News Archive

Sacred Hymns Concert/Phil Murphy Weekend
This year's Phil Murphy Weekend in Carrig-on-Bannow Co Wexford will start with a Sacred Hymns Concert with L'Angelus, the US Cajun band currently touring Ireland (see below). This will take place at Carrig Church on Fri 23rd July at 8 pm. Adm €10. L'Angelus will also headline in the Festival Marquee on the Sat and Sunday nights. On Sat 24th there will be an Ó Riada Mass in the church at 7 pm, and on Sunday morning (25th) at 11 am there's Mass with music by Jim Boyce, Statia Redmond & Friends. Full programme here.

The Brendan Voyage
Celebrating the voyage of St Brendan to the new world, Shaun Davey's The Brendan Voyage will be performed in three venues this July. Taking part will be Liam O'Flynn, Rita Connolly and The National Youth Orchestra. Venues: St Canice's Cathedral Kilkenny, Fri 16th July (booking NYOI ); Cork City Hall Sat 17th July (Booking from Pro-Musica 021-4271659); and National Concert Hall, Dublin Sun 18th July (booking NCH).

L'Angelus Tour
Current tour list for Cajun Band L'Angelus, who include spiritual material in their set list. 7th July 8 pm: Anaverna, Ravensdale; 9th July: Spar Centre, Enniskillen, Ireland; 13th July: Dunlewey Centre, Donegal; 14th July: The Crane Bar Trad Music Room Galway; 15th July: Mary B Lounge, Arklow, Co. Wicklow; 16th July: Daemar Court Hotel, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary; 17th July: The Cherry Tree, Walkinstown, Dublin; 19th July: Fiddler's Green Festival, Rostrevor; 23rd and 24th July: Phil Murphy Weekend, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford.

Liturgical Music Course
The 41st annual Irish Church Music Association Summer School of Church Music takes place at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, from 5-9 July 2010. This year's Guest Director, Christopher Walker, is an internationally known lecturer, composer and conductor whose works encompass children’s music for liturgy and catechism plus a wealth of material for all liturgical celebrations. The Summer School comprises five days of immersion in church music and liturgy, with plenty of opportunity to meet people, renew friendships and have lots of fun! Participants may attend the whole week or participate on a daily basis. All participants receive a full pack of liturgical music to take home with them. This year a range of stimulating tutorials and workshops are on offer. More information here.

Macbeth
At the Abbey Theatre there's a new version of Shakespeare's tragedy of good and evil, conscience and betrayal, this time set in Ireland at the time of Cromwell. Aidan Kelly and Eileen Walsh play the lead roles. Abbey Theatre, previews Mar 30-Apr 6 7.30pm €20/€18 Opens Apr 7- May 15 €18-€38 01-8787222. More info and booking here.

The Priests - Tour Dates
14th May 2010 Wexford Opera House; 15th May 2010 Royal Theatre Castlebar; 23rd May 2010 Grand Canal Theatre Dublin; 26th May 2010 UK Tour - Newcastle; 27th May 2010 UK Tour - Glasgow; 29th May 2010 UK Tour - Birmingham ; 30th May 2010 UK Tour - Cardiff; 1st June 2010 UK Tour - Bournemouth; 2nd June 2010 UK Tour - Manchester; 7th June 2010 Cork Opera House; 11th June 2010 INEC Killarney; 12th June 2010 University Concert Hall, Limerick; 15th June 2010 Millennium Forum Derry; 16th June 2010 Millennium Forum Derry; 19th June 2010 The Waterfront Belfast. More info here . Video clip is Amazing Grace, which features on The Priests album "Harmony" (2009)

L'Angelus July Tour
US Cajun group L'Angelus will tour Ireland again next July. Their unique brand of good time American traditional music combined with mature song writing and spiritual material has already gone down a storm on their last two Irish visits, where among other events they have played for the Catholic Underground group and appeaered on the Today with Pat Kenny show on RTE Radio 1. Among their Irish appearances will be a gig in the Mary B Lounge in Arklow, Co Wicklow on Thursday 15 July. More details to follow. See review of earlier Irish concert here.

Liam Lawton Concert
Liam Lawton will perform in Sligo Cathedral on July 2nd at 8 pm. . Tickets: Third Wave Music, O Connell Street Sligo. Contact +353 (0)71 916 2944. The event is part of the Lovin' Life Festival.

MAD Festival
MAD - Make a Difference, now in its third year, is a Christian Rock and Gospel Festival held in Glenealy Co Wicklow. This year it's on Sunday 20 June 2 pm to 10 pm. Among the performers this year are the Dublin Gospel Choir and Emmaus. See MAD website for full details and ticket info. MAD was the brainchild of Tim Phillips who sadly passed away this year. For Faitharts review of last year's event click here.

Dublin Gospel Choir
May and June Dates: 02 May at 7pm Candlelit Gospel Mass, St. Mary of the Angels Church, Church St; 16 May at 7pm Candlelit Gospel Mass, St. Mary of the Angels Church, Church St; 21 May at 8pm Riverside Theatre, Coleraine; 23 May at 7.30pm Clonard Monastery Belfast / Féile an Phobail & Suicide Awareness; 29 May at 8pm Draoicht, Blanchardstown June 2010; 06 Jun at 7pm Candlelit Gospel Mass, St. Mary of the Angels Church, Church St; 11 Jun at 8pm Novena in honour of St. Anthony, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Merchants Quay; 20 Jun at 7pm Candlelit Gospel Mass, St. Mary of the Angels Church, Church St; 20 Jun at 8pm MAD Festival - Glenealy, Co. Wicklow; 25 Jun at 8pm Strule Arts Centre, Omagh

National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra & the Galway Baroque Singers - Friday 11th June @ 8pm T joined by mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty, tenor Gardar Thor Cortes and bass-baritone John Molloy for Puccini's Messa di Gloria and Duruflé's Requiem Op. 9.

Knock Summer Festival
This year's festival will take place June 25th to 27th for people 18 to 35. There will be music from Elation Ministries and speakers will include Andrew O'Connell and Sr Helen Prejean) writer of Dead Man Walking. Visit the festival website for more details.

New Dublin Voices
This group will perform a series of concerts in late May/early June: Friday 4 June - St Paul's Church, Glenageary (8 pm) Saturday 5 June - St Thomas's Church, Mount Merrion (8 pm) Tuesday 8 June - St Andrew's Church, Malahide (8 pm) Saturday 12 June - St Ann's Church, Dawson Street (8 pm). Tickets €10, available at the door. Among the choir's regular pieces are Salve Regina by Hungarian György Orbán with which NDV was the overall Grand Prix winners in Budapest in 2009, and a sublime Laudatio Domini by Joonas Kokkonen.

Eurovision Winner
The current issue of the Irish Catholic is reporting that this year's Eurovision winner for Germany, Lena Meyer-Landrut, is a big fan of the Taizé community, which she says, had a profound spiritual and musical influence on her. She wore a Taizé cross during her performance.

Special Concert
The National Concert Hall, Dublin, Saturday 19 June, 2010: Christy Moore, The Dublin Gospel Choir and many more will join broadcaster Eamon Dunphy and author Deirdre Purcell in a top line-up of Irish entertainers hosted by Marian Finucane, at the only Irish event to celebrate the 65th birthday of incarcerated Burmese activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Freewoman of Dublin Aung San Suu Kyi. More info and booking here.

SACRED: RECONSIDERING THE SACRED IN ART
Saturday seminar: A series of conversations focusing on the relationship between visual art, religion and notions of Sacred. Date: June 26 Venue: The Clinton Centre, Belmore Street, Enniskillen Registration: 10am Start: 10.30am Admission: Free Booking is essential for this event. Please email sacredproject@ireland.com to book. Includes: Rev. Gary Mason and Philip Napier (Artist and Head of Fine Art, NCAD), Karl Burke, Miriam De Burca, Daphne Wright Chair: Helen Carey (Independent Curator), Seamus Nolan (Artist), John Zerzan (Philosopher). More info on Facebook page.

Fuaimlaoi Music Event
Fuaimlaoi was formed in 2006 to promote and develop liturgical music that is rooted in our native tradition. This group of singers and instrumentalists is based at St Teresa’s Church, Clarendon St, Dublin. They have recently launched a CD, Ancient Promise, and in connection with this will have a concert on Thurs 1st July in Clarendon St Church in Dublin at 7.30 pm. Video clip: Come Adore This Wondrous Presence: Setting in English of Tantum Ergo Sacramentum - launch of ANCIENT PROMISE at Maynooth. Admission to 1st July Concert is free!

Culwick Choral Society
The Culwick Choral Society will perform Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers on Wednesday 19th MAY 2010 at 8pm in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, accompanied by leading soloists and a special gathering of period-instrument musicians. Tickets from Ticketmaster, Opus II and St Patrick's.

The Priests Tour
Singing group The Priests are currently on tour - some of the venues are as follows: 23rd May 2010 Grand Canal Theatre Dublin; 26th May 2010 UK Tour - Newcastle; 27th May 2010 UK Tour - Glasgow. They also appeared on a Nationwide special on RTE 1 on Friday 21st May. The programe can be watched here.

St Genesius Film Society
The next film will be The Miracle, starring Kurt Russell and Patricia Clarkson. It will be shown on Tues 18th May at the Knights of Columbanus Centre in Ely Place Dublin 2 at 7 pm. All welcome - there will be an introduction and chat afterwards.

Mount Argus Event
The Guinness Choir and the Ulster Orchestra directed by David Milne will perform Hymn of Jesus by Gustav Holst and Hymnus Paradisi by Herbert Howells on Sunday 16th May 8 pm in Mount Argus Church, Harold's Cross, Dublin. Tickets are 25 Euro. Contact: 086-8818044. See also www.guinnesschoir.org

Handel's Day
On Tuesday April 13th there's a celebration of music, history and Handel rooted in the anniversary of the 1742 world premiere of Messiah in Temple Bar. Connecting the people and places of Handel’s time, this day long programme will involve a journey, from Handel and the Baroque to Irish traditional music. A full programme of events including booking and ticket details will be available on the Temple Bar Cultural Trust website and throughout Temple Bar and the city from Monday 15th March 2010.

