Teacher Aoife O'Driscoll speaking at the Confirmations workshop.

With just weeks to go to the first Confirmation ceremony in the diocese this year, teachers and priests from across the diocese met to discuss and plan for the special days

Addressing the meeting at Innishannon, Bishop Fintan thanked all present for their part in suppporting the faith of the children in the schools. The workshop was to explain and expand on the innovations which were introduced for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation throughout the Diocese last year.

Ballineaspaig Parish in Cork and Timoleague Parish will both host the first Confirmation ceremonies on Tuesday February 11th. The ceremonies continue until Friday April 4th. 

See the full schedule and list of resources here

Meeting of parishioners in West Cork

Next steps in Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment about to begin

Gatherings in each Family of Parishes across the diocese are the next steps in the Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment which was annoiunced by Bishop Fintan Gavin last autumn.

Over the next four months, all the Parishes and Families of Parishes of our Diocese will be involved. Representatives of each Parish Leadership Team along with the local priests will participate in three meetings over three weeks reflecting on the questions posed in Bishop Fintan’s invitation in September.

Since September, people individually and in Parishes, have been praying the Diocesan Prayer from the Boat. As we continue to pray this prayer together, we pray for the success of these gatherings and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us as together we try to pray, listen, and discern God’s future for our Church.

Jubilee of Hope launched at Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne

The inclement weather did not dampen the spirits of those gathered for the diocesan launch of the Jubilee of Hope at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on Sunday, January 5^th. Bishop Fintan, in solidarity with Pope Francis, and bishops worldwide, launched the Jubilee and called on the faithful to become "messengers of hope" in a troubled world.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan urged the faithful to renew their faith, rekindle their hope, and deepen their love for God and one another. He encouraged each one to become a "Pilgrim of Hope," bringing hope to those in need in our families, Parishes and Families of Parishes, and to the wider community.

“It is providential," said Bishop Fintan, "that our Year of Prayer, Listening, and Discernment which began last September, coincides with the Jubilee of Hope." He noted that both initiatives are rooted in the foundational hope brought by faith in Jesus, urging the faithful to embark on this year with hearts open to God’s direction.

The Jubilee Year will be launched at the North Cathedral
(image by Paul O'Flynn)

Cork's Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne is the location for the launch of the Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

Bishop Fintan Gavin will be the principal celebrant at Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday Jan 5th at 11.30am.

The Jubilee Year was inaugurated by Pope Francis in Rome on Christmas Eve when he opened the Holy Door for the year.

Pope Francis has announced that the theme for the Jubilee Year is Hope.

"During the Holy Year," the Pope has prayed, "may the light of Christian hope illumine every man and woman, as a message of God’s love addressed to all! And may the Church bear faithful witness to this message in every part of the world!"

Each diocese around the world will host its own Jubilee Year events during the year.