Youth Ministry
Sheila KelleherCoordinator of Youth Ministry and Digital Communications
Sheila Kelleher
Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Digital Communications
Tel (021) 430 1717
Email:
Sheila is based at the Diocesan Offices in Redemption Road. She is from Clontead Parish and in recent years has worked with the Chaplaincy at UCC.
Youth Ministry is about supporting the outreach of families of parishes, colleges, and schools and “wherever two or three” young people gather, to bring the message of Christ to them in new ways.
Sheila is happy to work alongside those who are already involved in programmes for young people as well as helping those who wish to take first steps in this essential part of our mission.
Connect 6 Attendees at the Cathedral of St. Mary & St. Anne, CorkLast 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.
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.
Maranatha, the first annual faith-based high energy music for Post-Primary Schools in the Diocese of Cork & Ross. Pic: Brian Lougheed
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.
A group of fifty young people will travel to Rome with Bishop Fintan at the end of July to join hundreds and thousands of other young people from around the world for the Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage
The group gathered in Mardyke House for the first of several preparation and formation sessions. There was a palpable sense of excitement and energy as they explored the difference between holiday and pilgrimage, and learned about the significance of a Jubilee year, which happens every 25 years.
The Jubilee of Youth offers our young people an opportunity for our young people to deepen their faith, meet the Pope and join with young people of faith from all over the world.
There is a small number of places still open - if you know a young person in your parish, please contact Sheila Kelleher at
Gathering at Mardyke HouseThe 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.
Bishop Fintan on stage at Cork City Hall with the Maranatha choirYoung people, faith, happiness, music, song, learning from others, shared joy!
Some of the ingredients of this amazing event - the first of its kind in Cork.
Young people from parishes across the diocese attending Post-Primary Schools are rehearsing for a very exciting high-energy event on March 6th in Cork City Hall. The first part of the day provides time for young people to engage with one another about faith and life.
The day culminates in a concert of high energy faith-based music in City Hall, which will be filled with sound, light and music.
People of all ages are invited to support our young people and join us from parishes and schools throughout the Diocese on Thursday March 6th in Cork City Hall for what is shaping up to be a joy filled and wonderful celebration of our faith and young people.
Tickets are €15 at this link:
Maranatha -- an event to sing at, enjoy and boost faith
Bishop Fintan Gavin will lead a group of 50 young people (18 to 30 years) to Rome this summer.
Mark your diary from the 28th July to the 4th August for the Jubilee of Youth Pilgrimage! It is a once in a life-time opportunity for young people to not only meet the Pope and to experience the Eternal City, but also to be encouraged and inspired as they meet other young people of faith from all continents.
Hundreds of thousands of young people are expected to travel and to experience this Jubilee Celebration, which only happens every 25 years in the Church. The pilgrimage will cost €550 per person (plus fundraising) and will include seven nights half board at the Irish College, travel insurance, a 20kg bag, and a pilgrim kit.
Coome to the launch evening and learn more on Thursday 6th February at 7.30pm in Mardyke House, Cork (T12 W8RP).
Parishes are encouraged to promote this opportunity and support young pilgrims in their preparations for this extraordinary experience of the universal Church.
For more information, you can contact Sheila Kelleher at
or call 021 430 1717.
Young adults invited to travel to Rome for Holy Year pilgrimage
Br. Martin Kenneally led the group discussion and planning
The CONNECT coordinating group gathered on Sunday for an afternoon of reflection and prayer at Mardyke House
Lead by Br. Martin Kenneally, the group took time to pray and discern as they plan for future CONNECT events.
CONNECT events are organised in the diocese to support the faith lifeof young adults and often feature key-note speakers as well time for prayer and Mass.
This time of spiritual reflection allowed the group to pause and ensure our upcoming events align with the Holy Spirit's guidance for the young people in our Diocese.
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