Gaelcoláiste Mhuire First Year Group with Bishop Fintan
The readings and prayer of the faithful were read out by the pupils as gaeilge, as well as some beautiful music provided by members of the school choir and music group, under the guidance of Jack O’Rourke and Julie Ann Harrington of the Music Department.
The pupils’ participation in the Mass was coordinated by Jim Geaney and Cormac Lehane of the school Religion Department and the Mass was attended by School Principal Dónal Ó Buachalla as well as members of the teaching staff.
Léigh na daltaí liotúirge agus guí an phobail as Gaeilge, agus bhí ceol álainn ó chór agus grúpa ceoil na scoile, faoi stiúirú Seán Ó Ruairc, agus Julie Ann Ní hArrachtáin, ón Roinn Cheoil.
Bhí rannpháirtíocht na ndaltaí comhordaithe ag Séamas Ó Géibheannaigh agus Cormac Ó Liatháin ón Roinn Reiligiúin, agus d’fhreastail Príomhoide na Scoile Dónal Ó Buachalla agus baill den fhoireann teagaisc ar an Aifreann freisin.
Bishop Fintan with AG Music Group
Some First Year students from AG with Bishop FintanOn Tuesday 24 January, Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with students and staff.
The visit began with a First Year Class in the School Prayer Room. Following this, in the library a range of students from different year groups shared something of their faith stories with Bishop Fintan.
The students reflected on how they are living out the theme of Catholic Schools Week -‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’. Students spoke of their positive experience of Religious Education in the school and the many creative ways the faith dimension of school is helping them in their lives. A past pupil shared on the life changing experience he had in fifth year, when he was part of the Cork & Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Bishop Fintan is welcomed to Coláiste an Spioraid NaoimhBishop Fintan encouraged the students to be themselves, and not to be afraid to sometimes go against the crowd. Quoting St. Catherine of Siena, he said – “Be who God intended you to be and you will set the world on fire”. Bishop Fintan also encouraged the boys to avail of all the amazing opportunities both curricular and extra-curricular which they have in such a great school. Finally, he encouraged the students in believe in God’s love for each individual and to come to know Christ in a personal way.
Bishop Fintan is invited to address the students of Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh
Bishop Fintan is welcomed by Mr. Michael Sexton, PBST and Brenda Moriarty, school principal
Principal, Brenda Moriarty thanked Bishop Fintan for his visit. She assured the Bishop of the commitment of the school community, as part of the PBST Trust, to the Catholic ethos of the school and to the dynamic tradition of the Presentation Brothers, inspired by the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice.
Finally, in thanking the school community for a wonderful welcome, Bishop Fintan wished Spioraid Naoimh continued success in the Corn Uí Mhuirí, a message which was received very positively by all!
Canon Tom KelleherThe death has been announced of Canon Tom Kelleher, a retired priest of the diocese.
Canon Kelleher has served as a priest for 68 years since he was ordained in June 1954. He was a native of Kilmichael Parish and retired as Parish Priest of Courceys Parish in 2012 after serving there since 1985.
After ordination he served on temporary mission in New York where some of his classmates also served. On return to Ireland he served a number of chaplaincy appointments and was Diocesan Secretary from 1961 to 1969 when he volunteered to serve in the Diocesan Mission in Trujillo, Peru.
Following his return to Cork in 1975 he served as curate in the South Parish and then in St Joseph’s, Mayfield, before becoming Parish Priest of Courceys (Ballinspittle and Ballinadee).
When he retired, he moved to live at The Presbytery in Kinsale and also assisted in the parish.
May he rest in the eternal peace of the Lord whom he served
The theme for the week of celebration this year is: ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’ which incorporates three features of the Synodal Pathway, communion, participation and mission.
Through engagement with Catholic Schools Week 2023, our parish and school communities have an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the wonderful contribution made by our Catholic Schools at primary and post primary levels in Cork and Ross. Our Catholic schools support and give living witness to the Person of Christ in their ethos, values and characteristic spirit.
A link to a range of resources dedicated to celebrating the gift of Catholic education which reflect the Catholic Schools Week theme - ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’ (in both Irish and English) are available from the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) website:
Catholic Schools Week 2023 - Resources
Bain úsáid as an nasc atá luaite chun acmhainní as Gaeilge a fháil.
Catholic Schools Week 2023
The Sycamore Series is an informal course for those aged 18-35 helping people to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the Catholic faith.
Each session involves a short film and time for discussion with a meal also included.
Everyone is welcome.
Start date Wednesday February 1st, 6:00pm to 7:30pm at Presentation Brothers' Mardyke House, Cork T12 W8RP - Location Map
The course runs for 10 consecutive weeks.
The course is free but places are limited.
Please email
Over 200 members of the Ukrainian Community were present for the Mass.
Bishop Fintan, who presided, warmly welcomed all those present in particular those who have been forced to leave Ukraine as a result of the war and have arrived in the Cork area. He also assured them of spiritual support and fervently prayed for an end to the war.
Rev. Alan Marley, Church of Ireland Chaplain to UCC was also in attendance.
The Ukrainian Community will again meet for the celebration of Christmas on Saturday 7th January at 3.30pm in the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield. Fr. Roman and the Ukrainian community are very grateful to Fr. Kevin O’Regan PP and Frankfield Parish for their hospitality and welcome.
Cork Ukrainian Community celebrates Christmas
Canon Alan Marley, Chaplin, UCC, Church of Ireland, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Father Roman Biletskyy
Bishop Fintan Gavin gives a sermon at the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield, Cork
Father Roman Biletskyy saying mass at a special Ukrainian service on Christmas Eve
Photos courtesy of David Creedon, Photography
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