Thursday 26 February 2026
7:30pm: Cork City Hall
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Bishop Fintan Gavin
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Parishioners, families and friends are warmly encouraged to attend and show their support for our young people
Excitement is continuing to build ahead of Maranatha 2026, which takes place on Thursday, 26 February 2026 in Cork City Hall.
Maranatha brings together post-primary students from parishes across the diocese, culminating in a concert at 7.30pm.
Over 500 young people will take part, filling City Hall with joy and powerful witness through song.
Tickets are now on sale and parishioners, families and friends are warmly encouraged to attend and show their support for our young people.
Tickets cost €15 (plus booking fee) and are available to book here: Maranatha Tickets
Join us and be part of an uplifting night that celebrates faith, community and our young people.
Kinsale parish hosts a special liturgy on Sunday 22nd when a parishioner in our diocese takes the next step towards being ordained a Permanent Deacon.
Paul Ryan, a native of Co Clare, lives in Timoleague Parish and was accepted three years ago as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate. Since then he has been participating in formal formation and personal prayer and reflection. He has also been experiencing parish life in Kinsale Parish.
On Sunday, he will be instituted as a Lector by Bishop Fintan Gavin during 12 noon Mass at St. John the Baptist Church, Kinsale.
This next step on his path to ordination means Paul will be mandated to proclaim God’s Word and, through his reflection on the Word of God, prepares himself further for answering the call to service in our diocese as a Permanent Deacon.
The Word of God serves as a means to come to know God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ even more and, through the Holy Spirit, helps us to deepen our relationship with him.
Bishop Fintan Gavin has asked that people across the diocese pray for Paul on Sunday as Paul also asks for God’s blessing and help.
Paul Ryan, his wife Bríd, their daughter Anne and son Tomás, with Bishop Fintan Gavin in May 2024. (Pic. Mariana Wirsam)
The late Michael Gavin
The death has occurred in Dublin of Michael Gavin, father of Bishop Fintan Gavin.
The diocese has announced that Bishop Fintan Gavin's father has died in Dublin. Michael Gavin, a native of Swinford, Co Mayo, died peacefully at Nazareth House Nursing Home, Malahide, Co Dublin.
Michael's death is mourned by his wife Angela, their family Michael, Bishop Fintan, Sheena, Darragh, Donna and Fr. Morgan Francis, and his extended family. He is predeceased by their son Conor.
Michael will be reposing at the Fanagan Kirwan Funeral Home, Fairview Strand on Wednesday (18th, February) from 5pm to 7pm, with family in attendance.
Removal to the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Marino, on Thursday (19th, February) for 12 Noon Requiem Mass followed by burial at Balgriffin Cemetery.
May he rest in the peace of the Lord.
Watch our promotion video here
Maranatha is a high-energy, faith-based concert that celebrates young people, joy, belonging, and faith.
Young people from parishes across the diocese attending post-primary schools have been preparing for Maranatha 2026.
The full day event cumulates in a concert in Cork City Hall on Thursday 26th February with over 500 young people singing together.
Maranatha was created to bring young people together to celebrate their faith through music and have fun at the same time.
Please support our young people by coming to this event. Tickets are €15 (plus booking fee) and are available to book here: Get your tickets here
Doors open 7pm, with concert beginning at 7.30pm.
The Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 18th September to Wednesday 23rd September this year. People are encouraged to join the pilgrimage as helpers (male and female), nurses and doctors to assist pilgrims in Lourdes. Further information is available by emailing:
Video: Cork & Ross Lourdes Collection to be taken up at all Masses this weekend
There has always been great support for the Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund and your support and continued generosity for the collection on 7th/8th February is greatly appreciated.
Over 300 parishioners attended Songs of Praise at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork Feb 1, 2026 Pic: Brian Lougheed.Choir directors, musicians, cantors, singers and members of the wider faith community came together for an afternoon of prayer and song. Hymns and music were led by John Casey and the Cathedral Choir, Honor O’Brien and Kinsale Choir, Ursula Mulvihill and Ballinora Choir, Mary O’Brien and St Columba’s Choir, Douglas.
The celebration combined shared learning, communal singing, prayer and reflection, highlighting the role of music in deepening faith and supporting worship.
