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Recently, Bishop Fintan joined with Bishop Paul Colton to bless the SHARE Crib on Patrick Street for Christmas

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Deirdre Forde, and both bishops were welcomed by SHARE Committee members involving young people from post primary schools throughout the city

Bishop Fintan said that he was delighted to join with Bishop Paul and the Lord Mayor along with members of SHARE to bless the Crib as a symbol of the coming of Lord amongst us.

Find out more about SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly) at sharecork.org

Photographs Gerard McCarthy Photography

Leah Braham (Regina Mundi College) | Bishop Fintan Gavin (Bishop of Cork and Ross) | Deirdre Forde (The Lord Mayor of Cork) | Bishop Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross) | Daniel Prestwick (Chair SHARE Executive)Leah Braham (Regina Mundi College) | Bishop Fintan Gavin (Bishop of Cork and Ross)
Deirdre Forde (The Lord Mayor of Cork) | Bishop Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross)
Daniel Prestwick (Chair SHARE Executive)
Cork’s iconic SHARE crib lights up Patrick Street. Almost all of Cork’s 5th year students will take part in this year’s SHARE collection in aid of the elderlyCork’s iconic SHARE crib lights up Patrick Street. Almost all of Cork’s 5th year students will take part in this year’s SHARE collection in aid of the elderly

Bishop Fintan Gavin has broadcast his Christmas Message to primary schools throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross today.  

School pupils and staff watched the video message online in their classrooms across the diocese. 

Most of the traditional celebrations in preparation for Christmas such as Nativity Plays and Carol Services are once again possible this year. 

Bishop Fintan’s message will prayerfully and joyfully remind us of the central message of the Birth of the Infant Jesus.

 

The bells will be rededicated and rung for the first time after 5pm Mass on Saturday the 17th of December alongside the installation of new outside lighting

The bells of the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne will be heard across the Northside of Cork city once again after undergoing essential restoration works thanks to an ongoing fundraising campaign

The bells gradually fell into disrepair and by 1966 only one bell remained working. Sometime later this bell too was put to rest.

Bells of North Cathedral to ring again after 56 years of silence

 

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Ukrainian Community Preparing to Celebrate ChristmasFr. Roman Biletskyy, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Svetlana Zakarova

Bishop Fintan recently met Fr. Roman Biletskyy, a Ukrainian Catholic Priest now resident in Fermoy and Svetlana Zakarova, a representative of the Ukrainian Community in Cork, to make arrangements for the Ukrainian Community to celebrate Christmas Mass in our Diocese this year.

Fr. Roman and the Ukrainian Community in Cork will be reaching out to all Ukrainian people and families to gather in the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield on Christmas Eve at 4pm for the celebration of Mass and to be together in a time of suffering and turmoil for their country.

As we gather in our parishes and faith communities this Christmas we will pray that the Birth of the Infant Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will bring hope to Ukrainian people and families who have been welcomed to Cork and Ross.

 

The Syro Malabar Church Community in the Diocese of Cork and Ross recently completed elections for their new Parish Council

Bishop Fintan was delighted to meet with Savio Jose, Tessy Mathew and Abin Joseph who will serve as kaikars for the Church Community and Lijo Joseph who will act as secretary along with Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail, curate in the Family of Parishes of South Parish, SS Peter and Paul’s and St. Patrick’s as well as chaplain to the Syro Malabar Church Community.

The Syro Malabar Church Community meets weekly in St. Joseph’s SMA Parish, Wilton and continues to grow.

Savio Jose, Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail, Bishop Fintan, Tessy Mathew, Abin Joseph and Lijo JosephSavio Jose, Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail, Bishop Fintan, Tessy Mathew, Abin Joseph and Lijo Joseph

Bishop Fintan with Cork Retired Teachers ChoirBishop Fintan with Cork Retired Teachers Choir

 

Kevin O'Donovan Secretary Bishop Fintan, Marc Ó Síocháin, CathaoirleachKevin O'Donovan Secretary Bishop Fintan, Marc Ó Síocháin, Cathaoirleach

At the invitation of Cork County Board, Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass before its Annual Convention 2022 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday 11th December

In his homily Bishop Fintan spoke of the close links with GAA clubs in parishes throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

He also prayed for members of the Association who have died in recent years and prayed God’s blessing on the activities of the Association for the coming year.

