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25 January 2023

Canon Tom Kelleher

Death of Canon Tom Kelleher, former PP of Courceys

The death has been announced of Canon Tom Kelleher, a retired priest of the diocese.

Canon Kelleher has served as a priest for 68 years since he was ordained in June 1954. He was a native of Kilmichael Parish and retired as Parish Priest of Courceys Parish in 2012 after serving there since 1985.

After ordination he served on temporary mission in New York where some of his classmates also served. On return to Ireland he served a number of chaplaincy appointments and was Diocesan Secretary from 1961 to 1969 when he volunteered to serve in the Diocesan Mission in Trujillo, Peru.

Following his return to Cork in 1975 he served as curate in the South Parish and then in St Joseph’s, Mayfield, before becoming Parish Priest of Courceys (Ballinspittle and Ballinadee).

When he retired, he moved to live at The Presbytery in Kinsale and also assisted in the parish.

May he rest in the eternal peace of the Lord whom he served

19 January 2023

Catholic Schools Week 2023 will be celebrated in the Diocese of Cork and Ross as well as in schools and parishes throughout Ireland from Sunday 22nd to Sunday 29th January 2023

The theme for the week of celebration this year is: ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’ which incorporates three features of the Synodal Pathway, communion, participation and mission.

Through engagement with Catholic Schools Week 2023, our parish and school communities have an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the wonderful contribution made by our Catholic Schools at primary and post primary levels in Cork and Ross. Our Catholic schools support and give living witness to the Person of Christ in their ethos, values and characteristic spirit.

A link to a range of resources dedicated to celebrating the gift of Catholic education which reflect the Catholic Schools Week theme - ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’ (in both Irish and English) are available from the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) website:

Catholic Schools Week 2023 - Resources

Bain úsáid as an nasc atá luaite chun acmhainní as Gaeilge a fháil.

Catholic Schools Week 2023

18 January 2023

Sycamore 2023

In response to a call from young adults to be better formed in their Catholic Faith, UCC Chaplaincy, the Presentation Brothers, and the Diocese of Cork and Ross have come together to host a Sycamore Series

The Sycamore Series is an informal course for those aged 18-35 helping people to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the Catholic faith.

Each session involves a short film and time for discussion with a meal also included.

Everyone is welcome.

Start date Wednesday February 1st, 6:00pm to 7:30pm at Presentation Brothers' Mardyke House, Cork T12 W8RP - Location Map

The course runs for 10 consecutive weeks.

The course is free but places are limited.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ring 021 490 2459 or fill out this form to let us know you are interested.

06 January 2023

Fr. Roma Biletskyy celebrated Mass for the Ukrainian Community in Cork on Christmas Eve in the Church of the Incarnation in Frankfield

Over 200 members of the Ukrainian Community were present for the Mass.

Bishop Fintan, who presided, warmly welcomed all those present in particular those who have been forced to leave Ukraine as a result of the war and have arrived in the Cork area. He also assured them of spiritual support and fervently prayed for an end to the war.

Rev. Alan Marley, Church of Ireland Chaplain to UCC was also in attendance.

The Ukrainian Community will again meet for the celebration of Christmas on Saturday 7th January at 3.30pm in the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield. Fr. Roman and the Ukrainian community are very grateful to Fr. Kevin O’Regan PP and Frankfield Parish for their hospitality and welcome.

Cork Ukrainian Community celebrates Christmas

Canon Alan Marley, Chaplin, UCC, Church of Ireland, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Father Roman Biletskyy

Bishop Fintan Gavin gives a sermon at the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield, Cork

Father Roman Biletskyy saying mass at a special Ukrainian service on Christmas Eve

Photos courtesy of David Creedon, Photography

31 December 2022

pope benedict

Following the announcement that Pope Emeritus Benediict XVI has died, Bishop Fintan Gavin has sent the following message to parishes and to all Catholics in the diocese:

It is with deep sadness that we learned this morning of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He will be remembered as one of the great theological minds of the 20th century. He combined this with a deeply prayerful spirituality and a great ability to teach and pastor sharing the words of the Gospel with such clarity and simplicity.

