Mission and Ministry

The logo includes the people of Cork and Ross from our Diocesan Logo

The Church is the People of God. We are all unique, all different, and yet, we are called by name to be members of God’s family, united in faith and love.

The boat has traditionally been a symbol for the Church. Some of the first apostles were fishermen by trade. When Jesus invited them to be his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). They would be sent to bring the Good News of God’s love to all nations and people.

The boat is in motion. Pope Francis describes the Church as ‘on the move.’ One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is wind. On Pentecost, the disciples heard the sound of a ‘wind from heaven’ and were filled with the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:2). The sail of the boat is full, because the Holy Spirit is leading us.

The boat and the sail are green, because green symbolises hope, life and growth. We are people of hope and “we must fan the flame of hope that has been given us” (Pope Francis). Our Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment coincides with a Jubilee of Hope which Pope Francis proclaimed for the whole Church. “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”(Romans 5:5).

The mast of the boat is the cross, representing Jesus and his love for us. The mast is gold - a symbol for joy. We rejoice because Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us, and he promised to be with us always (cf. Matthew 28:20). Our scripture quotation, “Even the winds and the seas obey Him”, is taken from the account of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus is with us, calming our storms, and calling us to greater faith in the God who loves us.

Our Prayer from the Boat is a prayer that God will lead us to a hope-filled future for our faith communities as we play our part in building the Kingdom of God in our time and place.

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.

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

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

Lent 2024 - Why should I hope in the Church?

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024

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

Is it wrong to be joyful?

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024

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

Should we hope in each other?

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024

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

Why do we experience suffering?

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024

The second of seven reflections is now published and asks - What does Baptism mean to me?

Here is a direct link

Lent 2 - What does Baptism mean to me?

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

What does Baptism mean to me?

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024

Finding Hope in a Hopeless World is a seven session resource which can be used by groups and individuals as we prepare for Easter

The Christian message is one of hope, yet living in a world that is often touched by war, violence, and brokenness can make hope seem more fragile.

Pope Francis said, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” He calls Christians to be ‘pilgrims of hope,’ who carry the light of Christ into every situation.

Each week during Lent, a reflection will be added to a new part of the diocesan website at:

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024

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.

Here is a direct link to the first session

Lent 1 - Do I feel loved?

Downloads

If you plan to use any of these resources where there is no internet connection or it is not reliable - read more about the download facility...

Finding Hope in a Hopeless World

CorkandRoss.org/Lent2024