Fr. Paddy's Blog

A recent visit to a home of a bereaved family left a lasting impression on me. Despite the pain and great burden of bereavement felt, there was also an opportunity to hope. While speaking about their raw and fragile wounds, this family admitted that they could not get out of the bed in the morning [...]

IT IS now five months since the resignation of Bishop Jim Moriarty has been accepted by Pope Benedict; a resignation that has gained considerable respect and praise.
Bishop Jim resigned because he felt he did not challenge the prevailing culture when he was an auxiliary in the Dublin Diocese. A culture we now know, in light [...]

This week a truly great man passed from this life; beginning a new journey in heaven. John Murphy, Ballywilliamroe, Bagenalstown was an inspirational and wonderful disciple of the Lord. His death comes after an enormous battle with terminal cancer. A battle he resolutely faced with resilience, determination, hope and great faith. Qualities that were indicative [...]

Very soon the dreaded leaving cert results will be distributed to thousands of students. It is a time of worry and opportunity. A time I’m sure many of us remember in all our lives. I think of the following story because fear and anxiety are forces that take away our fulfillment and peace. The story [...]

At least four players from Spain’s victorious World Cup squad, including the only scorer, Andreas Iniesta, have said they will make a thanksgiving pilgrimage to the Spanish National Shrine of Santiago de Compostela. Their decision to make this sacred pilgrimage was made before the World Cup began in South Africa, provided that they would win [...]

These days, I am deeply grateful to the locals, for sharing with me the fruits of their gardens. Growing of vegetables has once again grown in popularity. There is something very fulfilling eating fresh vegetables that you have nurtured and cultivated with your own hands. This weekend we celebrate the beginning of August, with it [...]

ALL our communities have experienced – and indeed been enhanced – by new people from different countries and continents coming to live here seeking new opportunity.
Not so long ago, our economy depended heavily on immigrants coming to our shores in order to fuel the record employment opportunities that were available in the boom years of [...]

The Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday, 30 January 1972, when British paratroopers killed fourteen Civil Rights marchers in Derry finally reported on 15 June 2010. It is a report about the past, but it may help people towards the future.
Immediately after the killings the whole of nationalist Ireland erupted. The British embassy in Dublin was [...]