Personally, having met him on several occasions during my years of study in Rome, what struck me most about him was his gentleness, humility and his very personable style.

We join with Catholics from all over the world in praying for Pope Benedict as we give thanks for his fruitful life and witness and commend him to the mercy and love of God.

I ask that he be remembered in prayer at all Masses in the diocese this weekend.

May he rest in peace.

31 December 2022

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.

The Holy See Press Office announced today that the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9:34 AM on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which the 95-year-old Pope emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.

“With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter's Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell."

May Pope Benedict rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served.

For updates see https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city.html

21 December 2022

Bishop Fintan recently visited South Parish Old Folks Club in South Parish Community Centre, off Sawmill Street, for their Christmas party

The Lord Mayor, Cllr. Deirdre Forde and Fr. Eoin Whooley PP were also present.

South Parish Old Folks Club was founded fifty five years ago. Canon John K. O’Mahony PE was one of the founding members in 1967.

The Club continues to meet each Friday evening in South Parish Community Centre.

Bishop Fintan visits South Parish Old Folks Club for Christmas

In one of his last official engagements before the role of Taoiseach was rotated Deputy Micheál Martin officially opened a refurbished centre of education in Cork.

The Leadership Education and Formation Project is located at the Edmund Rice Centre, Mardyke House, adjacent to UCC and is a project of the Presentation Brothers.

After extensive refurbishment, the Centre was blessed by Bishop Fintan Gavin and officially opened by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D. on 3 December 2022.

The L.E.A.F. Project offers leadership workshops, training, seminars, and retreats to young adults on their faith journey.
In a wide-ranging address, the Taoiseach encouraged young people to engage in service with their community and the wider society. He also highlighted the importance of time for reflection and retreat when trying to lead in a fast-moving world.

Miriam Goulding, UCC Chaplain, shared on her own faith journey and the central importance of a personal relationship with Christ.

“We are very happy that the L.E.A.F. Project is collaborating with and supporting the wider renewal taking place in our Diocese” said Bishop Fintan, “Many diocesan groups use Mardyke House as a venue for meetings and gatherings. What makes this place different is that we are coming to a living community of prayer and hospitality. We hope and pray that this newly refurbished Centre and the work of the L.E.A.F. Project will continue to develop and flourish into the future. It is a sign of hope in our Diocese”.

20 December 2022

Munster Konkans celebrated their first Christmas celebrations on 9th December 2022 last

Mangalorean Catholics celebrate Christmas in Cork

This was the first such gathering of the group since its formation. Celebrations took place in Midleton GAA complex. Bishop Dr Fintan Gavin celebrated Mass at the beginning of the gathering.

This group is made of Mangalorean Catholics, an ethno-religious community who are Latin-rite Catholics from the Diocese of Mangalore on the southwestern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. All of those in attendance currently reside in Cork city or county and the wider Munster area.

Bishop Fintan was joined by Fr. Suresh Babu, a Camilian priest, currently chaplain in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and Fr. Patrick McCarthy, chaplain in MUH, Cork.

16 December 2022

Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton at St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork in 2020
[Pic. Ger McCarthy]

The Most Reverend Dr Fintan Gavin and the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton have issued a Message for Christmas 2022:-

Christmas 2022 is here. Yet another year has passed with all its many changes and immense challenges. Yet, the Christmas message remains timeless. ‘The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.’ God is with us. Jesus Christ is the light who shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not put out that light.

More than that, in a time of so many threats to our humanity and our well-being - the continuing pandemic, war in Europe and conflicts around the world, poverty, famine, migration on a massive scale, poverty, homelessness - the Christmas Message speaks pointedly and timelessly once more into these and many other situations too.