Ireland...

...and a delightful EVANGELIUM conference...

It was in the superb setting of  the great St Patrick's Seminary, Maynooth  which among much else offers excellent facilities for such events, and speakers included Dr William Newton,  Fr John Harris OP from the Irish Dominicans, and a brace of Bogles.

We had Lauds,Vespers and Compline each day in the beautiful St Joseph's Chapel. Of course there was also Mass each day - with glorious music, the chapel filled with young voices.

On Saturday evening a delightful social time with lots of chat and wine and snacks...and then, for a a small group of us, a beautiful late-night tour of the magnificent great College Chapel, and a chance to get a flavour of the College's magnificent history...

Highlight of the weekend, however, was the final address by the Archbishop of Armagh, setting out a timely, thoughtful, and uplifting, vision for the future, with practical wisdom and great honesty. It was exactly what was needed for a young audience at this stage in Ireland's history, and following the events of the recent referendum and all the debate preceding it. This was a memorable and important address...a privilege to be there and to be listening to it. A lot to think about, and a new approach, and a new hope...