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As we begin the month of April, a question arises: What did you promise for Lent?
It's been 26 days since the holy season of Lent started on Ash Wednesday. In every church, people had the blessed ashes placed on their foreheads and they undertook commitments to grow closer to the Lord during the 40 days.
Bishop Fintan made his annual pastoral visit to University College Cork that and celebrated three Ash Wednesday Masses in the Honan Chapel. In his homilies during these Masses, Bishop Fintan encouraged the congregations to enter into the season of Lent with open hearts and to rely on the God's mercy to carry them throughout the weeks ahead.
Now there are two weeks to go! So, perhaps it's a time for a review and maybe a restart!
Lent ends on the Wednesday of Holy Week. It's followed by three sacred days (The Triduum): Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, leading then to the celebration of Easter.
This year, Easter Sunday is on April 20th.
Bishop Fintan placed blessed ashes on students at the Honan Chapel in UCC on Ash Wednesday
Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant of Mass to mark St. Patrick’s Day at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork
The congregation included An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; members of the Cork City Council, led by Lord Mayor Cllr. Dan Boyle, along with Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council.
The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr. Mal Mutton and Lady Mayoress of Coventry, Margaret Hickman were also in attendance.
In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Fintan reminded people of the important religious dimension of St. Patrick’s Day.
“St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast. We celebrate our national saint, St. Patrick. We celebrate the important place our faith has played in our story over many centuries here in Ireland and beyond. We remember the thousands and thousands of Irish missionaries, religious and lay, around the world who have carried the message of Christ to the ends of the earth.”
Bishop Fintan Gavin blesses shamrock at the St. Patrick’s Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.
Newly formed Council of Priests
A new Council of Priests in the Diocese of Cork and Ross has had its inaugural meeting with Bishop Fintan Gavin.
The Council is consulted by the bishop on pastoral matters to do with the faith life of the diocese.
The majority of members are elected by the priests ministering in the 16 families of parishes. In addition, priests working in chaplaincies nominate a representative, as do the priests who are retired. The communities of religious priests ministering in the diocese are also represented (by Fr. Hilary OFM (inset)).
The Council meets bi-monthly with Bishop Fintan at Mardyke House, Cork.
The audience in a packed Cork City Hall were on their feet in praise of the almost five-hundred young people who keep them entertained and inspired
The Maranatha concert was the high point of the first music and faith-based day for post-primary school students across the diocese.
Students from more than twenty schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross participated in Maranatha 2025 at Cork City Hall.
The event was created to bring young people together to celebrate faith and identity through music and have fun at the same time.
Addressing the young people and the hundreds of attendees from across the Diocese in the audience, Bishop Fintan Gavin thanked everyone who made it possible and said Maranatha’s purpose was focused on an important question for all young people.
“The biggest question all of us face in our life is about our identity: Who am I? In a sense, our whole life is trying to work out who we are,” he said. “If there's anything, I want you to hear this evening coming out of Maranatha it is this: you are the beloved daughter and son of God. You are loved by God!”
Maranatha, the first annual faith-based high energy music for Post-Primary Schools in the Diocese of Cork & Ross took place at Cork City Hall featuring pupils from all over Cork City and CountyPhoto: Brian Lougheed
Recent days have seen the first groups of young people across the diocese receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation
Bishop Fintan conferred the sacrament on children from Clogagh and Timoleague National Schools on Tuesday Feb 11th in Timoleague’s Parish Church. Bishop Emeritus John Buckley conferred the sacrament on the girls of St. Catherine’s School at Ballineaspaig Parish Church in Cork city on the same day.
The ceremonies continue across the diocese until Friday April 4th. There are a number of ceremonies on most days in order to accommodate the number of candidates and their families.
Almost 3,000 candidates are being presented for the sacrament by their parents and schools.
Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin pictured in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timoleague with Confirmation candidates from Clogagh National School. Also included are Canon John Kingston, Co-PP, Kathleen Calnan SNA and Helen O'Flynn, principal.Photo: Martin Walsh
The Confirmation Retreat at Togher BNS, CorkDuring the week of February 3rd to 7th a number of primary schools in the diocese took part in a pilot retreat programme for pupils preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The retreats were offered by a team of youth missionaries from NET Ministries Ireland. NET Ministries is a testimonial-based ministry with a focus on how Jesus is relevant, present, and loves us individually. The retreat schedule included games, talks, testimonies, small groups activities and prayer ministry.
