Permanent Deacons of Cork and Ross met in Nano Nagle Retreat Centre for their annual retreat on the weekend of Fri 30 August to Sunday the 1st of September 2024.

They were joined by their wives, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Fr Bernard Cotter. The retreat was led by Gerard Hanley who was also joined by his wife Katie and their son John.

It was a weekend full of prayer, reflection and encouragement in the beautiful Blackwater valley near Killavullen in North Cork. Frank and Rena and David and Siobhan were very grateful for the hospitality of the Presentation Sisters in the Retreat Centre and the work of Gerard and his family in providing such a memorable weekend. God continues to pour out His blessings on their ministry in the Diocese and they look forward to the future with hope.

At the retreat for Permanet Deacons and their families were From left to right:Fr Bernard Cotter, Siobhan and Deacon David Lane, Bishop Fintan, Gerard and Katie Hanley and their son John (retreat leaders), Deacon Frank and Rena McKevitt.

Gathering of Hospital Chaplains and Pastoral Care Teams in Cork & Ross

The Diocese hosted a gathering for the hospital chaplains and members of pastoral care teams who minister in our Diocese. This took place last Tuesday afternoon in the Rochestown Park Hotel. 

Fr Declan Hurley, a priest from the Diocese of Meath, led the afternoon and spoke about his experience, focusing on the importance of identity and mission and how this comes back to Christ and our relationship with him. 

The group then spent some time sharing their own experiences, this was followed by a time of prayer. The evening concluded with a shared meal.

Clontead parishioner appointed to new role in the diocese. 

Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced the appointment of Sheila Kelleher as Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Digital Communications in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Sheila is based at the Diocesan Offices in Redemption Road.

She is from Clontead Parish and in recent years has worked with the Chaplaincy at UCC.

Youth Ministry is about supporting the outreach of families of parishes, colleges, and schools and “wherever two or three” young people gather, to bring the message of Christ to them in new ways. Sheila will work alongside those who are already involved in programmes for young people as well as helping those who wish to take first steps in this essential part of our mission.

Skibbereen celebrates 50 years of support for vocations to priesthood

Last Sunday (September 8^th) Bishop Fintan Gavin received a very warm welcome from Skibbereen parish as he celebrated the 11am Mass to commemorate 50 years of the The Vocations Society of St Joseph (previous known as the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society) in Skibbereen. 

In his homily, Bishop Fintan encouraged people to pray for vocations and to support and encourage any young man who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood. 

“We give thanks for the Vocations Society of St Joseph and it’s work and witness over 50 years. We pray that we will continue the work into the future as we find new ways of encouraging and fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life”,  Bishop Fintan said. 

A group of young Catholics is preparing to spent a year on campus engaging with their peers about their faith.

FOCUS Missionaries are a Catholic organisation who evangelise on campuses in America and Europe. They have successfully completed one academic year in University College Cork working in collaboration with UCC Chaplaincy.

They invite students to enter more deeply into their faith while at university. They host bible study groups, discipleship groups, retreats and prayer groups as part of their outreach to students in UCC.

As part of their training and preparation for a second year on mission in UCC, they met for two days with the Chaplaincy Team and members of the Presentation Brothers LEAF project to reflect and plan for the year ahead in Mardyke House.

As part of the ongoing mission of evangelisation in the Diocese of Cork and Ross, FOCUS play a key role in the building up of young people of faith, and those exploring their faith. Bishop Fintan spent some time with this planning process and encouraged the FOCUS team and the UCC chaplaincy team in their outreach to third level students in UCC, reminding them that they are instruments of the Gospel in a world that yearns to hear the Good News.

“As you embark on a new year in UCC, you as chaplains and missionaries are invited, like Peter and his companions in today’s Gospel, to put out into deep water; to bring hope and know that the Lord has a plan and a purpose for each of you and the students you encounter,” Bishop Fintan said.

Before being a disciple of Jesus in today’s world, young people need to come to know Jesus, bishop says..

This was the key message of Bishop Fintan Gavin who spoke to over 900 young people who were making a retreat last weekend.

The young people were taking part in a gathering organised by Youth 2000 and which was held at Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare.

Bishop Fintan spoke of his own faith journey and how central it is to have an encounter with the living Jesus.

“How do we do this?, the bishop asked in his homily.  “We have to trust and to build a relationship with Jesus in the same way as we do any other relationship.”

“Once we open our hearts to encounter Jesus then our faith and what Jesus has to offer is no longer seen as a burden or obligation but rather the greatest gift that our God offers us.”

A woman who grew up in our diocese has become the most recently professed religious sister in Ireland.

Sr. Máire Bríd O’Driscoll made her Solemn Profession as a Redemptoristine nun in the company of her community, family and friends at a monastery in Drumcondra, Dublin.

Sr. Máire Brid is a daughter of Pat and Ina O’Driscoll, Gortaleen, Enniskeane, and attended Coppeen National School and Mary Immaculate College, Dunmanway, before training as a primary teacher.

After a few years teaching she explored whether she had a religious vocation and was drawn to the contemplative life of the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer (Redemptoristines) with whom she began a period of exploration and then formation as a Sister. 

Concelebrated Mass was celebrated at the monastery on Saturday during which she made her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience before the Prioress of the community Sr. Gabrielle.

Her parents, extended family, relations and friends travelled from Cork and her brother Seamus travelled from New York and all the visitors were treated to hospitality by the Sisters after the special Mass.