At the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, where Paul Ryan was instituted as an Acolyte.

A Timoleague parishioner has taken the final step in his formation before being ordained a permanent deacon in our diocese.

On Sunday, at Mass in the Cathedral in Cork, Bishop Fintan Gavin instituted Paul Ryan as an acolyte.

Bishop Fintan explained the meaning of this step.

“The ministry itself is simple and practical — assisting at the altar, serving the celebration of the Mass, and helping in the distribution of Holy Communion.”

But its meaning is much deeper, Bishop Fintan said.

“It’s about being close to Christ in the Eucharist, the source of life, and allowing that closeness to shape the whole of one’s life.

Bishop Fintan blesses shamrock at the Mass.

On St. Patrick’s Day, we call to mind an unbroken tradition of faith in our diocese, our city and our country, said Bishop Fintan Gavin.

Mass for St. Patrick's Day was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork by Bishop Fintan.

The congregation included the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy and his partner, the Lady Mayoress, Karen Brennan; the Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O'Sullivan; the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry, Cllr Rachel Lancaster and members of Cork City Council.

In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Fintan said that St. Patrick didn’t only bring the Christian faith to Ireland.

'Priesthood in Ireland Today' is a new book edited by Bishop Phonsie Cullinan (Bishop of Waterford & Lismore)

The book features 16 reflections from various contributors on the role of the priest today as leader, prophet, pastor and servant. The book includes a contribution from one of our own priests, Msgr Gearóid Dullea. The book aims to offer encouragement to men discerning a call to the priesthood and to explore the vocation’s meaning in a modern context.

The book will be launched on

Monday 23 March at 6pm

in Mardyke House, Cork (T12 W8RP)

Bishop Phonsie will speak about some of the themes explored in the book and he will be available afterwards to sign copies.

All are welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

The responses gathered from the Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment highlighted a desire for deeper formation and support for families preparing for Baptism.

In light of this, members of Parish Baptism Teams from Carraig na bhFear, Glounthaune and Watergrasshill & Glenville gathered recently for two evenings of formation focused on supporting families as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism.

Baptism Teams play an important role in parish life. By welcoming families, explaining the meaning of baptism, and encouraging ongoing connection with the parish community, they help parents to see Baptism not simply as a ceremony, but as the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. Our parish communities owe a great deal to those who serve in this ministry.

Baptism Preparation team

Fr Ashley Evans addressing the priests

Priests in the Diocese of Cork and Ross step aside from their ministry routines twice a year to reflect, pray and spend time together.

There is a retreat in October each year and in the spring time they meet for a half day.

Today's afternoon of reflection was guided by Fr Ashley Evans SJ. He is an Irish Jesuit priest, originally from Malahide, Co Dublin, who spent 27 years on the Missions in Cambodia. Since returning to Ireland in recent years, Fr. Ashley has been involved in spiritual direction, retreats and various spiritual programmes both here in Ireland and abroad.

These events are coordinated by a group of the priests including Msgr. Gearóid Dullea, Fr. Ben Hodnett, Fr. Michael Keohane, Fr. Sean O'Sullivan and Fr Robert Young.

This afternoon's gathering was held at Dunmore House Hotel, Clonakilty. 

Part of the congregation at the Mass. Pic: Brian Lougheed

A Mass celebrating the 250th anniversary of the South Presentation Convent founded by Nano Nagle took place at St. Finbarr's South Parish Church on Dunbar Street, off Douglas Street. 

The Principal Celebrant was Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Also in attendance was Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley; Cllr. Sean Martin, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork; Pat Ledwidge, chair of Nano Nagle Place and many of the religious Brothers and Sisters of the Presentation family.

Bishop Fintan recalled at the Mass that Nano Nagle was known in the city as “The Lady with the Lantern.”

"But the lantern she carried was more than just a light for the streets of Cork," he said. It was a light of compassion.  A light of faith. A light of hope."

