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St. Peter's Square at the VaticanDuring his general audience on 18th October, Pope Francis declared that this Friday 27th October is to be a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace.
The Holy Father invited ‘the various Christian confessions, members of other religious, and all who hold the cause of peace in the world at heart to participate.’
A Vigil will take place at 5pm (Irish time) in St. Peter's Square, where an hour of prayer in a spirit of penance to implore peace in our time in this world will be held.
"Our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel. The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate," the Pope continued.
"Please, let everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster."
You will be able to join the Vigil of Prayer here
On Monday 23rd October, Bishop Fintan visited St. Patrick’s College, Gardiner’s Hill.
In the course of his visit Bishop Fintan led a beautiful prayer service arranged by the school. Following a visit of the school facilities, he participated in a question-and-answer session with students. He reminded them of the three words of advice from Pope Francis at the recent World Youth Day - to shine, to listen and to be unafraid.
Bishop Fintan also visited An Cuan, met parents and staff and spoke to students.
Bishop Fintan in An Cuan with staff and students
Bishop Fintan with the Syro Malankara Community in Cork and RossOn Sunday 8th October Bishop Fintan joined the Syro Malankara Community in the Diocese to mark a number of milestones including the 93rd Anniversary of the Syro Malakara Eastern Rite Church Re-Union with Catholic Church.
This is a memorable date for the Syro Malankara Eastern Rite Church.
The Bishop’s pastoral visit also marked the official inauguration of Sunday School Faith Formation classes and the celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion for a number of children.
There was a huge attendance to celebrate First Holy Communion and the other milestones.
The Syro Malankara Community gather in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on each Sunday afternoon from 2.30pm.
Young people from across the Diocese gather for CONNECT 3
Over 100 young people from across the Cork and Ross Diocese gathered on Sunday 15th October in UCC for CONNECT 3, a youth faith gathering which included a talk, Mass, lunch, testimonies, Adoration and Confession.
CONNECT was an initiative started by Bishop Fintan Gavin, along with representatives from various youth groups within the Diocese, to bring young adults together to talk about their Catholic faith and develop connections with other young adults in Cork and Ross.
Participants at CONNECT 3 with Bishop Fintan Gavin in Cork
Fr. Criostóir MacDonald Co-PP
The Diocesan Office has announced that Fr. Criostóir MacDonald has died suddenly this morning
Fr. Criostóir, Co-PP in the Mayfield Family of Parishes, was travelling with a pilgrimage group in Rome at the time.
Bishop Fintan extends prayerful support to his sister Ann and her family at this difficult time.
A native of Skibbereen Fr. Criostóir was ordained to the priesthood on 8th June 1985. He began his priestly ministry as Curate in the Lough Parish (1985 – 1990). He then served as Curate in Crosshaven Parish (1990 – 1998), Bantry Parish (1998 – 1999) and The Cathedral Parish (1999 – 2001).
Following a period of study in Rome, he then served as Curate in Dunmanway Parish (2002 – 2006), Curraheen Road Parish (2006 – 2010), Parish Priest in Glounthaune Parish (2010 – 2011), Administrator of The Cathedral Parish (2011 – 2013), Parish Priest of Curraheen Road Parish (2013 – 2021) and then Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Mayfield since 2021.
As well as praying for Fr. Criostóir, we also pray for his family, friends, parishioners and the pilgrimage group with which he was travelling when he died.
Bishop Fintan is greeted by First Years in Scoil Mhuire
Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed to Scoil Mhuire on Wellington Road in the course of his pastoral visit to the school recently.
He was welcomed by School Principal, Ms. Regina Butler and Head Girl, Lily Anne Wheelock. He then was given a short tour of the school facilities and enjoyed musical performances by First Year and Fourth Year Groups.
Bishop Fintan then participated in a great question and answer session with senior students.
The pastoral visit concluded with the celebration of Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Popes Quay when school foundress, Ms. Mary O’Donovan was remembered in prayer. Sister Joan O’Donovan, Dominican Sister was also present for the Mass.
