BACK in the 1980’s any decent Catholic was expected to go to confessions at least once a month and weekly for the more devout, whether you had sinned or not. As a clerical student at Maynooth College, it was easy for me to confess as we were assigned a spiritual director whom I could visit whenever […]
Fr Gary Donegan set to undergo second surgery today
FERMANAGH cleric Fr Gary Donegan is set to undergo surgery today (Wednesday) after he suffered ‘another bleed’ in his eye. In December, the Newtownbutler priest revealed that he had to have an operation to restore the sight in his right eye after losing his vision a few weeks ago when a bleed to it caused extensive damage. […]
Time for a helping hand
“HAND” said the booming voice of the middle-aged cleric who lay on my bed in Rhetoric House, Maynooth Seminary back in 1974. “Hand, McLáimh, I’m afraid that name does not have a good reputation in clerical circles. Your pedigree is not very good I’m sorry to say.” The man who uttered these words was the […]
Mary McAleese calls for end of celibacy
FORMER President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, has said there will be no priests left in the Western world in 30 years’ time unless the Catholic Church ends celibacy and the bar on married priests. Ms McAleese, currently chancellor of Trinity College Dublin, made the comments after Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, an adviser to Pope Francis and highly influential […]
Community saddened by death of much-loved Freda Hudson
THE Enniskillen community was left devastated following the death of one of its much-loved residents Freda Hudson, who served the local community with ‘a smile’ for over four decades. Ms Hudson, formerly of Chanterhill Road in Enniskillen, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by her family. Born between the bridges to parents Hughie and Lily […]
Celebrating ancient crafts in honour of St Brigid
IT MAY not be a bank holiday on this side of the border, but communities across Fermanagh are preparing to mark St Brigid’s Day tomorrow (Thursday), a national feast with orgins long pre-dating even the Christian saint it celebrates. In schools and homes across the county and its surrounding areas this week, hands will be busy making the traditional crosses […]
Presidential peace award for Fr Gabriel
FERMANAGH missionary priest, Fr Gabriel Dolan, has been recognised by President Michael D Higgins for his work in the area of peace, reconciliation, and development. Originally from Cashel, Fr Dolan has dedicated his life to communities in Kenya for over four decades, fighting first for voters rights, then expanding the cause to include land rights and the battle […]
Time for a helping hand
In 1974 during the Easter holidays of my final year at boarding school a vocational workshop was organised for boys thinking of becoming a priest. Anyone that way inclined had to stay over for the weekend while all the other boys went home on holidays. As someone attracted to the idea of becoming a priest, […]
Fr Gary Donegan has surgery for blindness
FR GARY Donegan has paid tribute to the many people who have “rallied around” him after he recently underwent serious eye surgery. Originally from Newtownbutler, the Ardoyne-based cleric, pictured below, had an operation to restore the sight in his right eye after losing his vision a few weeks ago when a bleed to it caused extensive damage. To read […]
Postboxes for letters to lost loved ones
MEMORIAL postboxes allowing people to send ‘letters to loved ones in heaven’ have been unveiled at the Parish of Aghalurcher in Fermanagh to help the bereaved cope with their grief. The white postboxes have been erected at the entrance of St Mary’s, Maguiresbridge, and Holy Cross, Lisnaskea, graveyards. The white ‘Letters to Heaven’ postboxes will give parishioners the chance to […]