Recently Bishop Fintan Gavin made a Pastoral Visit to Skibbereen Community School where he received a very warm welcome from School Principal Mr. Anton O’Mahony, the Senior Management team, 6th Year Student Reps and members of the RE Department including School Chaplain Ms. Rosie O’Brien. Fr. John Heinhold Co-PP, Skibbereen Parish and Ms. Pádraigin Uí Riordain representing the CEIST Schools Trust.

Bishop Fintan met staff at their morning break in the staffroom and shared in some light refreshment with them. Students and staff assembled with invited guests in the school hall for an Advent Prayer Service where Bishop Fintan blessed the school Advent Wreath to mark the beginning of the season of Advent.

The Prayer Liturgy focused on “Hope” and was prepared and presented by School Chaplain Ms. Rosie O’Brien and members of the school Religious Education team.

Left to Right: Ms Hanora Hennigan (RE), Ms Orla O Sullivan (RE), Ms Deirdre Hennigan (RE), Student Ailbhe Dahm, Student Molly Lomansay, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Student Kitty O Donovan, Student Mark Keating, Laura Corkery (RE), Principal Anton O Mahony and School Chaplain Rosie O Brien.

The Diocese of Cork and Ross has announced that Fr. Pat Walsh, a retired priest of the diocese who lived in Ahiohill has died this afternoon.

Fr. Pat was a native of Bandon Parish and was ordained to the priesthood on 19^th June 1957 and began his ministry on temporary mission with the Kiltegan Fathers in Nigeria for three years. 

On returning to the Diocese of Cork and Ross, he ministered initially as curate pro tem in the Lough Parish and then joined the teaching staff of Farranferris College until 1972.  In those years, he also ministered as chaplain to St. Stephen’s Hospital, Sarsfield Court.

He served in the Cork and Ross Mission to Peru in Trujillo from 1972 – 1978.

Ater returning from Peru he ministered as Curate in Clonakilty, Parish Priest of Rosscarbery,  Assistant Priest in Rosscarbery and Kilmeen and Castleventry.

On retirement he went to live at the Presbytery in Ahiohill in Enniskeane Parish and continued to minister until recent years.

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served.

Recently, Bishop Fintan made a Pastoral Visit to Kinsale Community School where he received a very warm welcome from School Principal Mr. Fergal McCarthy, members of the KCS Senior Management team and students including Head Boy- Evan Mc Carthy & Head Girl -Jessica Moloney.

Fr. Robert Young Co-PP of Kinsale Parish was also present together with representatives from the Sisters of Mercy Community Kinsale and Fr. James Eivers O. Carm. Prior of Kinsale Carmelite Friary.

The welcome was greatly enhanced by the remarkable talents of a large group of KCS students who provided a lovely traditional music performance for the Bishop.

There was an engaging Alpha Information afternoon last Saturday, November 25th, at Ovens Parish Centre. It was a great opportunity for over 40 people from all over the Diocese to gather, learn more about Alpha and share their experiences.

Theresa Cronin gave an engaging and informative presentation on Alpha, what it is, why run it, and how it can be run in a Parish. John McCarthy (Clonakilty) and Gearóid Wycherley (Kinsale) spoke about Alpha from their own personal perspectives of attending and running Alphas in their Parishes. Mary Harrington (Douglas & Rochestown) shared her experience of attending Alpha and how she has now become involved as a facilitator in her Parish.

On Sunday, November 19th, the Polish Community in Cork and Ross experienced a unique celebration.

Mass in St. Augustine’s Church was celebrated by Bishop Artur Ważny, Auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Tarnów and chairman of the Committee for the New Evangelization within the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

Bishop Artur traveled to Ireland at the invitation of the Polish families involved in the Domestic Church movement which celebrated its 10th anniversary in Ireland at Knock Shrine last Saturday the 18th of November. While Bishop Artur has been to Ireland before, this was his first visit since being ordained bishop.

Members of Parish Finance Committees from across the 68 parishes of the diocese are attending presentations on stewardship of parish funds and assets.

The Diocesan Office has announced the death of the late Canon John K. O'Mahony RIP.

Canon John K. was ordained to the priesthood on 18th June 1961 and began his ministry on temporary mission in Birmingham Diocese for one year.

On returning to Cork and Ross, he ministered as chaplain in Schull, Dunmanway, St. Marie’s of the Isle, the Bons Secours Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospital.

In 1967 he was appointed to St. Anne’s Adoption Society and as Director of Social Services in the Diocese from 1982 – 1989.

He served as Parish Priest in Ballinhassig (1989 – 1998) and Kinsale (1998 – 2008). He continued to minister as Assistant Priest in Kinsale Parish until 2015.

In recent years, he has resided in St. Joseph’s Bons Secours Care Village, Mount Desert.

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.

Bishop Fintan addresses students, staff and visitors on his visit to Schull Community College

Recently Bishop Fintan Gavin made a Pastoral Visit to Schull Community College in West Cork where he was warmly welcomed on arrival by School Principal Ms. Sarah Buckley, Deputy Principal Mr. Brendan Drinan and members of the Student Council.

Students and staff assembled for a Prayer Service based on Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical “Laudato Si’ ” and focused on the theme of “Caring for the Earth our common home”.

Two local priests, Fr. Myles McSweeney Co-PP and Fr. Anthony Buckley CC also participated in the Liturgy which was prepared and presented by School Chaplain Ms. Imelda McCarthy and RE Teacher Ms. Karen Sheehan.