May is a month that is welcomed for many reasons – not least because it marks the start of Summer – for Irish people at least!

It feels as though brighter, longer days are ahead and there are more reasons to be cheerful.

Do you ever listen to conversion stories and wish you could experience a similar transformation? Is our approach to belief too reductionist, where the Gospel is a biography and the psalms akin to inspirational quotes. In this week’s podcast, we discuss how we can learn from the early Christian communities and the role of Scripture in their lives.

When it comes to relationships there is a lot to talk about.

How can we improve interpersonal communication? How can we develop our perceptions and responses so that we can get good at managing varying expectations? Or how do we manage our emotions better?

The other day I was with a friend and her newborn baby. As the adoring Mum held her little bundle up “She said she can’t really see you, you know that?” It’s true babies are not born with perfect vision, and in fact they see blurry images for quite some time.

It’s easy to think it's spring when the days begin to get sunny and a warm breeze wafts over your skin.

Not as easy when hailstones are bopping off your hat and coat. But that has been the extremes of weather this past week in Donegal.

I spent a good deal of time looking after my parents as they got older. And sometimes (because of the particular time and situation) it used to seem as if it had been going on since forever. I know that I am exaggerating as I say that. Because I never lived with them when they got older. I might stay for a night or two, and then come and go.

So, while I carried out this ‘job’ many times whinging and complaining a lot, the time came when I learned to accept it, and yes embrace it.