Ecumenism has been hitting the headlines recently in some of the regional papers, notably in the west. The Mayo News reports a joint Church of Ireland and Catholic service in the Church of Ireland church on the island of Innisbiggle in the parish of Ballycroy.
It was presided over by the Right Rev Richard Henderson of Killala, Tuam and Achonry, and Dr Thomas Finnegan, Bishop of Killala.
There is agreement "in principle" that in future the Catholic community would have leave to use the Holy Trinity Church on the island for Mass and other ceremonies. "Recently it was decided, as a project for the jubilee year, to restore and share Holy Trinity Church," the Mayo News reports.
In Kilkenny, the Masonic Order boosted the funds of the local St Vincent de Paul to the extent of £670 in the run-up to Christmas. A cheque for that amount was "presented by Ian McCullough of the Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge, south-eastern region, to James Burke, Kilkenny county president, St Vincent de Paul", according to the Kilkenny People. Mr McCullough said the Masons "admired the work which the society does for the less fortunate in the community".
The Connaught Telegraph reports that the wedding of Irish actor Pierce Brosnan to Keely Shaye-Smith will not be held in Ballintubber Abbey because of security problems but in St Mary's Church of Ireland church, in Cong, the ceremony being a Catholic one in the 145-year-old Protestant chapel. "For most of 2001, all Catholic Masses, weddings, baptisms and funeral ceremonies will be conducted in the historic cut-stone Protestant church, which was built by Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1855." Kerry's Eye leads its front page with the headline "Crime Spree" and reports that "a gang of three youths savagely attacked a man outside his home on Christmas Eve" in Tralee causing him to be treated in hospital "for numerous facial injuries". Gardai report that the same gang were also involved "in another serious attack on the same night".
The Sligo Champion tells us that the dock in which Michael Davitt stood during his trial in Sligo for sedition is "set to become a centrepiece of the refurbished courthouse in Teeling Street. The trial was attended by Charles Stewart Parnell and the trial of Davitt and others became known as the Sligo state trials".
The Champion also reports "a massive £100 million development project which will completely transform the centre of the town and provide Sligo with one of the biggest shopping centres in the country".
Not surprisingly, much space in the regional papers has been devoted to the weather conditions which prevailed nationwide. The coverage includes some spectacular photography.
Editorially, the Derry Journal reminds us: "For all our wonderful technical advances, we had a stern reminder that the power of nature still remains capable of disrupting our comfortable living standards and ability to travel quickly from place to place when the first serious snowfall of the year descended."
The Leinster Express makes an effort to look on the bright side. "Surprisingly, it was one of our infrastructure's more maligned members, the railways, which came to the rescue of many. The trains may not have run on time but they did run," it says.
The Drogheda Independent appeals for people to get involved in charitable work. "Anyone can volunteer. So when making your New Year resolutions, why not make a positive one and contribute in a meaningful way to your local community?"
After the seasonal celebrations, the Donegal People's Press appeals for a cut-down on excess. "By cutting down and by showing example to others we would not only be helping ourselves but also our community and nation."
The Carlow edition of the Nationalist turns to the problem of racism and urged more action by the Government. "There needs to be a public awareness campaign but a well funded initiative. A few paltry million pounds is not exactly what's needed in this scenario."