Watch Bishop Fintan's video message here.

The theme this year is Catholic Schools: Normal Lives, Called to Holiness!

The 2026 theme invites pupils, teachers, families, parishes and Families of Parishes to explore the call to holiness as something both universal and accessible. Holiness is not for a few, but for all; not reserved for religious professionals or mystics, but for every student, teacher, parent, and grandparent living each day in friendship with Jesus Christ.

Resources relating to Catholic Schools Week for use in parishes and schools (both primary and post-primary) are available here Catholic Schools Week Resources

Tá siad ar fáil as Gaeilge agus as Béarla.

Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to the newly amalgamated Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra in Bantry on Friday 12th December.

Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed by Mr. Cathal McCarthy (Principal), Ms. Siobhán O’Regan (Deputy Principal), Mr. Cathal McCarthy (Chairperson), Fr. Myles McSweeney (Co-PP and Moderator of the Family of Parishes), Caoimhe Sheedy and Matt Murphy (two sixth class pupils).

The Mass for the closing of the Jubilee Year celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, with principal celebrant Bishop Fintan Gavin. (Michael English)

At the closing Mass of the Jubilee Year of Hope in the cathedral in Cork on 4 January 2025, the bishop said the year had not been about “an ending, but about a God who draws near,” urging the diocese to carry forward what had been planted during the Jubilee.

Reflecting on the Mass readings, Bishop Fintan Gavin told the congregation that Christian hope rests on the belief that God does not remain distant but “comes close” to humanity. Quoting St John’s Gospel, he said the mystery of the Incarnation — “the Word was made flesh; he lived among us” — was the foundation of hope, particularly for those carrying burdens of illness, anxiety, grief, or loneliness.

Bishop Fintan described hope not as optimism or denial, but as “the quiet, stubborn trust that God is with us, God is faithful, and God is at work even when the road is steep and the night feels long.”

Bishop Fintan Gavin sends a greeting and a blessing to everyone for the New Year.

Bishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and Ross wishes everyone a blessed and peaceful new year. 

Bishop's New Year blessing

Cork and Ross Diocese 2025 - watch the video

A zip-through in images of some of the highlights of the life of the diocese in 2025

Schools … Parishes … Rome … Music and song … Prayer … Listening … Discernment … Meetings … Processions …Lourdes Pilgrimage … Holy Week … Youth Ministry … and much more.

Watch the Video

Fr Bernard Cotter, Co-PP of Aughadown, Castlehaven & Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen, has announced the publication of a new book, The Under the Ambo Book, a practical liturgical resource designed for Sundays and feast days in Year A of the Church’s calendar.

The title is inspired by a familiar and often overlooked space in many churches: the area beneath the ambo. Commonly used to store liturgical texts, prayer books, and everyday essentials, the space has become a shared and accessible resource for all who minister during worship. Fr Bernard hopes his new book will find a natural home there, readily available to anyone involved in leading or assisting at liturgical celebrations.

The Under the Ambo Book is intended for wide use, particularly by lay ministers, priests, deacons, and others who help to lead or preside at services. The book offers practical support for a variety of moments within the liturgy, including opening comments, introductions to penitential rites, brief summaries of Sunday readings, bidding prayers, and ideas for liturgy groups preparing weekly celebrations.

The book is published by Amazon and available on their website either in hardback, paperback or on Kindle versions

The Under the Ambo Book on Amazon

This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School

On Tuesday 16th December at 12 noon, Bishop Fintan will share his Live Crib Christmas Message for the whole Diocese of Cork and Ross.

The message will be broadcast to the 175 Catholic Primary Schools across the diocese. All parishioners, families, communities, and people throughout the diocese are warmly invited to watch the video message.

This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School. Baby Patrick also plays a special role in this year’s message.

In his message, Bishop Fintan reminds us that the Birth of Jesus is not merely an event of the past, but a living reality present in every home, parish, Family of Parishes, school, and community. He offers a message of encouragement and renewal as the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Pupils from twenty-nine primary schools across the Diocese of Cork and Ross participated in Confirmation retreats over a two-week period in November.

The retreats were facilitated by the Mission Team of NET Ministries Ireland and coordinated by Mary Anne Collins, Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools. The retreats included short talks, drama, discussion in order to explore themes relevant to commitment and confirmation. This took place in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection with lots of fun. 

The retreats were very well received. Pupils and teachers reported that they found the retreat days to be very enjoyable and beneficial in the children’s preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Many thanks to NET Ministries, principals, teachers and local clergy for their cooperation with this initiative.