Bishop Fintan and the UCC Chaplaincy team welcomed a team of four FOCUS Missionaries to UCC campus this week.

FOCUS, which stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a ministry group that aim to encounter students in friendship, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them in their university journey.

The FOCUS Missionaries and the Chaplaincy team, along with Bishop Fintan undertook a two-day orientation, facilitated by Br. Martin Kenneally from the Presentation Brothers. This was an opportunity for the teams to get to know each other and discuss their goals and mission for the year ahead.

Br. Martin Kenneally (Presentation Brothers), Miriam Goulding (UCC Chaplaincy), Fr. Gerard Dunne (UCC Chaplaincy), Aine Lee (FOCUS), Eva Conroy (FOCUS), Bishop Fintan Gavin, Sheila Kelleher (UCC Chaplaincy), Brendan Keenan (FOCUS) and Alanna Keenan (FOCUS).

Applications are invited for the role of Diocesan Secretary in the Diocese of Cork and Ross

The Diocese of Cork and Ross is a faith community of 68 parishes and other religious communities, 175 primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of the diocese and post primary schools.

The person in this role will

• Co-ordinate the general management and administrative duties of the Diocesan Office under the direction of the Bishop of the Diocese
• Oversee the day to day running of the Diocesan Office
• Serve as executive secretary to the Bishop and various diocesan governance bodies
• Collaborate, as appropriate with priests, religious, parishes and Families of Parishes, representative bodies and other diocesan groups
• Build relationships with parishes and Families of Parishes
• Line Manager to all diocesan office personnel
• Oversee Bishop’s diary engagements, correspondence, phone and e-mail communication.

The successful applicant will have:

• A third-level qualification in a discipline adjudged relevant to the post or work experience of a kind, level and duration adjudged equivalent by CRSS
• Competency in the use of IT, including online communication platforms, website and data control management
• A current driving licence and use of a car
• At least five year’s experience in a senior management/administration role involving responsibility for:
  • Financial and property planning and management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Establishing and maintaining harmonious working relations with staff

Job Application

Closing date for receipt of completed Applications for this post is:

12 noon on Monday 25 September 2023

The Employer is CRSS CLG, a registered charity whose mission is to support certain agencies providing services to the Catholic Diocese of Cork and Ross

Information for candidates

Job Description

Application Form

Pilgrimage places still available on the Cork and Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Pilgrimage places still available on the Cork and Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes, from Friday 22nd September to Wednesday 27th September.

Return flights from Cork Airport. Booking from Joe Walsh Tours 01-2410800.

A great crowd turned out for the 72nd Annual Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption which took place at the Lee Road Grotto.

Bishop Emeritus John Buckley was the Main Celebrant, and he was joined by Fr Cian O'Sullivan, Fr Aidan Vaughan OFM Cap, Fr Tom Mulcahy MSC, Fr Damian O'Mahony, Fr Marius O'Reilly, Fr Greg Howard, Fr Seán O'Sullivan, and Msgr Kevin O'Callaghan.

Servers for the Mass were Alan McNamara and Emmanuel Onyedikachukuwu, seminarians for the Diocese.

A big thank you to the organising committee for their great work in organising this annual Mass.

As part of the recent diocesan changes announced by Bishop Fintan, three permanent deacons will take up new appointments in different Families of Parishes.

While they are appointed to a Families of Parishes, they will be anchored in one or two parishes within the Family of Parishes and work with a link priest there.

Recently Bishop Fintan met with Deacon John Guiry, Deacon David Lane and Deacon Frank McKevitt along with Fr. Bernard Cotter Co-PP, Coordinator of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Cork and Ross as the deacons take up their new appointments in early August.

Since July 2022 when he was appointed as Diocesan Coordinator for Post Primary Schools, Paul Kelly has visited over half of the 48 post primary schools throughout Cork and Ross.

In his role as Diocesan Coordinator for Post Primary Schools, Paul attends to the Bishop’s responsibilities and obligations in community schools and designated community colleges and provides support and encouragement to faith communities in each school setting through fostering faith development, leadership and faith formation initiatives.

Paul has also arranged many successful pastoral visits to post primary schools for Bishop Fintan during the last academic year. Paul will be engaging with all post primary schools in Cork and Ross throughout the coming school year.

Bishop Fintan and Paul Kelly Diocesan Coordinator for Post Primary Schools

Have you considered being a priest?

The Diocese of Cork and Ross will host a special "Come and See" event for men considering the priesthood.

It’s on Sunday, July 2nd in Cork city. It will take place in Mardyke House (T12 W8RP) from 2pm to 5pm.

It is an opportunity to take a gentle initial step and to pray, share and explore if the Lord might be calling you to the priesthood.

To register please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bishop Fintan welcomes Bishop Jose Porunnedom from the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Mananthavady in Kerala to Cork.

Fr. Jilson Kokkandathil CC in the Family of Parishes of South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s and St. Patrick’s and chaplain to the Syro-Malabar Church Community in Cork and Ross is a priest of the Diocese of Mananthavady, and Bishop Jose has generously made Fr. Jilson available to Cork and Ross.

Bishop Fintan expressed his gratitude for this and said how the Syro-Malabar Church Community enriches Cork and Ross by their presence. He also spoke of the importance of the Syro-Malabar Rite retaining its own identity as one of the Eastern Rites within the Diocese.