Following the announcement that Pope Emeritus Benediict XVI has died, Bishop Fintan Gavin has sent the following message to parishes and to all Catholics in the diocese:

It is with deep sadness that we learned this morning of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.  He will be remembered as one of the great theological minds of the 20th century. He combined this with a deeply prayerful spirituality and a great ability to teach and pastor sharing the words of the Gospel with such clarity and simplicity.

Personally, having met him on several occasions during my years of study in Rome, what struck me most about him was his gentleness, humility and his very personable style.

We join with Catholics from all over the world in praying for Pope Benedict as we give thanks for his fruitful life and witness and commend him to the mercy and love of God.

I ask that he be remembered in prayer at all Masses in the diocese this weekend.

May he rest in peace.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.

The Holy See Press Office announced today that the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9:34 AM on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which the 95-year-old Pope emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.

“With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter's Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell."

May Pope Benedict rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served.

For updates see https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city.html

Bishop Fintan recently visited South Parish Old Folks Club in South Parish Community Centre, off Sawmill Street, for their Christmas party

The Lord Mayor, Cllr. Deirdre Forde and Fr. Eoin Whooley PP were also present.

South Parish Old Folks Club was founded fifty five years ago. Canon John K. O’Mahony PE was one of the founding members in 1967.

The Club continues to meet each Friday evening in South Parish Community Centre.

Bishop Fintan visits South Parish Old Folks Club for Christmas

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In one of his last official engagements before the role of Taoiseach was rotated Deputy Micheál Martin officially opened a refurbished centre of education in Cork.

The Leadership Education and Formation Project is located at the Edmund Rice Centre, Mardyke House, adjacent to UCC and is a project of the Presentation Brothers.

After extensive refurbishment, the Centre was blessed by Bishop Fintan Gavin and officially opened by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D. on 3 December 2022.

The L.E.A.F. Project offers leadership workshops, training, seminars, and retreats to young adults on their faith journey.
In a wide-ranging address, the Taoiseach encouraged young people to engage in service with their community and the wider society. He also highlighted the importance of time for reflection and retreat when trying to lead in a fast-moving world.

Miriam Goulding, UCC Chaplain, shared on her own faith journey and the central importance of a personal relationship with Christ.

“We are very happy that the L.E.A.F. Project is collaborating with and supporting the wider renewal taking place in our Diocese” said Bishop Fintan, “Many diocesan groups use Mardyke House as a venue for meetings and gatherings. What makes this place different is that we are coming to a living community of prayer and hospitality. We hope and pray that this newly refurbished Centre and the work of the L.E.A.F. Project will continue to develop and flourish into the future. It is a sign of hope in our Diocese”.

Munster Konkans celebrated their first Christmas celebrations on 9th December 2022 last

Mangalorean Catholics celebrate Christmas in Cork

This was the first such gathering of the group since its formation. Celebrations took place in Midleton GAA complex. Bishop Dr Fintan Gavin celebrated Mass at the beginning of the gathering.

This group is made of Mangalorean Catholics, an ethno-religious community who are Latin-rite Catholics from the Diocese of Mangalore on the southwestern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. All of those in attendance currently reside in Cork city or county and the wider Munster area.

Bishop Fintan was joined by Fr. Suresh Babu, a Camilian priest, currently chaplain in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and Fr. Patrick McCarthy, chaplain in MUH, Cork.

Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton at St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork in 2020
[Pic. Ger McCarthy]

The Most Reverend Dr Fintan Gavin and the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton have issued a Message for Christmas 2022:-

Christmas 2022 is here.  Yet another year has passed with all its many changes and immense challenges. Yet, the Christmas message remains timeless.  ‘The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.’  God is with us.  Jesus Christ is the light who shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not put out that light.

 More than that, in a time of so many threats to our humanity and our well-being - the continuing pandemic, war in Europe and conflicts around the world, poverty, famine, migration on a massive scale, poverty, homelessness - the Christmas Message speaks pointedly and timelessly once more into these and many other situations too.

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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)

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 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.

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