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I hope that whatever you are seeking you may find some steps here that will lead you to know the God of Love in your life. You are welcome to walk with us on our social media channels, too.
Bishop Fintan Gavin
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The Blessed Sacrament Procession, which was led by the Diocese of Cork and Ross, as pilgrims from across the world gathered in prayer.
Today marked the first full day of the Diocese of Cork and Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Over 450 pilgrims, including assisted pilgrims, doctors, nurses, young adult and student helpers, adult helpers, carers and parishioners from across the diocese, gathered this morning for our Opening Mass at Côté Grotte.
People come to Lourdes for many different reasons, each carrying their own prayers, hopes and intentions. During his homily, Bishop Fintan reminded us that, whatever we may be carrying, the Lord is with us: “The Lord is with you in your illness and in your worries. The Lord is with you in your questions. The Lord is with you when your faith feels strong and when it feels fragile.” These words were particularly meaningful as we brought the prayers and petitions entrusted to us by people at home to the Grotto this afternoon, remembering all those who could not be with us in Lourdes.
This year, Gougane Sunday takes place on:
For more than 1,400 years Gougane Barra has been a place of prayer and pilgrimage, associated with St Finbarr and the beginnings of the Christian story in Cork.
Today it continues to be a special place where people come to pray, to give thanks and to seek God’s blessing.
Bishop Fintan Gavin invites people from parishes and faith communities throughout the Diocese to join together for this annual diocesan Mass and pilgrimage.
Everyone is welcome to join us at Gougane Barra as we honour St Finbarr and pray together for our Diocese, our families, our parishes and faith communities, and for the pastoral year ahead.
Gougane Barra Sunday 2026
Now in its third year, Maranatha is an annual celebration of music, faith and young people in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
At the launch, teachers from post-primary schools across the diocese took part in a workshop featuring the music that will be part of the Maranatha 2027 programme.
Students from Christ King Secondary School, who have taken part in Maranatha over the past two years, gave teachers a taster of some of the songs during the workshop.
The official Maranatha 2027 playlist is now available on Spotify: Maranatha 2027 on Spotify
Maranatha 2027 will take place on Thursday, 28 January 2027, in Cork City Hall. Up to 500 students will gather for a full day of activities, including catechesis and music, leading up to the concert that evening.
Students from Christ King Secondary School with Bishop Fintan
It’s not too late to register your school for Maranatha 2027. For more information and to register, email
Bishop Fintan with the altar servers and priests in St Patrick's Cathedral Skibbereen
The joyful celebrations brought together principals, teachers, SNAs, members of Boards of Management and others who support Catholic primary education across the diocese, to pray for God’s blessing on the new school year.
This year’s theme, taken from the Vision for Catholic Education, was Invites. In his homily, the Bishop reflected on how the Catholic school invites every child to know that they are loved by God, emphasising that “each child has dignity; each child with their unique gifts has a purpose.”
UCC Chaplaincy and Ardens Missionaries with Bishop Fintan
While FOCUS have decided to end their European mission, a new entity 'Ardens' have taken on the task to continue, in a new way, the mission to third level colleges in Europe and have begun their missionary activity in UCC for the new academic year.
In preparation for this, the UCC chaplaincy team and the new Ardens team spent some days in planning, orientation and prayer at Mardyke House. The days were facilitated by Br Martin Kenneally.
This will be a journey of faith and prayer, giving young adults the opportunity to deepen their relationship with Christ, and be part of one of the largest gatherings of young people in the Catholic Church. We hope it will be a unique opportunity for our young people to deepen their faith through prayer, worship and fellowship, and to experience the universality of the Church as they gather with young Catholics from every continent.
An Information Evening will be held on:
We encourage all interested young adults to attend to learn more about the pilgrimage, the programme, costs, fundraising opportunities, and the application process.
To register, email
Coláiste Éamann Rís - Cork City Thank you for including petitions from our school community and allowing three of our staff to join you Make a secure donation to
the Diocese of Cork and Ross
