SEEK23 Conference – Cork and Ross Profiles

In January, Bishop Fintan Gavin accompanied a group of Cork and Ross youth to the SEEK23 Conference is St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This conference is hosted by the ministry group ’FOCUS’, which stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students. The conference was a 5-day gathering of 17,000 students, parishioners and religious, in which, through prayer, sacraments, inspiring keynotes and more, the attendees are given an opportunity to encounter the Gospel anew and to be revived, equipped and encouraged for the life of faith Christ is calling us to lead. The group got to meet world famous Catholic speakers such as Emily Wilson, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Miriam James Heidland and Paul J. Kim. The group was hosted by Irish FOCUS missionaries from both Dublin and Belfast. The Cork and Ross youth in attendance found it to be an inspiring experience, take a look at what the attendees had to say;

To celebrate the beginning of the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Bishop Fintan visited University College Cork

He was the principal celebrant at the three Masses in the Honan Chapel. In his homilies, he encouraged those attending to make conscious choices for Lent using the tools of the Gospel for Ash Wednesday to enter more fully into a deeper relationship with Christ.

During his day long visit to the university, Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed by students and staff. He took the opportunity to meet the chaplaincy team (Fr Gerard Dunne, Sheila Kelleher, Miriam Goulding, Rev Alan Marley and Geraldine McAllister). Bishop Fintan also had meetings with student groups, staff from across the university and held meetings with senior officials.

The Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross has called for prayers for Cork-born bishop who has died in Los Angeles

Bishop Fintan’s statement:-

The news of the tragic death of Bishop David O’Connell in Los Angeles has sent shockwaves across his native Diocese of Cork and Ross. 
 
On behalf of the people, priests and religious of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sympathies and prayerful support to the O’Connell Family here in Cork, to Archbishop José H. Gomez and the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Since his ordination in 1979 Bishop David has served as a priest in L.A. but has always maintained his connection with family and friends in Cork where has been a regular visitor.

On Tuesday February 7th, Bishop Fintan made a Pastoral Visit to St. Angela’s College, St. Patrick’s Hill; a Catholic School for girls located in the heart of the city.

He was warmly greeted on arrival by School Principal Mr. Pat Curran and Deputy Principal Ms. Edel O’Donovan before being invited to join a Junior School Assembly for a Prayer Service followed by an interactive dialogue with students.

The Service was student-led and began with a musical recital followed by scripture readings and prayers.

Bishop Fintan with students of St. Angela’s College

Bishop Fintan meets with young people in Carrigaline Parish Centre

Bishop Fintan visited Carrigaline Parish on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February. He received a great welcome at Masses for a joy-filled occasion throughout

Bishop Fintan received a warm welcome at the Vigil Mass on Saturday at 6pm from a full church where the most beautiful music was provided by Jack, Claire and the Parish Folk Group.

After Mass, people gathered socially with the Bishop in the Parish Centre.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the Eco Congregation Ireland Award – a prestigious award recognising the Parish’s efforts to care for our Common Home, in keeping with Laudato Si’

On the Vigil of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (Friday, February 10th) the prayers took place in St. John the Baptist church in Ovens.

More than a hundred parishioners of Ballinora, Ballincollig, Ovens / Farran Family of Parishes gathered to pray because ‘a family that prays together stays together’. There were many more joining online.

People were welcomed by John McCarthy, the chairperson of Ovens / Farran Parish Assembly. Then Fr. Ronan Sheehan exposed the Blessed Sacrament and led the congregation through the prayers. There was the Gospel reading about the blind man in Jericho, a reflection, an extract of Pope Francis’ Message for the 31st World Day of the Sick and prayers of intercession as well.

Vigil of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Canon Liam O’Regan

Death of retired Douglas Parish Priest

The Diocesan Office has announced that Canon Liam O’Regan, retired parish priest of Douglas, has died.

Canon Liam was ordained in 1961 and began his priestly ministry on temporary mission in Motherwell Diocese, Scotland. On his return in 1962 he served as curate in Uibh Laoire Parish as well as Assistant Diocesan Inspector.

He then served as Chaplain to Sarsfield Court Hospital and as Diocesan Advisor for secondary schools, Dean of Residence in UCC, Curate in the parishes of Enniskeane, Kilmichael, Ballyphehane and The Lough.

He was appointed Administrator of Kilmichael Parish (1988 – 1990) and as Parish Priest in Knocknaheeny and Holyhill (1990 – 1996) and in Douglas (1996 – 2008).

Canon Liam continued to serve in Douglas Parish as Assistant Priest until his retirement in 2015.

May Canon Liam now rest peacefully in the Lord whom he faithfully served.

On 2nd February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, over 100 religious women and men from communities throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross joined with Bishop Fintan to celebrate Evening Prayer in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Ann to mark the World Day for Consecrated Life

The Poor Clare Sisters on College Road also participated via the Cathedral livestream in their monastery.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is set aside in the Church as a special day to pray for women and men in consecrated life. Pope Saint John Paul II instituted the World Day for Consecrated Life in 1997.

The music and singing was provided by students from St. Aloysius Girls Secondary School Cork.