On next Sunday, June 11th 2023, Cork people will take part once again in the almost 100-year-old tradition of the Corpus Christi Procession through the city.

But most children and young people may not know what it is! This short video was sent to schools in the diocese last month with a pack of resources to help teachers explain the Procession to the pupils.

In the video, Bishop Fintan Gavin explains to school children what it is about and invites them to take part.

The procession will begin at 3:30pm

Families from Syro-Malankara Community celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

On Pentecost Sunday, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Community in the Diocese of Cork and Ross gathered to celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Syro-Malankara Rite for the first time in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

Fr. Shinu Varghese was the main celebrant. Fr. Cherian Thazhamon from Dublin was also present.

35 families from the Syro-Malankara Community in the Diocese of Cork and Ross participated in this historic celebration. This number will continue to grow as new families will continue to join this weekly celebration.

On Friday 12th May, Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass at Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, marking International Nurse Day and also 100 years of the School of Nursing at the hospital

Nurse Education at Bon Secours Cork began in 1923 with Sr. Mary Engelberth as the school’s first tutor.

Today, BSHC plays an important role in Nurse Education through its clinical partnership with UCC and the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery.

The future of the Catholic Church in our diocese requires lay people in the parishes and faith communities along with the priests who minister to them to work closely together in new ways.

A married woman and a mother of three children will lead two gatherings in the diocese in May where she will share the experience she has from working with parishes across America.

Julianne Stanz, a native of Co Carlow and now resident in Wisconsin, USA, was invited by Bishop Fintan Gavin to help address the challenges for our parishes identified by lay people and clergy at recent meetings.

A Polish-English Charismatic Forum took place at St. Joseph's Church in Glanmire parish on 28th - 30th April

The forum was organised by the Community of the Risen Christ, GALILEA, which operates on a daily basis at the Polish Chaplaincy in Cork.

Father Jozef Witko OFM and Marcin Zielinski were special guests.

Fr Jozef Witko is a Franciscan from the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in Krakow, a charismatic priest, preacher and retreat leader. He is well known both in Poland and abroad. He is also an author of many books on God as well as the power and work of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Shinu Varghese (second left), Fr. Cherian Thazhamon (on the right from Dublin) with members of the Syro Malankara Community, Sini, Shijin and Anish being welcomed by Bishop Fintan

Recently, Bishop Fintan welcomed Fr. Shinu Varghese to the Diocese of Cork and Ross

Fr. Varghese is from Kerala in India.

Bishop Fintan said that he was delighted to welcome Fr. Varghese to the Diocese to serve in parish ministry while at the same time allowing him time to look after the pastoral needs of the Syro-Malankara Catholics in Cork and Ross.

Fr. Varghese will initially assist in the parishes of The Cathedral and Blackpool/The Glen/Ballyvolane until the summer after which he will take up a parish appointment as part of the summer priests appointments.

Bishop Fintan said how the Syro-Malankara Community with Fr. Varghese will enrich the Diocese of Cork and Ross. He also spoke of the importance of the Syro-Malankara Rite retaining its identity as one of the Eastern Rites within the Diocese.

Diocese invites candidates to be deacons

Posters have been sent to all parishes in the diocese, containing an invitation to those who feel a call to be deacons. They are to make contact with its Coordinator of the Permanent Diaconate.

As well as preaching during the Mass, deacons baptise and officiate at funerals and weddings.  A deacon also helps with pastoral work in parishes and is called to minister to the poor and serve at the altar.

Contact Fr Bernard Cotter

Find our more about the role of deacons

Please pray that those called to this ministry may respond positively.

Permanent Deacons in Cork and Ross

Jesus said: "I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you" (John 13:15)

On Monday April 17th, Bishop Fintan Gavin accompanied the UCC Chaplaincy team on a visit to St. Stephen's Chaplaincy, University College Dublin

Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass in Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel along with Fr. Gerard Dunne (UCC Chaplain), Fr. Eamonn Bourke (UCD Chaplain) and Fr. Brendan Ludlow (UCD Chaplain).

The Cork visitors were also introduced to the UCD FOCUS missionaries which work with the chaplains in UCD. These missionaries work to encounter students in friendship where they are, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence.

Finally, the Cork visitors attended the UCD Newman Catholic Society's weekly meeting, which is a meeting run by Catholic students to learn and grow in their faith in university.

It was a blessed visit to St. Stephen's Chaplaincy.