Pro-Cathedral Musical Event
Sing Alleluia! The Lord is RISEN! An evening of Sacred and Inspirational Music to worship the Lord! By Rev. Fr. Marino Nguekam, C.S.Sp. And Friends In St Mary's Pro-Cathedral (Marlborough Street, Dublin 1) on Thursday 15th of April 2010 @ 8pm Tickets available in Pro Cathedral parish office, cost €10 More info: www.fathermarino.com

Byzantine Iconography Course
Byzantine Iconography Course using the traditional technique of egg-tempera & gold leafing. Venue - The 'Old' St. Clement's School, South Circular Road, Limerick (entry via Redemptorist Church Car Park). Dates - April 19th to 24th. Contact - Mihai Cucu email - mihaicucu78@gmail.com Tel - 086 369 2037

Lourdes Film
The film Lourdes which was shown during during the Dublin Film Festival is now showing at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin. Read Faitharts review of the film here (entry for 26/2/10). For booking and more info go here.
(added 3/4/10: Lourdes is also showing at the IFI Cinema in Dublin)

Andrae Crouch Gospel Concert
Renowned Gospel singer Andrae Crouch will give his first ever Irish concert in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, Dublin, on Sunday May 9th. Tickets from gospelmusicireland.com and Ticketmaster. Andrae Crouch has 8 grammies, multi- GMA Dove awards, NAACP award, ASCAP award, Bilboard awards. Crouch has worked as a producer and arranger with Michael Jackson, Madonna (Like A Prayer), Quincy Jones, Mika (We Are Golden), Diana Ross, Elton John, Rick Astley (Cry For Help) and Prefab Sprout. He also co-wrote the title song to CeCe Winans' award-winning "Throne ...Room" album in 2003.His film credits include Once Upon A Forest, The Color Purple, The Lion King, and Free Willy. Also of mention is his collaborations with Quincy Jones, specifically the rendition of Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something from The Color Purple (featuring Tata Vega on lead) as well as appearing on Jones' Back on the Block album. Crouch was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 1998.

Philip Carty Concert
Philip Carty is doing a concert in St Agnes Church, Crumlin Village, on Tuesday 11th May. He will do about 10 mysteries of his Rosary Concert (piano music). The rest of the concert will be the church organist launching their new church organ This is a Free concert.

Gospel Rising in Ennis
The Gospel Rising Festival will take place in Ennis, Co. Clare from May 7th to May 9th. 2010. There will be workshops and concerts, with the help of the London Community Gospel Choir, Andrae Crouch and Jack L. Also feature are the Valley Gospel Singers, An Glór Gospel Choir, and gospel choirs from Maynooth, Ennis, Ballymun, Shannon, Celbridge/Straffan. Full weekend tickets cost 60 Euro. For more info see clip on left and the event website.

New Magnificat, Beethoven and Rossini
National Concert Hall: Beethoven Mass in C/Rossini's Stabat Mater 24 April 2010 08:00 PM - MAIN AUDITORIUM Dublin County Choir• The Serenata Orchestra - Ingoldsby: Magnificat Beethoven: Mass in C Rossini: Stabat Mater. This Première of a setting in Irish of the Magnificat, by Brian Ingoldsby (a member of the choir's basses) precedes Beethoven's dramatic first setting of the Mass. Rossini's flamboyant Stabat Mater includes some unusually cheerful suffering in the Cujus Animam. Presented by Dublin County Choir. More info and booking here.

Days of Christian Culture
This is a cultural-Christian event in Cork 16-18 April. Some of the events are listed below. For more info go here. Cork, 16 April (Friday) 8.30PM-10PM Songs and prayer from Taizé (in English and Polish) Place: St. Augustine's Church, Washington Street/Grand Parade; 17 April (Saturday) 10AM Final of the picture competition for children "My Family" Place: City Library, Grand Parade; Cork 18 April (Sunday) 10AM-11.30AM (after Mass in Polish); 2PM-4PM Movie screening "Decalogue IX" directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski (with English subtitles) After screening discussion about marriage and family Place: The Half-moon Theatre (Opera House building), Emmet Place, Cork 7.30PM (door 7PM).

Dublin Gospel Choir Dates
04 Apr at 7pm Candlelit Gospel Mass, St. Mary of the Angels Church, Church St; 09 Apr at 7pm FM104 Help a Dublin Child 'The Gig' in aid of Temple Street Children's Hospital; 10 Apr at 8pm Jerome Hynes Theatre, Wexford - Tel 053 91 22144; 16 Apr at 10am-12pm East Coast Fm - Coffee Morning in aid of Cancer Support Centres; 16 Apr at 8pm St. Agnes Church, Crumlin - 75 year celebration; 17 Apr at 8pm Concert: Saggart; 18 Apr at 7pm Candlelit Gospel Mass, St. Mary of the Angels Church, Church St; 23 Apr at 7-9am Special Olympics Ireland National Collection Day - Grafton Street; 23 Apr at 8pm Parish Centre, Ardee, Co. Louth: 087 – 2839 792.

Armed Man at the Concert Hall
The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins will beperformed at the National Concert Hall on Sat 10th April at 8 pm, along with Mozart's Coronation Mass in C. This event is presented by the Enchiriadis Treis Choir, with Marion Doherty Hayden - Conductor, and the National Philharmonia Orchestra, Leader: Clodagh Vedres. More info and booking here. Video clip shows segment: Hymn Before Action, by a choir and orchestra from Slovenia.

Dublin Gospel Choir
On Friday April 16th the DGC play St Agnes's Church Crumlin to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Church this year. Tickets available from Parish Office on 01 4555368 / www.crumlinparish.ie

Play by John Paul II
The Jeweler's Shop - a play by Karol Wojtyla will take place on Friday, April 9 at 8:30pm at Áras Treasa, Dublin (junction of Clarendon St and Coppinger Road, opposite the Church). There will be further performances of this Play on Sat 10th Apr and Sun 11th Apr BUT PLEASE NOTE EARLIER START TIME OF 7:30PM Admission €5. Presented by the ST GENESIUS DRAMA COMPANY. For more see Facebook page for this event.

Ballylinan Pasion Play
The renowned Passion Play production in Ballylinan, Co. Laois returns this year. Bookings now being taken for the six performances which begin on 26th March and conclude on Good Friday. The Ballylinan Passion Play is a unique community event where almost 200 neighbours stage a moving production of the Lord’s Passion in the small country village in Co. Laois. Previous productions took place in 2000 and 2005. Advance booking necessary due to small venue: 059-8625125

Sound of Music
Connie Fisher, winner of BBC's How Do Solve a Problem Like Maria?, stars in The Sound of Music in Belfast at the Grand Opera House Until Mar 20 7.30pm (Mon 7pm, Thurs & Sat mat 2.30pm) £16-£45.50 Info: 028-90241919

Emmanuel 2010
The Fourth Emmanuel programme of liturgical music in Second Level Schools will come to a glorious conclusion in the Mahony Hall, Helix Centre on Wednesday & Thursday 24 & 25 March at 8.00 p.m. 40 schools from around the Diocese have been preparing for this programme of contemporary liturgical music. On the day the students will participate in a range of workshops on the Clonliffe/Mater Dei Campus before going to the Helix for the orchestral rehearsal and performance
If you have any questions do contact us in the Liturgical Resource Centre 01 8087554 or feel free to call either Gerard 087 2347220 –Paula 0868514867 or Ian 0862490779. Tickets are now on sale directly from the Helix ( 01 – 7007000 ) www.helix.ie More info here.

The Path of Beauty
The path of beauty is a special way to God, says Fr Sergio Marcanzin, the President of the Russia Ecumenical Centre. This is in the context of a conference series "The Epiphany of Beauty" being held in Rome in February and March. There will be a strong emphasis on icons. More info here

Mass in B Minor
Our Lady's Choral Society 21 March 2010 08:00 PM - MAIN AUDITORIUM Our Lady's Choral Society • Colette Boushell, Soprano • Chloe Hinton, Alto • Robin Tritschler, Tenor• Ian Caddy, Bass National Sinfonia• Proinnsias O' Duinn, Conductor.
J.S. Bach Mass in B Minor The Mass in B Minor is widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. The work is in the repertoire of Our Lady's Choral Society over the past 60 years and will be performed on the day of the 325th anniversary of Bach's birth. More info and booking here.

Tracing the History of Christian Art
Lecture at Lismullin Conference Centre Co. Meath Thursday 25th March 8 pm - 9 pm.
The lecture is intended to weave the loose threads together to reveal the glorious tapestry that is Christian Art. In the process, it is hoped to discern some of the influences that informed Irish medieval art.
Presenter: John O’Riordan MA Art History UCD. For the last four years he has taught Art History for the BA in both UCD and DCU. He has also taught the subject in several Colleges of further education in Dublin. More info here.

Conference for Teachers
TEACHERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONLINE "Positive, practical responses in the classroom to what students are doing online", Saturday 27 March 2010, Lismullin Conference Centre, Co Meath, with speakers from Google and National Council for Technology Education (NCTE), and also student speakers. Time: 10.30am - 5.00pm [Registration: 10.00am] Cost: €50 (includes lunch and refreshments). Brochure here. Booking here

Songs of Joy for Haiti
Saturday 27th March St Mary's Church St, Dublin 7 (Our Lady of the Angels), two of Ireland's most popular gospel choirs, The Dublin Gospel Choir and the Discovery Gospel Choir, will join forces to raise badly needed funds for The Irish Red Cross in Haiti. TICKETS €20 (concession €15) – Doors open 7.30 – Concert 8PM sharp See www.tickets.ie or you can also buy in person from the Capuchin Friary office on Church St. Tickets also available at the door on the night. While the audience will enjoy each choir’s own individual blend of gospel and soul, they will also be treated to a very special collaboration between the choir groups on a Haitian Creole song which is guaranteed to be one of the most unique experiences that any Irish audience will hear in 2010. More info here.

Emmanuel '10
Emmanuel is an initiative of the Dublin Dioces that aims to celebrate liturgical music in schools. Deadline for application is Friday 6th November - application forms and brochures were recently sent to schools. Teachers wil be invited to workshops in late November where they will get music and CDs for the 2010 event, which will take place in the Helix Theatre on 24th and 25th March. In 2009 around 1,200 students sang with an onstage orchestra. Websites for more details: Bebo and Dublin Diocese. Email: litsec@dublindiocese.ie or ring 01-8379253 ext 241.
Added on 19/11/09: further invites for late applications sent to schools.

Art Competition
The Life Socety of NIU Glaway is holding an art competition open to secondary students on the theme - Life, The Ultimate Work of Art. Deadline for recipt of entry forms is 12th March. The ideal submission should be moving, beautiful, and unique. The winning artist will receive a plaque as well as a cash prize of 150 euro. For more information or to enter the competition 'Life: The Ultimate Work of Art' please contact Life Society, Societies Office, Áras na Mac Léinn, E-mail: lifesoc@socs.nuigalway.ie Phone: 0876217702 (auditor).

Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof. Famous musical about romance, talking to God and Jewish traditions in Tsarist Russia at by Naas Musical Society. Moat Theatre Mar 8-13 8pm €20/€ 15. also being revived by Limerick Musical Society. University Concert Hall Mar 11-13 8pm €22/€20

Lucan Gospel Singers
The Lucan Gospel Singers will be in concert at the RDS Concert Hall, Merrion Rd, Dublin on Sat 27 Feb 10. Tickets are €20 - booking at Ticketmaster. Lucan Gospel Singers was formed in February 1998, Based in Lucan, West Dublin the Group is Multi-denominational with members from all religious backgrounds.

L'Angelus Tour
US Cajun and Gospel group L'Angelus will be touring Ireland again this February. Last time round they visited Catholic Underground events. Tour dates so far: 17th and 18th Feb: 8.00.PM - 10.00.PM Shine Variety Concert Millenium Forum Derry Co. Derry; 20th Feb 8.00.PM - 10.00.PM The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul Fingal, Co. Dublin; 27th Feb 8.00.PM - 10.00.PM The Lodge Cultural Centre Castlewellan County Down; 28th Feb 7.00.PM - 9.00.PM The Brontë Rathfriland Co. Down; 2nd March 8.00.PM - 10.00.PM The Hawkswell Theatre County Sligo. More detailed info here.

New Date for L'Angelus Tour
Cajun/Gospel group L'Angelus have added another Irish date to their February/March tour - it's at Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow Co Wexford on 25/2/10 8.30 to 10.30. See below for other dates, or get More detailed info here.

Church Music in Limerick
The annual Limerick Festival of Church Music will take place in various venues in the city from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th March 2010. On the Friday there will be schools' competitions and an opening liturgy and concert. On Saturday there will be church choir competitions and an organ master class. On Sunday there will a Workshop/Masterclass with theComposer-in-Residence and a solemn festival Eucharist. More info here.

University Ideas
Newman's Idea of a University: Then and Now, address by Áine Hyland, EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION,UCC, Wednesday, 3rd March, 7.30 pm Renehan Hall, St Patrick's College, Maynooth Response: Professor Tom Collins, Vice President for External Affairs/Dean of Teaching and Learning, NUI Maynooth All welcome. Áine Hyland is a well known Irish educator, a former Professor of Education and later vice President of University College Cork. Jointly sponsored by St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Department of Education and An Foras Feasa, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Dublin Gospel Choir
DGC will be performing their first Kilkenny show of the year this Sat 20th Feb in the wonderful new SET Theatre. Like all Dublin Gospel Choir shows, this promises to be a fantastic night of foot-stomping, hand-clapping fun, and one gig that’s definitely not to be missed!! Doors 8pm and Tickets available from Set Kilkenny: 056 7721728 or at www.set.ie This weekend also sees the Choir perform at the 2010 Meteor Music Awards with Brian Kennedy who will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. It is completely sold out but The Meteors will be broadcast this Sun 21st on RTE2 at 9pm.

Lourdes Film
The film Lourdes, by Austrian writer/director Jessica Haussner, will be screened as part of this year's Dublin Film Festival - at Screen 1, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 on Mon 22 Feb at 8.30 pm. The film tells the story of a young woman, wheelchair-bound and not of very strong faith, who heads for Lourdes. Christine is played by Sylvie Testud. It has been at various film festivals, including Sundance, has won seven international awards and is due for release in UK in March. One review describes it thus: "Jessica Hausner's 4th feature casts a sceptical eye over the commercial excesses of Lourdes but neither chastises nor mocks those who make the pilgrimage there." For full review see here. Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry here. NOTE: end of clip on left includes spolier - to avoid it stop clip at 2 min mark!

Drama on Lourdes
Bernadette is the story of Bernadette Soubirous, the Lourdes visionary. This dramatisation is by the Duleek Players and Aisteoirí na Boinne. It's at the Stockwell St Theatre, Drogheda, on Mon 22nd Feb. Adm 15 Euro. Info: 041-9833946

Liam Lawton at Divine Mercy Conference
The Divine Mercy Conference takes place this weekend and will be broadcast live from the RDS, Dublin this Saturday 20th February on www.churchservices.tv including liturgical composer Liam Lawton at 7.15pm.

St Genesius Film Society
The society's next film, The 13th Day, a new film about the appearances of Our Lady in Fatima is on Tues 16 Feb Knights of Colombanus Centre, Ely Place, Dublin 2 Tue. 7.00pm All Welcome. More info on this film here: www.the13thdaymovie.com For trailer see below.

St Genesius Film Society
The next film will be Sophie Scholl, the story of a young student who opposed the Nazis in Germany. It's at Knights of Colombanus Centre, Ely Place, Dublin 2 on Wed 20th Jan, 7.00pm All Welcome for viewing and discussion. The Fraternity of St Genesius was founded on 19th January 2007 in Drogheda, Ireland, and was formally approved as a Catholic Private Association of The Faithful on 27 August of the same year. The Fraternity was founded in response to the calls of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for the renewal of culture, and as a means of supporting the men and women of the theatrical and cinematic arts through spiritual accompaniment.

Music for Confirmation Workshop
Thursday, November 12th Mt. St. Anne’s Retreat Centre Killenard, Portarlington, Co Laois. 7:30p.m.-9:30p.m. Workshop will be hosted by Liam Lawton, Marian Gaynor and Maeve Mahon This workshop is designed to help teachers and Choir Directors with planning the music for the Confirmation Liturgy. Music will be provided on the night. Bookings It is essential to reserve your place at this Workshop. Cost: €15 per person Contact Christine at Faith Development Services Cathedral Parish Centre, College Street, Carlow Tel: 059-9164084 Fax: 059-9164020 Email fds@kandle.ie

The Catholic Novel
The Irish Catholic newspaper is currently running a series on "The Catholic Novel". This week's edition (16/7/09) deals with The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. An accompanyimng article outlines aspects of Hemingway's biography, including his conversion to Catholicism. The article can be read here on the IC website. Registration is required but it's free.

Artists to Meet Pope
On 21st November 2009 Pope Benedict is to meet a group of over 500 from the artistic community in the Sistine Chapel, including our own Bono of U2 and film composer Ennio Morricone. It is organised by Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi who said: "The meeting is aimed at bridging the gap that has developed between religious faith and artistic expression over the last century".

Tommy Fleming Concerts
On the fifth anniversary of the recording of the “Voice of Hope” Concert at the world famous Knock Basilica in 2004 Tommy Fleming is returning to perform a once off anniversary special Christmas show at the Basilica on Saturday 12th December 2009. The Concert will feature special guests, Orchestra, Band and Choir. More info here. Bookings at Ticketmaster. He will also perform at St Aidan's Church, Ferns, on Sunday 15th November. For bookings, ring Parish Office 053 9366514.

Rosary Music
Philip Carty will perform the Rosary for piano in the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception 8th December. A review by Yvonne Walsh of his August recital of this work in the National Concert Hall can be read here.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
At the The Helix, DCU, Dublin 9, Mon 15 December at 7.30pm. The Locrian Ensemble returns to present a magical programme of music for Christmas, attired in lavish period costume, framed in a stunning and evocative candlelit setting. This is the ideal evening to experience, and enjoy, the true spirit of the festive season. Information and booking here.

Liam Lawton Tour
Liturgical composer Liam Lawton has announced an extensive Autumn tour. Fuller details re booking are available here. Locations and dates as follows: 22nd October The Church Of The Immaculate Conception, Ballymote, Co. Sligo; 23rd October St. Brigid’s Church, The Curragh, Co. Kildare; 25th October Liam will perform as special guest on Mary Duff's album launch "Voice Of An Angel" Holy Family Church, Ballsgrove, Drogheda, Co.Louth; 10th November St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin; 22nd November Ballintubber Abbey, Co.Mayo; 26th November Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip, Co.Kildare; 27th November Immaculate Conception, Oughterard, Galway; 28th November St. Beacons Church, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny; 29th November Knockerra Church, West Clare; 2nd December Waterford Cathedral, Waterford; 04th December St. Josephs's Church, Kildimo, Limerick; 07th December St. Pauls Church, Glenageary; 08th December Kilshanroe Church, Johnstown Bridge, Enfield; 10th December Liam will be guesting at The Croí Fundraiser, Radisson Hotel, Galway; 11th December Fairways Hotel , Dundalk, Co. Louth; 13th December St. Peter in Chains Church, Ballymacoda, East Cork; 16th December Church of the Nativity of the B. V. M. Kilbeg, Carlanstown, Kells, Co.Meath; 17th December Tuarard Art Centre, Moate, Co. Westmeath; 18th December The Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh, Co.Mayo; 20th December Graiguecullen Parish Centre, Carlow Town, Co. Carlow

Praying with Icons
A reflection day based on praying with icons, led by Dom Gregory Collins of Glenstal Abbey, will be held in the Dromantine Conference Centre in Newry on Sunday Dec 5th. The event is hosted by the Irish Association of Iconographers and the Armagh Prayer and Spirituality Group and costs €25. For details and booking contact decoloughlin@yahoo.co.uk

Joy to the World Concert
A special concert featuring Cara O’Sullivan and the RTE Concert Orchestra will take place in Newbridge Parish Church, (St Conleth’s) Co. KIldare, on Friday 4th December at 8 p.m “Joy to the World” is an evening of classical and popular Christmas favourites. Featuring Cara O’Sullivan and the RTE Concert Orchestra, New Dublin Voices and conductor David Brophy. Tickets €20 (Concessions €18) Bookings Breffini O’Rourke, Newbridge Parish Centre o45 431121

Sale at Hutchison Music
There's a pre-Christmas sale at Hutchison Music - all their albums for $5 plus postage. This includes their recent release Songs, as well as their Christmas Album. The genre is acoustic folk, and the material includes familar as well as new songs. Samples of the songs can be played from their website.

Carols by Candlelight
21 December 2009 03:15 PM and 8 pm - MAIN AUDITORIUM, National Concert Hall, Dublin: Mozart Festival Orchestra in full 18th Century costume •Mozart Festival Chorus Gareth Hancock, conductor• Gail Pearson, soprano - Bach Air on the G String, Corelli Allegrao and Pastorale from Christmas Concerto, Mozart Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate, Pearsall In dulci jubilo, Cullen Joy to the World, Handel Let the bright Seraphim, Zadok the Priest, Christmas sequence from Messiah Carols for all including O little town of Bethlehem, Hark! the herald angels sing, The first Nowell, O come, all ye faithful, While shepherds watched, O come, o come Emmanuel. Herald Christmas in the most elegant way with this joyous concert of carols and seasonal classics presented with all the grace and charm of the 18th Century in an evocative candle-lit style setting. More info and booking here.

Handel's Messiah
Our Lady's Chroal Society presents Handel's Messiah in the National Concert Hall, Dublin Wed 16th - Fri 18th Dec 2009 at 8 pm. The event will feature the RTE Concert Orchestra, with Proinnsias o Duinn, Conductor. More info and booking here.

A Glorious Choral Christmas
14 December 2009 08:00 PM - MAIN AUDITORIUM, National Concert Hall, Dublin: The Culwick Choral Society with guest soloists •Hannah Macaulay, soprano •Suzanne Savage, soprano Duncan Brickenden, countertenor• Fearghal Curtis, tenor• Tristan Caldwell, bass • The Culwick Ensemble, Leader Brona Fitzgerald• David Leigh, Organ And Chorus Master• Bernie Sherlock, conductor. A great Christmas tradition continues as The Culwick Choral Society returns to The National Concert Hall for its popular annual celebration of Christmas. Featuring Charpentier's charming Messe de Minuit, favourite moments from Handel's Messiah, and the very best of carols, old and new. Supported by the Cultural and Scientific Service of the Embassy of France in Ireland. Info and booking here.

Dublin Gospel Choir
The Choir has a busy schedule for Christmas -
Friday and Saturday 11th and 12th Dec - The Civic Theatre Tallaght – (only a handful of tickets left – call 01 462 7477)
• Saturday Dec 12th – Easons, O’ Connell St Dublin - Performance 2pm!
• Sunday Dec 13th – The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght –Performance 12PM to 1PM
• Sunday Dec 13th - Kildare Village – 2PM to 5PM
• Thurs Dec 17th – The Café on RTE2
• Sat Dec 19th – Liffey Valley Shopping Centre – Performance 11AM to 12.30PM
• Sat Dec 19th – Blanchardstown Shopping Centre – Performance 1PM to 2PM
• Sun Dec 20th – The Wide Angle on Newstalk FM

Liam Lawton Special
Nationwide this Friday (RTE 1 - 18th December) is a special programme about Liam Lawton and his spiritual music. After broadcast it should be available on the RTE Player and the Nationwide web page.

Christmas Eve Gospel Choir
The North Dublin Community Gospel Choir is performing at a new mass at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve at St. Paul's Church, Ayrfield ( just off the Malahide Road near Tesco's Clarehall). Expect a lively gospel sound as well as the classic Christmas carols we all love. The Choir hopes to make Christmas even more special. Their Facebook page is here.

Catholic Underground
Next Catholic Underground Ireland event is on Sat. 28th November 2009, St. Mary of the Angels Church Church, St. Dublin 7. 7:30pm - 10:30pm A well as prayer time this event features music group Elation Ministries. Catholic Underground is a cultural apostolate of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. It is a direct response to a call that began with Pope John Paul II, and is continued by Pope Benedict XVI.

Teen SpiriT
Teen SpiriT, an initiative of Kerry Diocese to promote teen faith and talent, first took place in the INEC Arena, Killarney, Co Kerry on April 30th 2009. The evening was a celebration of the talents and Christian faith of teenagers from all around the Kerry. Teen SpiriT returns to the INEC on November 26th at 8 pm (school show 11.30 am). Starring: Killarney Youth Choir .... Church of the Resurrection Folk Group .... Teen choirs from Beaufort, Killorglin, St. Brendan’s Tralee .... and guests, the Doneraile Youth Choir. Featuring music by .... Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Leona Lewis, Take That, High School Musical and many others.... as well as Contemporary Christian music that deals with a range of real issues such as: struggling to believe in God, seeing our true value as through God’s eyes and being real with ourselves and God. For more info and booking details check out the Teen SpiriT website.

The Human Experience - Screening in Limerick

A new documentary on the human experience and search for meaning will be shown in Limerick on Sat 21st and Sun 22nd Nov at 7.30 pm in the LIT Millennium Theatre (near Thomond Park). All are welcome and it's free (donations welcome). It has won 27 film awards, and three of the film makers will also attend for a Q and A session after the screening. See trailer above and the film's official website is here.

Kirk Franklin Concert
US Gospel singer Kirk Franklin will perform at a concert in the National Show Centre Swords on Friday November 13 2009. Kirk Franklin is a five times Grammy Award winner (nominated in 2008 for two Grammys, including Best Gospel Song for "Help Me Believe" and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for "The Fight Of My Life.") Bookings at Ticketmaster or Gospel Music Ireland.

Concert to Launch Dublin Gospel Choir Album
The Dublin Gospel Choir will launch it's new album, Doing Their Thing, with a show in Tripod, Harcourt St, Dublin 2 on November 7th. The songs on the new album will be performed on the night, mixed with the usual classic gospel numbers. Seated tickets are €25.00 - while standing tickets are available for €20.00. Booking at Ticketmaster - click here.
See also the choir's website

Catholic Underground
Coming events from Catholic Underground: Saturday September 26th 2009 Artist: To Be Confirmed, Location: Our Lady of the Angels Church, Church St. Dublin 7; and Saturday November 28th 2009 Artist: Elation , Location: Our Lady of the Angels Church, Church St. Dublin 7. These events involve a combination of prayer and artistic performance.

Jesus Christ Superstar
National Concert Hall 28 October 2009 08:00 PM - MAIN AUDITORIUM RTÉ Concert Orchestra• Steve Balsamo, Jesus Christ • David Shannon, Judas Jacinta Whyte, Mary Magdalene• Pat Shortt, Herod • Scott Davies, Pilate• Stephen Hill, Conductor
This is a concert performance rather than a stage production. Originally released in 1970 as an album before becoming the hit Broadway and West End show, Jesus Christ Superstar, a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, chronicles the last seven years of Jesus' life as seen through his apostles. With Steve Balsamo, who starred as Jesus in the London West End Revival production at The Lyceum, Irish West End Stars Jacinta Whyte, David Shannon and a 'cameo' role by Pat Shortt as Herod. This concert production with chorus features songs such as Gethsemane, Everything's Alright, I don't know how to love him and of course Superstar. More info and booking here.

Roisin O'Reilly Concert
In a Celtic and spiritual themed concert, Róisín O'Reilly performs the music which has inspired her from childhood and throughout her music career. This concert features a collection of traditional and contemporary songs, both Irish and Continental. Róisín is probably best known to Irish audiences for her appearances with Liam Lawton as she recorded and toured with Liam Lawton from 2004 to 2007. More info and booking here.
[The concert is on 2nd October 2009, 1:05 PM - JOHN FIELD ROOM]

Radiant Light Exhibition
London Exhibition – July to October – “The Mystery of Faith” An exhibition of new and rarely seen religious pictures by Elizabeth Wang runs in London from 15th July to 31st October. It takes place at a new venue: The Carmelite Church, 41 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London W8 4BB, which is five minutes walk from High Street Kensington tube station and ten minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station. The Church is open every day from 7am to 7pm. Most of the pictures are recent works, and will be new even to those who know Elizabeth’s work well.
Illustration by Elizabeth Wang, ‘Christ walks amongst hiis people ...’, copyright © Radiant Light, www.radiantlight.org.uk

The Rosary - by Philip Carty
A recital of Philip Carty's piano composition The Rosary will be held in St John's Cathedral in Limerick, on the feast of the Rosary Wednesday 7th October at 8 pm. Philip is scheduled to perform The Rosary in Derry in December and next year in Galway and Cork. A review by Yvonne Walsh of his August recital of this work in the National Concert Hall can be read here.

Ballymun Concert
CONCERT AT OUR LADY OF VICTORIES CHURCH, BALLYMUN ROAD TO CELEBRATE ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER AT 8PM TICKETS €10 FROM THE PARISH SHOP The Palestrina Choir and Codetta Chamber Choir A programme of liturgical favourites. A chance to hear these two outstanding choirs. The Palestrina Choir was founded through the patronage of Edward Martyn from Tulira, Co Galway, the Choir was formally installed in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in January 1903. Since then it has provided liturgical music at the Pro-Cathedral, singing at the 11.00 Latin Mass each Sunday as well as many weekday liturgies and has contributed to countless Church and State occasions. It has been an invaluable source of music education for generations of boys. Many have gone on to pursue careers in music. The most well know is John Count McCormack. The Choir’s most recent CDs, The Bells of the Angelus (hymns and anthems of Ireland), and Christmas with the Palestrina Choir are available on line at www.procathedral.ie and at the Pro-Cathedral shop.
Codetta is an internationally acclaimed chamber choir based in Derry, N. Ireland. Its member are all originally from Derry but now live, work and study in towns and cities throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe. The wide-ranging repertoire that the choir performs is prepared at intensive weekend rehearsals held monthly throughout the year. Codetta has given many concerts both locally and nationally, participated in the Advent Festival in Prague, successfully competed in a range of international choral festivals, and broadcast regularly on BBC Radio and Television.

Play About Hopkins
No Worst There Is None, a title taken from one of his poems, is a play about Gerard Manley Hopkins, running in Dublin from 1st to 7th October 2009. No Worst, There Is None is at Newman House, St Stephen's Green, Dublin. The show lasts for one hour, and audience numbers are restricted to 25 per performance. Read more about it here.

Songs of Freedom: Castlebar Gospel Choir
National Concert Hall: 01 October 2009 08:00 PM - JOHN FIELD ROOM "Songs of Freedom" celebrates the spirit of freedom that has evolved in the USA from slavery, through the Civil Rights Movement, to the inauguration of President Barack Obama. This period of history has produced some of the most enduring songs ever written. Castlebar Gospel Choir now present their unique interpretation of these songs. The programme includes a short audio visual presentation, a selection of contemporary and traditional gospel songs, and a narrative on the historic significance of gospel music.

EMMANUEL IN THE CITY
Emmanuel in the City is a Singing Marathon in aid of the homeless which will take place on Friday 25 September in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street from 7.00-10.00 p.m. It is organised by the DUBLIN DIOCESAN LITURGICAL RESOURCE CENTRE. Holy Cross College Clonliffe Road Dublin 3.

St Genesius Film Society
The film society of the Frasternity of St Genesius is back in action this Sept with a screening of The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty who helped many on the run from the Nazis escape through Rome. The screening will be followed by discussion as always.
Venue: Knights of Colombanus Centre, Ely Place, Dublin 2, Tue. 15th September, 7.00pm All Welcome.

Indian Catholic Music Group on Tour
Jesus Youth presents a series of concerts by Rexband, a contemporary Christian band from India, a band that has made several World Youth Day appearances. Jesus Youth is an international Catholic movement with a charismatic spirituality. The two and a half hour Rexband live shows are designed to integrate different styles of music, dances, skits and sharings. Most of the songs are set to choreographed movements, making them a layered, richer experience. The musical styles truly reflect the eclectic, international styles of today ranging from ethnic Indian music to hymns, slow rock, hip hop and various combinations of contemporary popular music. Venues: CORK 28th August, Time:6.30pm Venue: Concert Hall, City Hall, Cork; DUBLIN 29th August, Time:6.00pm Venue: RDS Concert Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin4; CASTLEBAR 30th August, Time:5.00pm Venue: Royal Theater, Castlebar. (Local contact 094 9388245). Bookings Please contact Phone: 087 2351294, , 0879077377, 0876380676 Email : rexband.ireland@gmail.com Tickets also available on www.ticketmaster.ie

Year of Evangelisation
This is a new initiative in Dublin Dioces. As part of the venture there is a song writing competition: New Song for Evangelisation The Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music in association with the Year of Evangelisation has invited submissions from composers for a new hymn/song to mark the occasion. The chosen song is for use in the Archdiocese of Dublin. More info, conditions, submission details click here. Deadline July 31st 2009.

Libra with the RTE Concert Orchestra
National Concert Hall: 31 July 2009 08:00 PM. The angelic, hauntingly beautiful sound of Libera has seen them storm both the classical and the mainstream charts. The boys, aged 7 to 16, have performed for Pope Benedict XVI, sung with Björk and Pavarotti and featured on the soundtracks to hit films including Romeo + Juliet and Hannibal. Tonight they join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for the first time, taking to the stage in their trademark flowing white robes to share their extraordinary, uplifting renditions of well-known classical, sacred and popular melodies. For more info and booking click here

The Rosary for Solo Piano
National Concert Hall 10 August 2009 08:00 PM - John Field Room: The Rosary for piano is a new classic piano work composed and performed by the distinguished Irish pianist and composer, Philip Carty. The composition in twenty movements presents a musical journey into the twenty mysteries of the Rosary prayer. This is the world premiere of a unique and intimate piano composition. The recital takes us through significant events in the life of Christ and Mary his mother. These are presented to us in the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Mysteries of Light. For more info and booking click here

Image of God Conference
SIAC, the International Society of Christian Artists, will hold its 2009 conference The Image of God at Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, County Limerick, Ireland on the 17, 18 & 19 of July 2009. Registration is now open. Program details, attendee information, and the registration form are all available on the events section of the SIAC website. Linked to this there will be a meeting to discuss the establishment of an interdisciplinary Christian artists' organisation in Ireland, which will be held on the 17th of July 2009, in Glenstal Abbey. This meeting is being facilitated by the monks of Glenstal and S.I.A.C., the International Society of Christian Artists.

Marimba Spiritual
National Concert Hall, Tues 7 July 8 pm. Ireland's most talented young percussionists join forces with Dame Evelyn Glennie to perform the vigorous fast section of Marimba Spiritual by Minoru Miki. This section conveys a lively sense of resurrection. The concert also includes other percusion pieces, and features the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. For more info and booking click here.

Icons Exhibition
Icons in Transformation: Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin presents an exhibitions of Icons by Ludmila Pawlowska, 11th June to 19th July. On Saturday 27th June: Icons in liturgy & culture - a series of lectures held in the crypt to mark the history and relevance of Icons down the years. Speakers include: Dom Gregory Collins OSB, author of the Glenstal Book of Icons. Dr Sarah Smyth, Senior Lecturer, Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies, Trinity College Dublin. Mr Tim Thurston presents the ever-popular Gloria on Lyric FM. Canon Patrick Comerford is Director of Spiritual Formation, the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin. The lectures start at 11 a.m., there will be 2 lectures in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. At 5pm, the Cathedral choir will sing a special service reflecting the theme of the exhibtion.

Catholic Underground
This is an initiative of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal from Moyross in Limerick. Coming events (a combination of music and prayer) include: LIMERICK: Corpus Christi Church, Moyross Friday 3rd July 2009 7:30pm - 10:30pm Artist: L'Angelus. Generation Catholic DERRY: Long Tower Parish Saturday 5th July 2009 7:30pm - 10:30pm Artists: L'Angelus & The Bronx Brothers. For more info see the Catholic Underground Website.

Taizé Prayer and Music
As part of the Days of Christian Culture initiative there will be Prayer and Song from Taizé on 26th June (Friday) 8:30PM-10:00PM - in English and Polish. Venue: St Augustine's Church, Washington St. Cork city. Taizé prayer is a quiet simple way of prayer designed for people of all Christian traditions. These meditative candlelit services include simple chants sung repeatedly; rich silence; and prayers of praise and intercession.

MAD 2009
Mad 2009 is a Christian Music festival which will take place in Glenealy Co. Wicklow on Sun 21st June. Acts include Elation Ministries who have worked with Youth 2000 and Knock Youth Festival, Ronan Johnston and the Emmaus group who were prominent in the 80's and 90's and have a new album, from Britain Ben Cantelon and Soul Survivor, Shel Perris, and from USA This Beautiful Republic. Booking details and more info here.

St Genesius Film Club
The St Genesius Film Society will meet at Knights of Colombanus Centre, Ely Place, Dublin 2 Wed. 17th June 7pm for a showing of the film : A Man for All Seasons (1966) The Life of Sir Thomas Moore, starring Paul Scolfield, directed by Fred Zinnemann. This film won six Acadamy Awards. All welcome! There will be a discussion after the film. For more info see the website of the Fraternity of St Genesius, a Catholic group devoted to film and theatre.

Music Workshop with Fr. Liam Lawton
HEALING SONG: You are invited to a music workshop with Liam Lawton on Monday 15 June 2009 from 8.00 – 9.30 p.m. in Clonliffe College Church, Dublin, (registration from 7.30 p.m.). Healing Song is the title of Liam Lawton’s new recording of liturgical music suitable for times of healing throughout the year. Those who attend will receive the full music book with S.A.T.B. parts plus keyboard and guitar accompaniments. The fee for the evening is €20. The booking form can be downloaded here.

Gardiner St Gospel Choir
Concert in The Helix Sat 6th June 8 pm. A showcase of traditional gospel, contemporary, joyful & uplifting music, with everything from U2 to Macy Gray, Bob Marley to Jewel, traditional gospel to new twists on old classics. The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir promises a great night's entertainment, that will have you dancing and singing along. Info and booking here. The choir's website is here.

Choir Workshops
In conjunction with the launch of his new album (see below) Liam Lawton will conduct a series of Choir Workshops throughout the country; including Graiguecullen - St. Clare’s Church on Thursday, 14th May at 8pm Clane - St. Patrick & St. Bridget’s Church on Friday, 29th May at 8pm. Each participant will receive a Book of the new music which includes Piano and Choir Parts with Guitar Chording. CD’s of the new music will also be available. Bookings Admission to Workshop -€20 (incl. book of the new music) Bookings for Graiguecullen & Clane through Christine at Faith Development Services Cathedral Parish Centre, College Street, Carlow Tel: 059-9164084 Fax: 059-9164020 Email: fds@kandle.ie
There will also be a workshop in Armagh - Synod Hall, St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, Wed May 27th 8-10 pm. Adm: £15stg. Book with Pierce Fox, Armagh Diocesan Youth Service by Fri May 15th ph: 028/048 37525592.

Gala Concert at The Helix
Irene Thompson-Trenier presents A GALA CONCERT IN AID OF THE IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST - VENUE: THE MAHONY HALL, The Helix, Tue 28 April 2009 8pm, €35, €32.50 Popular West End Musical Star Peter Corry will be joined by the band of An Garda Siochanna for a wonderful evening of music. Also joining them will be the N.U.I. Maynooth Gospel Choir and a chorus of 200 voices. Compered by George Hook, television and radio personality. Proceeds in aid of The Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust. Presented by Irene Thompson-Trenier. More info and booking options here.

National Concert Hall Events
Wed 18 March - Hymns and Songs with Aled Jones and the RTE Concert Orchestra
Sat 21 March - Handel's Dramatic Oratorio Samson, with the Handel Anniversary Players
Sat 28 March - The Priests in concert, with the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sat 4 April - The Greatest Story Ever Told - Music from Biblical Epics.
Sun 17 May - Verdi Requiem with The Culwick Choral Society
For more information and booking go to www.nch.ie

Liam Lawton Concert
Liam Lawton is doing a concert in Pro Cathedral on Fri 1st May. Its for the end of the year of vocations. Fr Liam will be performing some of his best known songs and he will also be performing some songs from his new CD Healing Song (see below) which is due to be released in Ireland shortly. The St John of God Choir with Patricia Bourke D’Souza will perform the Year of Vocation Song - You will be my witnesses - on the night also. Mary Kennedy from RTE will be the guest presenter on the night. Doors at 7pm. Bookings Tickets are available @ €25 each from the Year of Vocation Office - 01 505 3013.

Liam Lawton Concert
Liam Lawton will give a concert on Friday 27th March in UCH, Limerick. This will be a charity night for Children First. Tickets: www.uch.ie or Box office Tel: 061 331549. More information on the artist's official website.

The Seven Last Words of Christ
RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet (left) April tour - Haydn The Seven Last Words of Christ. At times joyous, at times solemn, Haydn's famous musical meditations on the seven last words of Jesus Christ for string quartet is one of his best-known works. After each movement a short meditation will be read by the Very Reverend Gordon Wynne, Dean of Leighlin. Wednesday 8 April, 8pm St Iberius Church, Wexford Tickets: €15 (concessions €12, students €5) Booking: Booking: 053 912 3672 (9-5pm) / 087 970 3377 (10am-1pm) or at the door. Also Tuesday 7 April All Saints' Church, Castleconnell, Limerick, 8pm Tickets: €15 Booking: At the door Further Information from Limerick County Arts Office: 061 496498 and Friday 10 April (Good Friday) Church of Our Lady and Saint John, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, 9pm No tickets are being sold for this concert, for further information call Mary at 087 232 5913.

The Soul Psalmists
In response to St Paul's encouragement to the Ephesians to "sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs", The Soul Psalmists create an inspiring musical fusion of different styles. Drawing from a range of influences including gospel, soul, jazz, latin, hip-hop and R&B. They will perform as part of an event organised by Catholic Underground, an initiative of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, to promote the arts among young Catholics. It's on Saturday 28th of March 2009, from 7:30pm - 10:30pm in St. Mary of the Angels Church Church Street, Dublin 7. The first part of the evening is Eucharistic adoration, and begins with Vespers (Evening Prayer), while the second part showcases Catholic artists. It's a donation only event.

Emmanuel
Emmanuel 2009 is a celebration of liturgical music in schools. This year's event will take place in The Helix at DCU March 11-12 at 8 pm. The massed school choirs will be joined by the CYC choir and an orchestra. More information and booking at www.thehelix.ie

Lawton, Haugen and Alonso
Liam Lawton, Marty Haugen and Tony Alonso will lead an evening of music and reflection on Friday 30th January at 8pm in the newly renovated Portlaoise Parish Church. Cost: €10 per person which can be given at the door. More info here
It will be broadcast live on the web at http://www.churchservices.tv/live/Portlaoise/

The Lassus Scholars
The Lassus Scholars Choir, established in 1996, will give several concerts over Christmas, including on Sun 21st Dec a service of lessons and carols at 3.30pm in St Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Dublin. On Christmas Day, along with their junior section, Piccolo Lassothe they will sing Puccini’s Messa di Gloria in Adam & Eve’s church, Merchants Quay at 11.30am. Soloists Catalin Lazurca and Jeffrey Ledwidge will be accompanied by the Orlando Chamber Orchestra. Piccolo Lasso, the junior section, caters for boys and girls aged from nine to 16, and recently performed at Westminster Cathedral in London.

Palestrina Choir
Christmas with the Palestrina Choir of St Mary's Pro-Cathedral- 4 December 2008 8:00 PM - MAIN AUDITORIUM, National Concert Hall. The Palestrina Choir, Orchestra of St Cecilia, Gerard Gillen, organist, Sylvia O'Brien, soloist Alison Browner, soloist Blanaid Murphy, conductor Vivaldi Gloria Lübeck Christmas Cantata Selection of Seasonal favourites. NCH Website for booking.

Goethe-Institut Choir
Christmas Concert 1 December 2008 08:00 PM - MAIN AUDITORIUM, National Concert Hall, Dublin 2. Goethe-Institut Choir with John Dexter, conductor. Schutz, The Christmas Story - Traditional German and English Christmas carols incl Messiaen, O sacrum convivium, Messiaen Dieu, parmi nous, Bach Christmas Oratorio Part 4, along with music from Messiaen and well-known German and English Christmas carols. NCH Website for booking.

Soweto Gospel Choir
A celebration of African gospel music, from this Grammy Award winning group - in concert at The Waterfront Hall, Belfast Sun 30 Nov 8pm. FRom £19.50. For details ring 048-90334455.

Liam Lawton concerts
November 8th - Dominican college Wicklow Tickets: Contact 0404 68111
November 14th - The Venue Theatre, Ratoath Tickets: The Venue Theatre Box office Tel: 01 6895600 or www.venuetheatre.ie
November 21st - The Maritime Hotel,Bantry Tickets: Contact Nora @ 086 1948074 or Hotel reception @ 027 54700
November 28th - Church of the Immaculate Conception, Derry Tickets: (028)071 342303 or from The Republic Of Ireland Tel: (048) 71 342303
December 3rd - Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway (Christmas Gala night for Croí The West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation) Tickets: Contact Mary : 085 1490320 or Hotel Reception Tel: 091 538 300
December 4th - UCH, Limerick (Charity night for Children first) www.childrenfirst.ie Tickets: www.uch.ie or Box office Tel: 061 331549

Harlem Gospel Choir
Harlem Gospel Choir - returning to Ireland for 2 concerts -
Fri 5 Dec Hillgrove Hotel Dingle,
Sat 7 Dec Vicar St. Dublin. 7.30 start times in both cases.

Choir Workshops
Workshops for Church choir and liturgy group members will take place in St John's Church Carraroe Co Sligo and St Patrick's Church Knockroghery Co Roscommon on Nov 10th 8 pm to 10 pm. The workshops will feature Fr Turlough Baxter and Derek Mahaddy, and will concentrate on seasonal music for Christmas and Advent.

The Messiah
- by George Frideric Handel Back by popular demand at the Helix at DCU, Sat 6th December, featuring the return of Enchiriadis Treis Choir with their much loved annual performance of Handel's Messiah. This year, acclaimed soloists: Mary Hegarty (Soprano), Cliona McDonough (Alto), David Revels (Tenor), and Charles Jonhston (Bass) join the choir to sing this most popular seasonal favourite. Enchiriadis Treis Choir and National Philharmonia Orchestra (Leader Clodagh Vedres) conducted by Marion Doherty Hayden. You can join with the 130 choir voices singing at full volume, the magnificent Hallelujah Chorus. Booking details here.

Dublin Gospel Choir
The choir has some high profile events on the way, and is now available for weddings. Upcoming 2008 dates include: Sun 03 Aug at 8PM - Ardoyne Fleadh, Belfast; Sun 31 Aug at 12pm - Electric Picnic; Fri 26 Sep at 10.30pm - Galway Oyster Festival; Fri 17 Oct at 8PM - Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire; Sat 18 Oct at 8PM - Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda; Thu 20 Nov at 8PM - Mermaid Arts Theatre, Bray. For more info see the choir's website.

Pueri Cantores
Pueri Cantores is a group that aims to promote peace and fellowship among children through singing and to foster quality church music. Their national conference takes place in St Patrick's College Maynooth on Sat Nov 15th, with rehearsals from 12 pm. Contact Ite O'Donovan for details - 01-4539663 or 087-2340151

Emmanuel '09
Those of you in Dublin schools will have got a brochure about Emmanuel '09, an initiative whereby schhols are invited to take part in a celebrating liturgical music. Deadline is Fri Nov 7th. There is a choice of inservice workshops at the end of November and it all leads to a special day for students in The Helix on March 12th. For info contact Grainne Clinton at the Liturgy Resource Centre, Clonliffe College, Dublin 3 - 01-8379253 ext 241. There is no cost to schools. -

Liam Lawton
Liam Lawton is back - at the National Concert Hall on Tues 28th Oct 8 pm, with the Irish Session Orchestra. There will be new as well as familiar material. See www.nch.ie for details and booking.

‘Good Morning Good People!’
Sunday October 5th, 3.00pm, THE FRIARY WEXFORD €7 or €5 unwaged—at door. This presentation weaves story, music and song to tell the life of St. Francis—the little poor man of Assisi “whose heart did not break until it embraced the world entire.” (G.K. Chesterton). An inspiring, loveable and challenging man. This will be the final Irish performance of ‘Good Morning Good People’. Peter Kearney the composer narrates, sings and accompanies on guitar. He has been invited to present this work in Franciscan Friary Churches in many cities and towns including Dublin (Merchants Quay), Galway, Killarney, Glasgow and Edinburgh. In September 2008 Peter is to take GMGP on a nine-concert tour of Franciscan venues in England. Irish Franciscan Br. Niall O’Connell OFM has described ‘Good Morning Good People!’ as “a moving and prayerful journey”. It is mainly for adults but would also be enjoyed by secondary and upper primary students. Duration—80 mins. Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter for whom music has been a full time work and ministry for over 20 years.

Gospel Concerts
Sat 18th Oct 8 pm - Ennis Gospel Choir Glor Irish Music Centre Ennis, Co. Clare
Sun 19th Oct - 8 pm Mornington Gospel Choir, St Michael's Church Clogher Head Co. Louth. In aid of church restoration fund.

Irish Sacred Arts Summer School
Inis Oírr, Aran Islands 21 – 25th July 2008. ‘Towards the Divine through Irish Sacred Arts’ A week of Lectures, workshops, walks, prayer and meditations exploring the mystical beauties of Irish Sacred Art as pathways to the Divine. With: Dr Peter Harbison, Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe, Dr Muiris Ó Suilleabháin, Tim Ó Neill, Padraigín Clancy, Eoin Ó Suilleabháin Lecture Topics: Ancient stone art, high crosses, round towers, illuminated manuscripts, sacred metalwork, church architecture, Irish stained glass, Irish monastacism. Workshops: Calligraphy, Rushwork, Sacred Singing and Sacred art. More info at www.gliondar.net

Liam Lawton
The Liam Lawton concert scheduled for Knock basilica on Easter Monday has been postponed and will now take place on Sunday 26th October 2008 instead.
See The Liam Lawton website for more details. Note: this OCT concert has been cancelled.

Art and Faith Conference
An exhibition and conference on the links between contemporary art and the modern Church will be held Oct 17-19 in the Carmelite Friary, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Called the "Faith in Form" event it will feature print, photography, ceramics, textiles and sculpture. Artists and theologians will attend. For more info contact: Pamela Hardesty, 021-4774837, 085-1478069 (phardesty@eircom.net).

John Michael Talbot
JMT returns to Ireland for a series of concerts. JMT is a Catholic singer of reflective spiritual music from USA and is always a popular visitor to Ireland. To sample his style check out the 3rd and 4th videos on this page. His latest album is The Troubadour Years, a 2-disc compilation with 34 of his best known songs from the last 25 years.

Here are the tour details:
10/12/2008 8:30:00 PM Derry The Playhouse, St. Columb's Theatre Tel 028 7126 6888 or 028 7135 1233 Orchard St.
10/15/2008 8:00:00 PM Termonfeckin Church of the Immaculate Conception Tel 041 982 2121 Co Louth E-mail: TermonFechinParish@eircom.net
17/10/2008 8:00:00 PM Dublin Church of the Resurrection Tel 01 832 3150 Bayside, Sutton
18/10/2008 8:00:00 PM Dublin St. Mary of the Angels Church Street
19/10/2008 8:00:00 PM Lucan Church of the Divine Mercy Tel 086 824 7132 Balgaddy Rd., Co Dublin

Art from Veritas
From 6-31 October there's an exhibition of the photography of Sr Rose Marie Tulacz SND. It's in the Veritas Gallery in Monaghan.

Inservice:
As some of you in Dublin Diocese might have been informed there will be an inservice on poetry in Religious Education on Tuesday 7th Oct in Glendalough, given by Faitharts editor Brendan O'Regan. Some places may still be available - if interested ring the Diocesan Advisors at 01-8379253. If you're already coming please say hello! For those who can't make it the resources are available on request.

Hopkins Festival
The 21st Gerard Manley Hopkins Literary Festival takes place in Monasterevin from 19th to 25th July. There are loads of workshops, lectures and concerts, with literary and musical themes, as well as a Youth Programme. For more details check out the Festival Website.

MAD2008
Make a Difference 2008 is a Christian Music Festival taking place on Sunday June 15th 2008 in Ballinacoola in Glenealy village – close to Wicklow Town. Bands include Elation Ministries who have played for Youth 2000 and Knock Youth Festival rallies, along with Ben Cantelon and the Soul Survivor Band among others. More info here.

Soweto Gospel Choir
The Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir will be in concert at the National Concert Hall on March 10th 2008 at 8 pm. Ticket prices range from €20 to €40, and are available from the box office or online. They will also play the Waterfront Hall Belfast on March 9th - see Ticketmaster for details.

Visit of Richard Leonard SJ
The Jesuit Communication Centre in Ireland has organised a number of public events this month for Australian Jesuit Richard Leonard, lecturer in cinema and theology. Richard’s recent book, Movies that Matter: reading film through the lens of faith, will be launched by Peter Sheridan on Wednesday 20 February 2008 at the Uí Chadhain Theatre in the Arts Building, Trinity College, at 7.30pm. On Tuesday 19, he will be a guest on the Ryan Tubridy show, which starts at 9.00am on RTÉ Radio 1. And on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm, he will be a guest of Slí Eile at one of their monthly debates. For more details about the Slí Eile event, contact Fernando Galligo at 086-1021490 or the Slí Eile office (01-8880606). Some of Fr Leonard's writings can be found here.

Dublin Gospel Choir
The Dublin Gospel Choir will bring their music to many venues this year, including the Wicklow Arts Festival (Fri May 9th 8 pm) and Éigse Festival Carlow (Sat June 7th 8 pm). Their "Night of Soul" event will take place in Darndale (Fri Feb 22nd 8.30 pm), Cornduff (Fri March 7th 8.30 pm) and Celbridge (Fri April 11th). They play at Mass every second Sunday in the church of Our Lady of the Angels, Church St Dublin, from Sunday February 17th 7 pm. More details on their website.

Dove Awards
The Dove Awards recognise achievements in Gospel music in the USA. This year's ceremony will take place April 23rd 2008 in Nashville. More info, including past winners, here.

Handel Festival
The Dublin Handel Festival will take place from Sunday April 13th until Friday April 18th 2008. Our Lady’s Choral Society and the National Sinfonia, conducted by Prionnsías Ó Duinn, will once again open this year’s Handel Festival with a performance of “Messiah on the Street”, beside the original site where the Messiah received its world premiere in 1742. Members of the audience are encouraged to join in and sing along with the choir to the well known excerpts, including the ever-popular Hallelujah Chorus. Taking place from April 13th – 18th in 2008 this year’s Handel Festival will include a programme of FREE concerts, talks, tours, interactive activities, and family events in Temple Bar including a full length, FREE performance of Messiah in Christchurch Cathedral by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir. A special treat will be "Messiah on the Street, in Fishamble St, Temple Bar. More general info here. There is also a competition for schools as part of this event, based on the life and/or works of Handel. Competition details here.

BBC Passion
Starting on Palm Sunday 2008 is yet another film enactment of the life of Christ. It is produced by the BBC and HBO (USA) and runs for six nights during Holy Week. Jesus will be played by the relatively unknown Joseph Mawle.

The Passion on BBC
This Easter BBC 1 is broadcasting a major series, The Passion, dramatising the Holy Week and Easter Story. Joseph Mawle (left) plays Jesus. For more information, including broadcast dates and times see the previews page, and for regular reviews of the series as it develops see the blog.

High Crosses
Currently at the National Museum, Collins Barracks, Dublin, there's an exhibition of replica high crosses, from the 9th to the 12th centuries.

Angela Hutchison
The Hutchisons from Canada (see Music page) have set up online sales on theirwebsite. The albums Grace Child, Hope for Sure and Christmas can all now be purchased through the secure, PayPal-powered shopping cart, which you can find out more about at www.angelahutchison.com/order.html.

Beth Nielsen Chapman
This fine US contemporary singer/songwriter will give a concert in Whelans Dublin on Friday Dec 7th at 8 pm - tickets from Ticketmaster and usual outlets. She will also perform at the Console Christmas Celebration of Light in Maynooth at 4 pm on Sunday Dec 9th (see here for details). Her new double CD, Prism, is an album of spiritual songs from many religious traditions, some new, some traditional. Review coming soon!

Gregorian Chant
There's a workshop on on Satrday Oct 20th 2007, in Belfast. It is organised by Schola Gregoriana, a group originating from Queen's University. Info: scholagregoriana at hotmail.com

Religious Art Exhibition
"THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS" PAINTINGS BY JOHN DUNNE Edit Stein room St Teresa’s Pastoral Centre Clarendon Street Church, Dublin Opening Reception 18.30 Thursday 1st November 2007 Exhibition runs until 10th November 2007 10.00am -16.30pm Daily

John Michael Talbot
Contemporary Gospel artist John Michael Talbot is coming to Mt Argus Church in Kimmage Dublin on 20th October to lead a night of Prayerfulness and Song centered around his music. He has just released his 50th recording called 'Living Water'. ...There are no tickets and no cost for this evening - just a collection to defray expenses. It should be a very special evening.

St Francis Musical
Good Morning Good People! is a musical presentation of the life of St Francis of Assisi by Australian singer songwriter Peter Kearney. It will be presented on Friday October 5th in St Kevin's church Glendalough Co. Wicklow, 7.45 - 9.30 pm. Admission free, but donations welcome.
Other venues:
BUNCLODY, Co. Wexford "Tuesday October 9th., 8.00pm
Church of the Most Holy Trinity. Euro10 or Euro 7 unwaged. Proceeds to WYD Fund. KILDARE- Tuesday October 16th., 7.30pm. St. Brigid's Parish Church, Bride St., Kildare. Female vocalist: Shauna Boyle. Admission: Euro 5
CLONMEL-Wednesday October 17th., 7.30pm. Franciscan Friary Church, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Female vocalist: Shauna Boyle. Admission: Euro 10 or Euro 8 unwaged DUBLIN "Priorswood, Friday October 19th., 7.30pm. St. Francis of Assisi Church, Clonshaugh Drive, Priorswood, Dublin. Female vocalist: Shauna Boyle. Admission: Euro 7 or Euro 3 child.
WEXFORD- Sunday October 28th., 3.00pm. Church of the Annunciation, Clonard, Wexford Town. Solo presentation. Admission: Euro 7 or Euro 5 unwaged- at door. LOUGHREA "Ballyduggan Friday November 9th., 8.00pm. St. Jarlath's Church, Ballyduggan (near Loughrea). Euro 10 or Euro 7 unwaged- at door.
NAAS - Ballycane. Tuesday November 13th., 8.15pm. Church of the Irish Martyrs, Ballycane. Solo presentation. By donation.
DUBLIN - RATHFARNHAM. Friday November 16th., 8.00pm. Solo presentation. The Divine Word Church, Marley Grange, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Euro 10 or Euro 7 unwaged- at door.
CASTLEBRIDGE, Co. Wexford. Wednesday December 5th., 8.00pm. Solo presentation. St. Ibar's Church, Castlebridge, Euro 10 full / Euro 8 unwaged - at door

Gospel Music at the Cork Jazz Festival 2007
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA and THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS
Gospel Double Bill CORK OPERA HOUSE, Emmet Place, Cork SUNDAY OCTOBER 28th at 8.15pm SHARP ADM €40 (plus booking fee) For tickets call the Box Office at (021) 427 0022 Or book online at www.corkoperahouse.ie No refunds. This is a fully seated concert – doors open at 7.30pm
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA Formed some six and a half decades ago, The Blind Boys of Alabama are the Iron Men of music. They predate Elvis, Little Richard and Al Green yet, even in their 70s, they are still at the top of the gospel charts and have won an impressive four consecutive Grammy Awards in the past four years. www.blindboys.com THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS The Campbell Brothers present a compelling, rich variety of material from the African-American Holiness-Pentecostal gospel repertoire with a new twist: the wailing, shouting, singing voice of the steel guitar, played as you have never heard it played before. First time in Ireland. www.campbellbrothers.com

New Play on Saintly Priest
As part of the Dublin Theatre Fringe Festival (Sept 07) there will be a new play on the life of Titus Brandsma, a Dutch journalist priest who fell foul of the Nazis and was executed in Dachau. Written by Aidan Harney, it runs from 10th to 15th September in The Carmel Hall, Whitefriar's Church, Aungier St Dublin. For bookings phone 1850 374643.

