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For more than 800 years, Ballintubber Abbey has stood in the County Mayo countryside in the west of Ireland as a place of worship, pilgrimage and community life. Now, the historic site is entering another significant chapter as major works begin on a new cultural and heritage visitor centre. The development marks one of the most ambitious projects in the Abbey's modern history, combining the conse... Read More

'The Answers Are There' by Libby Hoffman, Publisher: Blue Chair Press. This could have been written for a divided Britain in the 21st century. But it is the story of how people in Sierra Leone repaired their communities following the civil war (1991-2002, 50,000 dead) and Ebola (4,000 dead). The success rests in the belief that local inhabitants, and not national politicians, academics, NGO expert... Read More

Gospel of 16 August 2026 Luke 1:39-56 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit... Read More

The United Reformed Church has issued the following statement today: The United Reformed Church is deeply saddened by the death of Professor Jason Arday, who was found unresponsive at an address in London on Friday (14 August). Professor Arday, 41, became the University of Cambridge's youngest Black professor in 2023 before resigning from his position as Professor of Sociology of Education last we... Read More

In the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, a tense and dangerous standoff has unfolded over the past week as illegal Israeli settlers have placed several Palestinian families under a siege inside their own homes without food or water. Israeli politician and peace activist Ofer Caffis warns that unless the world intervenes, there could be 'catastrophic bloodshed.' The crisis began last Sunday, Aug... Read More

Taybeh, the only remaining Christian village in the West Bank, includes Christian archaeology dating back to the Roman era and early Christianity. Located in the Ramallah area of the West Bank, the village's population has dwindled to 1,200 people, all of them Christians. During the 1980s, the population was around 3,000 people. Today, Taybeh is surrounded by four illegal Israeli settlements: Ofr... Read More

In England and Wales this year, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1. Mary in our Christian journey. Where did you first discover a love and devotion to Our Lady, Saint Mary the mother of our Saviour? In our Catholic tradition it is not difficult to discover her either in image or devotion because she is so deeply rooted in our faith, particularly in forms of popular expres... Read More

A special online discussion will take place today, Saturday, August 15 at 7pm UK time, 2pm EST, with Father Bashar Fawadleh, Parish Priest of Taybeh at Christ the Redeemer, in Taybeh, the last remaining fully Christian village in the West Bank. Taybeh and its people have fallen victim to repeated violent incursions by extremist Israeli settlers, threatening residents and their property. Israel rec... Read More

Gospel of 15 August 2026 Matthew 19:13-15 At that time: Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' And he laid his hands on them and went away. Reflection on the Baptistery This year in England and Wales, the Sol... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has encouraged priests to respect the liturgical norms for the celebration of Mass, in a message to participants in a Vatican-organized meeting in the US state of Oregon. As Cardinals, Bishops, and lay people gathered at the Benedictine Abbey of Mount Angel, Pope Leo XIV sent a message on Friday to emphasise the importance of properly celebrating the liturgical rites. The event which ... Read More

A powerful artwork honouring hundreds of children killed in Gaza has won the public vote at this year's National Eisteddfod art exhibition. The Josef Herman Award - The People's Choice was awarded to Diane Williams from Ynys Môn for the emotional work - a child's nightdress embroidered with the names of 300 children who did not attain the age of one in Gaza - displayed at Y Lle Celf, the National... Read More

"The cry of displaced children rises to God today," Pope Leo says in his Message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Church will observe on September 27th. This year's day features the theme 'Even just one of these children,' from the Gospel according to St Matthew. Pope Leo begins his Message by insisting that the title 'Even just one of these children,' draws our attentio... Read More

Two schools in Coventry and Birmingham are celebrating a stellar set of A-level and Level 3 vocational results. Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School - Coventry This school, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, has reported improvement in the number of students achieving the highest grades, with many securing places at leading universities and highly competitive degree apprenticeships. Students will n... Read More

Reports are still arriving but already several schools Catholic schools in Westminster and Brentwood dioceses have reported another year of excellent exam results. Bishop Challoner Catholic School - Tower Hamlets Bishop Challoner Catholic School Sixth Form posts another fantastic year of post-16 success Executive Headteacher Adam Hall said, "These results are a wonderful celebration of everythin... Read More