Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, marking the arrival of the Magi, or Wise Men to worship – and recognise – the infant Jesus as the Incarnation of the Divine. It is a feast which for many people marks the ‘end’ of Christmas, but which within the Orthodox Churches holds as much significance as the Nativity itself. As a feast, it invites us to encounter the mystery of God becoming human and to see God in the hidden people, places and moments in our lives, to carry that mystery with us as we journey through each day and to allow ourselves to be changed by it.
Franciscan priest Fr Richard Rohr has said “Epiphanies manifest the mysteries that are always beyond words – God perfectly hidden and perfectly revealed in the actual.”
The Feast of the Epiphany reminds us to look for, and acknowledge God in the most improbable, inconvenient, and uncomfortable places, and then, believing that we have encountered God, to allow ourselves and our lives to be changed and to “go back home by a different route.”
For more thoughts and reflections on Epiphany, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3HH9SYC
Today we celebrate the 112th anniversary of Margaret Aylward’s birthday. The foundress of the Holy Faith Sisters demonstrated a lifelong commitment to social justice and advocating for those on the margins of society, with a special care for women and children. Living and working throughout…
We are excited to be hosting our first ever Christmas Craft fair in the Centre on Saturday 12th November from 10am-1pm. Ideas for gifts or items to bring some festive spirit to your homes can be found in the selection of crafts such as knitwear,…
As we celebrate the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, we take time to reflect on those who have gone before us. We remember their lives and their part in our lives and we entrust them to God. We hold those whose hearts are…
Today is the beginning of Diwali, the Festival of Lights which is traditionally celebrated by the Hindu religion, but also by Sikhs and Jains. It is a festival which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali…
It was an honour and a privilege to participate in the event on Monday, 17th October to mark UN Eradication of Poverty Day 2022 at the Poverty Stone, and to hear so many people of courage share their stories of struggle and hope with such…
As we mark another International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we are proud to support @ATDIreland and the work they are doing to #EndPoverty – more vital now than ever. Click on the image below to view a short powerful film released…
With Summer well and truly over, we can see the rhythm of the year move towards shorter days and an autumnal feel in the air. Despite the change in the weather, many people find Autumn an uplifting time of year, perhaps because of the wonderful…
Today is the feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and nature. St Francis choose to leave a life of wealth and prosperity and came to see every part of creation, every creature, plant, element and person as his family. He understood…
We are holding a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, 12 November 2022 from10am – 1.00pm Register your interest in taking a table by contacting: e: info@macfd.ie | t: 017979364 Share this
Happy Rosh Hashanah to our Jewish friends. May this new year be filled with abundant blessings for you. Read more here Share this
Thursday, 22 September is World Car Free Day 2022. With carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being the major causes of global warming, this day brings awareness to what we can all do to help the environment and to the benefits of using cars less…
The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world each year from 1 September until the feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. It celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment. Drawing inspiration…
Click on the link below to view some of the events coming up this Autumn at the Margaret Aylward Centre. You can book here on our website – or call us on 01 7979364 or email info@macfd.ie 2022 AW Brochure Share this
As we approach the end of the summer break, we have been reflecting on some of the great things that happened in the Centre over the past few months. We are so grateful for your support and friendship and are looking forward to seeing many…
Have you any unwanted wool in your cupboard? All wool used for the benefit of others to arrange drop off contact the centre. From September | Tuesday – Friday | 10.30am – 3.00pm Tel: 017979364 | Mobile: 087 6649862 | Email: info@macfd.ie Share this
Happy St Patrick’s Day from the Margaret Aylward Centre. As we celebrate the feast day of our national patron saint, there is value in reflecting on the relevance of Patrick’s story for us in 2022. Patrick’s journey was one of separation, imprisonment, slavery and fear….
During a General Audience address on Wednesday, 23 February, Pope Francis invited everyone to make Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace in Ukraine. “And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness…
In the run up to World Day of Social Justice on 20th February, ATD Ireland, the Christian Brothers and Presentation Sisters collaborated with the Margaret Aylward Centre to create a series of workshops highlighting the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty. These workshops were hosted in the…
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, marking the arrival of the Magi, or Wise Men to worship – and recognise – the infant Jesus as the Incarnation of the Divine. It is a feast which for many people marks the ‘end’ of Christmas,…
Dear Friends, As we journey towards Christmas, the days continue to get darker and the darkness of uncertainty and fear seems to be deeper than ever. But we journey towards a promise, the promise of a Light which will come into the world, which the…
Cry of the Earth…….. Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition. Among the challenges posed to us by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ was to become more socially and politically active. The Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition, to be presented to world leaders at the forthcoming…
2021 has been dedicated by Pope Francis as a “Year of St Joseph” for which Sr Marie Dunne CHF has composed a beautiful hymn “Joseph Ever Faithful”. Click on the link below for a moment of reflection on St Joseph’s care and protection as we…
Some of our Holy Faith sisters who worked in South Sudan in recent years will remember fondly Fr Tim Galvin, a Kiltegan priest from Brosna, Co Kerry, who has lived there since 1983. Fr Tim recently trained as a Laudato Si Animator and created THIS…
As we emerge from lockdown and begin to step out into the summer, its a good opportunity be grateful for all that we have been given. Had we been told in February 2020 that we were entering into more than a year of isolation, we…
On Saturday 22nd May, we gathered before Pentecost to reflect on the guidance of the Holy Spirit with our friend and guide Donal Dorr. Participants logged in from across this island, England, Scotland, America, Australia and from parts of Asia and Africa too. Much like…
When the centre closed in doors in early March 2020, we imagined that a 12 week closure might be the worst possible scenario. Our first thought was how we might support both facilitators and participants on our courses in this challenging time. We decided to do three things To change our…
A book club with Dermot Lane on his new book ‘Theology and Ecology in dialogue: the wisdom of Laudato Si’. A fantastic opportunity to unpack Dermot’s important contribution to this conversation as we explored how every aspect of our theology and faith was, and is,…
