Youth Ministry

Watch our promotion video here

Please join us for Maranatha on Thursday 26th February in Cork City Hall.

Maranatha is a high-energy, faith-based concert that celebrates young people, joy, belonging, and faith.

Young people from parishes across the diocese attending post-primary schools have been preparing for Maranatha 2026.

The full day event cumulates in a concert in Cork City Hall on Thursday 26th February with over 500 young people singing together.

Maranatha was created to bring young people together to celebrate their faith through music and have fun at the same time.

The Diocese of Cork and Ross, in collaboration with UCC Chaplaincy and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project, is delighted to offer a new Formation in Faith programme for young adults (18–35 years).

‘Formation in Faith’ begins on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. The programme will run for 9 weeks from 5.45–8.00pm in Mardyke House, Cork (T12 W8RP).

Participants can choose between two concurrent pathways:

• Sycamore Formation Series: A video-based programme with guided group discussion on Catholic formation.
• Foundations in Theology: A lecture-based introduction to Catholic theology.

Each session begins with food and refreshments, and provide participants with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion.

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

More than 120 young people gathered for Connect 7, which focused on the theme “Finding Purpose - God’s Plan for My Life.”

Lorraine Buckley and Fr Conor McGrath were the keynote speakers at Connect 7, which saw over 120 young people gather in St Mary and St Anne’s Cathedral, Cork.

The theme for this Connect gathering was, “Finding Purpose - God’s Plan for My Life”, which centered around what God is inviting us to do with our lives, whether married, a priest, a religious or single.

Both speakers offered insights and personal reflections on discerning God’s call and finding meaning in one’s life.

The full keynote talk from Connect 7 is now available to watch on the Cork and Ross YouTube channel.

Watch Lorraine Buckley and Fr Conor McGrath's key note talk here

Despite the wet Sunday evening, Ss. Peter and Paul’s Church in Cork City Centre was filled for a special Mass animated by young people.

Hosted by the City Centre Family of Parishes, the young adults took charge of every ministry for the celebration, including welcoming, singing, serving, and reading, while also organizing the hospitality that followed after Mass.

Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant of the first Mass, joined by Fr Marius O’Reilly from the Family of Parishes, and Fr Laurence from Holy Trinity Church.

The Young Adult Mass will now take place on the second Sunday of each month — with the next celebration on Sunday, 14th December.

The Young Adult Mass will now take place on the second Sunday of each month in Ss Peter and Paul's Church at 7pm

The Youth Ministry Special Collection will be taken up this weekend (November 8th and 9th) in all parishes across the diocese.

The Youth Ministry Special Collection will be taken up this weekend (November 8th and 9th) in all parishes across the diocese.

It is important for us to support and encourage our young people in every way we can and encourage them to take part in their local Parish. This collection directly supports the work of Sheila Kelleher, our Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, and the many volunteers dedicated to nurturing faith among our youth.

Over the past year, new initiatives have taken root, including Altar Server Workshops, Alpha Youth (fostering collaboration between schools and parishes), Maranatha (a faith-based high-energy music event for Post-Primary school students), the continuation of the Sycamore & Foundations in Theology programmes, Lourdes pilgrimage, the Jubilee of Youth and Connect (for young adults).

Light Fever is an initiative where churches open their doors at night for Eucharistic adoration, candlelight, and gentle music.

300 people stepped into St Augustine’s Church on Washington Street during Light Fever, a special evening of prayer, music, and reflection held on All Hallows’ Eve.

Light Fever is an initiative where churches open their doors at night for Eucharistic adoration, candlelight, and gentle music. Young volunteers invite passersby to come inside, light a candle, and take a moment for prayer — with the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The evening began with Mass for the volunteers, followed by Eucharistic adoration. While some participants prayed quietly in the church, others went out in pairs to invite people from the streets of Cork to step away from the masks, noise, and bustle, and into the peace and warmth of Christ’s presence.

Parishioners from across the diocese gathered over two evenings for a workshop aimed at renewing and strengthening the Altar Server Ministry in local parishes.

The sessions, held in Clonakilty Parish Centre and in Frankfield & Grange Parish Centre, brought together priests, parents, and parish youth leaders who share a commitment to helping young people take an active role in parish life through altar serving.

The workshops introduced a new approach to altar server formation, empowering parents and youth leaders to take a more active role in training and supporting young servers within their own parishes.

Altar Server Workshop attendees in Clonakilty Parish Centre

Over 120 young adults gathered for Connect 7

Last Saturday, over 120 young adults gathered at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne in Cork for CONNECT 7, an event organised by the Diocese of Cork and Ross

CONNECT has become a much-anticipated occasion for young adults across the diocese to come together, combining faith, friendship and fun.

The theme for this Connect gathering was, “Finding Purpose - God’s Plan for My Life”, which centred around what God is inviting us to do with our lives, whether married, a priest, a religious or single.

Lorraine Buckley, Faith Development Coordinator with the Diocese of Cork and Ross, and Fr Conor McGrath, Vocations Director with the Diocese of Down and Connor, were the keynote speakers. Both offered insights and personal reflections on discerning God’s call and finding meaning in one’s life.