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19 February 2023

Bishop David O'Connell (Photo: Victor Alemán)

The Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross has called for prayers for Cork-born bishop who has died in Los Angeles

Bishop Fintan’s statement:-

The news of the tragic death of Bishop David O’Connell in Los Angeles has sent shockwaves across his native Diocese of Cork and Ross.

On behalf of the people, priests and religious of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sympathies and prayerful support to the O’Connell Family here in Cork, to Archbishop José H. Gomez and the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Since his ordination in 1979 Bishop David has served as a priest in L.A. but has always maintained his connection with family and friends in Cork where has been a regular visitor.

16 February 2023

On Tuesday February 7th, Bishop Fintan made a Pastoral Visit to St. Angela’s College, St. Patrick’s Hill; a Catholic School for girls located in the heart of the city.

He was warmly greeted on arrival by School Principal Mr. Pat Curran and Deputy Principal Ms. Edel O’Donovan before being invited to join a Junior School Assembly for a Prayer Service followed by an interactive dialogue with students.

The Service was student-led and began with a musical recital followed by scripture readings and prayers.

Bishop Fintan with students of St. Angela’s College

14 February 2023

Bishop Fintan meets with young people in Carrigaline Parish Centre

Bishop Fintan visited Carrigaline Parish on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February. He received a great welcome at Masses for a joy-filled occasion throughout

Bishop Fintan received a warm welcome at the Vigil Mass on Saturday at 6pm from a full church where the most beautiful music was provided by Jack, Claire and the Parish Folk Group.

After Mass, people gathered socially with the Bishop in the Parish Centre.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the Eco Congregation Ireland Award – a prestigious award recognising the Parish’s efforts to care for our Common Home, in keeping with Laudato Si’

12 February 2023

On the Vigil of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (Friday, February 10th) the prayers took place in St. John the Baptist church in Ovens.

More than a hundred parishioners of Ballinora, Ballincollig, Ovens / Farran Family of Parishes gathered to pray because ‘a family that prays together stays together’. There were many more joining online.

People were welcomed by John McCarthy, the chairperson of Ovens / Farran Parish Assembly. Then Fr. Ronan Sheehan exposed the Blessed Sacrament and led the congregation through the prayers. There was the Gospel reading about the blind man in Jericho, a reflection, an extract of Pope Francis’ Message for the 31st World Day of the Sick and prayers of intercession as well.

Vigil of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

08 February 2023

Canon Liam O’Regan

Death of retired Douglas Parish Priest

The Diocesan Office has announced that Canon Liam O’Regan, retired parish priest of Douglas, has died.

Canon Liam was ordained in 1961 and began his priestly ministry on temporary mission in Motherwell Diocese, Scotland. On his return in 1962 he served as curate in Uibh Laoire Parish as well as Assistant Diocesan Inspector.

He then served as Chaplain to Sarsfield Court Hospital and as Diocesan Advisor for secondary schools, Dean of Residence in UCC, Curate in the parishes of Enniskeane, Kilmichael, Ballyphehane and The Lough.

He was appointed Administrator of Kilmichael Parish (1988 – 1990) and as Parish Priest in Knocknaheeny and Holyhill (1990 – 1996) and in Douglas (1996 – 2008).

Canon Liam continued to serve in Douglas Parish as Assistant Priest until his retirement in 2015.

May Canon Liam now rest peacefully in the Lord whom he faithfully served.

07 February 2023

On 2nd February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, over 100 religious women and men from communities throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross joined with Bishop Fintan to celebrate Evening Prayer in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Ann to mark the World Day for Consecrated Life

The Poor Clare Sisters on College Road also participated via the Cathedral livestream in their monastery.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is set aside in the Church as a special day to pray for women and men in consecrated life. Pope Saint John Paul II instituted the World Day for Consecrated Life in 1997.

The music and singing was provided by students from St. Aloysius Girls Secondary School Cork.

Br. Denis Aherne OFM and Br. Simon Fernandes Lead the Entrance Procession

31 January 2023

Consecrated life 1 Evening Prayer on Day for Consecrated Life

Day for Consecrated Life is Thursday Feb 2nd

To mark the Day for Consecrated Life, Bishop Fintan is inviting members of Religious Communities throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross to join him in praying Evening Prayer on Thursday 2nd February at 5pm in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

The celebration will involve school choirs and music groups as well as uplifting accounts of religious life and ministry.

All are welcome to this special diocesan celebration.

29 January 2023

Bishop Fintan blesses new School Prayer Room
Incl, Fr. Noel O’Sullivan Turners Cross
Ms. Richel Long School Principal
Deputy Principals Francis Kerrigan & Dr. Caroline O’Sullivan Ryan
Sr. Mary Dineen PBVM
Mr. Paul Kelly Diocesan Co-ordinator for Post Primary Schools

On Thursday 26th January, during Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Fintan visited Christ King Secondary School, Turners Cross

In the course of his pastoral visit, he met with students and staff and blessed the recently opened Prayer Room at the school.

On arrival Bishop Fintan was greeted by student representatives from every year group and members of the Student Council. He was welcomed Ms. Richel Long Principal, Deputy Principals Francis Kerrigan and Dr. Caroline O'Sullivan Ryan as well as Head Girl, Kate Ahern and Deputy Head Girls Izabel Gough and Tara Lyons. He was then invited to join an assembly of Junior School students. Also present for the occasion was special guest, Sr. Mary Dineen PBVM.

During his address, Bishop Fintan urged the students to live out their faith in unison with the theme of Catholic Schools Week -‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’. He encouraged them not be afraid to step away from the crowd, to have courage and to believe in themselves. He suggested that students should embrace all the various educational opportunities the school provides and to enjoy the experience of being at the school. Concluding, Bishop Fintan asked students to allow Christ to develop a special relationship with them through their practice of daily prayer and reflection with him. He encouraged the students to believe in God’s love for each individual and to come to know Christ in a personal way. In doing so, he assured them that they would have a friend for life. His words were followed by a Prayer Service and an interactive Q&A session in which Bishop Fintan shared some of his personal journey of life as a student, as a Priest, as a teacher and as Bishop of Cork & Ross.

27 January 2023

Gaelcoláiste Mhuire First Year Group with Bishop Fintan

First Year pupils from Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG recently attended the North Cathedral for Mass celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin to mark the start of their secondary school journey.

The readings and prayer of the faithful were read out by the pupils as gaeilge, as well as some beautiful music provided by members of the school choir and music group, under the guidance of Jack O’Rourke and Julie Ann Harrington of the Music Department.

The pupils’ participation in the Mass was coordinated by Jim Geaney and Cormac Lehane of the school Religion Department and the Mass was attended by School Principal Dónal Ó Buachalla as well as members of the teaching staff.

D’fhreastail daltaí na chéad bhliana ó Ghaelcholáiste Mhuire AG ar an Ardeaglais le déanaí le haghaidh Aifreann a bhí ceiliúrtha ag an tEaspag Fintan Gavin chun tús a dturas Meánscoile a chomóradh.

25 January 2023

Catholic Schools Week - Bishop Fintan Visits Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh

On Tuesday 24 January, Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with students and staff.

The visit began with a First Year Class in the School Prayer Room. Following this, in the library a range of students from different year groups shared something of their faith stories with Bishop Fintan.

The students reflected on how they are living out the theme of Catholic Schools Week -‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’. Students spoke of their positive experience of Religious Education in the school and the many creative ways the faith dimension of school is helping them in their lives. A past pupil shared on the life changing experience he had in fifth year, when he was part of the Cork & Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.