Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to St. Joseph’s Parish Blackrock Road last weekend, 26th/27th November

In the course of the visit, he celebrated all three weekend Masses and met with parishioners after each Mass. He also joined parishioners at the weekly reception in the priests’ residence after 10am Mass for a cup of tea and chat which was appreciated by all. Fr. Jerome Sassou SMA CC concelebrated each of the Masses as well. Fr. Gus O’Driscoll SMA is Father-in-Charge in St. Joseph’s Parish since September last.

Previously, Bishop Fintan had visited St. Joseph’s Parish for the closing of the Annual Novena to St. Therese in 2019, not long after his episcopal ordination.

Recently Regina O’Sullivan has joined the Diocesan Education Secretariat as co-ordinator for primary schools

She replaces Sean O’Caoimh who has filled this role for the last ten years.

In this role, Regina will support Bishop Fintan in his responsibility for the Catholic ethos and identity of 174 primary schools throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross under his patronage.

In thanking Sean O’Caoimh for his work in the Education Secretariat over the last ten years, Bishop Fintan spoke of Sean’s excellent relations with all primary schools.

Through his hard work and dedication, Sean has supported the Diocese and its schools in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Regina O’Sullivan, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Sean O’Caoimh

Photo: Vitaly Makhnanov

Sacrament of Confirmation in Parishes 2023

Bishop Fintan has recently issued the dates for the celebration of the Sacrament Confirmation in parishes for 2023. He mentioned that there have been a good number of positive responses to the way in which the Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated in parishes during the pandemic and that he hopes these can incorporated into parish celebrations next year.

In preparation, Bishop Fintan has convened a group to provide updated resources to parishes and schools for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to include scripture readings, suggestions for hymns and music, the order of the Mass and prayer responses, the Rite of Confirmation and a checklist for the celebration of the Sacrament. These resources are available here

Resources for Preparing the Confirmation Ceremony

Bishop Fintan Gavin made his first pastoral visit to Blackrock Parish on Saturday 5th/Sunday 6th November for weekend Masses

In his opening remarks, he mentioned that his first visit to St. Michael’s Church was for the Requiem Mass of the late Canon Kieran Twomey on 1st July 2019 which was his first day as Bishop of the Diocese.

Bishop Fintan celebrated all three weekend Masses and met with parishioners after each one. He was welcomed by Fr. Colin Doocey Adm at the beginning of each Mass.

Last Thursday evening parishioners of Ballinora, Ballincollig and Ovens/Farran united in prayer as one of the newly created Families of Parishes.

This report is from Fr. Kamil Bachara CC

It was a good start, a first step on the journey as we want to build a real family, where everyone is welcome and there is a place for everyone.

More than 100 people gathered in St. Mary’s and St. John’s Church in Ballincollig to pray together The Rosary for World Peace. They were welcomed by Sr. Nan O’Mahony who also gave a lovely reflection on Our Lady. Then the Rosary started. Each decade was led by a rep of a different community and followed by a hymn sung by one of the choirs. There were choirs from Ovens, Ballinora and Ballincollig involved.

Bishop Fintan has visited Sacred Heart Parish, Western Road, Cork and also presided at Mass at which a new parish priest was installed. 

Fr Con Doherty MSC was installed as the parish's new parish priest who will minister there withFr. Des Farren MSC.

Both priests are Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

The parish includes Western Road, Mardyke, Victoria Cross, Lee Road, (from Our Lady’s Hospital gate eastwards) and Sunday’s Well Road (to Daly’s Bridge).

(Image: Mike English)