• Civil unrest in Belfast
• Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas, on humanity in the AI era
• Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church
• ‘Day for Life’ 2026 message: The Wonder of the Child in the Womb
• Department of Education and Youth’s Primary Schools Survey
• Synodality: in Ireland and Universally
• New EU Envoy for FoRB outside the EU, and persecution of Christians in Nigeria
• Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union
• Trócaire: Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
• TheWay.ie, progress on new unified digital platform to share the Good News
• Supporting international priests ministering in Ireland
• Maynooth Union annual celebration of milestone anniversaries of ordination classes

The full statement is available here

TheWay.ie is a new digital platform set up by the Irish Bishops’ Conference dedicated to sharing the Good News and the witness of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is intended to help people discover the faith, live the faith and pass on the faith. It is for both seekers and followers. Visit www.theway.ie.

BALALLY PARISH

Living the Rule Together:

TEEN HOPE LEADER’S TRAINING – May/June 2026

CARMELITES, WHITEFRIAR STREET  –  June 2026

MATER DEI SCHOLARSHIP  – closing date 05-Jun-26

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music is pleased to offer scholarships for the BA in Theology and World Religions for those entering the programme in the 2026-27 academic year. These scholarships are funded by the Mater Dei Scholarship and Grant Committee. The scholarships cover approximately half of the fees for the BATRS programme. For 2026-27 we are pleased to offer:
Three scholarships, covering €1400 per academic year, to be paid towards fees over four academic years. This covers approximately half of the module fees for the duration of the programme.
These scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis, and notification of awards will be made over the summer. One scholarship can be awarded per student.
The closing date for applications for the scholarships is 5pm, Friday 5th June. To apply, please send a letter of interest outlining your reasons for applying for the BA in Theology and Religious Studies at DCU, as well as your reasons for applying for the scholarship (1-2 pages, single spaced). This should be sent via email to Dr Marika Rose, Programme Chair of the BA in Theology and Religious Studies (marika.rose@dcu.ie).
If successful, in order to formally be awarded a scholarship, you will need to provide confirmation that you have applied to the programme on DCU’s Student Application Portal.
Enquiries may be directed to Dr Marika Rose (marika.rose@dcu.ie).

CAMP VERITAS

Camp Veritas is a Residential Faith & Fun Camp, Supporting Young People 12 – 17 years explore and celebrate their Catholic Faith. Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare, June 23 to 28. Visit www.campveritasireland.org for more.

PATHWAYS INTO PASTORAL MINISTRY

This course is for any adult who wants to explore and grow their faith. Over a year, participants are offered inputs on foundational issues of faith and the impact they have on ministry and parish life. There is also time for small group sharing and the opportunity for three different retreat experiences. On completion of the course, people are presented with a certificate.

Pathways is run on a Thursday evening (during term times) at the St Patrick’s campus of DCU in Drumcondra from 7.15pm to 9.15pm. The course starts on September 24 and runs until May 13, and costs €300. Online registration is now open using the QR code or via this link.

For further details, please visit the adult faith section of www.dublindiocese.ie/missionministry or contact peter.siney@dublindiocese.ie.

Marino Institute Certificate in Spirituality and Human Development

NEWMAN UNIVERSITY CHURCH – 05-Jun-26

To celebrate the end of a year of liturgies and music, the Newman Vocare Ensemble is having a summer concert featuring the best of from the liturgical year. The choir will sing favourites such as “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah sung on Easter Sunday and “Let My Love Be Heard“ by Jake Runestad sung at our Remembrance Service, as well as new pieces to our choir especially for the concert like “Even When He is Silent” by Kim André Arnesen. “Heart Speaks to Heart” will be Friday, June 5, at 7pm in Newman University Church with special guests the Loreto College Junior School Choir and University Church Singers

General Admission is €15 and Student Admission is €10. Limited tickets will be available at the door so make sure to purchase yours. (Admission for children is free.) All ticket proceeds will be a direct donation to the upkeep of Newman University Church. Visit http://vocare.eventbrite.ie. Use code FRIEND for 20% off your ticket. There will be tickets available after Masses on May 17, May 24, and May 31. Limited tickets will be available at the door.

RE-JOYCE WITH PALESTRINA CHOIR – 16-Jun-26

A unique celebration of sacred music from Ulysses and other works by James Joyce, with The Palestrina Choir. Time: 7:30pm. Date: Bloomsday, June 16. Location: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.

This Bloomsday, experience a glorious evening of sacred music from Ulysses and other works by James Joyce. This special concert will explore the musical life of Joyce’s Dublin as well as Joycean links with both the Palestrina Choir and the Pro-Cathedral itself. Sit back and listen to readings from Joyce’s work and some of the most beautiful sacred music ever written including Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcelli, Mozart’s Twelfth Mass, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Don’t miss this incredible musical collaboration presented by Darina Gallagher, Director of the James Joyce Centre, and Blánaid Murphy, Director of the Palestrina Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral.