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God exists – as this Christmas letter demonstrates Dear Reader, You want me to prove God’s existence in four pages? But what about the full book I have written on the topic? What exactly are you trying to say to me? OK! I concede that it may be an impossible ask to get some people to read a book. You think brevity is a fundamental requirement, and you want me to acknowledge that reality. Well, if you are going to tie my hands with a word count, I too must propose some stipulations, which I hope you will concede are...

  (29 Nov 2022, @CCL, Dublin 2) Today, I would like to consider the nature of our modern problems, why these are happening now and pointing out what we can do about making things better. Crisis is a widely used word these days. In recent memory we had a banking crisis or financial crash, and a European migration crisis.  We have our own ongoing homelessness crisis, we have declared our own climate emergency or crisis, we have a biodiversity crisis and now facing a potential food security crisis, partially linked to an energy crisis, which we are told is due...

In his new book Dare To Speak! author Mark Hamilton comprehensively answers the question ‘What is woke?” and explains why woke culture should be of interest to everyone. A must read for any freedom-loving  wishing to understand our fast-changing culture.  Advance orders now by emailing admin@sowhat.ie Cover text: All public spaces have become intensely politicised in recent years whereas paradoxically, everywhere, serious conversations are seriously off the agenda. Why are we not talking openly to each other? Why do we self-censor? Why is it that, despite the ever-increasing channels of communication, we are increasingly wary of others’ viewpoints? Where has...

At a time when traditional democratic freedoms are in question across Western societies, the Nobel Committee chose to award the 2021 Peace Prize to two journalists for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. Over the past decade, Maria Ressa, CEO of a digital media company, has tirelessly documented the authoritarian nature of the Philippines government’s murderous war on drugs. Meanwhile, Dmitry Muratov has fought for freedom of expression as editor in chief of a Russian newspaper which has had six of its journalists murdered. The newspaper’s allegiance to professional integrity and fact-based journalism have made it an important force...

Gospels Book SOWhat BOOK_PRINT (1) 19‘ ‘I wish to report a kidnapping.’ Peter began his letter to the two major national newspapers. John will be proud of me, he thought, as he penned the letter, smiling across at the folder where he had stored all of John’s correspondence from last year. I do really need to type up all that stuff one of these days. It is great material. I need to have some way of being able to share it with some of my friends rather than let it gather dust. He continued writing. An elderly neighbour and good...

Introduction ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’ Isaac Newton’s famous reflection testifies to our great dependence on previous generations. Keenly aware of the religious wisdom he has accumulated during his life, John seeks to alert his young mentee and friend, Peter, to the riches contained in the Gospels. The inter-generational exchanges between John and Peter centre on the Gospels as being authentic historical sources in accessing the person and message of Jesus Christ. The conversations and supporting letters are set against a backdrop of contrasting cultures that are currently evidenced in the...

Covid, vaccines and conscience This personal reflection was prompted on hearing of a highly principled individual seriously suffering the ill effects of Covid. Whether you get a vaccine or not is your business. If you decide not to do so, then it should be for well-considered reasons. I hope this article can be understood in the honest spirit in which it has been written. The delta variant of the virus is highly transmissible. Months ago, it may have looked that the virus could be dodged, giving rise to a different set of moral considerations then. It now appears that everyone...

The NCCA has produced a draft specification for SPHE/RSE at Junior Cycle. See https://ncca.ie/en/resources/background-paper-and-brief-for-the-redevelopment-of-junior-cycle-sphe/ It has invited feedback – this is open until November 5th, 2021. Following on a range of issues discussed in ‘Our School Is Catholic – So What?’, some teachers sought my view on the NCCA document. I am publishing this for your consideration. I recommend you make a short personal submission.  A template for making a submission can be accessed at this link. You might like to read this review before making your submission. What is this NCCA consultation about? The Framework for Junior Cycle requires that...

The nation’s children have now settled back into the new school year, with Covid seemingly conquered for now. The challenge now on everyone’s lips in the Munster region is one of ‘catch up’. Numeracy and literacy standards are not what they should be, and our schools are expected to respond. This pressure is particularly experienced in rural areas where broadband facilities limited access to zoom classes. This emphasis on ‘catch up’ is reflective of the instrumental way we instinctively view schooling – as an opportunity of acquiring skills to aid future functionality. Yet a glance at the world’s news headlines...

Following the launch on 23 September readers are invited to join a Book Club to discuss the book chapter by chapter. The So What Book Club will be held on zoom and will feature inputs from a variety of people with backgrounds in education. All readers will be invited to contribute. The Club will meet fortnightly for 30-45 minutes. If you wish to join this Book Club please email admin@sowhat.ie or use the Get in Touch button on the Navigation Bar. The time and evening chosen will seek to maximise participation. Enrol now.

Anyone who developed a liking for Korean dramas during the lockdowns will be familiar with the term ‘higher-ups’. South Korea is still quite a deferential society, and ‘higher-ups’ are the people who make the key decisions by which we live our lives. There probably was a time when higher-ups were sure-footed individuals who made ideology-free sensible choices for the benefit of all. Alas, no longer, as the chaos in Afghanistan, the ‘lab-leak’ hypothesis for the origins of Covid or the ongoing politicisation of the virus currently bring home to us. Society’s quickening pace of change, the ease of instant world-wide...

OUR SCHOOL IS CATHOLIC – SO WHAT? A comprehensive review of the challenges facing Catholic schools and of how to address these. A worthwhile study, with practical implementable actions, for all interested in the future of Catholic education in Ireland. Order now from this website. CONTENTS Introduction Section 1 – Setting the scene  1. Aspects of the Irish educational landscape 2. Light and shade – as seen through Catholic eyes Section 2 – The difference a God makes 3. Understanding the Catholic-Christian worldview 4. Secularist worldviews 5. Contrasting and competing 6. The impact of the secular outlook on education Section...