maynooth College and University choirs will gather in the historic College Chapel of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, for the annual Christmas carol service: the College Chapel Choir, directed by Dr John O’Keeffe; the Schola Gregoriana, led by Dr Darina McCarthy; and, Maynooth University Chamber Choir, under the direction […]
During Advent ask what we should do for Jesus and others – Pope Francis
At the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis sayid the Advent Season is about asking ourselves how to prepare for Christmas and what we can do for Jesus and others, concretely, in our lives. On the Third Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis greeted the many pilgrims present, including many families with their children, who brought little statuettes […]
‘We look forward to hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches’ – Bishops
In accordance with public health guidance to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered remotely last week for their Winter 2021 General Meeting via video-link, instead of the usual location at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Following the meeting, Bishops provided an update on the Synodal Pathway in Ireland: “In […]
Vatican hosting ‘100 Nativity Scenes’ exhibition in St Peter’s Square
For the fourth year running, the Vatican is hosting the ‘100 Nativity Scenes’ International Exhibition (Mostra dei 100 Presepi), bringing together over 100 cribs from across the world depicting the Nativity of the Lord. The exhibition, which has become a traditional feature in the Christmas calendar of events in Rome, is being held under the colonnade […]
Pope Francis on Lesbos: Stop this shipwreck of civilization
On the Second Sunday of Advent Pope Francis visited the Reception and Identification Centre of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. While there, he heard the testimonies of migrants, and told those present migration is a humanitarian crisis that concerns everyone. Five years ago, Pope Francis came to the island of Lesbos to see for […]
Church bells to ring for hope on Sunday 12 December
Bishops have asked that church bells would be rung at 9.00am on Sunday 12 December in prayerful hope for all during this Season of Advent. Sunday 12 December has been chosen as it is the Third Sunday of Advent which is Gaudete (Rejoicing) Sunday. The bishops extended the invitation following their Winter General Meeting which concluded […]
Knock Shrine to host Advent series of talks on Synodality
Knock Shrine has announced a series of Advent talks on the theme of Synodality which will take place on Thursday evenings during the month of December. The talks will be offered by Father Eamonn Conway, Head of Theology & Religious Studies, MIC, University of Limerick and Julie Kavanagh, Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. As the initial phase of the Synodal […]
Pope’s December prayer intention is for Catechists
“Catechists have an invaluable mission for the transmission and growth of the faith,” says Pope Francis in The Pope Video for December. Each month, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network prepares The Pope Video, in which the Holy Father reveals his special prayer intentions for that month. For December 2021, the Pope is praying “for the […]
Vatican launches #IamChurch campaign for persons with disabilities
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life announced the launch of a campaign dedicated to persons living with disabilities. Tagged #IamChurch, the campaign, which begins on 6 December, will consist of five videos containing the testimonies of Christians living with disabilities from different parts of the world who recount their experience of faith and affirm, […]
“Use the season of Advent to prepare spiritually for the challenge of renewal” – Archbishop Dermot Farrell in Advent Pastoral Letter
Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin has issued a pastoral letter for Advent inviting the Church in the Archdiocese of Dublin to use the season of Advent as a time of prayer and reflection to prepare spiritually for the challenge of renewal. The pastoral letter was issued on the First Sunday of Advent on 28 November. […]