Munster Konkans celebrated their first Christmas celebrations on 9th December 2022 last

Mangalorean Catholics celebrate Christmas in CorkMangalorean Catholics celebrate Christmas in Cork

This was the first such gathering of the group since its formation. Celebrations took place in Midleton GAA complex. Bishop Dr Fintan Gavin celebrated Mass at the beginning of the gathering.

This group is made of Mangalorean Catholics, an ethno-religious community who are Latin-rite Catholics from the Diocese of Mangalore on the southwestern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. All of those in attendance currently reside in Cork city or county and the wider Munster area.

Bishop Fintan was joined by Fr. Suresh Babu, a Camilian priest, currently chaplain in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and Fr. Patrick McCarthy, chaplain in MUH, Cork.

Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton at St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork in 2020 [Pic. Ger McCarthy}Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton at St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork in 2020
[Pic. Ger McCarthy]

The Most Reverend Dr Fintan Gavin and the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton have issued a Message for Christmas 2022:-

Christmas 2022 is here.  Yet another year has passed with all its many changes and immense challenges. Yet, the Christmas message remains timeless.  ‘The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.’  God is with us.  Jesus Christ is the light who shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not put out that light.

 More than that, in a time of so many threats to our humanity and our well-being - the continuing pandemic, war in Europe and conflicts around the world, poverty, famine, migration on a massive scale, poverty, homelessness - the Christmas Message speaks pointedly and timelessly once more into these and many other situations too.

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Recently, Bishop Fintan joined with Bishop Paul Colton to bless the SHARE Crib on Patrick Street for Christmas

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Deirdre Forde, and both bishops were welcomed by SHARE Committee members involving young people from post primary schools throughout the city

Bishop Fintan said that he was delighted to join with Bishop Paul and the Lord Mayor along with members of SHARE to bless the Crib as a symbol of the coming of Lord amongst us.

Find out more about SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly) at sharecork.org

Photographs Gerard McCarthy Photography

Leah Braham (Regina Mundi College) | Bishop Fintan Gavin (Bishop of Cork and Ross) | Deirdre Forde (The Lord Mayor of Cork) | Bishop Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross) | Daniel Prestwick (Chair SHARE Executive)Leah Braham (Regina Mundi College) | Bishop Fintan Gavin (Bishop of Cork and Ross)
Deirdre Forde (The Lord Mayor of Cork) | Bishop Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross)
Daniel Prestwick (Chair SHARE Executive)
Cork’s iconic SHARE crib lights up Patrick Street. Almost all of Cork’s 5th year students will take part in this year’s SHARE collection in aid of the elderlyCork’s iconic SHARE crib lights up Patrick Street. Almost all of Cork’s 5th year students will take part in this year’s SHARE collection in aid of the elderly

The Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 22nd - Wednesday 27th September 2023.

Further details are available by e-mail from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Information will be available from Joe Walsh Tours (01 2410800).

Cost: €849 to €899 with a choice of hotels.

People, families and parishes throughout the Diocese are invited to travel to Lourdes with the Diocese in 2023.  Those who may wish to travel as helpers, nurses or doctors to assist pilgrims in Lourdes should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Frs. Charlie Kiely, Damian O’Mahony and Marius O’Reilly will co-ordinate the pilgrimage in 2023.  Bishop Fintan has expressed his gratitude to Canon Jim O’Donovan for his dedication and hard work as pilgrimage director over many years.

The Grotto at LourdesThe Grotto at Lourdes

Bishop Fintan Gavin has broadcast his Christmas Message to primary schools throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross today.  

School pupils and staff watched the video message online in their classrooms across the diocese. 

Most of the traditional celebrations in preparation for Christmas such as Nativity Plays and Carol Services are once again possible this year. 

Bishop Fintan’s message will prayerfully and joyfully remind us of the central message of the Birth of the Infant Jesus.

 

The bells will be rededicated and rung for the first time after 5pm Mass on Saturday the 17th of December alongside the installation of new outside lighting

The bells of the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne will be heard across the Northside of Cork city once again after undergoing essential restoration works thanks to an ongoing fundraising campaign

The bells gradually fell into disrepair and by 1966 only one bell remained working. Sometime later this bell too was put to rest.

Bells of North Cathedral to ring again after 56 years of silence

 

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Ukrainian Community Preparing to Celebrate ChristmasFr. Roman Biletskyy, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Svetlana Zakarova

Bishop Fintan recently met Fr. Roman Biletskyy, a Ukrainian Catholic Priest now resident in Fermoy and Svetlana Zakarova, a representative of the Ukrainian Community in Cork, to make arrangements for the Ukrainian Community to celebrate Christmas Mass in our Diocese this year.

Fr. Roman and the Ukrainian Community in Cork will be reaching out to all Ukrainian people and families to gather in the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield on Christmas Eve at 4pm for the celebration of Mass and to be together in a time of suffering and turmoil for their country.

As we gather in our parishes and faith communities this Christmas we will pray that the Birth of the Infant Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will bring hope to Ukrainian people and families who have been welcomed to Cork and Ross.

 

The Syro Malabar Church Community in the Diocese of Cork and Ross recently completed elections for their new Parish Council

Bishop Fintan was delighted to meet with Savio Jose, Tessy Mathew and Abin Joseph who will serve as kaikars for the Church Community and Lijo Joseph who will act as secretary along with Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail, curate in the Family of Parishes of South Parish, SS Peter and Paul’s and St. Patrick’s as well as chaplain to the Syro Malabar Church Community.

The Syro Malabar Church Community meets weekly in St. Joseph’s SMA Parish, Wilton and continues to grow.

Savio Jose, Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail, Bishop Fintan, Tessy Mathew, Abin Joseph and Lijo JosephSavio Jose, Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail, Bishop Fintan, Tessy Mathew, Abin Joseph and Lijo Joseph

Bishop Fintan with Cork Retired Teachers ChoirBishop Fintan with Cork Retired Teachers Choir

 

Kevin O'Donovan Secretary Bishop Fintan, Marc Ó Síocháin, CathaoirleachKevin O'Donovan Secretary Bishop Fintan, Marc Ó Síocháin, Cathaoirleach

At the invitation of Cork County Board, Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass before its Annual Convention 2022 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday 11th December

In his homily Bishop Fintan spoke of the close links with GAA clubs in parishes throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

He also prayed for members of the Association who have died in recent years and prayed God’s blessing on the activities of the Association for the coming year.

Music for the Mass was provided by members of the Cork Retired Teachers Choir.

At the end of the Mass, Marc Ó Síocháin, chairperson, made a presentation to Bishop Fintan on behalf of the County Board.

Fr. Vincent Kelly SAC died peacefully in Haven Bay Care Centre, Kinsale

Fr. Vincent was ordained in 1959 as a member of the Pallottine Order. He also served in a number of diocesan appointments in our diocese over the years including as Chaplain to Bishopstown Community School and curate in the parishes of Blackpool, Ballinlough and Dunmanway.

In more recent years he continued to celebrate Mass in Haven Bay Care Centre Kinsale.

Reposing at Barry Bros. Funeral Home, Hazelwood, Glanmire on Sunday (December 11th) from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.

Reception of remains in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ballinlough, on Monday 12th at 12.45pm, for Concelebrated funeral Mass at 1.00pm which can be viewed via this link

Burial immediately afterwards in Rathcooney Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.

Fr. Vincent Kelly SACFr. Vincent Kelly SAC

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