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Glanmire Community College was the location for a recent visit by Bishop Fintan Gavin.
Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed by Principal Ronan McCarthy, members of the 4th Year Meitheal Team, Chaplain Ms. Marie McInerney and Deputy Principals Ms. Caroline Byrne & Mr. Seamus Kenefick and members of the Student Council.
Bishop Fintan was given a tour of the school facilities, which included a visit to the ASD Unit, where he was introduced to the school therapy dog Alma and observed the positive impact Alma has brought to school life. He also witnessed the impressive dog-handling skills demonstrated by the students. The tour continued with visits to specialist classrooms, the Sacred Space and the Christmas Crib.
Bishop Fintan then joined students, staff and invited guests, including Fr. Pat Fogarty, Co-PP of Glanmire, for a prayer liturgy.

Bishopstown school celebrates installation of new Christmas crib
Bishop Fintan recently joined students, staff, Presentation Brothers, Board of Management, P.B.S.T. and friends in Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, Cork, to bless the beautiful new crib figures, which had been ordered from Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of the school.
Bishop Fintan reminded those present of the origins of the Crib, which was introduced by St. Francis of Assisi as a way of bringing the Christmas message to the people at that time.
Principal Ms. Brenda Moriarty welcomed Bishop Fintan and the other guests to the school, noting that the new crib figures were a magnificent addition to the school’s Catholic tradition and living faith. Senior students read the scripture readings and read prayers of intercession.

On Thursday December 5th Bishop Fintan Gavin made a Pastoral Visit to Maria Immaculata Community College (MICC) Dunmanway. He was welcomed by Principal Mr. Niall Collins, Deputy Principal Fiona Nic Chárthaigh, School Chaplain Elaine O’Sullivan, Student Council members Ciara Galvin and John Smith and school staff. Local clergy, Fr. Liam Crowley and Fr. Pat O’Donovan, were also present to welcome the Bishop to the school.
Following the Principal’s welcome address to the school assembly, Bishop Fintan celebrated a thoughtfully prepared Prayer Liturgy with staff and students titled “Counting our blessings as we journey through Advent”. The ceremony was beautifully enhanced by the school choir with musical accompaniment from both students and staff.
Bishop Fintan’s message to students was based on the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who will become the first Millennial Saint when he is Canonised by Pope Francis in Rome next April. The Bishop spoke about his visit to the tomb of Blessed Carlo last summer and how Carlo was a typical teenager in so many ways yet he was extraordinary when it came to his remarkable faith. Carlo had a short life and died of leukaemia aged just 15 years in October 2006.
Bishop Fintan receives a gift from Co-chairs of Student Council Ciara Galvin and John Smith

Primary school teachers in the Diocese attend a Day of Reflection
Recently Bishop Fintan invited primary school teachers throughout the Diocese to a Day of Reflection to support and nourish their own personal faith lives. In response, teachers gathered on Saturday 30th November in Mardyke House, Cork.
The day was led by Fr Chris O’Donnell, a priest of Limerick Diocese, who is a former primary school teacher. He worked for many years in youth ministry and participated in the final stages of the development of the Grow in Love Programme. The peaceful and prayerful surroundings of Mardyke House contributed to a wonderful day for all involved.
The death has of occurred of Fr. Seamus Mac Ginneá (McKenna) in his native Kerry.
Fr Seamus was ordained for ministry in the Diocese of Kerry.
He has also served for many years on the staff of the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal and also regularly celebrated Mass at the Poor Clares Convent in College Road, Cork.
The funeral arrangements for the late Fr Seamus McKenna are available
May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
The late Fr Seamus McKenna
Bishop Fintan Gavin recently made a Pastoral Visit to Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline
He was warmly welcomed by Principal Ms. Adele Flynn, Deputy Principal Mr. Peter Hyde, members of the Student Council & Meitheal Team and members of staff. Local clergy were also present to greet the Bishop, including Msgr. Aidan O’Driscoll, Fr. James McSweeney & Fr. Michael O’Connell MSC. Mr. Willie Walsh represented the Board of Management of the College.
During his visit, Bishop Fintan was guided on a tour of the school's facilities by the Meitheal Team, where he had the opportunity to meet with several class groups and their teachers.
Bishop Fintan received a very warm welcome when he arrived at Scoil Bernadette on a recent Pastoral Visit
The school, located on the Cope Foundation campus in Montenotte, Cork, provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 12 to 18, and the visit was a special occasion for the entire school community. On his arrival, Bishop Fintan was welcomed by the school’s principal, Mr. Don Golden, along with members of the student council, staff, and parents.
Bishop Fintan was invited to share in a Prayer Liturgy where the students shone. The liturgy was accompanied by instrumental music with song and sign language, guided by music teacher Marita Murray. Following Bishop Fintan’s final blessing for the whole school community joined together in singing ‘This Little Light of Mine’.
Students then engaged with Bishop Fintan in a Q&A session in which they asked him about his role and his daily life. When asked by a student, Bishop Fintan was quick to say that like everyone else he will have to wait and see what Santa will bring this Christmas.

