Fr Iowane Has Many Strings to his Bow

Fr Iowane Has Many Strings to his Bow

Our newest Columban missionary priest has already lived many different lives, writes Fr Frank Hoare.   Fr Iowane Naio speaks five languages and has lived in five different cultures and will soon add to that. But his roots are in Namau Settlement about 10 km from Ba...
Reflections of a Retiring Formator

Reflections of a Retiring Formator

As he comes to the end of his term overseeing the formation of Columban seminarians, Fr Frank Hoare explains how being in this community with students from Fiji and Kiribati helped his spirituality. It’s the closest I will ever get to feeling like a father! As I...
Columbans and World Mission Sunday 2023

Columbans and World Mission Sunday 2023

World Mission Sunday 22nd October 2023 “A life unlike your own can be your teacher” – St Columban At this time when so many communities in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere around the world are convulsed by conflict, diversity is often seen as a challenge to be...
Fr Frank Hoare celebrates Jubilee Mass in Portlaoise

Fr Frank Hoare celebrates Jubilee Mass in Portlaoise

Family and friends joined Columban missionary Fr Frank Hoare in his native Portlaoise when he celebrated Mass to mark the golden jubilee of his ordination. I celebrated a thanksgiving Mass in my native Portlaoise for a lifetime of missionary work in multi-cultural...
Jubilee Celebration for Dalgan Class of 1973

Jubilee Celebration for Dalgan Class of 1973

On Saturday 22nd April 2023, the Dalgan class of 1973 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood. While celebrations also took place in Fiji and the Philippines, here in Ireland three Columbans came together to celebrate the happy...