The annual Cork and Ross Post Primary Religious Education Teachers’ In-Service gathering took place today at Innishannon House Hotel.

This year’s event was very well supported, with 65 teachers registered from 40 post-primary schools across Cork City and County.

The keynote speaker for the day was Fr. Hugh Lagan SMA, who delivered an engaging presentation titled Leaning into the Light – Reclaiming Meaning, Purpose and Passion in Religious Education. Fr. Hugh, a member of the Society of African Missions and a chartered clinical psychologist, offered rich insights into nurturing purpose and hope in both teaching and faith life.

65 teachers from 40 post-primary schools across Cork City and County attended the in-service day

Bishop Fintan recently made the Pastoral Visit to Presentation Brothers College, Cork. 

He received a warm welcome from School Principal Mr. David Barry, Members of the Presentation Brothers Congregation, the Past Pupils Union, the School Chaplain and Student Leaders.

Bishop Fintan joined an assembly of students, staff, and guests for a Prayer Liturgy based on the theme of 'Gratitude and Kindness'.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the life of Saint Carlo Acutis, the recently canonised Italian teenager who became the first “Millennial Saint” when he was canonised by Pope Francis in Rome.

Pastoral Visit to Presentation Brothers College, Cork

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".