On Sunday 2nd April, Palm Sunday, Bishop Fintan presented John Paul 11 Gold Medal Awards in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Skibbereen

The recipients were Rachel Crowley (Skibbereen), Ciara Dennehy Castlehaven Parish), Molly Gregory Long (Skibbereen) and sisters Megan and Kassey Collins (Rath& The Islands Parish) represented by their mother Anne. James O’Connor from Douglas Parish was also awarded a Gold medal which he will receive it at a later date.

The journey for all recipients commenced a few months before the start of the Covid pandemic. Their efforts during this stressful time was truly exemplary, involving local community service to the elderly, helping out in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Rath and the Islands and Castlehaven Parishes by welcoming parishioners, cleaning and sanitising the pews after Mass, proclaiming the Word of God at Mass, visiting residents in retirement homes and hospitals whilst assisting staff, and contributing their time to charities, and other good works, working tirelessly throughout Covid.

The parishes involved are very proud of the recipients in that there are six Gold recipients from the Diocese of Cork and Ross this year.

Due to prior commitments the awards for Kassey and Megan were accepted by their mother, Mrs Anne Collins

The Sycamore formation group with Bishop Fintan Gavin at Mardyke House

The Sycamore Formation group were delighted to welcome Bishop Fintan Gavin to last Wednesday's session at Mardyke House

The Presentation Brothers, UCC Chaplaincy and the Cork and Ross Diocese have come together to host the Sycamore Series in response to a call from young adults to be better formed in their Catholic Faith. Over 20 young adults from the Cork and Ross Diocese have been attending the 10-week course, which is set to finish this Wednesday 5th April.

Sycamore will be running again in the Autumn at Mardyke House. Any group or individual looking to learn more about the Sycamore Series should contact UCC Chaplaincy by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On Sunday 19th March Bishop Fintan visited the Syro Malabar Church Community in St. Joseph’s Church Wilton and at the adjoining Parish Centre

In the course of his visit Bishop Fintan met different groups including the Parish Committee members (Pradhinidhiyogam), catechism children and their teachers and the Church Community Kaikars before the celebration of Mass.  During his homily at Mass, Bishop Fintan said how the Syro Malabar Church Community enriches the Diocese of Cork and Ross with their passion to share faith with their children.  He also spoke of the importance of the Syro Malabar Rite retaining its identity as one of the Eastern Rites within the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Colette Finn planting a crab apple tree in the new wildflower garden in the grounds of the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, Dennehy's Cross, Cork Present were Bishop Fintan Gavin; Fr. Donal Cotter, P.P.; Theresa Lynch, Faith in Action Group; Eamonn Moynihan, chairperson, parish Pastoral Council; student Angela Jaison, Mount Mercy College; Caroline Jaison, Sarah Moynihan and Ria Ashwin of St. Catherine's N.S.

After Mass, there was a tree-planting ceremony in the wildflower garden, followed by a social gathering where parishioners had plenty of opportunity to meet and chat with the Bishop and Deputy Lord Mayor.

Ballineaspaig Parish, Dennehy’s Cross, was delighted to welcome Bishop Fintan to celebrate 11.00 Mass on Sunday, 12th March, and to make a presentation to the parish on behalf of EcoCongregation Ireland (ECI) of an Eco Gold Award

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Colette Finn, was in attendance.

The parish Faith in Action group applied to ECI for recognition as an eco parish in 2015 and became the first Catholic parish in the diocese to receive an Eco Award.

“This coincided with the publication of Laudato Si by Pope Francis, which gave us the stimulus to intensify our promotion of environmental awareness and responsibility for planet Earth, our commitment to social inclusion, and our connection with the developing world,” the Faith in Action Group explained.

In 2021, they successfully applied to ECI for their newly-introduced Gold Award. see full application here

At that time, parishioners were promised a joyous celebration of this wonderful achievement as soon as the pandemic’s waning would permit.

A message to all Parishes from Bishop Fintan Gavin

The time has come, I believe, to remove the last remaining covid restrictions.

Wearing of Face Coverings No Longer Necessary
It is no longer required to wear a face covering while distributing Holy Communion for either priests or Ministers of the Eucharist. It is now possible for Ministers of the Eucharist to receive under both species at Mass. You might ensure to let your Ministers of the Eucharist know about this.

Lifting of Last Remaining Covid Restrictions

Turkey and Syria Earthquake Collection

Bishop Fintan has given approval for a diocesan collection to be taken up in support of people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

This will take place on

Saturday 18 March / Sunday 19 March

All funds raised will be channelled through Trócaire who are working with the Caritas Internationalis Network in Turkey and Syria

Donate safely online

The diocesan office has announced that Canon Michael Murphy, AP, Ballinlough, died suddenly today.

Canon Murphy was a native of Blackpool, Cork, and was ordained a priest of the diocese in St Mary & St. Anne’s Cathedral, Cork, in June 1968. He was brother of the late Fr. Joe Murphy who also served in this diocese.

He began his priestly ministry on temporary mission in the Archdiocese of Southwark, England. 

On his return to Cork and Ross in 1969, he moved to Gurranabraher Parish as curate. In 1975, he joined the Cork and Ross South American Mission until 1981.  

He then served as curate in Carrigaline Parish followed by a term as Chaplain to the Forces in Collins’ Barracks, before being appointed Parish Priest of Ballyphehane Parish.

He has ministered in Ballinlough as Assistant Priest since September 2022 when he retired as Parish Priest of Ballyphehane Parish.

May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

Canon Michael Murphy

View Funeral details

There is a second collection at Masses in the diocese this weekend (March 11/12) to fund the work of working groups set up by the Irish Bishops’ Conference

These are known as Bishops’ Commissions and they are involved in an array of activities in Ireland and abroad which provide leadership, formation, pastoral care and ministry to the People of God.

Each commission is served by lay people (who are paid) as well as by clergy and religious.

Explore the commissions

Catholic Education and Formation

Pastoral Care

Planning, Communications and Resources

Social Issues and International Affairs

Worship, Pastoral Renewal and Faith Development

On Saturday 4th March, over 80 people attended a very successful workshop for cantors, choir members and those who lead congregations in singing

On behalf of the Advisory Committee on Church Music to the Irish Bishop's Conference, the workshop facilitators were Fr. Columba McCann OSB, Karen Donovan and Gerard Lillis.

Music on the day included psalms, music for the seasons of Lent and Easter as well as new pieces by Irish composers.

Bishop Fintan with Mary Fitzgibbon, chairperson of the Mater Dei Academy Parents Council

Mater Dei Academy recently marked three years since its foundation on the Feast of Epiphany, January 6th 2020

To mark this milestone, as well as to launch its Strategic Plan for 2023-2026, Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass with students, staff, parents and friends. Mater Dei Academy which is located in Farranferris Training and Educational Campus is grateful to all who attended and made for such a wonderful evening.

Details about Mater Dei Academy are available from its website www.materdeiacademy.ie