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Recently Bishop Fintan visited Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School in Ballincollig.
He was warmly welcomed by the pupils, staff, school principal Ms Aisling Power, Board of Management Chairperson Mr Harold Brooks , Fr Alan O’ Leary Co-PP and parent representatives.
He joined in a beautiful prayer assembly where pupils sang wonderfully. He then answered pupil questions in a Q&A session in which pupils enquired about many things and Bishop Fintan shared stories of his life and work.
Over 4,500 people braved the inclement weather to take to the streets of Cork city on Sunday for the 98th annual Eucharistic Procession
Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin carried the Blessed Sacrament in the Procession from the North Cathedral to St Patrick’s Steet to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi.
All ages were represented in the crowds along the route and at Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church where Bishop Gavin preached the homily and imparted Benediction.
Families and individuals from Brazilian, Polish, Indian and Ukrainian communities also participated in the event alongside the Butter Exchange Band and a choir drawn from church choirs across the city.

Also in photo is Mr. Kieran Kelly, School Principal, Fr. John Walsh Co-PP and Ms. Susan O'Hanrahan, Diocesan Co-Ordinator for Faith Formation in Primary schools
Recently Bishop Fintan visited both Togher Parish Primary Schools, Togher Boys National School and Scoil An Athar Maitiú Girls School
He was warmly received in both schools where he met pupils in 2nd – 6th Classes as part of a Prayer Assembly in the school hall followed by an opportunity to answer pupil questions. He then moved around the school to meet junior classes and special classes in their classrooms. He also had the opportunity to meet staff members socially for refreshments in the school staff rooms.
In the course of his pastoral visit he also met Board of Management members and Parents Association representatives in both schools.
Bishop Fintan looks forward to visiting more primary school communities before the summer and in the autumn.
There are 175 primary schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the patronage of the Bishop.
Bishop Fintan has written to school principals, Confirmation teachers and school staffs to thank them for their support and involvement in arranging the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in parishes.
A series of diocesan workshops took place in January to support schools and parishes in preparation for the celebration of the Sacrament in parishes from early February – early May this year. These workshops were very well attended and introduced some new innovations that enhanced the celebration of the Sacrament.
Overall, Bishop Fintan complimented the simplicity of liturgies giving a sense of reverence and enhancing the overall experience for the candidates, their families, schools and parishes.
Further diocesan workshops are planned for the early autumn in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation in parishes next year.
CONNECT Summer BBQ for young adults aged between 18 and 35 years
This will take place on:
Thursday 6 June
at 7pm
in Mardyke House
It is a wonderful opportunity to meet other young people from across the Diocese of Cork and Ross. The evening will include food, fellowship, music and much more. There is a nominal fee of €8.
Please do spread the word
Post-primary students were presented with awards which commemorate the life of a pope and acknowledges their faith and service in their parishes.
Students from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, had engaged in a host of faith-based activities and a range of social awareness activities within the parishes of Barryroe, Timoleague & Clonakilty.
They were presented with their Pope John Paul II awards by Bishop Fintan Gavin at Mass in Clonakilty on Sunday May 12th 2024.
The recipients were Sinead Walsh (Timoleague Parish), Ciara Collins (Clonakilty Parish), Lauren Eady (Clonakilty Parish), Saoirse Whelton (Barryroe Parish, (Caoimhe Ní Bhuachalla (Barryroe Parish), Sara O’Sullivan (Clonakilty Parish) and Sinead Crowley (Clonakilty Parish).
Students from Coláiste Éamann Rís in Cork were also presented with their Pope John Paul II Awards by Bishop Fintan on Saturday last, May 11th in St. Finbarr’s South Parish, Cork.
The photo includes Ms. Anne Marie Nolan, their Awards Mentor, and Fr. Kevin O'Regan, Co-PP..
The six students in the photograph are: Matthew Keder, Beatriz Amieiro, Laura Pason, Michaela Madankova, Katie O’Leary Luke Aibangbee. Two presentations in adstentia were to Conor Mc Carthy & Antonio Garcia-Cervigon Moreno.

