Bishop congratulates Ballincollig on its TidyTowns win

Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, has joined with local priests in congratulating Ballincollig on its historic first in the Supervalu TidyTowns Awards.

Ballincollig has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Town and overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Bishop Gavin joins with Fr. Alan O’Leary, Co-PP, Ballincollig, and Moderator of the Family of Parishes which includes Ballincollig, Ballinora and Ovens, and the other priests in sending best wishes to Tom Butler, Chairman of Ballincollig TidyTowns Committee and the many volunteers who have reaped the rewards of consistent dedication and community spirit.

“This only comes about,” Bishop Fintan said, “because so many people have put their community and their place first. I congratulate everyone involved in putting Ballincollig deservedly on the list of towns with pride in their places”.

At Masses in the diocese to celebrate the visits of the relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes, Bishop Fintan Gavin quoted lines from the saint...

“Through Bernadette, we hear and hope again that no matter what ‘if your dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces … never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again. That’s the beauty of being alive … we can always start all over again’.”

Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork and at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty, where both churches were filled to overflowing.

“Make no mistake about it,” Bishop Fintan said, “this place, this night, is filled with the transforming power of the presence of God.”

The first ever visit to our diocese of the relics of the French saint was witnessed by thousands of people who took time to visit and pray near the relics

Bishop Fintan’s Pastoral Visit to Regina Mundi College Cork

On Wednesday October 23^rd Bishop Fintan made a Pastoral Visit to Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork.

The Bishop received a warm welcome from Principal Ms. Yvonne Lucey, Deputy Principal Mr. Paul Finn and Head Girl Ella Delamere Cooney and Deputy Head Girl Kate Russell, along with Ms. Corrigan representing the school Management.

During the visit, Bishop Fintan took part in a liturgical celebration with students and staff and encouraged them to build a personal relationship with Jesus. He emphasised the importance of community, faith and education and provided some insights into the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis as a model of how young people can develop their own inner life of faith.

Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Rosscarbery and Lisavaird Parish - one of the parishes in the Clonakilty Family of Parishes.

The Bishop celebrated Mass at Rosscarbery and Lisavaird last weekend and met parishioners after each of the Masses.

Bishop Fintan expressed his delight at being able to visit the parish. He spoke about the recent Pastoral Letter –“Even the Winds and the Seas obey him” which the Bishop launched at the recent Gougane Barra Pilgrimage Mass on Sunday October 6^th last.

Bishop Fintan emphasised the importance of the future of the Church in Cork & Ross, making reference to his Pastoral Letter. He informed the people that in a short number of years the number of priests under 60 years of age will be very few.

Children from two schools sang at the Masses

Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed school principals, teachers, chairpersons and members of Boards of Management and parent representatives across the 174 catholic schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross to two Masses for the opening of the school year.

They were celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty, on Monday 14^th October and in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on Tuesday 15^th October. 

Ireland's Catholic Bishops’ issue pastoral letter on immigration: A Hundred Thousand Welcomes?

The Irish bishops’ have launched a new pastoral letter A Hundred Thousand Welcomes? and Bishop Fintan invites all people to read it and reflect on it.

The theme of A Hundred Thousand Welcomes? is about people welcoming the migrant in contemporary Ireland as modelled by the parable of the Good Samaritan.  

The pastoral letter encourages people to welcome the migrant and to reject voices that attempt to sow division and also calls on State authorities to provide more services at a community level.

In the video clip, Bishop Donal Roche introduces the pastoral letter.

There is a short version of the pastoral letter as well as the expanded text at this link:

Bishops' Pastoral on Migration

Post Primary Religion Teachers meet for In-service gathering

The annual Cork and Ross Post Primary RE Teachers In-service gathering was held at Innishannon House Hotel on Thursday September 26^th. 

Sixty Religious Education Teachers and School Chaplains representing 33 Post Primary schools from across the Diocese participated. 

They were joined by Bishop Fintan Gavin for the duration of the event.

Morning Prayer was provided by teachers Anne Marie Nolan, Matthew Sweeney and Collette O’Donovan from Coláiste Éamann Rís in Cork City.

Presentations were given by Nodlaig Lillis from the Youth and Adult Ministry Office in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore who facilitated a very productive session on “Resources for Junior and Senior Cycle Religious Education”.  After morning break Brother Richard Hendrick O.F. M. Cap. engaged delegates in a very insightful and thought-provoking presentation on “ The Challenge and Promise of Religious Education in Ireland today”.

Ever thought about opening your mind and spirit to explore theology in the company of other young adults?

Through the success of ‘Sycamore’, the diocese and partners are launching a brand new 10-week introductory programme exploring the fundamentals of our Christian faith, called ‘Foundations in Theology’

This 10-week introductory course/programme is designed for young adults aged 18-35 years presented by various experts in the area. It will run concurrently to the ‘Sycamore’ programme on a Wednesday evening in Mardyke House, Cork, T12 W8RP.

It will begin on Wednesday 2 October 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and will run for 10 consecutive weeks.

Sign Up Here for Foundations in Theology

To sign up to either course, or for more information, email Sheila at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For young people who are searching, seeking meaning, wondering about God and the place of the Divine in one’s life.

‘Sycamore’ may be the answer! It’s a formation series, which will take place in Mardyke House, Cork, T12 W8RP. It will begin on Wednesday 2 October 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and will run for 10 consecutive weeks. 

It’s not a study course. It’s based on watching videos and then discussing and exploring their content with a group of other young adults.

This programme is a great starting point for young adults who want to explore the Catholic faith. This project is in collaboration with UCC Chaplaincy and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project – but you don’t have to be a student!

Find out more email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sign Up for Sycamore 2024

You can find out more about Sycamore
in this  video by Fr. Wang, its main presenter