Religious Education Congress
There is a major RE congress coming up from 5th to 7th October 2007 in St Patrick's College Drumcondra. There is a Congress Poet, Tom Hamill, and some of his work is available at the Congress website , along with information on congress worshops and a booking form. The workshop by Clare Maloney - Teaching from the Boat: Language, Faith, Imagination should be of interest to visitors to Faitharts.

New song and painting for Blessed Charles of Mount Argus
Blessed Charles of Mt Argus is going to be canonized on 3rd June. Mount Argus of where Blessed Charles was a passionist priest are having a big celebration mass on that day at 3pm. The canonization itself is going to be televised from Rome by RTE, but Mt Argus itself is also having a Novena of Hope running up to the canonization. This will start on 26th May. Log on to www.mountargusparish.ie for other details of times etc. (go to Novena of Hope on Left side of Main page) This Novena is hopefully going to be broadcast through internet television so people from all over the world can log on to see the speakers etc. One of the guests is going to be Fr Liam Lawton. He has written the new song for St Charles and he will be guesting at the novena on Monday 28th at 7.30pm to sing the song, which is called 'Come to Me'. Liam has recorded this on to CD along with one of his other pieces 'Sing of a Lady' (this song is to Our Lady of Hope who St Charles had great devotion to) The CD will be available for sale during the Novena. Fr Kieran Creagh (the Passionist priest who was shot in St Africa a few months ago ) will also be one of the celebrants and speakers during the novena. Dublin Artist James Hanley was comissioned to paint the new portrait of St Charles, this portrait is to go on one of the national stamps in the next few weeks and it can also be seen on the Mt Argus website.

Hopkins Summer School
The 20th Gerard Manley Hopkins International Summer School will take place in Monasterevin from July 21 – 27, 2007. Internationally, it will offer its widest range of visitors with 24 countries represented from Japan to Slovenia, Russia to Sardinia. It claims to be the only Summer School to offer a specially tailored Youth Programme geared to students. Some scholarships are still available. Apply immediately. See the Hopkins Society website for details.

Musical on St Francis of Assisi
Australian singer-songwriter Peter Kearney has written a musical about the life of St Francis of Assisi, Good Morning Good People! which he will perform with flute player Roma Dix in St Michael's Church Gorey, Co. Wexford on Thursday May 31st at 7.30 pm. Go along for some aesthetic nourishment! Download the poster here (pdf file). For more information on Peter's work see his website http://www.hinet.net.au/~peterk/

Harlem Gospel Choir
This renowned choir will return to Ireland, for a convcert in Vicar St, Dublin, on Sunday 11th November 2007 at 7.30 pm.

Education in Faith Sunday 2007
The material for is now available on line at www.catechetics.ie The website contains various materials designed to facilitate the celebration of Education in Faith Sunday - which this year is on 4 February. Among the materials available on the catechetics website are: A Liturgical Pack, Resources for Schools, Resources for the home and materials dealing with Deus Caritas Est. An extensive Web Directory of favourite religious sites is also included. The theme for Education in Faith Sunday 2007 is Put Out Into the Deep and a poster illustrating this theme has already been sent to every parish in the country.

Christmas CDs
Liam Lawton has a new Christmas CD - Christmas Song. Here's some of what he says on his website: "In my collection of music I have many Cds of Christmas Music down through the years but I was really delighted to be asked by EMI Ireland to record my own Christmas collection which we have called …..Christmas Song . These are the Songs and Carols that I heard since I was a young boy , the songs that evoke their own mystery and simple beauty. These are the songs that tell the story of the birth of Love. " There's a detailed interview about the Christmas season with Liam in this week's Irish Catholic

The Children First charity and singer Tony Kenny have a new CD Mary Did You Know. Price 15 Euro from Tony Kenny CD, Children First, Millennium House, 37 Beaumount Rd, Dublin 9. Proceeds to the charity which helps vulnerable and homeless children.

Canadian singer Angela Hutchison (see music page) has a new CD "Christmas", desribed by the publicity as follows: An acoustic and acapella journey into the past and around the globe in celebration of the breathtaking miracle we call "Christmas." There is a comprehensive audio sample at http://www.angelahutchison.com

Milltown CD
'A Choral Christmas' Milltown Parish Chamber Choir have launched a Christmas CD, 'A Choral Christmas', which includes a varitey of seasonal hymns and carols. The CD costs ?10 and is on sale from: Milltown Parish Centre, adjoining the church on Milltown Rd. D6 The National Concert Hall Shop Veritas Cathedral Books and Easons.

Blind Boys of Alabama
The Blind Boys of Alabama and Ben Harper's "There Will Be A Light" has been Grammy nominated for "Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album" and the title track for "Best Gospel Performance." The Blind Boysl released their new studio alubm, "Atom Bomb," on March 15. For more info see their website blindboys.com

CD Releases
Most prominent is U2's new album, How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. There's always a good chance of spiritual content with U2 and this album is no exception - of particular interest is the track Yahweh, a striking musical prayer. On the Island label.
Biscantoret - Sound of the Spirit is the latest release from the monks of Glenstal Abbey and features songs, meditations, chants, hymns and features Noirin Ni Riain, John O'Donoghue, and Marie-Bernadette O'Connor. On Hummingbird label.
Anúna's new album is Winter Songs, a collection that features mostly Christmas carols. Included is the Wexford Carol, Oh Holy Night, Pie Jesu, Silent Night and more. On the Danú label.
Another Day's Journey is a new album by Eleanor Shanley and Ivan Leparr. Songs include Give Me a Clean Heart and Heaven Help Us All. Leparr's dedication on the album cover suggests strong gospel committment. On Hummingbird label.
Liam Lawton's new CD Another World is now available. The new collection features such guest artists as Brian Kennedy, Moya Brennan, The Celtic Tenors, Eimear Quinn, Fionnuala Sherry of Secret Garden, Roisin O Reilly and Sharon Shannon among others . Standout songs include Labyrinth, The Cloud's Veil and In the Quiet.

Faith in Shakespeare
28/10/04: At a ceremony in Microsoft Ireland Head Office this year's Teachnet Projects were launched. These are online projects by and for teachers. The project linked to this site is Faith in Shakespeare, a look at the religious themes in some of Shakespeare's plays. It's at www.teachnet.ie/boregan/Shakespeare

The Passion of the Christ
The DVD/Video version of this powerful and controversial life of Christ, dircted by Mel Gibson, is now available. This will make it available for school use, but how suitable is it for the younger age groups? Using selected clips may be a way into it for teachers reluctant to show it all. For example he opening sequence is powerful in its imagery and deals dramatically with the whole idea and nature of temptation. The Way of the Cross sequence is rough, but there are many striking scenes - e.g. Jesus meeting his mother as their paths cross and Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus to shoulder the cross.

Beth Nielsen Chapman - Recent CD
This great American singer songwriter has just released Hymns, an album of old Catholic songs, mostly in Latin, but it's contemporary in style and great for meditation. It is available from her website (www.bethnielsenchapman.com), and should be in the shops, on the Sanctuary label.

Tommy Fleming Album
Tommy Fleming has released a new album of spiritual and inspirational songs on CD and DVD, on the Dolphin label: Here's the official blurb:
Voice Of Hope 2 CD & DVD A spectacular double CD recorded live in the Basilica, Knock, Ireland Featuring a collection of uplifting songs performed by Tommy and guest artists in a concert event that marks the first time an entertainer has been allowed access to the magnificent Basilica. Recorded before an audience of 5,000 people, the concert offers many stirring moments which are enhanced by the magnificent setting. The performance features Tommy with his band supported by an orchestra and choir. Guest soloists include Phil Coulter and Eileen Ivers (of Riverdance fame). Cara Dillon and Naoise Stuart-Kelly also perform wonderful duets with Tommy. Disc 1 • From A Distance • Morning Has Broken • Bright Blue Rose • Steal Away • Love Can Build A Bridge • You Raise Me Up • Ships Are Sailing • Bygone Days • Bridge Over Troubled Water • You've Got A Friend • The Rose •Amazing Grace • Lady Of Knock • Disc 2 • Danny Boy • The Prayer • Sand And Water • Hard Times • Something Inside So Strong • Angel • Ave Maria • Lady Of Knock • She Can't Really Be Gone • Song For Ireland • The Things We've Handed Down – The Rose • True Companion • Check out the Dolphin Website for ordering details - follow this link and go to end of page.

Another New John Michael Talbot Album
John Michael Talbot has released a new album - Monk Rock, a sort of return to his rock roots and the Jesus Movement. Check out his own story of the album here.

John Michael Talbot Album
City of God is a recent John Michael Talbot new album. Like Table of Plenty from 1998 it is a collection of well known folk hymns from the Catholic tradition, including Earthen Vessels, Abba Father, Here I Am, Sing to the Mountains and City of God. Click here for audio samples on the artist's website.

New Gibson Film
It is reported that Mel Gibson's next project may be a film on the appearances of Our Lady at Fatima. A spokesman for his company indicated that he would like to do this. Gibson met the late Sr Lucia before she died and arranged a special showing of The Passion of the Christ for her and the sisters in her convent. Gibson has acquired the rights to the book Stealing From Angels by Brian Dullaghan, and shooting is tentatively scheduled for 2006.