Bishop Fintan at Mass to begin 24-hour adoration
Bishop Fintan was the principal celebrant at Mass on Friday, May 10th, in Saints Peter and Paul's Church, to officially launch perpetual Eucharistic Adoration 24/7 in the heart of Cork City.
To enable this to happen over 500 people have made a commitment to pray for one hour each week. Hundreds of those turned up for the special Mass.
The adoration will happen during the day from 8am in the morning until 8pm in Saints Peter and Paul's Church (just off Patrick's Street) and then it will continue during the night at the Dominican Church, St Mary's on Pope's Quay.
Bishop Fintan Gavin has welcomed the recent decision of the Minister for Education to officially sanction two new primary schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross
Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra will open in Bantry Parish following the amalgamation of Our Lady of Mercy National School and St. Finbarr’s Boys National School in the town. The new co-educational primary school will be located in the existing school buildings.
Bandon Primary School will open in Bandon Parish following the amalgamation of Presentation Convent Girls National School and Scoil Phádraig Naofa BNS. This new co-educational school will be located in the current adjoining school buildings.

The death has occurred of Canon Michael Riordan in Cork University Hospital, on 6th May 2024.
Canon Michael, a native of Kilmichael Parish, was ordained to the Priesthood on 23rd May 1959 in the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, and began his ministry on temporary mission in the Archdiocese of Calabar, Nigeria for two years. On returning to the diocese, he ministered as Assistant Curate in Ballingeary, Curate in Muintir Bháire and Passage West.
He then served in the Cork and Ross South American Mission in El Porvenir, Trujillo, Peru, from 1965 – 1971. On his return home, he ministered as Curate in Watergrasshill, Carrigaline and St. Patrick’s Parish.
Canon Michael returned to Peru to again serve with the Cork and Ross South American Mission in La Esperenza, Trujillo, from 1985 – 1991.
He then ministered as Parish Priest in Togher Parish from 1991 – 2011.
May he rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served.
The 98th Cork City Eucharistic Procession to mark the feast of Corpus Christi will take place on Sunday May 26th and details have been announced by the diocese.
The procession will leave the North Cathedral at 3pm and make its way through the city to Saints Peter and Paul's where there will be a short liturgy and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Parish groups are encouraged to gather at the Cathedral and to process together under their parish banner. For those who may have mobility issues, you will be able to join the procession at the river side of the Opera House under a Eucharistic Banner. The Stewards will facilitate and direct this group to join the Procession.
The news media reported that over 4,000 people processed in 2023, and it is wonderful to see that the Eucharistic Procession continues to unite people of faith across Cork from many different communities and backgrounds.
The procession which will celebrate 100 years in 2026, is a great public witness to our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. People from Parishes throughout the Diocese and especially those around the city are strongly encouraged to join us for this important event for our city and our people of faith united around the Eucharist.
Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork and Bishop Fintan Gavin. at the launch of the 98th Cork Eucharistic Procession. (Pic. Brian Lougheed)
Latest News
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July 2025
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June 2025
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May 2025
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April 2025
- Preparations are underway to celebrate 99 years since the first Corpus Christi Procession
- Mass offered in Cork's Cathedral for Pope Francis
- Pope Francis will be remembered at Solemn Mass at Cork's North Cathedral on Friday eve
- Bishop Fintan invites people to remember Pope Francis with gratitude and in prayer
- Cork’s North Cathedral filled for Holy Thursday Mass
- Sacred days begin with Mass of Chrism on Holy Thursday, Apr 17th.
- Corpus Christi Procession 2025
- Family of Parishes choirs join in workshop on liturgical music
- The Lord Mayor of Cork visits Bishop Fintan Gavin
- 14 days of Lent to go!