Diocesan News
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 youthministry@corkandross.org
Con Hurley, Co-author; Fr. Kevin O'Regan, Co-PP, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Gerald O'Brien, Co-author; Michael Dwyer, Committee Chairperson
The history of Skibereen’s Cathedral is the story of its people, Bishop Fintan has said.
Bishop Fintan was speaking at the launch of a book which chronicles the church’s history over its 299 years.
“St Patrick’s Cathedral, Skibbereen 1826–2026: A History” was launched at a function in the West Cork Hotel. The large attendance included parishioners of Skibbereen and the surrounding parishes, current and former clergy of the parishes along with contributors to the book.”
Launching the book, Bishop Fintan said that while it talks about stone and stained glass, architecture and art, bishops and priests, its deepest story is really the story of people and of faith.
“For 200 years it has stood at the heart of this community. Generations have come through its doors to celebrate baptisms, first communions, confirmations and marriages. They have gathered Sunday after Sunday for Mass. They have come to pray in times of uncertainty and difficulty, to light a candle, to make the Stations of the Cross and to bring their hopes and worries before God. And they have gathered in the Cathedral in some of the most difficult moments of life to mourn and commend those they loved to God.”
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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 maranatha@corkandross.org.
Bishop Fintan Gavin with members of the Ukrainian Community in Cork. (Photos: Oren Gontmaher)
While many Ukrainians who have come to live in Cork since the war have made a home in Cork, Bishop Fintan says that for many their hearts remain at home in Ukraine.
Bishop Fintan was speaking during a sacred liturgy held by the Ukrainian community in Cork to mark Independence Day. Hundreds gathered in Fitzgerald’s Park in Cork for a day that was filled with celebration, prayer and cultural activities.
Bishop Fintan praised the Ukrainian people for their extraordinary courage and resilience.
“I have seen that courage here in Cork, too: in people beginning again in a new country, learning a new language, finding work, making a home, caring for children, building friendships and communities, while at the same time carrying deep concern for those left behind.”
The bishop’s central message to the hundreds of people of all ages who gathered is that they are not alone.
Many parish communities gather each year to mark the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15th. They meet at roadside grottos, at shrines, Mass rocks and holy wells.
This year saw the 75th annual Mass and devotions at the Holy Rosary Shrine on the Lee Road in Cork. Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal concelbrant.
In his homily, Bishop Fintan noted that many of those who gathered and prayed at the grotto in the early years have long since gone home to God.
“Others continued the tradition. Parents brought children; grandparents brought grandchildren. People have come quietly to pray the Rosary and to entrust their lives and the lives of those they loved to God through the intercession of Mary.”
One of the prayers at the Mass describes Mary as “a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people.”
“Perhaps we particularly need that hope today. The Church in Ireland and here in Cork and Ross is very different from the Church in which these devotions began 75 years ago. We are living through a time of great change, but also a time of new possibility. We cannot simply recreate the Church of the past, nor are we called to do so. We are called to discover how the Lord is asking us to live and share the Gospel today.”
Bishop Fintan Gavin withy concelebrating priests, L to R., Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap., Fr Aidan Vaughan OFm Cap, Fr Tijo John, Fr Ken Cooney SMA, Fr Frasad Rad, Fr Dermot Lynch OFM Cap, Fr Declan Mansfield and Fr. Sean O’Sullivan. . Photo: Tony O’Connell.