I recently received some Christmas cards in the post. It’s such a novelty, because receiving actual post which isn’t a shopping item or bills is unusual. I enjoyed checking the postmark and looking at the handwriting to figure out who had sent it. The anticipation of opening a card from someone I’ve not seen in months forms part of the excitement!

Maybe you’ve been distracted by the run-up to Christmas - frantically buying last-minute gifts, worrying about the budget that was stretched too far or dealing with tough family dynamics. To quote the well-known cliché, we can end up forgetting the real reason for the season - God made man - and that all these things we do, are a means not an end.

Advent can be a bit of a blur for most people. And yet, if you can give it a moment it can really make an impact on these last few weeks before Christmas. It is a time of opportunity - or grace as we would say in the Catholic tradition.

In this last week before Advent, I always have mixed feelings. I’m torn between letting myself give in to the sheer and unadulterated excitement my children have about all the December merriment and climbing back under my duvet in fear and terror at the prospect of organising it all.

This is the second post in a two part series on the virtue of humility. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus tells us, “learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (11:29).

One day in 2018 while on a visit to the Holy Land, I took a short day trip to Bethlehem. I joined a large queue outside the Basilica of the Maternity, a Byzantine-style church marking the birthplace of Christ. In front of me stood a woman in her mid-eighties very small in stature.

Our lives are measured by time, during which we change, grow old and die. No one is exempt from death. It affects everyone. St Ambrose once said, “death is the end of earthly life, but not of our existence since the soul is immortal.”

In this episode, we dive into the difference between self-development and holiness within the Catholic tradition.

From where should we start reading the gospels, and after all, is there a right way to read the Bible? Join Maire Cassidy and Catherine McMahon in this conversation about the role of Sacred Scripture in our lives.

"Is God Worth Getting to Know" is the first episode of a series inspired by listener feedback. In this episode, the Hearts+Minds team reflects on whether we really know Jesus.

When you struggle with the unbelief of friends and family, it can be hard to maintain your own conviction and help those around you.

While Easter weekend has passed, the reflections and meaning of this date must remain in our Hearts and Minds. Grace is God's life within us and we want to remind you of this.

Are virtues and vices relevant today? Listen to the 5 practical tips to develop virtues in your life.

No matter what level of faith people have, Lent is a time of year that always captures attention. Not least because we mark the beginning with ash on our forehead! Maybe it’s because of long established cultural norms here in Ireland that we’ve always associated Lent as a time when we ‘give things up’ and you might find, in conversation with others, that it’s never really considered as a time people look forward to!

In this podcast episode, we delve into the radical meaning of Lent - our personal identification with the death of Christ.

Would you like Christmas 2023 to be more meaningful for you? If so, join us as we delve into the significance of Christmas beyond the gifts and festive lights. Learn about Mary’s unwavering faith and Joseph's acceptance of human limitations.

A true friend supports and helps us through the ups and downs in life; someone who is there for us not only when the going gets tough, but also in times of joy. 

St Augustine is noted to have famously said to God, prior to his conversion to the Christian faith, “give me chastity and temperance, but not yet!” After many trials and tears, this man went on to become a renowned saint and Doctor of the Church - meaning his writings and teachings have particular importance and value.

Being prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within you can be daunting. It might seem like no one is really interested in their faith anymore.

Recently on a work trip to London, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit The National Gallery. One painting which took me by surprise was one by an artist I’d not heard of before, Annibale Carracci. In his painting ‘Domine, quo vadis?,’ he depicts Peter the Apostle as appearing stunned when he sees Christ walk past him with great vigour, carrying the cross.