The retreats were very well received by each of the participating schools and feedback indicated that pupils had a wonderful experience. The youth missionaries were enthusiastic and connected with the children with ease. They engaged at the appropriate age level and pupils responded accordingly.
The team availed of a range of strategies throughout each day. The programme balanced both active learning and listening and related to the children’s own lives. The retreat focused on the faith formation of the children which was central to and well-paced throughout each day.
Schools reported that this was a day to focus on the true meaning of Confirmation and expressed their thanks to the team and to Bishop Fintan for having being afforded this opportunity.
The Sycamore series provides a starting point for those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.There are over 50 young adults participating in two faith formation programmes in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
The ‘Foundations in Theology’ programme and the ‘Sycamore’ series got underway on Wednesday night at Mardyke House. The 10-week sessions run concurrently and are a collaboration between the Diocese of Cork and Ross, UCC Chaplaincy, and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project, designed for young adults aged 18-35.
Foundations in Theology is an introductory programme which explores the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Sycamore is a video-based formation series which provides an accessible and welcoming starting point for those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.
Both groups meet on Wednesday evenings from 5.45-8pm. The evening begins with pizza and fellowship, followed by separate sessions for each session to explore and discuss the fundamentals of our Christian faith. The night concludes with Compline together in the Presentation Brothers’ oratory at Mardyke House.
There is still time to sign up to the programme. For more information
Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste Chríost Rí, Turners Cross.
Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste Chriost Rí, Turners Cross, Cork, on Tuesday January 28th
He was warmly greeted on arrival by school Principal Mr Padraig Mac an Rí and Deputy Principal Mr. Liam Shorten. Turners Cross Co-PP Fr. Noel O’Sullivan and Mick Sexton CEO of PBST (Trustees) were also present along with Maria Walk representing the Board of Management and Br. Patrick Fitzgibbon (Presentation Brother).
Bishop Fintan participated in a prayer liturgy with students and staff where he spoke about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis who is soon to be canonised as the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church by Pope Francis next April.
Following the liturgy Bishop Fintan was presented with an inscribed glass plaque to commemorate his visit before he was taken on a short tour of school facilities by the school principal Mr. Mac an Rí. During the tour Bishop Fintan visited some of the specialist facilities including the Autistic Unit where he greeted students before visiting the Coláiste Chriost Rí Rosary Club where he prayed with students and imparted his blessing.
The visit concluded with light refreshments where Bishop Fintan had an opportunity to meet with various members of the school staff and invited guests.
Bishop Fintan celebrates Mass to mark end of Bicentenary at Bon Secours Care Village
Yesterday, Bishop Fintan joined with the residents, staff and Sisters of Bon Secours at Mount Desert Care Village to bring the Bicentenary of the Congregation to a close.
In his homily, Bishop Fintan paid tribute to the Sisters for their twofold mission in the Church over the past 200 years, namely the call to closeness to God through a life of prayer and contemplation as well as the call to serve the sick, the dying and their families which has always been at the heart of the Sisters’ Mission.
Today, that Mission is kept alive through the dedication and commitment of all of the staff of Bon Secours who continue to shine the light of Christ's compassion and healing into the lives of those who suffer through sickness and the frailty of old age.
After Mass, Bishop Fintan joined Sr. Eileen O'Connor and all present in unveiling a beautiful commemorative piece of artwork named "Creation's Dance" by Irish mosaic artist, Laura O'Hagan.
Bishop Fintan with residents, staff, chaplains and Sisters at Mount Desert Care Village.
Sr. Eleanor PBVM, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Aine Nangle (Acting Deputy), Gráinne O’Mahony (R.E. Teacher) & Paul Kelly (Diocesan Coordinator for Post Primary)Bishop Fintan was welcomed to Coláiste Muire in Crosshaven as part of Catholic Schools Week by members of the Students’ Council, Parents’ Council, Board of Management and school staff before joining the whole school community in the local parish church
Through music and prayer, Bishop Fintan along with the students and staff of Coláiste Muire reflected on the theme of Catholic Schools Week 2025, Alive in Christ, and the significance of Pope Francis’ designation of 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope. Bishop Fintan addressed the students personally during the Prayer Liturgy and spoke about his experience of visiting the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis who will soon become the first millennial saint.
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