AFTER nine days of prayers and reflection at the Graan Monastery in Enniskillen, the well-attended Novena of Hope concluded on Monday night with a special talk from a leading Irish playwright. Leitrim man Gerry Farrell, who has written a number of popular plays including ‘The Last Prime Minister’, shared his thoughts on faith, prayer and […]
COLUMN: Michael Hand – The Swan Story
I NEVER expected to be on the dating scene in my fifties but after 22 years my marriage ended and I wasn’t cut out for being on my own. I have heard it said that women grieve and men replace, so after a short period of grief I went looking for love. Dances and pubs […]
Fermanagh priest Fr Gary Donegan has fourth eye surgery
FERMANAGH cleric Fr Gary Donegan has said his admiration for the NHS ‘grows by the minute’ after he underwent another major surgery. Since December, the Newtownbutler priest has been in and out of hospital and he recently underwent a fourth operation on his eye, in a bid to restore hs sight. “Well it’s official. I’ve […]
COLUMN: A dark secret
THE first man I ever hugged was Tony Esposito. In a black-and-white world, he was an explosion of Technicolor. But he had a dark secret. I had been accepted by the Diocese of Youngstown to work as a deacon in my final summer before ordination. I was assigned to this rather backward parish called East Liverpool […]
Fr Troy set to speak at the Novena of Hope
ONE of the North’s most recognisable priests have been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming Novena of Hope at The Graan in Enniskillen. Fr Aidan Troy from Wicklow will be speaking on Tuesday, March 5, where he’ll recall his active involvement in helping restore peace in Belfast. Alongside Fermanagh cleric Fr Gary Donegan, Fr […]
COLUMN: An accidental meeting
I WAS responsible for him losing his eyelash and gaining a wife yet I only met the man once and I don’t even know his name. It all came about because my first car as a newly ordained priest was a clapped out ten-year-old Austin Allegro that was held together by rust. The reason I came […]
Fr Gary Donegan has third surgery
FR Gary Donegan said he was ‘genuinely moved’ after a community youth group in Ardoyne sent him ‘get well soon’ messages online, just hours after he underwent a third surgery on his eye. The Fermanagh cleric was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, on Wednesday in a bid to secure the sight in his […]
Sadness at death of much-loved Elizabeth Greene
THE Derrygonnelly community was left deeply saddened following the death of much-loved teacher Elizabeth Greene who left ‘a lasting impression’ on many pupils in West Fermanagh. Formerly of Mullykivet in Derrygonnelly, Ms Greene, 68, passed away peacefully on Tuesday. Born in Belmore Street in Enniskillen to parents Denis and Laura Joan Hughes, Ms Greene (nee Hughes) […]
COLUMN: A reluctant celibate
THE start of my journey to become a priest was very shaky. I fell in love twice in my first three months. The first time was the week before I entered the Seminary. I had received an itemised list that was considered essential for a young man starting off on the road to priesthood. Most items […]
Graan’s Novena of Hope returns
THE theme of ‘hope’ will once again be the central one at the upcoming Novena at the Graan which will see hundreds of people gather for nine days of prayers and reflections. The Superior at the Graan, Fr Charles Cross, will lead the liturgies which is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, March 2. He’ll […]