Priests and bishops of the Diocese of Cork and Ross have been attending the annual retreat for priests at Garryvoe in east Cork
This year, Sr Marie Fahy, Abbess of Glencairn Abbey, is directing the retreat.
There are men from many parts of Cork, from Dublin, Poland, India, Nigeria. Some are recently ordained; some are marking 60 years of service as priests.
Priests of the Diocese of Cork and Ross at the annual priests’ retreat
Bishop Fintan with Patricia Kelleher and her husband Pat and family members in St. Columba’s Church
On Sunday 8th October, Bishop Fintan celebrated 11am Mass in St. Columba’s Church in Douglas and also presented the Benemerenti Papal Honour to Patricia Kelleher.
Patricia has been Choir director in St. Columba’s for 34 years. Over those years she has faithfully directed the choir welcoming new members and always ensuring prayerful and joyous celebrations throughout.
Patricia was joined by her husband Pat and family members for the presentation.
Canon Teddy O’Sullivan Co-PP and Fr. Pat O’Mahony SMA CC concelebrated Mass with Bishop Fintan.
A lovely celebration for family members, choir members and parishioners took place in the Parish Hall after Mass.
(Photographs by Pat Peate)
Bishops representing every Catholic community across the globe are taking part in a synod in Rome which commenced on the feastday of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4th
Pope Francis has set the theme of the synod as being about understanding the Church as a community of people who walk together and are united in Christ.
The synod was called by Pope Francis in 2021. He asked each diocese across the world to make a submission in response to a list of questions. These led to national assemblies which in turn contributed to continental gatherings. The documents from all of these gatherings were then submitted to the synod secretariat in Rome.
The Synod of Bishops - of more than 440 members - will convene again this time next year to conclude its deliberations.
June 2022
Submission to the synodal process forwarded from the Diocese of Cork and Ross
A listening exercise was conducted across the diocese to prepare for a synod of the Catholic Church in Rome. This was in response to an invitation from Pope Francis to make our faith communities synodal.
All the reports from these have been distilled into a 10-page document which was sent from the Diocese of Cork + Ross.
Submission from the People of the Diocese of Cork + Ross
August 2022
The synthesis of documents from the Irish Church was submitted to the Synod Secretariat
The National Synthesis
February 2023
The Continental Assembly of the Synod for Europe was held in Prague
The final document of that assembly can be
‘Sacraments in a Synodal Church’ written by Dr. Noel O’Sullivan was launched in Maynooth in recent days
Bishop Fintan was present for this important occasion and Dr. O’Sullivan’s book was launched by Archbishop Dermot Farrell.
Veritas who have published Dr. O’Sullivan’s book say that ‘though all too often reduced to mere cultural rites of passage in today’s world, the sacraments are a distinct and essential feature of our Christian faith.
Drawing upon centuries of wisdom, from early Church teachings to the insights of the Second Vatican Council and beyond, Sacraments in a Synodal Church explores the history and life-giving nature of the sacraments and the role of synodality in their development and continued celebration.
In doing so, this book highlights how the shared journey of the Church thus far in understanding and living out the sacraments can inspire and guide us as we walk the synodal path today’.
It's also envisaged that Dr. O’Sullivan’s book will be launched here in the Diocese before Christmas.
Bishop Fintan with Dr. Noel Sullivan at the book launch with Emmanuel Ezeh and Alan McNamara both seminarians for the Diocese of Cork and Ross in Maynooth.
Details of the publication are available here on the Veritas Website
Sacraments in a Synodal Church - Noel Sullivan
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July 2025
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April 2025
- Preparations are underway to celebrate 99 years since the first Corpus Christi Procession
- Mass offered in Cork's Cathedral for Pope Francis
- Pope Francis will be remembered at Solemn Mass at Cork's North Cathedral on Friday eve
- Bishop Fintan invites people to remember Pope Francis with gratitude and in prayer
- Cork’s North Cathedral filled for Holy Thursday Mass
- Sacred days begin with Mass of Chrism on Holy Thursday, Apr 17th.
- Corpus Christi Procession 2025
- Family of Parishes choirs join in workshop on liturgical music
- The Lord Mayor of Cork visits Bishop Fintan Gavin
- 14 days of Lent to go!
