I hope that whatever you are seeking you may find some steps here that will lead you to know the God of Love in your life. You are welcome to walk with us on our social media channels, too.
CONNECT 5, an event for young adults aged between 18 and 35 years, will take place in UCC on Sunday November 17th 2024 from 9.30am to 4pm.
Previous CONNECT events have been very successful in bringing young adults together to celebrate their faith and to find support and nourishment for their faith journey today. It also reaches out to those who are searching and not sure.
We are very excited to announce that our guest speakers for CONNECT 5 are Fr Columba Jordan CFR and Katie Ascough, who are both from Ireland. They both work for the Catholic online platform Called to More
Katie Ascough is the founder of this platform and Fr. Columba Jordan, a Friar with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, is the host. This platform is very popular and has a huge following among young people online. They will be joining us on the day to speak on this year’s Connect theme which is “In a troubled world, Dare to Hope”.
As well as presentations and sharing the day will include Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for Confession. There is a registration fee of €10, which includes lunch on the day.
Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, has joined with local priests in congratulating Ballincollig on its historic first in the Supervalu TidyTowns Awards.
Ballincollig has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Town and overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.
Bishop Gavin joins with Fr. Alan O’Leary, Co-PP, Ballincollig, and Moderator of the Family of Parishes which includes Ballincollig, Ballinora and Ovens, and the other priests in sending best wishes to Tom Butler, Chairman of Ballincollig TidyTowns Committee and the many volunteers who have reaped the rewards of consistent dedication and community spirit.
“This only comes about,” Bishop Fintan said, “because so many people have put their community and their place first. I congratulate everyone involved in putting Ballincollig deservedly on the list of towns with pride in their places”.
“Through Bernadette, we hear and hope again that no matter what ‘if your dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces … never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again. That’s the beauty of being alive … we can always start all over again’.”
Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork and at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty, where both churches were filled to overflowing.
“Make no mistake about it,” Bishop Fintan said, “this place, this night, is filled with the transforming power of the presence of God.”
The first ever visit to our diocese of the relics of the French saint was witnessed by thousands of people who took time to visit and pray near the relics
On Wednesday October 23rd Bishop Fintan made a Pastoral Visit to Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork.
The Bishop received a warm welcome from Principal Ms. Yvonne Lucey, Deputy Principal Mr. Paul Finn and Head Girl Ella Delamere Cooney and Deputy Head Girl Kate Russell, along with Ms. Corrigan representing the school Management.
During the visit, Bishop Fintan took part in a liturgical celebration with students and staff and encouraged them to build a personal relationship with Jesus. He emphasised the importance of community, faith and education and provided some insights into the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis as a model of how young people can develop their own inner life of faith.
The Bishop celebrated Mass at Rosscarbery and Lisavaird last weekend and met parishioners after each of the Masses.
Bishop Fintan expressed his delight at being able to visit the parish. He spoke about the recent Pastoral Letter –“Even the Winds and the Seas obey him” which the Bishop launched at the recent Gougane Barra Pilgrimage Mass on Sunday October 6th last.
Bishop Fintan emphasised the importance of the future of the Church in Cork & Ross, making reference to his Pastoral Letter. He informed the people that in a short number of years the number of priests under 60 years of age will be very few.
Bishop Fintan has announced arrangements for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in parishes for 2025. These arrangements have been made available to parishes and schools involved.
In announcing these arrangements, Bishop Fintan added that he hopes to visit a significant number of parishes himself for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation next year as well as delegating some retired bishops, the Vicars General and a number of other priests when more than one parish is celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on the same day.