The Diocesan Office has announced that the most senior priest of the diocese has died.

Fr. Tim O'Sullivan, a native of Carrigadrohid in Kilmurry Parish, was ordained to the priesthood on 8^th June 1952.  He began his priestly ministry in Motherwell Diocese, Scotland (1952 – 1957).  Returning to Cork and Ross, he served as curate in the Parishes of St. Patrick’s and Ardfield. 

He then went to Peru in 1962, initially with the Society of St. James and then the Cork and Ross South American Mission until 1972 serving in Cuzco, Chimbote and Trujillo.  

On his return to the Diocese in 1972, he was appointed as Curate in Bandon Parish until 1981 and then as priest-in-charge of Mahon.  Fr. Tim was appointed as Parish Priest in Schull Parish from 1984 – 1991.

In 1991, Fr. Tim was appointed as Chaplain to the Irish Pastoral Centre in Boston, USA, while residing in St. Mark’s Parish, Dorchester in Boston.

In 1997, he was appointed as National Coordinator of the Irish Apostolate in the United States until 2001 in the Archdiocese of Washington.

Fr. Tim then served as Parish Priest in Kilmurry from 2001 – 2005 and aas Assistant Priest there until 2009. On retirement, Fr. Tim moved to Villa Maria in Farnanes and worked closely with Sr. Consilio in Cuan Mhuire providing addiction treatment services.

May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

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

On 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.

Young people from across the Diocese gather for CONNECT 3

Over 100 young people from across the Cork and Ross Diocese gathered on Sunday 15^th 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

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.