Diocesan News
The annual retreat for priests of the Diocese of Cork and Ross was held this week in east Cork.
Priests have now returned to their pastoral work in parishes and in a range of ministry contexts across the diocese.
The annual retreat is an opportunity for spiritual renewal, rest and fraternity among the priests.
The retreat was held in Garryvoe, Co Cork, and the director was Fr Richard Hendrick OFM Cap who is currently Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Order in Ireland.
The timetable each day provides time for community prayer, Mass, talks, shared meals, personal time, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary and time to catch up with one another socially.
Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant of the final Mass at the retreat and concelebrants were Fr Robert Young and Fr Richard Hendrick OFM Cap.
Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Fr. Shinu Varghese
Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos, Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, visited Bishop Fintan Gavin at the Cork and Ross Diocesan Centre on 2 October.
He was accompanied by Fr. Shinu Varghese, National Coordinator of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Ireland.
The visit provided an opportunity for a cordial meeting and fellowship.
The sunshine was a welcome addition to a joyful afternoon on Saturday, 3 October, as Bishop Fintan blessed and officially opened the new St. Carlo Acutis Prayer Garden at Presentation Brothers, Mardyke House.
The celebration brought together members of the Presentation Community, friends and supporters of Mardyke House, and many of the young adults involved in the Formation and Faith Programmes based there.
At the heart of the afternoon was a prayer service, during which Bishop Fintan blessed the new garden. The garden, inspired by the life and witness of St. Carlo Acutis, provides a peaceful space for prayer, reflection and encounter, and is a fitting addition to Mardyke House as it continues to develop its ministry with young adults.
Blessing and official opening the new St. Carlo Acutis Prayer Garden at Presentation Brothers, Mardyke House
An orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held in the Cork Education Support Centre.
An orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held on Wednesday 30th September at the Cork Education Support Centre.
Bishop Fintan Gavin thanked the teachers for their important work in schools and emphasised his wish to connect with and support them in their role as educators. The teachers learned more about the role of the patron and the supports offered by the diocese, including support for teaching the Grow in Love programme, Mass for the New School Year, School visits, Confirmation retreats with NET Ministries etc.
The teachers also received an overview of the differentiated Grow in Love resources for children with Special Educational Needs which are currently available for the 2nd class level of the programme.
Alpha teams gathered recently for a day of formation, reflection and encouragement as they prepare to run Alpha in their parishes and Families of Parishes this autumn.
Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed participants and shared his own experience of Alpha, reflecting on its value as a tool for evangelisation and parish renewal. Reflecting on his own experience of Alpha, Bishop Fintan said: “I saw people asking honest questions and relationships developing around the table. I saw people being introduced to Jesus, to prayer and to the Holy Spirit in a way that was gentle and non-threatening.”
Bishop Fintan continued by reminding teams that evangelisation begins with personal dialogue, listening to another person’s joys, hopes and concerns and, from there, gently sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Alpha teams gathered recently for a day of formation as they prepare to run Alpha in their parishes and Families of Parishes this autumn.