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

Glanmire Community College was the location for a recent visit by Bishop Fintan Gavin.

Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed by Principal Ronan McCarthy, members of the 4^th Year Meitheal Team, Chaplain Ms. Marie McInerney and Deputy Principals Ms. Caroline Byrne & Mr. Seamus Kenefick and members of the Student Council. 

Bishop Fintan was given a tour of the school facilities, which included a visit to the ASD Unit, where he was introduced to the school therapy dog Alma and observed the positive impact Alma has brought to school life. He also witnessed the impressive dog-handling skills demonstrated by the students. The tour continued with visits to specialist classrooms, the Sacred Space and the Christmas Crib.

Bishop Fintan then joined students, staff and invited guests, including Fr. Pat Fogarty, Co-PP of Glanmire, for a prayer liturgy. 

Bishopstown school celebrates installation of new Christmas crib

Bishop Fintan recently joined students, staff, Presentation Brothers, Board of Management, P.B.S.T. and friends in Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, Cork, to bless the beautiful new crib figures, which had been ordered from Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of the school.  

Bishop Fintan reminded those present of the origins of the Crib, which was introduced by St. Francis of Assisi as a way of bringing the Christmas message to the people at that time. 

Principal Ms. Brenda Moriarty welcomed Bishop Fintan and the other guests to the school, noting that the new crib figures were a magnificent addition to the school’s Catholic tradition and living faith. Senior students read the scripture readings and read prayers of intercession.

On Thursday December 5^th Bishop Fintan Gavin made a Pastoral Visit to Maria Immaculata Community College (MICC) Dunmanway. He was welcomed by Principal Mr. Niall Collins, Deputy Principal Fiona Nic Chárthaigh, School Chaplain Elaine O’Sullivan, Student Council members Ciara Galvin and John Smith and school staff. Local clergy, Fr. Liam Crowley and Fr. Pat O’Donovan, were also present to welcome the Bishop to the school. 

Following the Principal’s welcome address to the school assembly, Bishop Fintan celebrated a thoughtfully prepared Prayer Liturgy with staff and students titled “Counting our blessings as we journey through Advent”. The ceremony was beautifully enhanced by the school choir with musical accompaniment from both students and staff.

Bishop Fintan’s message to students was based on the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who will become the first Millennial Saint when he is Canonised by Pope Francis in Rome next April. The Bishop spoke about his visit to the tomb of Blessed Carlo last summer and how Carlo was a typical teenager in so many ways yet he was extraordinary when it came to his remarkable faith. Carlo had a short life and died of leukaemia aged just 15 years in October 2006. 

Bishop Fintan receives a gift from Co-chairs of Student Council Ciara Galvin and John Smith

Primary school teachers in the Diocese attend a Day of Reflection

Recently Bishop Fintan invited primary school teachers throughout the Diocese to a Day of Reflection to support and nourish their own personal faith lives.  In response, teachers gathered on Saturday 30^th November in Mardyke House, Cork.  

The day was led by Fr Chris O’Donnell, a priest of Limerick Diocese, who is a former primary school teacher. He worked for many years in youth ministry and participated in the final stages of the development of the Grow in Love Programme. The peaceful and prayerful surroundings of Mardyke House contributed to a wonderful day for all involved.  

The death has of occurred of Fr. Seamus Mac Ginneá (McKenna) in his native Kerry.

Fr Seamus was ordained for ministry in the Diocese of Kerry. 

He has also served for many years on the staff of the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal and also regularly celebrated Mass at the Poor Clares Convent in College Road, Cork.

The funeral arrangements for the late Fr Seamus McKenna are available 

Funeral Arrangements

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

The late Fr Seamus McKenna

Brazilian Community in Cork celebrates as 14 members are Confirmed at the Cathedral

On Sunday, December 1^st, the first Sunday of Advent, a significant and joyful occasion unfolded at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork when 14 members of the Brazilian Community received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Brazilian community, known for its vibrant and joyful spirit, has been an integral part of the life of the Diocese in Cork and Ross. The Cathedral Choir, led by John Casey, welcomed members of the Brazilian Community Choir who sang in Portuguese and English, adding to the joy of the occasion.

The ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin, marked a pivotal moment in the faith journeys of these young adults who have been undergoing significant preparation for this sacrament for several months. The candidates affirmed their commitment to their faith and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan Gavin reflected on the significance of the Advent season as a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. He encouraged the congregation to reflect on their own faith, especially as they witnessed the candidates take this important step in their faith journeys. “Where am I with my faith as an adult?” he asked, inviting all present to take some time in the busy days and weeks ahead to slow down, to pray and reflect on this question.

Bishop Fintan also thanked Fr. Bernard Morawski OFM Cap, the chaplain to the Brazilian community. He commended Fr. Bernard for his commitment to the community, especially noting his effort to learn Portuguese in order to better preach the Gospel.