During the week of February 3^rd to 7^th 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. 

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

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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 28^th

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.

Teacher Aoife O'Driscoll speaking at the Confirmations workshop.

With just weeks to go to the first Confirmation ceremony in the diocese this year, teachers and priests from across the diocese met to discuss and plan for the special days

Addressing the meeting at Innishannon, Bishop Fintan thanked all present for their part in suppporting the faith of the children in the schools. The workshop was to explain and expand on the innovations which were introduced for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation throughout the Diocese last year.

Ballineaspaig Parish in Cork and Timoleague Parish will both host the first Confirmation ceremonies on Tuesday February 11th. The ceremonies continue until Friday April 4th. 

See the full schedule and list of resources here

The Diocesan Office has announced that the death has taken place of Mr Conor Gavin, brother of Bishop Fintan Gavin.

Conor lived in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath and was late of Brian Road, Marino, Dublin 3. He died peacefully, at St. Francis’ Hospice, Blanchardstown, today.

Along with Bishop Fintan, Conor is sadly missed by his wife Nuala and their children and grandchildren, his parents, brothers and sisters and the extended Gavin family. 

Conor’s funeral arrangements are available on 

RIP.ie

May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

Cork's two bishops issue joint Christmas message. Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop Fintan Gavin remind us to focus on the Light of Christ at Christmas time

Once again, as Christmas approaches, it gives us joy as bishops of Cork to send you our greetings and to wish you and your loved ones a blessed, peaceful and happy Christmas.

We live in times when so much around us and in the world at large is overwhelming, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. As well as the enduring challenges that face us in our own society and communities, there are wars in many parts of the world, especially on our own continent and in the Middle East, but also conflicts in many places that seem to have been forgotten by most, with the humanitarian catastrophe that strife invariably causes. What can we do? Often we feel helpless and powerless to make a difference.

In this part of the world, Christmas comes at the darkest time of the year. Each flickering candle and each Christmas light, speaks powerfully, therefore, to us of the message in the Christmas Gospel written by Saint John about Jesus Christ the light of the world: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’

Christmas invites us every year to be attracted again and again to that light; in the same way that the shepherds in the fields that first Christmas were drawn to the light and song of the angels; as the wise ones were drawn to follow the light of the star until they came to Jesus, the newborn baby in Bethlehem. Like those shepherds and those wise leaders we too are invited to bring ourselves as gifts and to offer what we can in prayer and in service, to God, to each other and to those most in need around us and further afield.

So, what can we do in the face of so many challenges? Most of us are not in a position to make decisions that change things on a national or international stage. However, in small ways, where we each are, we can all do something to make life better for others around us. As small gestures or practical acts by many individuals mount up and gather momentum, they can make a real difference to others. As Christians too we believe in the power of prayer, and so we can pray for those who do have authority and roles of decision-making on a scale greater than most of us do.

Our prayer for you is that this Christmas you will once more draw strength from the birth of Jesus who is Emmanuel; God with us.

+Fintan Gavin
Bishop of Cork and Ross

+Paul Colton
Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross