News and Announcements from the Harbour Parishes
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Following the announcement by the Holy See that Pope Francis has ‘returned to the House of the Lord’, Bishop Fintan Gavin invites the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross to unite in prayer to God at this time.
“I invite the parishioners, priests, deacons and religious of our diocese to join as one with the faithful across the globe as we commend Pope Francis to the Lord. We give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of Pope Francis as shepherd of the people of God and we thank God for his selfless service and dedication to the end of his earthly life. We remember Pope Francis as one who challenged us to reach out to those on the margins and to bring God’s mercy to all those we encounter. We pray together that Pope Francis’ call to all of us to make this Jubilee Year a Year of Hope may be fulfilled.
In what was to be his last pastoral message to the faithful on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis said:
‘All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.’
We pray together now that Pope Francis prayer will be answered and that his soul may be in eternal peace with God.“
An online Book of Condolences has been opened by the Irish Bishops' Conference and people are invited to submit their messages of sympathy here.
There will be a special walking Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to seven Cork City Churches on Holy Thursday Evening 17 April led by Bishop Fintan
This will begin after the 7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper in The Cathedral with a brief period of adoration at the altar of repose.
The pilgrim walk will then proceed to St Mary's on Pope’s Quay, Holy Trinity on Fr. Mathew Quay, St. Finbarr’s South on Dunbar St., St Augustine's on Washington Street, St Francis Church on Liberty Street and on to Ss Peter and Paul's. The pilgrimage will finish with Night Prayer at 10pm.
People are also welcome to make their own pilgrimage starting at any of the churches on the pilgrim route.
This is a special way to mark the Jubilee year and as part of this there will be a plenary indulgence granted to those who participate in the Night Prayer in Ss Peter and Paul's at 10pm, whilst meeting the necessary conditions.
These are that a person go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, perform an act of charity and pray for the Pope’s intentions. The indulgence can be applied to the souls in Purgatory.
The Diocese of has announced plans to bring a group of young adults to Rome to join with young people from across the world in this Jubilee Year
During the launch, youth leaders Fr. Marius O’Reilly, Fr. Ronan Sheehan, Sheila Kelleher, and Mary-Claire Scanlon shared insights on the significance of a Jubilee Year, the logistics of the pilgrimage, and fundraising plans.
Sarah Ryan-Purcell, who travelled to World Youth Day in 2023, also gave a personal testimony about her experience as a pilgrim at that event.
Spaces are limited and filling up fast; for more details and to book in, contact Sheila at
Diocesan Time of Prayer and Discernment
Meetings took place in Carrigaline during February
There was indeed a very good attendance from the Family of Parishes of Carrigaline as Parishioners and priests met together for three evenings in February.
In the light of prayer and reflection many important aspects of faith, worship, the sacraments, community and more were discussed. This was carried out with intent, great purpose and energy.
We recognised challenges going forward where there will indeed be a need for great collaboration as a faith community.
Notes, ideas, reflections from all the Family of Parishes will be collated and then there will be a response from Bishop Fintan and the Diocese which is expected to be completed in the Autumn.
Have you seen the new Useful Links page?
There's a new page on the Harbour Parishes website called Links.
Positioned on the sub-menu of the Homepage the Links button offers useful connections to relevant external websites including resources for prayer and reflection.
The Diocese of Cork and Ross is excited to announce CONNECT 6, an event for young adults aged between 18-35 years, will take place on
Saturday 10 May 2025
from 2:00pm to 7:00pm
at the
Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne
We are very excited to announce that the Sisters of Life will be joining us for CONNECT 6, which will focus on the theme ‘Hope does not Disappoint’.
Our keynote speaker is Sr. Mary Grace, originally from Australia, 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.
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A Lenten talk by Martina Lehane Sheehan
Wednesday 19 March
at 7:30pm
Church of Our Lady and St. John, Carrigaline
Explore how to slow down, and savour God's healing presence, even when the world spins around us. Unlock the keys to serenity, simplicity and surrender.
Martina is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator and psychotherapist with over 30 years experience. She is author of seven published books, all on themes of interweaving Christian Spirituality with psychological awareness.
All are welcome
Martina Lehane Sheehan
The audience in Cork City Hall were on their feet in praise of the almost 500 young people who inspired them at the first ever Maranatha event
Students from more than 20 schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross participated in Maranatha 2025 at Cork City Hall on Thursday 6 March.
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 event 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.

Cork and Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024
Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025 will be in September and booking is open now
The Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes this year will take place from Friday 19th September to Wednesday 24th September under the patronage of Bishop Fintan Gavin.
The flights are from Cork to Lourdes. There is a choice of hotels from €939 pps and there will be a full Pilgrimage Programme.
Bookings are now open with Joe Walsh Tours on (01) 2410 800 for anyone wishing to travel as a pilgrim.
Volunteers are also required: Doctors, Nurses, Care Assistants and Helpers (Adults and Young Adults aged between 18-25 years).
For general enquiries about the pilgrimage contact (085) 2525 040 or email
Learn more about the Pilgrimage to Lourdes at
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