Music for the Mass was provided by members of the Cork Retired Teachers Choir.

At the end of the Mass, Marc Ó Síocháin, chairperson, made a presentation to Bishop Fintan on behalf of the County Board.

Fr. Vincent Kelly SAC died peacefully in Haven Bay Care Centre, Kinsale

Fr. Vincent was ordained in 1959 as a member of the Pallottine Order. He also served in a number of diocesan appointments in our diocese over the years including as Chaplain to Bishopstown Community School and curate in the parishes of Blackpool, Ballinlough and Dunmanway.

In more recent years he continued to celebrate Mass in Haven Bay Care Centre Kinsale.

Reposing at Barry Bros. Funeral Home, Hazelwood, Glanmire on Sunday (December 11th) from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.

Reception of remains in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ballinlough, on Monday 12th at 12.45pm, for Concelebrated funeral Mass at 1.00pm which can be viewed via this link

Burial immediately afterwards in Rathcooney Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.

Fr. Vincent Kelly SACFr. Vincent Kelly SAC

Blessing and Official Opening of Knocknamanagh National School ExtensionBlessing and Official Opening of Knocknamanagh National School Extension
Blessing and Official Opening of Knocknamanagh National School Extension
Blessing and Official Opening of Knocknamanagh National School Extension

Bishop Fintan recently blessed the newly constructed extension to Knocknamanagh National School in Minane Bridge

The extension comprises two ASD Classroom Suites and additional SEN accommodation.

The blessing and official opening by Minister Michael McGrath TD was a great parish occasion as well as a significant moment in the life of the school community. A large number of parents joined with the pupils and school staff along with members of local organisations for the blessing and official opening.

Canon George Murphy PE addressed the gathering on behalf of the school Board of Management. Mons. Aidan O’Driscoll Co-PP was also in attendance.

Bishop Gavin is Patron of Knocknamanagh National School and Mr. Con O’Callaghan is school principal.

Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to St. Joseph’s Parish Blackrock Road last weekend, 26th/27th November

In the course of the visit, he celebrated all three weekend Masses and met with parishioners after each Mass. He also joined parishioners at the weekly reception in the priests’ residence after 10am Mass for a cup of tea and chat which was appreciated by all. Fr. Jerome Sassou SMA CC concelebrated each of the Masses as well. Fr. Gus O’Driscoll SMA is Father-in-Charge in St. Joseph’s Parish since September last.

Previously, Bishop Fintan had visited St. Joseph’s Parish for the closing of the Annual Novena to St. Therese in 2019, not long after his episcopal ordination.

Bishop Fintan visits St. Joseph’s Parish. Blackrock RoadBishop Fintan visits St. Joseph’s Parish. Blackrock Road

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Recently Regina O’Sullivan has joined the Diocesan Education Secretariat as co-ordinator for primary schools

She replaces Sean O’Caoimh who has filled this role for the last ten years.

In this role, Regina will support Bishop Fintan in his responsibility for the Catholic ethos and identity of 174 primary schools throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross under his patronage.

In thanking Sean O’Caoimh for his work in the Education Secretariat over the last ten years, Bishop Fintan spoke of Sean’s excellent relations with all primary schools.

Through his hard work and dedication, Sean has supported the Diocese and its schools in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Regina O’Sullivan, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Sean O’CaoimhRegina O’Sullivan, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Sean O’Caoimh

Photo: Vitaly Makhnanov

 

Regina O’SullivanRegina O’Sullivan

Regina is a past pupil of St Aloyisius School, Sharman Crawford St, Cork. She graduated from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick in 1982 and has also completed a post graduate Higher Diploma in Educational Leadership from University College Cork.

Regina recently retired from Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin in Mayfield after 38 years on the staff there 20 of which were served in the role of principal.

Regina was involved with the successful amalgamation of the two parish schools in Upper Mayfield Parish in 2017, bringing together Scoil Mhuire Banríon GNS and Scoil Eoin Aspal BNS to form Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin co-educational primary school.

Regina has extensive knowledge of the primary school system and she is particularly familiar with schools in a DEIS context. She is deeply committed to the advancement of Catholic Education and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) nationally.

Her other noted interests in the area of education are a deep interest in partnership with parents and community. The promotion of inclusion in our schools has been the basis of much of Regina's work over the years.

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