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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
Invitation to CONNECT 3 in CorkThe Diocese of Cork and Ross is delighted to invite young adults (18 to 35 years) to another CONNECT event
CONNECT 3 is a faith gathering for young people from all across the Diocese.
It will take place on:
Sunday 15 October 2023
from 9:30am at
UCC Devere Hall
A day of fun, prayer, faith sharing, food, talks, Mass and fellowship.
There is no charge for attending.
On the evening before flying back to Cork from Lourdes (while Storm Agnes was raging around!), Bishop Fintan Gavin paid tribute to all who made the pilgrimage possible.
He acknowledged in a special way the generosity of the helpers who freely give of their time and expertise to make sure that everything goes well and the assisted pulgrims have every help they need.
One of the helpers has been part of the pilgrimage for 40 years this year and Bishop Fintan presented her with a special momento.
Deirdre Courtney from Bishopstown, Cork, is now part of the pilgrimage leadership team and has work alongside thousands of other helpers over the years.
Bishop Fintan helps Deirdre cut the social cake
Announcing the annual collection in churches to fund the education of student priests for the diocese, Bishop Fintan Gavin invites support for two men who are continuing their studies.
This September two Cork and Ross seminarians, Emmanuel Ezeh and Alan McNamara, have commenced their studies in St. Patrick's College Maynooth.
Both have already completed a year of initial formation at Valladolid in Spain.
“I would ask you to keep both of these men in your prayers at Masses and at prayer groups in your parishes," Bishop Fintan says.
Another man has started his second year of studies for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese.
The annual appeal in churches is to meet the costs associated with training, accommodation, education and college fees and associated costs. It will be taken up at Masses on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September.
Seminary courses do not qualify for any state support or grants so the full cost is borne by the diocese.
Last year the annual collection for the Priesthood Education Fund reached €70,616 which was very generous. However, the full costs of the year amounted to €112,491.
This year’s projected costs will in the region of €110,000.
“Appreciating that these are difficult financial times, I would ask you to be as generous as you can to the Priesthood Education Fund annual collection this year in order to support the future
mission of the Church in Cork and Ross,” Bishop Fintan said.
“As we plan for the future, I would ask you to continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and in a particular way during this current Year of Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood.”
People may also support the seminarians by making a secure online donation
Michael Galvin and Carmel Drinan receive their Benemerenti Awards from Bishop Fintan along with representatives from Group 126 of Irish Pilgrimages Trust. Also included, Fr. John Collins AP, Fr. Jack Twomey OFM. Cap (Chaplain Bons Secours Hospital) and Fr. Alan O’Leary Co-PP with Bishop Fintan. (Photos: Brian Lougheed)
On Sunday 17th September, Bishop Fintan presented Benemerenti Medals to Carmel Drinan and Michael Galvin both from Ballinora Parish at 10am Mass in St. James Church.
Carmel has travelled to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimages Trust Group 126 for the past thirty years. She travelled as a volunteer carer with a group of children and more recently, as deputy group leader.
Michael Galvin has also given over 30 years of volunteering with the Irish Pilgrimages Trust. Indeed, Michael will be travelling as a volunteer carer for his thirty second time in Easter 2024.
Both Carmel and Michael are very involved in their parish and community in Ballinora.
Carmel Drinan and Family members with Bishop Fintan
Michael and Angela Galvin and family members with Bishop Fintan
On Sunday 10th September, Rev. Darren Wallace was ordained as a Deacon in the Carmelite Friary in Kinsale.
Rev. Darren, who has strong Kinsale connections, was ordained as a Deacon for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ. On the day, he was joined by family members and fellow members of the Congregation.
There was a large gathering in the Carmelite Church for the ceremony and music was provided by the Carmelite Church Choir.
Rev. Darren Wallace LC and Bishop Fintan with Wallace Family members. (Photo: John Allen Photography)
Cork Scripture Group was established in 2010 by a voluntary group who wanted to share their love of the Sacred Scriptures and help others in our community to grow in their appreciation and understanding of the Word of God
Participants are usually drawn from the greater Cork area.
Each year CSG hosts Bible Study Programs on different aspects of biblical literature. These are run on a modular basis each spring and autumn, with each module typically consisting of four evening presentations, one evening a week, by local presenters. Each spring and autumn CSG hosts a half-day Bible Workshop to which CSG invites a nationally recognized scripture scholar to speak on a particular aspect of our Sacred Scriptures. Everyone is welcome and no previous experience of Bible study is needed. Cost of all courses is kept to a minimum.
In addition to these structured programs Cork Scripture Group also seeks to support individuals and groups in Cork who are involved in or interested in Bible Study and is available to help local communities run parish-based programs such as ‘Unfolding the Word.’
This year’s autumn module is entitled "When you pray . . ." Exploring Prayer in the Bible and will run from the last Monday in September until the third Monday in October. The Workshop on Praying the Psalms will be presented by Ciaran O'Callaghan CSsR.
Deacon Frank, Deacon David and Deacon John, our Cork & Ross deacons, recently spent a weekend on retreat in Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick.
Their retreat director was Fr Columba McCann, who shared his insights into the prayer life of the Christian minister, with particular regard to the ministry of deacons and their place in the life of the Church.
They were joined in Glenstal by Bishop Fintan, and by Fr Bernard, the coordinator of this ministry.
Deacon David Lane, Deacon Frank McKevitt, Bishop Fintan, Fr. Columba McCann OSB, Fr. Bernard Cotter and Deacon John Guiry in Glenstal Abbey.
Bishop Fintan and the UCC Chaplaincy team welcomed a team of four FOCUS Missionaries to UCC campus this week.
FOCUS, which stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a ministry group that aim to encounter students in friendship, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them in their university journey.
The FOCUS Missionaries and the Chaplaincy team, along with Bishop Fintan undertook a two-day orientation, facilitated by Br. Martin Kenneally from the Presentation Brothers. This was an opportunity for the teams to get to know each other and discuss their goals and mission for the year ahead.
Br. Martin Kenneally (Presentation Brothers), Miriam Goulding (UCC Chaplaincy), Fr. Gerard Dunne (UCC Chaplaincy), Aine Lee (FOCUS), Eva Conroy (FOCUS), Bishop Fintan Gavin, Sheila Kelleher (UCC Chaplaincy), Brendan Keenan (FOCUS) and Alanna Keenan (FOCUS).
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