"I wish to remind all parishioners that the Sunday and Holy Day obligations are dispensed with for the time being,” said Bishop Cullinane of Waterford, urging caution among the faithful.

"Peace and safety can only be secured through negotiation rather than annexation," say UK Church leaders in response to Israeli expansion plan

Sr Bridget Tighe offers care and support to Palestinian communities in Jordan, Gaza and Jerusalem.

The Irish woman’s greatest legacy is the Congregation of the Little Sisters of St Francis, which has more than 550 members in Africa today.

A 130-home estate in Cork City will, by the end of the year, have 34 social housing units, delivered through Nama’s social housing “special purpose vehicle” working with Respond! housing.

Impressive development includes 21 new apartments at St John’s College, with a 10-bed group home and 36 new build one bed apartments overlooking the Folly, costing €12 million.

Some of the graduates were unemployed while others worked for charities like Crosscare, Peter McVerry Trust, Age Action Ireland & the Simon Community.

“The Custody [of the Holy Land] does not forget that other religious are still missing in Syria and invites everyone to continue praying for peace.”

€12m redevelopment includes 21 new apartments in the college, a 10-bed group home, and 36 one-bed apartments and a range of support services.

“I can only hope you understand how much I love Ireland – love all of you – and thank you for this privilege of opening the novena at a shrine so dear to my heart.”

Bishop John Buckley led mourners at the funeral Mass of Sr Thérèse Marie O’Connell who spent fifty-seven years as a Poor Clare at the French shrine.

Franciscan was one of the founder members of Respond! in 1981 and has been its CEO for over 30 years during which time 5,500 homes have been built.

2012 was a difficult year financially for MQI.