Bishop Fintan has announced that the Polish Chaplaincy in the Diocese will transfer from its current location in St Augustine’s Church, Washington Street, Cork to Holy Cross Church, Mahon in the Family of Parishes of Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Road and Mahon from 1 February 2025
Following the establishment of the Polish Chaplaincy in Cork and Ross, Fr Piotr Galus served as Chaplain from 2006 until 2019. During that time the Chaplaincy has served the sacramental and pastoral needs of many Polish people and families who have arrived in the Diocese to work and make their homes here. The Chaplaincy has evolved in more recent years as a good number of Polish people have returned home while others have become involved in their own parishes here, Families of Parishes and faith communities.
Church of the Holy Cross - MahonBishop Fintan has thanked the Augustinian Community and its successive Guardians in Washington Street for their generosity to both the Polish Community and the Diocese in making its church and facilities available. Their welcome and generosity have ensured that the Polish Community has grown successfully.
In February 2020 Bishop Fintan appointed Fr Kamil Bachara as Co-ordinator of the Polish Chaplaincy to support its pastoral and sacramental life along with Fr Rafal Zielonka. Fr Bart Dziedzic was appointed to serve the Chaplaincy in September 2022 with Fr Kamil and Fr Rafal who also hold parish appointments.
In transferring to Holy Cross Church Mahon and while continuing as a Diocesan Chaplaincy, the Polish Community will become an integral part of parish life in Mahon Parish and the Family of Parishes of Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Road and Mahon. It is envisaged that the Polish Community will gather for one weekend Mass to be celebrated every Sunday afternoon in Holy Cross Church and will continue to grow and develop the participation of young people and families in various ministries including Domestic Church Families, the Galilee Group and The School of the New Evangelisation. The Chaplaincy also encourages a large number of altar servers and its own choir. Crucially the Polish Chaplaincy will continue to participate in all Diocesan initiatives and programmes.
Bishop Fintan has paid tribute to Fr Kamil Bachara as he returns to Poland later this month having ministered in the parishes of Clonakilty and Ballincollig since 2018 while serving as Co-ordinator of the Polish Chaplaincy since 2020. He said that we are all very grateful for the way in which Fr Kamil helped people to encounter Christ in his parish appointments and through the Polish Chaplaincy. Bishop Fintan has also expressed his gratitude to Bishop Andrez Jez, Bishop of Tarnow in Poland for generously allowing Fr Kamil to minister in Cork and Ross since 2018.
Bishop Fintan looks forward to joining the Polish Community this weekend to mark Fr Kamil’s return to Poland and further looks forward to making a pastoral visit to the Chaplaincy in Holy Cross Church next year.
