Ministry and Parishes
Developing the vision for the Family of Parishes in the Diocese; identifying and responding to the needs of parishes and faith communities as they develop new ways of ministry and new structures to serve the mission
Parish Life Coordinator
Faith Development Coordinator
Representatives from the parishes of Skibbereen and Rath and the Islands gathered this week in the West Cork Hotel for the last evening of their initial formation for Parish Pastoral Councils.
The event marked the beginning of a new chapter in parish leadership, as these newly formed councils came together to reflect on their mission and explore how they can serve their communities with faith, creativity, and collaboration.
Eilis and Lorraine from the Office for Mission and Ministry guided participants through reflection and discussion. The formation focused on the role of pastoral councils in fostering co-responsibility between clergy and laity, discerning parish resources and needs, using the pastoral planning cycle model, and supporting pastoral initiatives that strengthen faith life at local level.
Members of Skibbereen and Rath and the Islands Parish Pastoral Councils
Attendees described the session as both inspiring and practical — an opportunity to share experiences, build confidence, and begin shaping a shared vision for parish renewal.
For further information about Parish Pastoral Council formation or formation opportunities for different parish ministries, please contact the Office for Mission and Ministry.
The people of the diocese have been praying, listening and discerning as plans for the future of the diocese are needed.
In Sept 2024, Bishop Fintan Gavin announced the start of a period of time during which parishioners and clergy together would consider how the faith communities of the diocese will reorganise to answer the mission of the Lord in this time and place.
Meetings are now ongoing in each family of parishes across the diocese.
To date the Office for Mission and Ministry has completed three sessions in each of the Families of Parishes of:
Parishioners reflect on the meetingThe Diocese has honoured altar servers in a gathering at Frankfield / Grange Parish Centre
On Saturday, a special gathering was held at Frankfield and Grange Parish Centre in Cork to honour and celebrate the altar servers in our Diocese. The gathering brought together altar servers, their parents, priests and the adult volunteers who support them, creating a sense of community and appreciation for this vital ministry.
Sheila Kelleher, Youth Ministry Coordinator, together with a number of young adult volunteers, organised a variety of fun games and activities for the altar servers. Meanwhile, Lorraine Buckley, the Faith Development Coordinator, facilitated an engaging discussion for their parents, priests, and adult volunteers with Bishop Fintan. The conversation focused on how to best encourage and support altar server ministry in parishes and families of parishes.
Bishop Fintan spoke with priests, parents/guardians and adult volunteers.Fifty people from around our diocese gathered in the Visitors’ Centre of The Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne to celebrate Alpha as a way of nourishing our own faith and sharing our faith with others
It was a great opportunity to support each other, to pray in thanksgiving for the blessings of the last year, and to begin looking at the next steps for Alpha in Parishes and Families of Parishes.
Theresa Cronin spoke on the theme of 'Made for Mission.' The commission to go and make disciples doesn't just belong to priests and religious. We are all made for mission. Each of us has a particular role in God’s plan of bringing the Good News to everyone.
Bishop Fintan witnessed to his own experience of attending Alpha and spoke of the important role of Alpha Teams in the diocese now and into the future.
Bishop Fintan speaking about his own experience of Alpha
The Office for Mission and Ministry will be providing ongoing training and support for Parishes and Families of Parishes who wish to run Alpha from September.
Please contact us if you wish to join our Alpha mailing list.
Parishioners from the parishes in the family of parishes around Clonakilty have attended a joint formation evening for Ministers of the Eucharist.
It follows a recent invitation in the parishes for people to volunteer to serve as Ministers of the Eucharist in the parishes of Ardfield and Rathbarry, Clonakilty, Kilmeen and Timoleague.
The formation evening was presented by Lorraine Buckley, Faith Development Coordinator in the Office for Mission and MInistry of the diocese and it was held in the Parish Centre in Clonakilty.
The gathering of over 55 people included almost 30 new people who have committed to this ministry in their parishes and the event was also attended by many of the currently serving Ministers of the Eucharist.
It is planned that the new Ministers will be commissioned and begin their ministry in the family of parishes in the coming weeks.
Ministers of the Eucharist attend formation in Clonakilty
The final lenten reflection is now published for Holy Week and Easter Triduum and explores “Easter is like Christmas; it’s just for children.”
Here is a direct link
Lent 7 - Is Easter just for children?
Option 1: Watch the Video: Simply play and pause the video as required
Option 2: Listen to the Podcast: For groups or individuals. (audio only)
Access the complete series at
CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024
Is Easter just for children?The sixth of seven reflections is now published and asks - Why should I hope in the Church in 2024?
Here is a direct link
Lent 6 - Why should I hope in the Church?
There are two simple ways to access the reflection depending on your preferences:
Option 1: Watch the Video: Simply play and pause the video as required
Option 2: Listen to the Podcast: For groups or individuals. It is audio only.
Access the complete series as it evolves at
CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024
Downloads
If you plan to use any of these resources where there is no internet connection you can download the files
The fifth of seven reflections is now published and asks - Is it wrong to be joyful?
Here is a direct link
Lent 5 - Is it wrong to be joyful?
There are two simple ways to access the reflection depending on your preferences:
Option 1: Watch the Video: Simply play and pause the video as required
Option 2: Listen to the Podcast: For groups or individuals. It is audio only.
Access the complete series as it evolves at
CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024
Downloads
If you plan to use any of these resources where there is no internet connection you can download the files
The fourth of seven reflections is now published and asks - Should we hope in each other?
Here is a direct link
Lent 4 - Should we hope in each other?
There are two simple ways to access the reflection depending on your preferences:
Option 1: Watch the Video: Simply play and pause the video as required
Option 2: Listen to the Podcast: For groups or individuals. It is audio only.
Access the complete series as it evolves at
CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024
Downloads
If you plan to use any of these resources where there is no internet connection you can download the files
The third of seven reflections is now published and asks - If Jesus saved us, why do we still experience pain, suffering, illness and death?
Here is a direct link
Lent 3 - Why do we experience suffering?
There are two simple ways to access the reflection depending on your preferences:
Option 1: Watch the Video: Simply play and pause the video as required
Option 2: Listen to the Podcast: For groups or individuals. It is audio only.
Access the complete series as it evolves at
CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024
Downloads
If you plan to use any of these resources where there is no internet connection you can download the files
Mission and Ministry
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