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What do climate crisis, care for the earth and biodiversity have to do with parishes?
The answer is “much more than we may think”!
Local parishes and faith communities in three neighbouring dioceses are sending representatives to a conference taking place in Cork this month to tease out this question.
But they won’t be the first catholics talking about connecting faith and nature.
As long ago as the 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi composed a prayer called the Canticle of the Creatures, which glorifies God through natural elements like the sun, wind, earth and water.
St. Francis also included in his prayers and writings the phrase “Praise be to you, my Lord”.
In 2015, Pope Francis published his second official papal letter and he entitled it “Laudato Sí” (Praise to you – in Italian).
Now with the support of Trócaire, the dioceses of Cork and Ross, Cloyne and Waterford and Lismore are inviting their parishioners from 180 parishes to take up the challenges arising from our care for the earth and to see how parishes may act on the message of Pope Francis.
There will be 3 speakers in the morning and workshops in the afternoon
Br. Martin Kenneally, Michael Tierney, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Andrew Lim and Br. Simon Fernandez at Mardyke House, Cork.
Three Cork based members of the Presentation Brothers Community leave on a visit to Ghana with a blessing from the bishop.
Sacrament of Confirmation in Parishes 2027
Bishop Fintan has announced arrangements for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in parishes for 2027.
Bishop Fintan hopes to visit a significant number of parishes himself for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation next year as well as delegating some retired bishops, the Vicars General and a number of other priests when more than one parish is celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on the same day
Here is the Confirmation Schedule for 2027 throughout the Diocese
Bringing neighbouring parishes together as Families of Parishes encourages parishes to build on their strengths, share ideas and support one another.
By working together, they can find practical ways to strengthen parish life and create more opportunities for people to grow in faith and become involved in their local faith communities.
With this in mind, the first of a series of meetings in Families of Parishes took place on Wednesday evening, 14th October, in the Parish Centre of the Way of the Cross, Togher, bringing together parish leaders from Ballyphehane, The Lough and Togher.
Organised by the Office for Mission and Ministry, in collaboration with Jim Deeds, these meetings will take place across the Diocese of Cork and Ross between now and January 2027. We ask you to keep them in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit may guide all involved and help these conversations bear fruit in our parishes.
Parish leaders from the Family of Parishes of Ballyphehane, The Lough and Togher
Fr Larry Kapitbahay OFMCap, Rosebelle Martir, Lyn Barbas, Jub Quiton and Nora Esparto who visited Bishop Fintan.
Representatives of the Filipino Catholic Community visited Bishop Fintan at the Cork and Ross Diocesan Offices on Tuesday, 13 October.
The group briefed Bishop Fintan on the various activities of the Filipino community, including a Filipino Mass which is celebrated on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month in Holy Trinity at 6pm.
Frankfield & Grange Parish is celebrating a milestone as the community marks the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of its church
The Church of the Incarnation was dedicated in 1976 to cater to the needs of the expanding city suburb. It was designed by architect Patrick McSweeney, a native of Ballydehob.
It was constructed on land donated by Patrick McCarthy and the building contractor was P. J. Hegarty & Sons. The church was blessed by Bishop Michael Murphy who earlier that same year had been ordained Coadjutor Bishop of Cork and Ross.
Marking the golden jubilee of the church, Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant at Mass.
Preaching at the concelebrated Mass, Bishop Fintan noted how the church had soon become very busy.
At the Golden Jubilee Mass at the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield.
The annual retreat for priests of the Diocese of Cork and Ross was held this week in east Cork.
Priests have now returned to their pastoral work in parishes and in a range of ministry contexts across the diocese.
The annual retreat is an opportunity for spiritual renewal, rest and fraternity among the priests.
The retreat was held in Garryvoe, Co Cork, and the director was Fr Richard Hendrick OFM Cap who is currently Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Order in Ireland.
The timetable each day provides time for community prayer, Mass, talks, shared meals, personal time, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary and time to catch up with one another socially.
Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant of the final Mass at the retreat and concelebrants were Fr Robert Young and Fr Richard Hendrick OFM Cap.
Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Fr. Shinu Varghese
Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos, Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, visited Bishop Fintan Gavin at the Cork and Ross Diocesan Centre on 2 October.
He was accompanied by Fr. Shinu Varghese, National Coordinator of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Ireland.
The visit provided an opportunity for a cordial meeting and fellowship.
The sunshine was a welcome addition to a joyful afternoon on Saturday, 3 October, as Bishop Fintan blessed and officially opened the new St. Carlo Acutis Prayer Garden at Presentation Brothers, Mardyke House.
The celebration brought together members of the Presentation Community, friends and supporters of Mardyke House, and many of the young adults involved in the Formation and Faith Programmes based there.
At the heart of the afternoon was a prayer service, during which Bishop Fintan blessed the new garden. The garden, inspired by the life and witness of St. Carlo Acutis, provides a peaceful space for prayer, reflection and encounter, and is a fitting addition to Mardyke House as it continues to develop its ministry with young adults.
Blessing and official opening the new St. Carlo Acutis Prayer Garden at Presentation Brothers, Mardyke House
An orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held in the Cork Education Support Centre.
An orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held on Wednesday 30th September at the Cork Education Support Centre.
Bishop Fintan Gavin thanked the teachers for their important work in schools and emphasised his wish to connect with and support them in their role as educators. The teachers learned more about the role of the patron and the supports offered by the diocese, including support for teaching the Grow in Love programme, Mass for the New School Year, School visits, Confirmation retreats with NET Ministries etc.
The teachers also received an overview of the differentiated Grow in Love resources for children with Special Educational Needs which are currently available for the 2nd class level of the programme.
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News
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November 2026
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October 2026
- Presentation Community links Cork and Ghana
- Confirmation Dates 2027
- Families of Parishes Working Together to Strengthen Parish Life
- Filipino Catholic Community Visits Bishop Fintan
- Parish in Cork suburb marks 50 years of its church
- Priests of the diocese return refreshed after retreat
- Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos Visits Bishop Fintan in Cork
- Presentation Brothers open St. Carlo Acutis Prayer Garden at Mardyke House
- Orientation session for recently appointed primary school teachers
- Diocesan Alpha Teams Gathering
- Ballinora Parish celebrates its fortieth anniversary
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September 2026
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August 2026
