20 - 25 September 2024
Canon Bernard Donovan
Bishop Fintan Gavin has extended his sympathy and prayerful support to all of Canon Bernard’s family, parishioners and friends at this time.
Canon Bernard has been ministering in Kilmurry Parish since 2008 and lived in Cloughduv.
Canon Bernard, a native of The South Parish, was ordained on November 9th 1974, at The Reparation Convent, Summerhill South, Cork. After ordination he served for a time in St. Patrick’s Parish, Cork, and the following year, he was appointed curate at Gurranabraher.
Between 1979 and 2003, Canon Bernard served for 15 years during three terms on the Cork and Ross Diocesan Mission in Trujillo, Peru. In between, he was curate in Carrigaline (1986 – 1992) and curate in Clonakilty (1998 – 2000). Following his time in Peru, he was on sabbatical for a year before returning home to be appointed Parish Priest of Schull in 2004. His ministry was later extended to include being Administrator of Goleen.
In October 2008, Canon Bernard was appointed Parish Priest of Kilmurry Parish and in September 2022 he was appointed Co-Parish Priest in the Family of Parishes of Bandon, Enniskeane & Desertserges, Innishannon / Knockavilla, Kilbrittain, Kilmurry and Murragh & Templemartin.
May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.
Announcing the changes which are effective on July 27th, Bishop Fintan said that he is grateful to the priests who are undertaking new appointments this year and to those who retire from a fulltime appointment.
"I continue to be grateful for their willingness to minister in new ways with colleagues and with people in Families of Parishes," he said..
Bishop Fintan Gavin
On this date five years ago Bishop Fintan Gavin was ordained Bishop of Cork and Ross.
The concelbrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne was full with a capacity congregation representative of the Diocese, the Catholic Church in Ireland and the Bishop's family and friends.
Bishop John Buckley was the principal celebrant.
We pray for continued blessings for Bishop Fintan as he shepherds our diocese.
This was a special occasion for Carrignavar Parish and the school community. School Pupils, staff, Board of Management, Principal Mr. Cormac Duggan, Canon Martin Keohane Co-PP, parents, families, invited guests, public representatives and the wider parish gathered in the new school building to celebrate a specially prepared liturgy. The participation, prayers and singing of the children was wonderful. Bishop Fintan then blessed the new building.
Bishop Fintan Blesses Scoil an Athar Tadhg in Carrignavar.
Mr Irwin spoke with pupils about the Catholic ethos of the school and how it is tangible in every aspect of daily school life. He acknowledged and thanked Fr Damian O’Mahony Co-PP for his support and warm relationship that he has cultivated with the school.
Themed Into the deep and hosted by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the event was comprised of participant-led activities, reflections and the celebration of Mass.
Guest speaker for the Into the deep gathering was Fr. Stephen Wang, Archdiocese of Westminster, England, who founded the Sycamore programme for faith formation.
Addressing the participants, Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed the representatives of dioceses and young adult ministry groups from across the country.
While there are many young people involved in Youth 2000, Alpha, Sycamore, Lourdes Pilgrimages and other projects inspired by movements and religious in Ireland, there are challenges to be recognised, he said.
“The context of Youth Ministry has changed so much. As a young person you have to stand out from your peers, and the culture does not support you as it did in the past. When we think of the small numbers of young people in the Church in Ireland today we could well feel despair, desolation - like we have fished all night long and caught nothing.”
“We are called to go beyond our traditional boundaries and meet young adults where they are - both physically and spiritually. We are called to go to new shores and to connect with people one on one.”
Organisers Gerard Hanley, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Miriam Goulding, with keynote speaker Fr Stephen Wang (Catholic Communications Office)