Maura Whelton pictured with her extended family in the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Barryroe Photo: Paul Finn.

The recently retired sacristan of the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in Barryroe, has received a papal award.

Maura Whelton was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Leo for her exceptional services to the Catholic Church and the local community. The presentation was made by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross at the conclusion of Sunday Mass in Barryroe last week.

Maura’s work in the Barryroe church spanned some three decades and was in tandem with her association with local organisations including Community Alert, the Legion of Mary and St. Vincent de Paul.

Such dedication nowadays is a fading role as society continues to change. Maura's own assessment of the role as sacristan in her local church was “I did it for God, it's as simple as that really.”

When asked how she attained the role the response was: “I just glided in.” Perhaps, if Maura and her family were not living adjacent to the church, things could have been different. But for Maura and her late husband Willie, who married in 1970 and bought the local shop in Tirnanéan nine years later, it seemed the natural thing to do.

Bicentenary of St Patrick’s Cathedral Celebrated in Skibbereen

The people of Skibbereen and the wider West Cork community gathered this past weekend to celebrate the 200th anniversary of St Patrick’s Cathedral

The Mass to mark the bicentenary was celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, together with Fr Kevin O’Regan, Co-Parish Priest and Moderator and Fr Evin O’Brien, CC.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Bishop Gavin said the anniversary was not simply about remembering the past, but also about renewing faith for the future.

“Two hundred years ago, the people of this place chose to build this beautiful church,” Bishop Gavin said. “They lived in difficult and uncertain times, and yet they built because they believed that God had a place at the heart of their lives and that faith was worth handing on to future generations.”

The cathedral has stood through times of joy and sorrow, prosperity and hardship, becoming a place deeply woven into the life of the community. Generations have gathered there for baptisms, weddings, funerals, confirmations and moments of prayer during some of the most important moments in people’s lives.

Bishop Fintan Gavin with Fr. Kevin O'Regan, Fr. Evin O'Brien, Bernie Kelly and the altar servers before the special Mass to celebrate the Bicentenary of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Skibbereen. Photo; Anne Minihane.

A briefing was held in Skibbereen last night for parishes across West Cork and the surrounding areas in preparation for the upcoming Eucharistic Procession and its associated events.

Priests and representatives from Parish Pastoral Councils gathered to hear detailed plans for this significant milestone in our Diocese.

Bishop Fintan outlined the overall vision, highlighting how the various preparatory events will help us prepare in the lead up to the Eucharistic Procession. Attendees were informed of plans to bring the relics of St Carlo Acutis to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Skibbereen, as part of its bicentenary celebrations this year.

Priests and representatives from Parish Pastoral Councils gathered to hear detailed plans in the lead up to the Eucharistic Procession

Last Thursday, a briefing was held for parishes from the city centre and surrounding areas in preparation for the upcoming Eucharistic Procession and its associated events.

Priests and Parish Pastoral Council representatives gathered to hear about the plans for this very special milestone in our Diocese, which will be officially launched next Wednesday, 6th May.

There is a growing sense of excitement as we prepare for this historic celebration in our diocese and city, marking the centenary of the first Eucharistic Procession in Cork on Sunday 7th June.

Priests and Parish Pastoral Council representatives gathered for the briefing

The celebration of the Easter Vigil in the Cathedral was marked with joy, hope, and renewal as 25 adults were welcomed into the life of the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation.

Some were baptised, confirmed, and received the Eucharist for the first time, while others were confirmed and welcomed more fully into the Catholic Church.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the profound significance of this moment, highlighting the visible signs of new hope.

Bishop Fintan warmly invites all parishioners to join in the celebration of the Mass of Chrism on Holy Thursday (April 2nd 2026) at 10am in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

The Chrism Mass is a high point in the life of a diocese each year. It is a public celebration of the family of faith: people, priests, deacons, and religious gathered together in communion with the Bishop. During this liturgy, the sacramental oils are blessed and consecrated, and the priests, together with the Bishop, renew their priestly promises.

This is the only Mass celebrated in the diocese on Holy Thursday morning. This highlights our unity as one diocesan family and our shared belonging to the family of God.

Overflow parking is available at St. Anthony’s Convent, with light refreshments afterwards in the Cathedral Visitors’ Centre. All are welcome to attend.

Bishop Fintan with Bishop Phonsie at the book launch of 'Priesthood in Ireland Today'

Priesthood in Ireland Today, a new book edited by Bishop Phonsie Cullinan (Bishop of Waterford & Lismore), was launched on Monday, 23 March at Mardyke House, Cork.

The publication brings together 16 reflections from a range of contributors, exploring the role of the priest in contemporary Ireland as leader, prophet, pastor, and servant. The book includes a contribution from one of our own priests, Msgr Gearóid Dullea.

The book seeks to offer encouragement to those discerning a vocation to the priesthood, while also reflecting on the meaning and challenges of priestly ministry in today’s world.

Speaking at the launch, Bishop Phonsie highlighted key themes emerging from the contributions and the importance of supporting vocations in the modern Church. He also met attendees afterwards and signed copies of the book.

People who were unable to attend Bishop Fintan’s father’s funeral in Dublin will have an opportunity on Sunday to extend prayerful sympathy.

The Cathedral Family of Parishes invites people to a Month’s Mind Mass in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, for the late Michael Gavin.

Bishop Fintan’s father, Michael, died on Feb 15^th in Dublin.

Bishop Fintan will be the principal celebrant of the Mass on Sunday 29^th March at 11.30am and all are welcome. 

Cathedral's location

The late Michael Gavin