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The church choirs from the six parishes around Clonakilty were together for the first time to reflect on the place of music and singing in Catholic worship

The workshop was led by Fr. Fergus Ryan OP CC who is based in Barryroe and ministers in the parishes.

Eighty choir members and priests from Barryroe in the east to Rosscarbery in the west and from most churches in between attended.

The gathering was held at Clonakilty Parish Centre.

Family of Parishes choirs join in workshop on liturgical musicFamily of Parishes choirs join in workshop on liturgical music

Canon John O'Donovan, Co-PP; Bishop Fintan Gavin, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle, Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive, Cork City Council [Pic: Brian Lougheed]Canon John O'Donovan, Co-PP; Bishop Fintan Gavin, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle, Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive, Cork City Council [Pic: Brian Lougheed]

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle, paid a courtesy visit to Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork

Cllr. Dan Boyle was born in Chicago, Illinois, to emigrant Irish parents. He has lived in his mother's native city of Cork since he was eight years of age, in the Turners Cross area of the city.

He was educated at local schools; Scoil Chríost Rí and Coláiste Chríost Rí, and at the Cork Regional Technical College (now MTU), where he studied Business Studies and Child Care. He received an MBS in Government from University College Cork in 2015.

The Lord Mayor was accompanied by Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive, Cork City Council.

Also present was Canon John O'Donovan, Co-PP and Moderator of the Cathedral Family of Parishes.

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 WednesdayBishop 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.Bishop Fintan Gavin blesses shamrock at the St. Patrick’s Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

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Newly formed Council of PriestsNewly 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!”

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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 County. The pupils performed in front of a sell-out audience and was attended by Bishop Fintan Gavin and many guests.Pic: Brian LougheedMaranatha, 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 County
Photo: Brian Lougheed

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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.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

 

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The Confirmation Retreat at Togher BNS, CorkThe Confirmation Retreat at Togher BNS, Cork

During 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. 

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The Sycamore series provides a starting point for those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.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

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Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste Chríost Rí, Turners Cross.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.

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