Diocesan News
Fr Bernard Cotter with The Under the Ambo Book
Fr Bernard Cotter, Co-PP of Aughadown, Castlehaven & Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen, has announced the publication of a new book, The Under the Ambo Book, a practical liturgical resource designed for Sundays and feast days in Year A of the Church’s calendar.
The title is inspired by a familiar and often overlooked space in many churches: the area beneath the ambo. Commonly used to store liturgical texts, prayer books, and everyday essentials, the space has become a shared and accessible resource for all who minister during worship. Fr Bernard hopes his new book will find a natural home there, readily available to anyone involved in leading or assisting at liturgical celebrations.
The Under the Ambo Book is intended for wide use, particularly by lay ministers, priests, deacons, and others who help to lead or preside at services. The book offers practical support for a variety of moments within the liturgy, including opening comments, introductions to penitential rites, brief summaries of Sunday readings, bidding prayers, and ideas for liturgy groups preparing weekly celebrations.
The book is published by Amazon and available on their website either in hardback, paperback or on Kindle versions
Bishop Fintan’s Christmas message has been seen in the 175 Catholic Primary Schools across the diocese today
All parishioners, families, communities and people throughout the diocese are warmly invited to watch the video message.
This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School. Baby Patrick also plays a special role in this year’s message.
In his message, Bishop Fintan reminds us that the Birth of Jesus is not merely an event of the past, but a living reality present in every home, parish, Family of Parishes, school, and community. He offers a message of encouragement and renewal as the Church concludes the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Watch the Video
This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School
On Tuesday 16th December at 12 noon, Bishop Fintan will share his Live Crib Christmas Message for the whole Diocese of Cork and Ross.
The message will be broadcast to the 175 Catholic Primary Schools across the diocese. All parishioners, families, communities, and people throughout the diocese are warmly invited to watch the video message.
This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School. Baby Patrick also plays a special role in this year’s message.
In his message, Bishop Fintan reminds us that the Birth of Jesus is not merely an event of the past, but a living reality present in every home, parish, Family of Parishes, school, and community. He offers a message of encouragement and renewal as the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope.
This broadcast will be available to view from Tuesday 16th December at 12 noon on the Cork and Ross Diocesan website and social media channels.
Listening for God’s promise of joy breaking into our world.
As we journey through the Third Week of Advent, we are invited to pause and attune our hearts to the quiet yet persistent joy God is bringing forth. Rooted in the Gospel readings of these days - from John the Baptist’s question and Jesus’ response on Gaudete Sunday, through calls to repentance and trust, and into the intimate beginnings of Jesus’ birth - the readings of Week 3 of Advent traces how God’s promise takes shape in human history. As we move closer to Christmas through the O Antiphons and the stories of Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth, we are invited to listen deeply, recognise signs of hope, and welcome the joy that breaks into our world often unexpectedly, yet always faithfully.
Our Lectio Divina resource for week 3 of Advent is now available to download here.
Waiting in Hope: Week 3 - Listening for God’s promise of joy breaking into our world
Our Lectio Divina resource for week 3 of Advent is now available to download
Pupils from 29 primary schools participated in the Confirmation retreats
Pupils from twenty-nine primary schools across the Diocese of Cork and Ross participated in Confirmation retreats over a two-week period in November.
The retreats were facilitated by the Mission Team of NET Ministries Ireland and coordinated by Mary Anne Collins, Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools. The retreats included short talks, drama, discussion in order to explore themes relevant to commitment and confirmation. This took place in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection with lots of fun.
The retreats were very well received. Pupils and teachers reported that they found the retreat days to be very enjoyable and beneficial in the children’s preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Many thanks to NET Ministries, principals, teachers and local clergy for their cooperation with this initiative.
