Youth Ministry

The Sycamore and Foundations in Theology programmes begin on Wednesday 24th September

The Diocese of Cork and Ross, in collaboration with UCC Chaplaincy and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project is offering two exciting programmes for young adults (18-35 years).

The Foundations in Theology and Sycamore programmes will be begin on Wednesday 24th September from 5.45-8pm in Mardyke House, Cork, T12 W8RP.

Both programmes will run concurrently over the next 10 weeks:

Foundations in Theology: This introductory programme explores the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Sessions will be presented by various expert speakers. 

Sycamore Formation Series: A welcoming and accessible starting point for young adults interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.

Bishop Fintan with Ella Smith, Aislinn Walsh and Anna Smith at the launch of Maranatha 2026.

Maranatha 2026 – our second annual celebration of music, faith, and young people in the Diocese of Cork and Ross – has officially been launched.

At the launch, teachers from post-primary schools across the diocese took part in a workshop on the music that will be part of the programme was presented.

A group of young adult singers from the Rome pilgrimage recorded the official Maranatha 2026 playlist, which is now available on Spotify (listen here: Maranatha Playlist on Spotify).

Some of these young adults attended the launch and gave teachers a taster of the songs at the workshop.

Maranatha 2026 will take place on Thursday, 26 February 2026, in Cork City Hall. Up to 500 students will gather for a full day of activities, including catechesis and music, all leading up to the concert that evening.

The Diocese recently met with priests and post-primary school teachers to share plans for the Alpha Youth programme, an initiative designed to support young people on their journey of faith by bringing schools and parishes together in partnership.

Alpha Youth is an experience that gives young people a space to have meaningful conversations about life, faith, and purpose.

Two information sessions were held—one in Mardyke House and another in Clonakilty Parish Centre—to explore how Alpha Youth can serve as a tool to engage young people, particularly those of post-Confirmation age, helping them to connect more deeply with faith and parish life.

After completing Alpha Youth, the young people will be invited to continue to meet in their own faith communities with the support of the parish youth leaders.

The information session at Mardyke House where priests and teachers explored how Alpha Youth can serve as a tool to engage young people.

Last weekend, altar servers from the parishes of Barryroe and Kilbrittain took part in the filming of new training videos for the Diocese.

The videos will act as a helpful resource for parents and adult volunteers, offering guidance on how to train and form altar servers within their own parishes.

The videos will be available shortly on our website and YouTube channel.

The Cork and Ross Jubilee of Youth Pilgrims met at Mardyke House for an evening of reflection, prayer, and community.

The group gathered to share and reflect on their experiences from the Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage and how it has helped them to grow in their faith. They looked at what faith practices they could introduce in their lives to keep it – such as daily prayer, mass, faith formation programmes and spiritual direction.

Lourdes Young Adult Helpers 2024

We have just a couple of spaces left for young adults on our Lourdes pilgrimage.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young adults to assist pilgrims in need, and deepen their faith by experiencing the unique spirituality of Lourdes.

For more information, contact Sheila at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 021 430 1717.

Cork and Ross Pilgrims return home spiritually enriched after Rome pilgrimage

The group of 53 young pilgrims from the Diocese of Cork and Ross have returned home inspired and uplifted after a powerful week-long pilgrimage to Rome, highlighted by an overnight vigil with Pope Leo and over a million young Catholics from around the world.

On Saturday, their journey began with a deeply moving celebration of Mass beneath the Chair of St Peter in St Peter’s Basilica. Some members of the group had the privilege of actively participating in the Mass; serving, reading, and singing in the choir.

In the afternoon, the group travelled to Tor Vergata, the site for the overnight vigil. There, they joined over a million young pilgrims from all across the world for an evening of prayer, music, joy, and celebration of our faith with Pope Leo. 

Young pilgrims in Rome spend day in reflection and prayer