Bishop Fintan told the congregation which was mostly made up of students of the Presentations schools in Cork that the reason Nano carried that light was very simple. "She wanted to follow Jesus and live the way Jesus taught his disciples to live."

That small light has been passed on from generation to generation for 250 years, the bishop said.

Catechumens, candidates and sponsors

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion was celebrated recently as adults who are preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter gathered from across the diocese in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the theme of choice at the heart of the Christian life, reminding those present that faith is always a response to God’s call. As he explained: “The Church calls this the Rite of Election, because God has chosen you. You are also choosing Him. It is a relationship. God calls and we respond.”

The Sacrament of Confirmation is being celebrated across the diocese with young people from primary schools.

This year's ceremonies began on February 9th and continue until April 30th. There are 89 Confirmation Masses being celebrated across the diocese with up to three ceremonies being held on many of the days.

Bishop Fintan Gavin is administering the sacrament in many of the ceremonies. He is assisted in other ceremonies by Bishop John Buckley, Bishop Padraig Harrington SMA, Bishop Noel O'Regan SMA, Mons Gearóid Dullea, Co-PP, Chancellor; Mons. Aidan O'Driscoll Co-PP, VG and Fr Tom Hayes, Co-PP, VG.

Over four thousand young people will be Confirmed in the diocese this year.

The schedule of Confirmations for 2026 is available here.

Confirmation group from Bandon Primary School

Statement of Bishop Fintan Gavin in relation to the announcement by the Augustinian community of the decision to withdraw from St Augustine’s Church in summer 2026

It is with great sadness that I, along with so many people across Cork City and beyond, have learned of the decision of the Augustinian community to withdraw from St Augustine’s Church this coming summer. For generations, the Augustinian community at St Augustine’s has been an important and cherished part of the cultural, spiritual and faith life of our city. Many people have found there a place of prayer, welcome, and belonging.

With the declining number of religious vocations within the Augustinian Order, and the advancing age profile of many of its members, I fully understand and respect the reasons behind this decision, which has clearly been made after careful discernment about their future mission and resources.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Augustinian friars, past and present, for their faithful ministry, their preaching of the Gospel, and their generous service to the people of Cork over so many generations. Their contribution to the spiritual life of the city will long be remembered with gratitude and affection.

I will have an opportunity in the coming months to thank the Augustinians more publicly for their immense contribution to the faith life of our city.

I am particularly mindful that this news will come as a sadness to many who have found in St Augustine’s a spiritual home over the years. I want to reassure all of you that I will endeavour, as your Bishop, to respond pastorally to that need, even as the Holy Spirit may now be inviting us to live and express that faith in new ways and in new places.

Bishop Fintan Gavin

West Cork man takes next step to be a Permanent Deacon

Kinsale parish hosts a special liturgy on Sunday 22nd when a parishioner in our diocese takes the next step towards being ordained a Permanent Deacon.

Paul Ryan, a native of Co Clare, lives in Timoleague Parish and was accepted three years ago as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate. Since then he has been participating in formal formation and personal prayer and reflection. He has also been experiencing parish life in Kinsale Parish.

On Sunday, he will be instituted as a Lector by Bishop Fintan Gavin during 12 noon Mass at St. John the Baptist Church, Kinsale.

This next step on his path to ordination means Paul will be mandated to proclaim God’s Word and, through his reflection on the Word of God, prepares himself further for answering the call to service in our diocese as a Permanent Deacon.  

The Word of God serves as a means to come to know God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ even more and, through the Holy Spirit, helps us to deepen our relationship with him. 

Bishop Fintan Gavin has asked that people across the diocese pray for Paul on Sunday as Paul also asks for God’s blessing and help. 

About the Permanent Diaconate

Paul Ryan, his wife Bríd, their daughter Anne and son Tomás, with Bishop Fintan Gavin in May 2024. (Pic. Mariana Wirsam)