Youth Ministry

Discover how Alpha Youth can help your parish connect with young people.

We are using the Alpha Youth as a tool to connect with young people aged 12–17 in our parishes, giving them an opportunity to explore life’s big questions and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith in a welcoming and engaging environment.

If your parish/Family of Parishes is interested in exploring Alpha Youth as a way of engaging young people in your parish, we invite priests and potential youth leaders to attend one of our Information Sessions.

The sessions will introduce the programme and provide practical guidance on how Alpha Youth can be run in in your parish/Family of Parishes.

The sessions will take place on:

Monday 7th September – Mardyke House, Cork at 7pm.

Wednesday 9th September – Skibbereen Parish Room at 7.30pm.

For more information or to register your attendance, please contact Sheila Kelleher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We’re delighted to give you a sneak peek at our Maranatha 2027 set list!

Some of our talented young adults have been busy recording the backing tracks that students will be using to learn this year’s songs. We’re looking forward to hearing our students from post-primary schools across the diocese come together to perform them at Maranatha 2027.

Maranatha 2027 will take place on Thursday, 28th January 2027, in Cork City Hall.

If your school is interested in taking part this year, please get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Watch a sneak peek of the Maranatha 2027 set list

Watch the video

Last year, 53 young adults from the Diocese of Cork and Ross travelled to Rome to take part in the Jubilee of Youth.

It was an unforgettable week of faith, friendship, prayer, and celebration, as they joined thousands of young people from around the world in this special Jubilee event.

Watch some of the highlights from their pilgrimage as Stephen and Ella reminisce about their experience of the Jubilee of Youth.

Planning is now beginning for World Youth Day in South Korea 2027.If you are interested in joining this exciting pilgrimage, or would like to find out more, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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.

Young Adult Helpers play an important role in the pilgrimage, supporting pilgrims who need assistance, both in the hospital and by accompanying them to liturgies and other pilgrimage events. They also help with various aspects of the pilgrimage, including supporting and helping to animate the liturgies

This year’s pilgrimage takes place from Friday 18th - Wednesday 23rd September 2026.

If you're aged between 18-30 and interested in coming to Lourdes as a helper, contact Sheila at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 021 430 1717.

Young Adult Helpers in Lourdes last year

Fr Mike Schmitz with servers at the Mass.

A group of 50 young adults from the Diocese of Cork and Ross travelled by bus to Dublin to attend the Parables Tour with Fr Mike Schmitz at the National Stadium.

The evening began with Mass at St Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, where many members of the Cork and Ross group helped to animate the liturgy through music and serving. The Mass was organised by the Irish Bishops' Conference's Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal and was celebrated by Bishop Fintan who is Chair of the Council. 

In his homily, Fr Mike Schmitz encouraged those gathered not to overcomplicate the call to follow Christ, but instead to allow God to meet them where they are.

Click here to watch the promo video. Fifty young adults from the Diocese will travel to Dublin next Monday to attend the Parables Tour with Fr Mike Schmitz

Fifty young adults from the Diocese of Cork and Ross will travel to Dublin next Monday to attend the Parables Tour with Fr Mike Schmitz at the National Stadium on the South Circular Road.

They will join hundreds of young people from across Ireland for a special Mass in St Kevin's Church, Harrington Street. Bishop Fintan Gavin will be the principal celebrant, with Fr Mike Schmitz preaching. The liturgy will be led by young people from across Ireland through music, ministry and prayer.

Speaking ahead of the gathering, Bishop Fintan said, “Father Mike is a gifted communicator, and would already be known to many in Ireland for his popular podcast The Bible in a Year. This is a wonderful opportunity for people from across the island to come together, deepen their faith, and to hear the message of the Gospel presented in a novel, energetic and engaging style that speaks into our lives today.”

Watch the video

Beginning with Mass for the volunteers at 6pm, the evening continued with Eucharistic Adoration, soft music and candlelight, offering a space where people could step away from the noise and busyness of the city.

Throughout the night, young volunteers headed out onto the nearby streets, gently inviting passersby to come inside, even if only for a few moments. Many people responded to this simple invitation, lighting candles, sitting quietly in prayer or simply taking time to reflect.

Inside the church, a steady presence of prayer was maintained by volunteers who remained before the Blessed Sacrament, interceding for those who came through the doors.

Light Fever took place on Friday evening in St Augustine's Church, Washington Street