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For nearly 200 years, the soaring spire of St Muredach's Cathedral has stood as Ballina's most recognisable landmark, rising above the River Moy and serving as both a place of worship and a symbol of the town's enduring heritage. Generations of residents have celebrated baptisms, marriages and funerals within its limestone walls, while countless visitors have paused to admire one of the finest exa... Read More

Gospel of 9 August 2026 Matthew 14:22-33 After the crowd had eaten and were satisfied: Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by... Read More

Ish, directed by Imran Perretta and co-written with Enda Walsh, tells the story of two friends Ish (Farhan Hasnat) and Maram (Yahya Kitana). At the beginning of their teenage years, their friendship is changed forever when Maram is traumatically snatched from the street in a stop and search. Set in Luton, the film is primarily about friendship, family, and coming of age. Juxtaposing the fathers ... Read More

If you find it difficult to imagine what it might be like to live in a war zone, I recommend this deeply moving book. In fact, I recommend it to anyone and everyone, with no ifs and no buts. It is inspirational. The heroes of this story are the ordinary people of Gaza, and particularly the members of the tiny Christian community (now shrunken to around a thousand people in the Catholic and larger... Read More

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The Cosmic Christ It isn't often that I look at the three Sunday readings and discover them as a unified whole, there is always the problem of our second reading seeming slightly difficult to weave into the pairing that is the OT first reading and the gospel, there is of course a link through our second reading, more in the continual opening out for us of the te... Read More

Gospel of 8 August 2026 Luke 9:57-62 At that time: As Jesus and his disciples were going along the road, someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' To another he said, 'Follow me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, ... Read More

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was in Assisi this week, for the inauguration of the Global House of Friendship and Hope, a new international project promoted by the Elijah Interfaith Institute. During his visit he spoke with journalists about his concerns over the situation in the Holy Land.. Asked about the upcoming Israeli elections on 27 October, he said: ... Read More

This year's service to commemorate the life and witness of Bl Franz Jagerstatter will take place at the Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer, Cheyne Row, London SW3 5HS at 4pm on Sunday, 9 August It has been organised by members of Pax Christi England and Wales. Bl Franz Jägerstätter, was an Austrian farmer and conscientious objector during World War II who refused to fight for Nazi Germany because ... Read More

The final stages of a sponsored walk marking 125 years since the Catholic Association (CA) first made its pilgrimage to Lourdes will conclude in the Diocese of East Anglia this weekend. The CA Lourdes 125 Sponsored Walk is raising funds to celebrate the milestone anniversary, with organisers aiming to raise £1,250. Having reached the halfway point towards the fundraising target, supporters are be... Read More

Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Healthcare for the Bishops' Conference, has once again raised his voice in opposition to the controversial puberty blockers trial after a High Court judge ruled that children as young as 11 can be recruited to take part. "It is particularly alarming to see that the clinical trial prescribing puberty blockers to children, run by King's College London, is going ahe... Read More

Talented youngsters at a Coventry primary school received a standing ovation after their dance talents brought plenty of smiles to people living with dementia and their families. Pupils at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, visited the Dementia Partnership Hub in Holbrooks during the last week of term, impressing the audience with a series of energeti... Read More

Haiti's gangs are trying to silence the Church as it remains the last institution challenging their stranglehold, a bishop has warned as worsening violence pushes back elections. Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste of Jérémie told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN): "We are the last remaining bulkhead - moral, ethical, spiritual and prophetic… That is why they want to eliminate us." Legislative and p... Read More

An extraordinary Catholic church in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, considered one of the finest early-20th century churches in England, has been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* listed status by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), on the advice of Historic England. The upgrade is in recognition of its remarkable architectural and historic significance. The Roman Catholic ... Read More

Gospel of 7 August 2026 Matthew 16:24-28 At that time: Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ... Read More