The West Cork orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held on Thursday 25th September at the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery.

The teachers met with Bishop Fintan Gavin, Regina O’Sullivan (Diocesan Education Secretariat) and Mary Anne Collins (Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools).

Bishop Fintan thanked the teachers for their important work in schools and emphasised his wish to connect with teachers and support them in their work. The unique challenges and opportunities of multi-grade teaching were acknowledged and the availability of the Grow in Love Teaching Schemes for Multi-Class Situations was welcomed by teachers. The teachers also had the chance to review the differentiated resources for the 2nd class Grow in Love programme which will help teachers to prepare pupils for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

Regina O’Sullivan (Diocesan Education Secretariat), Stephanie Cannon (Bandon Primary School), Jenny Byrne (Dreeny NS), Mary Anne Collins (Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools), Rachel Crowley, Kate-Anne Fenton (Bunscoil Fachtna), Bishop Fintan Gavin, Jess Henry (Bandon Primary School), Micheál Ó Duinnín (Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra), Erin Leahy (Clogagh NS), Bríd Hartnett (Knockavilla NS), Oran Mullally (Knockavilla NS)

 Over 50 recently appointed primary school teachers met for an orientation session with the Diocese.

Over 50 recently appointed primary school teachers meet with Bishop Fintan.

An orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held on Friday 12th September.

Over fifty teachers gathered at the Cork Education Support Centre. The teachers met with Bishop Fintan Gavin, Fr. Michael Keohane (Diocesan Education Secretary), Regina O’Sullivan (Diocesan Education Secretariat) and Mary Anne Collins (Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools).

Bishop Fintan thanked the teachers for their important work in schools and emphasised his wish to connect with teachers and support them in their work.

Have you ever visited a website which was completely compiled and programmed by a saint?

Now you can!

The first two people to be declared saints by Pope Leo XIV both died as teenagers though they lived a century apart.

On Sunday September 7th, Pope Leo XIV will canonise Italians Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. Both men lived most of their lives in Italy and shared a deep faith in the Eucharist and in giving witness to it by their lives.

Carlo Acutis was born on 3 May 1991 and died from leukemia on 12 October 2006. He was a British-born Italian student celebrated for his devotion to the Eucharist and his use of digital media to promote Catholic devotion. Born in London and raised in Milan, he created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. 

Beatified by the Catholic Church in 2020, he is regarded as a model for young believers and the first saint to have used an email address. He is often referred to as the "first millennial saint".

Seven young adults will be joining this year’s Young Adult Community at St. Peter and Paul's

Last Saturday was the induction day for the Young Adult Community of St. Peter and Paul's, held in the Friary, Kinsale. Seven young adults met as a community for the very first time.

The day was filled with joy, reflection, fun, and a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead. Together we shared a meal, celebrated Mass in the Friary, and met the priests from The Cathedral Family of Parishes. Bishop Fintan, also joined the group offering encouragement and support.

We look forward with hope and excitement to what lies ahead for this new community of faith and friendship.

As thousands of young people across the diocese prepare the receive the results of their Leaving Certificate Examination, Bishop Fintan Gavin asks students to remember that exam results are just one stepping stone in the road of life.

“To all of you receiving your Leaving Cert results this week, whether you are celebrating or feeling disappointed, know this: your worth is not defined by any exam or number,” Bishop Gavin said.

Bishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and Ross is Chair of the Council for Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Development.

He also offered a message of reassurance to students who may be disappointed by their results.

“If you didn’t get the points or the place you were hoping for, don’t despair. God has a plan for you. Sometimes, it’s in the moments when our own plans fall through that a greater purpose begins to unfold. I want you to remember that there are many paths forward, and each one is valuable. Stay open, stay hopeful, and trust that your journey is only beginning. You are never alone in it.”

Bishop announces additional priest changes in the Diocese of Cork and Ross

In addition to priest changes already announced this summer, Bishop Fintan has made these additional appointments:

Fr Vineesh K Ulahannan MI (Camilians, India), to become Curate pro tem in the Family of Parishes of Douglas & Rochestown, Frankfield & Grange and Turner’s Cross effective from 26th July 2025.

Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, to become Co-Parish Priest in the Family of Parishes of Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart and Wilton, taking effect from 15th August 2025.

It’s over 60 years since the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, lead by Bishop Lucey, took a decision which would change the lives of many people in South America.

On St. Patrick’s Day, 1965, Bishop Cornelius Lucey took pastoral responsibility for thousands of people living in the sands around the city of Trujillo in northern Peru.

Decades later, the mission was extended to include an area near the city of Manta , Ecuador. 

The Mission in Peru was in the sandy suburbs of Trujillo