Primary school teachers in the Diocese attend a Day of Reflection

Recently Bishop Fintan invited primary school teachers throughout the Diocese to a Day of Reflection to support and nourish their own personal faith lives.  In response, teachers gathered on Saturday 30^th November in Mardyke House, Cork.  

The day was led by Fr Chris O’Donnell, a priest of Limerick Diocese, who is a former primary school teacher. He worked for many years in youth ministry and participated in the final stages of the development of the Grow in Love Programme. The peaceful and prayerful surroundings of Mardyke House contributed to a wonderful day for all involved.  

The death has of occurred of Fr. Seamus Mac Ginneá (McKenna) in his native Kerry.

Fr Seamus was ordained for ministry in the Diocese of Kerry. 

He has also served for many years on the staff of the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal and also regularly celebrated Mass at the Poor Clares Convent in College Road, Cork.

The funeral arrangements for the late Fr Seamus McKenna are available 

Funeral Arrangements

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

 

The late Fr Seamus McKenna

Brazilian Community in Cork celebrates as 14 members are Confirmed at the Cathedral

On Sunday, December 1^st, the first Sunday of Advent, a significant and joyful occasion unfolded at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork when 14 members of the Brazilian Community received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Brazilian community, known for its vibrant and joyful spirit, has been an integral part of the life of the Diocese in Cork and Ross. The Cathedral Choir, led by John Casey, welcomed members of the Brazilian Community Choir who sang in Portuguese and English, adding to the joy of the occasion.

The ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin, marked a pivotal moment in the faith journeys of these young adults who have been undergoing significant preparation for this sacrament for several months. The candidates affirmed their commitment to their faith and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan Gavin reflected on the significance of the Advent season as a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. He encouraged the congregation to reflect on their own faith, especially as they witnessed the candidates take this important step in their faith journeys. “Where am I with my faith as an adult?” he asked, inviting all present to take some time in the busy days and weeks ahead to slow down, to pray and reflect on this question.

Bishop Fintan also thanked Fr. Bernard Morawski OFM Cap, the chaplain to the Brazilian community. He commended Fr. Bernard for his commitment to the community, especially noting his effort to learn Portuguese in order to better preach the Gospel.

Over 200 parish reps. expected at final diocesan information meeting on Sunday

This Sunday December 1st, priests, parish leadership teams and chaplaincies from 28 parishes will gather for the third information meeting. The topic is the next steps in the diocese's year of prayer, listening and discernment

The short video captures the energy and life of the first two meetings. 

These meetings set the context for the year ahead and outline the next steps for parishes and families of parishes. The process for prayer, listening, and discernment has been piloted in one Family of Parishes and is being fine-tuned based on the feedback to be rolled out across the Diocese in the new year. 

There will be a special time of guided prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Columba’s Church, Douglas on Sunday 1^st December from 12:30pm to 2:00pm to which everyone is welcome. 

The Bishop's Office has announced that the death occurred on Saturday last of Fr Des Campion at The Bon Secours Hospital Cork

Bishop Fintan Gavin has extended his sympathy and prayerful support to all of Fr Des’s family, Salesian Confreres, Naval colleagues and friends at this time.

Fr Des has been ministering as Chaplain Naval Services and Port Chaplain, Haulbowline, Cork since 1988. 

Fr Des, a native of Drimnagh, Dublin 12 , was ordained on December 7^th 1973 to the Salesians of Don Bosco Ireland at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mourne Road, Drimnagh.  After ordination he served in many teaching, chaplaincy and pastoral roles in various Salesian Houses including Crumlin - Dublin, Ballinakill - Laois and Pallaskenry and Milford in Limerick.

In 1985 Fr Des took up appointment as Chaplain to Sarsfield Army Barracks in Henry Street, Limerick.  In 1988 Fr Des was appointed Chaplain to the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Cork where he served until his death.   

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.

Holy Well National School, Carrigaline, welcomes Bishop Fintan

Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed at Holy Well National School middle and senior school buildings by Principal Mr Aidan Crowley, BOM Chairperson, Mr. Diarmaid Cogan, priests from Carrigaline Parish, staff members as well as parent and pupil representatives. He met with pupils in both buildings and shared in a liturgy at both assemblies during which pupils sang and joined him in prayer. Following Bishop Fintan’s lead, all pupils learned and joined with him in saying a meaningful prayer with actions.  

Pupils engaged in a Q&A session with Bishop Fintan in which they gained an insight into both his life and ministry as Bishop of Cork & Ross. Bishop Fintan thanked the pupils for their kind welcome and rewarded them with a homework pass which was well received.

Recently appointed primary school principals meet for diocesan event

Twenty recently appointed principals of primary schools throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross gathered in Cork International Hotel to meet as a group with Bishop Fintan as school patron.

Bishop Fintan assured the gathering of his support for them in their leadership and management role through the Diocesan Education Secretariat as well as in their role as faith leaders via the Diocesan Co-ordinator of Faith Formation in primary schools.  Bishop Fintan acknowledged that while school principals, staff members and Boards of Management face many challenges in a changing faith landscape in families, the Catholic ethos of schools centred on the Person of Jesus is even more needed than ever.

Ms. Susan O’Hanrahan, Diocesan Co-ordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools, outlined initiatives to support the faith formation of children as well as nourishing the faith lives of staff members including an upcoming Day of Reflection for teachers on Saturday 30^th November in Mardyke House, the roll-out of a pilot programme for the introduction of Christian meditation in primary schools, the development of a pilot retreat for Confirmation candidates with NET Ministries, Bishop Fintan’s on-going pastoral visits to schools and her own on-going school visits to support teachers with the Grow In Love Programme.