Members of religious congregations in the Diocese of Cork and Ross gathered in St Francis’ Church, Cork, on Saturday, January 31^st for the Diocesan Celebration of Consecrated Life, led by Bishop Fintan Gavin. 

Celebrated on the threshold of Candlemas, the liturgy of Evening Prayer highlighted Christ as Light of the Nations and reflected on consecrated life as a vocation that receives, reflects and shares that light with a world often marked by weariness and division. 

The Liturgy was prepared b y a representative group of religious including Sr. Sheila Kelleher, Sr. Monica Mohally, Br. Denis Aherne, Fr. Laurence Kettle, and Br. Simon Fernandes.

The Gospel of the Beatitudes was proclaimed by Fr. Patrick Younge OFM and it is a fitting portrait of religious life — rooted in Christ, shaped by mercy and humility, and quietly fruitful in service. 

Celebrating Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Cork and Ross at St. Francis' Church,

Bishop Fintan greeted by students at Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig

Bishop Fintan visited a number of post-primary schools across the diocese during Catholic Schools Week, taking time to meet with students, staff, and school communities.

As part of these pastoral visits, Bishop Fintan visited Ballincollig Community School, Nagle Community College (Mahon), and Coláiste Choilm (Ballincollig). At each school, he received a warm welcome and had the opportunity to engage with pupils, teachers, staff, and boards of management.

Catholic Schools Week 2026 is celebrated under the theme, “Catholic Schools: Normal Lives, Called to Holiness.” During his visits, Bishop Fintan reflected on how ultimate happiness is found in four pillars: faith, family, friendship, and fruitful service.

The Annual Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity took place in Ardfallen Methodist Church yesterday.

Christians from across Cork gathered in prayer and fellowship on Sunday, January 25th for the Annual Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosted this year by Ardfallen Methodist Church.

The service was led by Rev. Andrew Robinson, Canon Alan Marley, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Fr. Christy Fitzgerald. Welcoming those gathered, Bishop Fintan expressed gratitude for the spirit of prayer, friendship and openness that marks the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity each year. He noted that Christians across the world are united during this week in a shared longing “that we might become more visibly what God has already made us in Christ — one body, alive in one Spirit, called to one hope.”

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