Brazilian Community in Cork celebrates as 14 members are Confirmed at the Cathedral
On Sunday, December 1st, the first Sunday of Advent, a significant and joyful occasion unfolded at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork when 14 members of the Brazilian Community received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Brazilian community, known for its vibrant and joyful spirit, has been an integral part of the life of the Diocese in Cork and Ross. The Cathedral Choir, led by John Casey, welcomed members of the Brazilian Community Choir who sang in Portuguese and English, adding to the joy of the occasion.
The ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin, marked a pivotal moment in the faith journeys of these young adults who have been undergoing significant preparation for this sacrament for several months. The candidates affirmed their commitment to their faith and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives.
In his homily, Bishop Fintan Gavin reflected on the significance of the Advent season as a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. He encouraged the congregation to reflect on their own faith, especially as they witnessed the candidates take this important step in their faith journeys. “Where am I with my faith as an adult?” he asked, inviting all present to take some time in the busy days and weeks ahead to slow down, to pray and reflect on this question.
Bishop Fintan also thanked Fr. Bernard Morawski OFM Cap, the chaplain to the Brazilian community. He commended Fr. Bernard for his commitment to the community, especially noting his effort to learn Portuguese in order to better preach the Gospel.

Over 200 parish reps. expected at final diocesan information meeting on Sunday
This Sunday December 1st, priests, parish leadership teams and chaplaincies from 28 parishes will gather for the third information meeting. The topic is the next steps in the diocese's year of prayer, listening and discernment
The short video captures the energy and life of the first two meetings.
These meetings set the context for the year ahead and outline the next steps for parishes and families of parishes. The process for prayer, listening, and discernment has been piloted in one Family of Parishes and is being fine-tuned based on the feedback to be rolled out across the Diocese in the new year.
There will be a special time of guided prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Columba’s Church, Douglas on Sunday 1st December from 12:30pm to 2:00pm to which everyone is welcome.Bishop Fintan has announced that the Polish Chaplaincy in the Diocese will transfer from its current location in St Augustine’s Church, Washington Street, Cork to Holy Cross Church, Mahon in the Family of Parishes of Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Road and Mahon from 1 February 2025
Following the establishment of the Polish Chaplaincy in Cork and Ross, Fr Piotr Galus served as Chaplain from 2006 until 2019. During that time the Chaplaincy has served the sacramental and pastoral needs of many Polish people and families who have arrived in the Diocese to work and make their homes here. The Chaplaincy has evolved in more recent years as a good number of Polish people have returned home while others have become involved in their own parishes here, Families of Parishes and faith communities.
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April 2025
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March 2025
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February 2025
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January 2025
- Over 50 young adults partake in two faith formation programmes
- Boys' post-primary school in Cork welcomes bishop for his first visit
- Bicentenary celebrations of Bon Secours Sisters in Ireland close in Cork
- Bishop Fintan visits Coláiste Muire in Crosshaven for Catholic Schools Week
- Resource published for Catholic Schools Week 2025 in Cork and Ross
- Teachers and priests meet to plan Confirmation Masses
- Poor Clares Vocations Afternoon - Sat 22 Feb 2025
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December 2024