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12 December 2022

Bishop Fintan with Cork Retired Teachers Choir

Kevin O'Donovan Secretary Bishop Fintan, Marc Ó Síocháin, Cathaoirleach

At the invitation of Cork County Board, Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass before its Annual Convention 2022 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday 11th December

In his homily Bishop Fintan spoke of the close links with GAA clubs in parishes throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

He also prayed for members of the Association who have died in recent years and prayed God’s blessing on the activities of the Association for the coming year.

Music for the Mass was provided by members of the Cork Retired Teachers Choir.

At the end of the Mass, Marc Ó Síocháin, chairperson, made a presentation to Bishop Fintan on behalf of the County Board.

10 December 2022

Fr. Vincent Kelly SAC died peacefully in Haven Bay Care Centre, Kinsale

Fr. Vincent was ordained in 1959 as a member of the Pallottine Order. He also served in a number of diocesan appointments in our diocese over the years including as Chaplain to Bishopstown Community School and curate in the parishes of Blackpool, Ballinlough and Dunmanway.

In more recent years he continued to celebrate Mass in Haven Bay Care Centre Kinsale.

Reposing at Barry Bros. Funeral Home, Hazelwood, Glanmire on Sunday (December 11th) from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.

Reception of remains in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ballinlough, on Monday 12th at 12.45pm, for Concelebrated funeral Mass at 1.00pm which can be viewed via this link

Burial immediately afterwards in Rathcooney Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.

Fr. Vincent Kelly SAC

01 December 2022

Blessing and Official Opening of Knocknamanagh National School Extension

Bishop Fintan recently blessed the newly constructed extension to Knocknamanagh National School in Minane Bridge

The extension comprises two ASD Classroom Suites and additional SEN accommodation.

The blessing and official opening by Minister Michael McGrath TD was a great parish occasion as well as a significant moment in the life of the school community. A large number of parents joined with the pupils and school staff along with members of local organisations for the blessing and official opening.

Canon George Murphy PE addressed the gathering on behalf of the school Board of Management. Mons. Aidan O’Driscoll Co-PP was also in attendance.

Bishop Gavin is Patron of Knocknamanagh National School and Mr. Con O’Callaghan is school principal.

29 November 2022

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.

Bishop Fintan visits St. Joseph’s Parish. Blackrock Road

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

Regina O’Sullivan

Regina is a past pupil of St Aloyisius School, Sharman Crawford St, Cork. She graduated from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick in 1982 and has also completed a post graduate Higher Diploma in Educational Leadership from University College Cork.

Regina recently retired from Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin in Mayfield after 38 years on the staff there 20 of which were served in the role of principal.

Regina was involved with the successful amalgamation of the two parish schools in Upper Mayfield Parish in 2017, bringing together Scoil Mhuire Banríon GNS and Scoil Eoin Aspal BNS to form Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin co-educational primary school.

Regina has extensive knowledge of the primary school system and she is particularly familiar with schools in a DEIS context. She is deeply committed to the advancement of Catholic Education and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) nationally.

Her other noted interests in the area of education are a deep interest in partnership with parents and community. The promotion of inclusion in our schools has been the basis of much of Regina's work over the years.

18 November 2022

St. Columba's Boys National School in Douglas is Blessed and Officially Opened

Principal, Dan O’Connor | Bishop Fintan Gavin | Chairperson of BOM, Donal Murray

St. Columba's Boys National School in Douglas is Blessed and Officially Opened

Bishop Fintan recently blessed the new school building at St. Columba’s Boys National School in Douglas. The new building is on the same campus as St. Columba’s Girls National School with Facilities for Deaf Children in West Douglas. The new building was completed in 2020 and has been in use since that time however due to covid restrictions, the official blessing and opening has not been possible until October 2022.

Bishop Fintan blessed and congratulated all involved in the development and construction of the new school building in the heart of Douglas especially the students who filled the school hall, school staff, parents, families and the wider school community.

Bishop Fintan is patron of St. Columba’s Boys National School. The chairperson of the Board of Management is Mr. Donal Murray and the school principal is Mr. Dan O’Connor.

15 November 2022

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

Sacrament of Confirmation in Parishes 2023

Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit

Here is the Confirmation Schedule for 2023 throughout the Diocese

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.

A new Adoration Chapel has just opened in Saints Peter and Paul's Church in the heart of Cork City, just off Patrick Street

If you are in town, pop in and say a prayer for the Holy Souls during this month of November.

It is open on Wednesdays (10am to 8pm), Thursdays (8am to 7.30pm) and Fridays (8am to 7pm).

Ss Peter and Pauls Church, Cork was dedicated for worship in 1866. The architect was G. W. Pugin and the sanctuary was designed by George C. Aishlin. The original plans for the church included a tall spire but this was never built.

See SS. Peter and Paul's Parish

SS Peter and Pauls chapel in Cork city

18 September 2023

Michael Galvin and Carmel Drinan receive their Benemerenti Awards from Bishop Fintan along with representatives from Group 126 of Irish Pilgrimages Trust. Also included, Fr. John Collins AP, Fr. Jack Twomey OFM. Cap (Chaplain Bons Secours Hospital) and Fr. Alan O’Leary Co-PP with Bishop Fintan. (Photos: Brian Lougheed)

On Sunday 17th September, Bishop Fintan presented Benemerenti Medals to Carmel Drinan and Michael Galvin both from Ballinora Parish at 10am Mass in St. James Church.

Carmel has travelled to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimages Trust Group 126 for the past thirty years. She travelled as a volunteer carer with a group of children and more recently, as deputy group leader.

Michael Galvin has also given over 30 years of volunteering with the Irish Pilgrimages Trust. Indeed, Michael will be travelling as a volunteer carer for his thirty second time in Easter 2024.

Both Carmel and Michael are very involved in their parish and community in Ballinora.

Carmel Drinan and Family members with Bishop Fintan