As we begin the month of April, a question arises: What did you promise for Lent?

It's been 26 days since the holy season of Lent started on Ash Wednesday. In every church, people had the blessed ashes placed on their foreheads and they undertook commitments to grow closer to the Lord during the 40 days.

Bishop Fintan made his annual pastoral visit to University College Cork that and celebrated three Ash Wednesday Masses in the Honan Chapel. In his homilies during these Masses, Bishop Fintan encouraged the congregations to enter into the season of Lent with open hearts and to rely on the God's mercy to carry them throughout the weeks ahead.

Now there are two weeks to go! So, perhaps it's a time for a review and maybe a restart!

Lent ends on the Wednesday of Holy Week. It's followed by three sacred days (The Triduum): Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, leading then to the celebration of Easter.

This year, Easter Sunday is on April 20th.

Bishop Fintan placed blessed ashes on students at the Honan Chapel in UCC on Ash Wednesday

Sr Mary Grace to speak in Cork

Watch Sr Mary Grace's greeting video

Religious Sister who is an international speaker at faith events will speak to young people in Cork.

Sr Mary Grace will speak on hope at CONNECT6 event in Cork on May 10th. CONNECT6 will take place at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork.

Sr Mary Grace, originally from Australia, is a highly sought-after speaker at youth conferences attended by thousands, and a prominent figure on YouTube.

The day will feature insightful presentations and sharing, Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the opportunity for Confession.

There is a registration fee of €10, which includes pizza.

Register for this event

Parishioners with priests and deacons continue to meet in each family of parishes to consider the future of the faith communities in the diocese.

The Office for Mission and Ministry with the support of other facilitators is guiding a series of three meetings in each of the 16 families of parishes.

The discussions are focused on responding to questions posed by Bishop Fintan Gavin in his Sept 2024 Message to the Diocese.

Read the Pastoral Message here

Last evening's gathering was in the family of parishes which includes Ardfield & Rathbarry | Barryroe | Clonakilty | Kilmeen & Castleventry | Rosscarbery & Lisavaird | Timoleague.

At the third meeting in the family of parishes for the Prayer, Listening and Discernment process in the diocese.

Prayer Circles for vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Cork & Ross

Fr Cian O’Sullivan and Fr Marius O’Reilly recently visited the Prayer Circle for Vocations in the Church of the Real Presence in Curraheen Road, Bishopstown.

Prayer Circles for vocations have started in a number of parishes around the Diocese. Parishioners meet once a month to pray and then socialise afterwards.

If you would like to start a prayer circle in your parish for vocations email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will help you to get started.

Learn more about Vocations in our Diocese

Photo taken at Lourdes in 1972 (full image in post)

Who was on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1972?

One of the established traditions with pilgrims who travel to the Marian Shrine in Lourdes, France, is to have a photo taken outside the basilica. 

There must be many such photos in homes across Ireland!

This photo of the Cork and Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes was taken in 1972. It was taken by Photo Viron -- a local firm who still take photos as Lourdes. (Click Read more to see the full photo.)

This year's pilgrimage to Lourdes is from Sept 19th to 24th. A similar mix of people will travel also this year: people who are sick, their family members and helpers, professional carers, young adult helpers as well as able-bodied pilgrims who join from across the diocese.