Youth Ministry

40 young adults from Cork and Ross joined hundreds of other young adults from around the country in Knock for a day of events to mark the Jubilee Year of Hope.

The Dare to Hope event, hosted by the Irish Bishops’ Conference in collaboration with Knock Shrine, brought together young people for a day of prayer, participation and possibilities.

The day included a keynote address by Fr Conor McDonough O.P., engaging workshops, a panel discussion, and the official launch and blessing of the new Youth Village at Knock. The evening concluded with Mass in the Parish Church, celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin.

Young adults preparing for this summer’s Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage to Rome gathered once again at Mardyke House in Cork City for an evening of fellowship and formation.

This second meeting brought the group deeper into connection and gave an introduction to Lectio Divina as a prayer tool, as the pilgrims continue to prepare for the pilgrimage ahead.

Last weekend 150 young people gathered in St Mary and St. Anne’s Cathedral for Connect 6 and heard Sr. Mary Grace

Sr Mary Grace delivered an uplifting and inspiring keynote talk entitled Hope Does Not Disappoint.  

Sr. Mary Grace grew up on the shores of Sydney, Australia, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame Australia with a degree in Theology. She is a member of Sisters for Life in Denver, Colorado, USA.

The talk was recorded so we are delighted to share it with you. Please pass the link along to friends and family who may be interested in watching.

Last Saturday a large crowd of young adults gathered in Cork for CONNECT6 at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne

The theme of the event was "hope does not disappoint." This is the sixth CONNECT event that the Diocese of Cork and Ross has organised to support and bring together young adults from across the Diocese.
Sr Mary Grace SV, originally from Australia, travelled from the USA with three other Sisters of Life to speak about how Christian Hope does not disappoint.

Sr Mary Grace encouraged the young adults to trust that God is so much more invested in our own happiness than we are. "Jesus is the fulfilment of every human heart... and what he is about is you becoming you," she continued.

Sr Mary Grace to speak in Cork

Watch Sr Mary Grace's greeting video

Four Days to Go!

Religious Sister who is an international speaker at faith events will speak to young people in Cork.

Sr Mary Grace will speak on hope at CONNECT6 event in Cork

Saturday 10 May - 2:00pm

Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork

Sr Mary Grace, originally from Australia, is a highly sought-after speaker at youth conferences attended by thousands, and a prominent figure on YouTube.

The day will feature insightful presentations and sharing, Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the opportunity for Confession.

There is a registration fee of €10, which includes pizza.

Register for this event

Watch a video about CONNECT6

The Diocese of Cork and Ross was delighted to host the highly successful Maranatha 2025 event, held in a packed City Hall this March.

Students from over 20 post-primary schools across the Diocese took part in what marked the first of an annual celebration of music, faith and community.

Maranatha was created to bring young people together to celebrate faith and identity through music and have fun at the same time, offering a full day of activities and connection before culminating in the evening concert.

The energy and enthusiasm of the students made the inaugural event a memorable occasion — and plans are already in place for its return on Thursday, 26th February 2026.

The audience in a packed Cork City Hall were on their feet in praise of the almost 500 young people who keep them entertained and inspired at the first ever Maranatha concert

Students from more than 20 schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross  participated in Maranatha 2025 at Cork City Hall last night.

The concert is the first for the Diocese of what will become an annual music and faith-based day for post-primary school students across the city and county.

The event was created to bring young people together to celebrate faith and identity through music and have fun at the same time with students gathering for a full day of activities before the Maranatha 2025 concert in the evening.

An engaging workshop took place in the morning that touched on the fundamentals of faith and how they are loved by God. A full musical rehearsal followed in City Hall in the afternoon before the evening concert which was open to the general public.