Diocesan News
Bishop Fintan Gavin blessed candlesOn Sunday 2 February the Diocese of Cork and Ross marked a special occasion as religious women and men joined Bishop Fintan at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne to celebrate the Diocesan Jubilee of Consecrated Life
Members of religious communities, along with people from across the Diocese, also participated in the event virtually through the Cathedral’s livestream.
The jubilee year focuses on the theme of hope, a message central to the celebration. It was celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – the day when candles are blessed at Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the various forms of darkness that individuals may face in life - loneliness, grief, isolation, and a sense of loss of direction or meaning.
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
The Sycamore series provides a starting point for those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.There are over 50 young adults participating in two faith formation programmes in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
The ‘Foundations in Theology’ programme and the ‘Sycamore’ series got underway on Wednesday night at Mardyke House. The 10-week sessions run concurrently and are a collaboration between the Diocese of Cork and Ross, UCC Chaplaincy, and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project, designed for young adults aged 18-35.
Foundations in Theology is an introductory programme which explores the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Sycamore is a video-based formation series which provides an accessible and welcoming starting point for those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.
Both groups meet on Wednesday evenings from 5.45-8pm. The evening begins with pizza and fellowship, followed by separate sessions for each session to explore and discuss the fundamentals of our Christian faith. The night concludes with Compline together in the Presentation Brothers’ oratory at Mardyke House.
There is still time to sign up to the programme. For more information
Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste Chríost Rí, Turners Cross.
Bishop Fintan made a pastoral visit to Coláiste Chriost Rí, Turners Cross, Cork, on Tuesday January 28th
He was warmly greeted on arrival by school Principal Mr Padraig Mac an Rí and Deputy Principal Mr. Liam Shorten. Turners Cross Co-PP Fr. Noel O’Sullivan and Mick Sexton CEO of PBST (Trustees) were also present along with Maria Walk representing the Board of Management and Br. Patrick Fitzgibbon (Presentation Brother).
Bishop Fintan participated in a prayer liturgy with students and staff where he spoke about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis who is soon to be canonised as the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church by Pope Francis next April.
Following the liturgy Bishop Fintan was presented with an inscribed glass plaque to commemorate his visit before he was taken on a short tour of school facilities by the school principal Mr. Mac an Rí. During the tour Bishop Fintan visited some of the specialist facilities including the Autistic Unit where he greeted students before visiting the Coláiste Chriost Rí Rosary Club where he prayed with students and imparted his blessing.
The visit concluded with light refreshments where Bishop Fintan had an opportunity to meet with various members of the school staff and invited guests.
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.
