Brandon Scott

The outgoing Regional Director of the Columbans in Ireland, Fr Raymond Husband, has said that he is grateful after six years of numerous achievements in the role but that the pain of losing 62 Columbans mostly during the Covid pandemic has left “a sadness”.

Governor Soludo received the new Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria and Ambassador of the Vatican City, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia. Photo: Anambra State New Media.

Two members of a group dedicated to the promotion of the cause of Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen renowned for his deep faith who died after a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2006, say they’re “happy out” after last week’s Vatican announcement to canonise the “Millennial Saint” this April and that they’ve witnessed an “explosion” of Blessed Carlo interest among Irish youth due to recent exposure to the soon-to-be saint.

The performance of Catholic schools in the North, following the appearance of 7 Catholic schools on a recently published list of the 10 best schools in Northern Ireland, has been hailed by the Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown who said that in spite of the negative commentary directed at Catholic schools and Faith-based education “those who call for an end to faith schools would do well to note who educates best”.

The European Union’s plan to import 99,000 tonnes of cheaper beef into the European market every year from a range of South American countries has provoked questions from a priest-farmer, who said that he wouldn’t be happy if the imported beef was produced at a lesser standard than it currently is in Ireland and added that he doesn’t want to eat it if it is.

The annual Kilkenny Christmas Crib Walk, an event that has touched locals “very deeply” over the past 10 years, will return to the city on St Stephen’s Day. This year’s event will include a special prayer for peace in the Middle East and Bethlehem, calling on pilgrims to reflect on the ongoing conflict in the region and pray for an end to the violence.

Beauty Nanyangwe of Zambia, shows off beans harvested at her family farm, where she grows crops to feed her family and sell for profit to fund her other farming and business ventures. Beauty took part in the Households in Distress project run by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, funded by Misean Cara.

Archbishop Eamon Martin at the Synod of Bishops on young people in Rome in 2018. Pope Francis has put synodality at the heart of his papacy. Photo: CNS

Sometimes you just need a little reminder that decency is still out there. Some example of men and women coming together, applying their gifts and talents for the good of humanity. Thankfully, we’re still in a period of time where a mere glance into some of the endeavours of those working for justice and equality in the Church will yield an abundance of these remarkable examples.

Catholic school leaders have praised the enormous work and generosity of school children and staff who throughout the country have been raising tens of thousands of Euro for those in need at Christmas.