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Announcing the annual collection in churches to fund the education of student priests for the diocese, Bishop Fintan Gavin invites support for two men who are continuing their studies.
This September two Cork and Ross seminarians, Emmanuel Ezeh and Alan McNamara, have commenced their studies in St. Patrick's College Maynooth.
Both have already completed a year of initial formation at Valladolid in Spain.
“I would ask you to keep both of these men in your prayers at Masses and at prayer groups in your parishes," Bishop Fintan says.
Another man has started his second year of studies for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese.
The annual appeal in churches is to meet the costs associated with training, accommodation, education and college fees and associated costs. It will be taken up at Masses on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September.
Seminary courses do not qualify for any state support or grants so the full cost is borne by the diocese.
Last year the annual collection for the Priesthood Education Fund reached €70,616 which was very generous. However, the full costs of the year amounted to €112,491.
This year’s projected costs will in the region of €110,000.
“Appreciating that these are difficult financial times, I would ask you to be as generous as you can to the Priesthood Education Fund annual collection this year in order to support the future
mission of the Church in Cork and Ross,” Bishop Fintan said.
“As we plan for the future, I would ask you to continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and in a particular way during this current Year of Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood.”
People may also support the seminarians by making a secure online donation
Michael Galvin and Carmel Drinan receive their Benemerenti Awards from Bishop Fintan along with representatives from Group 126 of Irish Pilgrimages Trust. Also included, Fr. John Collins AP, Fr. Jack Twomey OFM. Cap (Chaplain Bons Secours Hospital) and Fr. Alan O’Leary Co-PP with Bishop Fintan. (Photos: Brian Lougheed)
On Sunday 17th September, Bishop Fintan presented Benemerenti Medals to Carmel Drinan and Michael Galvin both from Ballinora Parish at 10am Mass in St. James Church.
Carmel has travelled to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimages Trust Group 126 for the past thirty years. She travelled as a volunteer carer with a group of children and more recently, as deputy group leader.
Michael Galvin has also given over 30 years of volunteering with the Irish Pilgrimages Trust. Indeed, Michael will be travelling as a volunteer carer for his thirty second time in Easter 2024.
Both Carmel and Michael are very involved in their parish and community in Ballinora.
Carmel Drinan and Family members with Bishop Fintan
Michael and Angela Galvin and family members with Bishop Fintan
On Sunday 10th September, Rev. Darren Wallace was ordained as a Deacon in the Carmelite Friary in Kinsale.
Rev. Darren, who has strong Kinsale connections, was ordained as a Deacon for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ. On the day, he was joined by family members and fellow members of the Congregation.
There was a large gathering in the Carmelite Church for the ceremony and music was provided by the Carmelite Church Choir.
Rev. Darren Wallace LC and Bishop Fintan with Wallace Family members. (Photo: John Allen Photography)
Cork Scripture Group was established in 2010 by a voluntary group who wanted to share their love of the Sacred Scriptures and help others in our community to grow in their appreciation and understanding of the Word of God
Participants are usually drawn from the greater Cork area.
Each year CSG hosts Bible Study Programs on different aspects of biblical literature. These are run on a modular basis each spring and autumn, with each module typically consisting of four evening presentations, one evening a week, by local presenters. Each spring and autumn CSG hosts a half-day Bible Workshop to which CSG invites a nationally recognized scripture scholar to speak on a particular aspect of our Sacred Scriptures. Everyone is welcome and no previous experience of Bible study is needed. Cost of all courses is kept to a minimum.
In addition to these structured programs Cork Scripture Group also seeks to support individuals and groups in Cork who are involved in or interested in Bible Study and is available to help local communities run parish-based programs such as ‘Unfolding the Word.’
This year’s autumn module is entitled "When you pray . . ." Exploring Prayer in the Bible and will run from the last Monday in September until the third Monday in October. The Workshop on Praying the Psalms will be presented by Ciaran O'Callaghan CSsR.
Deacon Frank, Deacon David and Deacon John, our Cork & Ross deacons, recently spent a weekend on retreat in Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick.
Their retreat director was Fr Columba McCann, who shared his insights into the prayer life of the Christian minister, with particular regard to the ministry of deacons and their place in the life of the Church.
They were joined in Glenstal by Bishop Fintan, and by Fr Bernard, the coordinator of this ministry.
Deacon David Lane, Deacon Frank McKevitt, Bishop Fintan, Fr. Columba McCann OSB, Fr. Bernard Cotter and Deacon John Guiry in Glenstal Abbey.
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
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.
Bishop Emeritus John Buckley with concelebrants and Mass Servers at the Lee Road Grotto.
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November 2026
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October 2026
- Presentation Community links Cork and Ghana
- Confirmation Dates 2027
- Families of Parishes Working Together to Strengthen Parish Life
- Filipino Catholic Community Visits Bishop Fintan
- Parish in Cork suburb marks 50 years of its church
- Priests of the diocese return refreshed after retreat
- Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos Visits Bishop Fintan in Cork
- Presentation Brothers open St. Carlo Acutis Prayer Garden at Mardyke House
- Orientation session for recently appointed primary school teachers
- Diocesan Alpha Teams Gathering
- Ballinora Parish celebrates its fortieth anniversary
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September 2026
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August 2026
