Diocesan News
Some of the Youth Ministry initiatives happening in the Diocese
The Youth Ministry Special Collection will be taken up this weekend (November 14th and 15th) in all parishes across the diocese.
It is important for us to support and encourage our young people in every way we can so that they can participate and enrich our local Parish. This collection directly supports the work of Sheila Kelleher, our Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, and the many volunteers dedicated to nurturing faith among our youth.
There has been much positive work taking place across the Diocese, including:
- Alpha Youth, helping young people explore life's big questions and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
- Maranatha, bringing post-primary students together through music, faith and celebration.
Altar Server Formation, encouraging and supporting young people in their participation in the liturgy and parish life. - Faith Formation for Young Adults, through the Sycamore and Foundations in Theology programmes every Wednesday night.
- CONNECT and other youth gatherings, providing opportunities for young people to come together in prayer, reflection, friendship and faith.
- Pilgrimage opportunities, including Lourdes youth helpers and preparations for World Youth Day Seoul 2027.
- Mass Animated by Young Adults, which takes place on the second Sunday of each month at 7pm in Ss Peter and Paul’s Church, Cork City. Young adults animate the Mass through welcome, serving, reading, music and hospitality.
During the COVID pandemic Barryroe parishioner Denis O'Regan composed a new setting of the liturgy of the Mass
Thanks to the help of Bishop Fintan the liturgical text in this setting of the Mass was recently approved by the Advisory Committee on Church Music on behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference in August 2026.
The first workshop for the Gentle Mass took place at Barryroe National School on Sunday 8 November 2026
Over 50 singers attended a two-hour practical workshop on the Sunday afternoon. They came from six church choirs plus a good number from no church choir.
After some vocal warm ups the composer Denis O'Regan taught participants the most commonly used parts of the sung liturgy. Fr Anthony O'Mahony has invited all the participants to sing this setting at Mass at Barryroe Church on Saturday 14 November at 9:30am.
The next workshop will be announced soon. If you would like to enquire about a workshop in your area please get in touch.
Find out more at
Take a listen to some recorded extracts of the first workshop...
The first workshop for the Gentle Mass took place at Barryroe National School on Sunday 8 November 2026
All are welcome to 'The Under the Ambo Book' launch
'The Under the Ambo Book', written by Fr Bernard Cotter, will be launched by Bishop Fintan on Friday, 13 November, at 7.30pm in Mardyke House, Cork.
A practical liturgical resource designed around the Sundays and feast days of Year B of the Church's liturgical calendar, the book is intended to support those involved in the preparation and celebration of the liturgy.
The book is a practical resource for sacristans, readers, ministers, teachers, choirs, parish liturgy groups and priests, as well as those who prepare and lead the Bidding Prayers at Sunday Mass.
The book costs €15 and can also be purchased online through Amazon: The Under the Ambo Book: Year B
All are welcome to attend the launch next Friday.
What do climate crisis, care for the earth and biodiversity have to do with parishes?
The answer is “much more than we may think”!
Local parishes and faith communities in three neighbouring dioceses are sending representatives to a conference taking place in Cork this month to tease out this question.
But they won’t be the first catholics talking about connecting faith and nature.
As long ago as the 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi composed a prayer called the Canticle of the Creatures, which glorifies God through natural elements like the sun, wind, earth and water.
St. Francis also included in his prayers and writings the phrase “Praise be to you, my Lord”.
In 2015, Pope Francis published his second official papal letter and he entitled it “Laudato Sí” (Praise to you – in Italian).
Now with the support of Trócaire, the dioceses of Cork and Ross, Cloyne and Waterford and Lismore are inviting their parishioners from 180 parishes to take up the challenges arising from our care for the earth and to see how parishes may act on the message of Pope Francis.
There will be 3 speakers in the morning and workshops in the afternoon