Diocese launches ‘Maranatha’ for Post-Primary Students

“O Lord shout for joy. Jesus is a-risen shout for joy.”

At the launch of Maranatha 2025, music, singing and laughter could be heard streaming from Mardyke House Cork on Wednesday last as teachers from Post-Primary Schools throughout the Diocese engaged in a workshop of liturgical and inspirational contemporary music.

Maranatha is the first of what will become an annual faith-based, high energy music event for young people from parishes throughout the Diocese attending post-primary schools. Almost half of the Post-Primary schools throughout the diocese will participate in this initiative.

Maranatha will take place on Thursday 6 March 2025 in Cork City Hall where up to 500 students will gather for a full day of activities which will include catechesis and music leading up to our Maranatha 2025 Concert that evening.

Bishop Fintan spoke to the group about how, as a Church, we must find new ways of engaging with our young people: “Maranatha will be celebrating their lives and faith journey through music and reflecting on some of the issues most current in their present experience. The whole day will be underpinned by a gentle catechesis celebrating our identity as baptised Christians beloved of God”.

Sheila Kelleher Diocesan coordinator for Youth Ministry speaking at the launch of Maranatha

Sheila Kelleher, Diocesan Coordinator for Youth Ministry, outlined some practicalities surrounding the preparations and the day of Maranatha itself.

The Diocese of Cork and Ross has always had a strong musical tradition. Maranatha is a way for us to harness that energy and come together to engage our young people with their faith in a meaningful and joyful way.

Bishop Fintan thanked the schools for coming on board and supporting the Diocese in creating this new and exciting initiative for our young people.