On Sunday 31st August the Altar Servers who serve at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne went on their annual outing, accompanied by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Fr. Sean Crowley, and a number of volunteers from the Cathedral Family of Parishes.

After the 11.30am Mass at the Cathedral the group travelled to Watergrasshill where they enjoyed go-karting or archery.

The group then gathered at the Church of the Immaculate Conception to pray Vespers together. Bishop Fintan addressed the altar servers, thanking them for their service and encouraging them, noting the important role they play at liturgies at the Cathedral.

Bishop Fintan spoke of his own time as an altar server in Dublin and how the formation he received helped him to discern his calling to the priesthood.

Altar Servers' Annual Outing

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Culture Night at St Patrick’s Church  

Frank O'Connor is one of Ireland's literary giants of the 20th century. His short stories are world famous. And one of his best-known stories, "My First Confession" is set in St Patrick's Church. 

Last year the pupils of Scoil Oilibhéir Dublin Hill, performed a specially written musical version of My First Confession as part of the school's 40th anniversary celebrations. 

On Friday Sept 19th, the pupils of Scoil Oilibhéir will perform an abridged version of their show especially set in St Patrick’s. There will be two performances. The first will begin at 5.00pm and finish at 6.00pm. The second performance will begin at 7.00pm.

The performance will be preceded by a short talk on Frank O'Conner and his connections with St Patrick’s Church and surrounding area.

Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool

The planned event at the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool has had to be deferred due to unforeseen circumstances. We will update you re a future date. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

There is a lot of action around the Cathedral Family of Parishes at the moment. 

We were delighted to host Tuath Housing at the North Cathedral Visitor Centre recently for the allocation of thirty seven new homes in Cork City.

If you visit the Cathedral you will notice new wheel stops in the Cathedral Car Park.

In the South Parish there are new tarmac works taking place. 

Down at St Patricks, you will notice the scaffolding in front of the church houses. External repair work is being carried out on these properties. 

The columns in Ss Peter and Paul's are being repaired at present. 

We thank everyone who made this necessary work possible. 

Thousands of people walked through the streets of Cork City on Sunday participating in the Eucharistic Procession - a tradition in the city that dates back to the 1920’s.

The Procession was led by the Butter Exchange Band. Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, carried the Blessed Sacramemt from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne for Benediction at the National Monument on Grand Parade on a specially constructed platform.

Individuals and groups from across the city and county were part of the celebration including First Holy Communion children, Catholic Girl Guides, The Guides and Scouts of Europe, Youth 2000, Parish Eucharistic groups throughout the Diocese and the Indian Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara, Brazilian, African, Polish, Croatian, Ukrainian, and Brazilian communities.

This year marks 99 years since the first Corpus Christi Procession in the Cork city streets on June 6th, 1926. The idea of taking the Procession through the streets of Cork emerged in the years after the War of Independence and the Civil War in a bid to heal division.

Speaking at the 2025 Eucharistic Procession, Bishop Fintan Gavin said; “What a blessing it is to gather here at the heart of our city in faith, in prayer, and in hope - in the presence of one another. This Procession was born from a longing for unity after division, for peace after civil conflict. It was a public act of faith. As we stand here on the threshold of the 100th year, let us be the generation that not only keeps the tradition, but rekindles the fire of faith in our time. The procession we’ve just made through the streets is a living testimony to something the world needs to know more than ever: That God has not abandoned us. That in the Eucharist—we are not alone.”

“We are most grateful for such a huge turnout. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked in the background to make today what it was. We will be busy preparing now for the centenary next year.  We are also very thankful for the gorgeous weather!”.

Plans for Cork City’s 2025 Corpus Christi Procession in June were announced at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne on Wednesday May 13th 

The Eucharistic Procession will take place on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. This year marks 99 years since it began with the first Procession in the Cork city streets taking place on June 6th, 1926 where tens of thousands of people participated. 

The idea of taking the Procession through the streets of Cork emerged in the years after the Civil War. 

Speaking at the launch, Bishop Fintan Gavin said; “The Eucharistic Procession is deeply rooted and of huge importance to the people of Cork City and beyond. We are almost ten decades on since the first Procession through the streets of Cork City. Last year, we had a tremendous turnout and this year we are preparing for the ever-growing numbers.

“We are taking the final prayer and benediction back out onto the streets with a specially constructed stage on Grand Parade. I’m most grateful for everyone’s assistance in continuing - and growing - this long-standing Cork tradition. You cannot have the word 'community' without 'unity'. I'd like to invite individuals and groups from across the city and county to be part of the celebration. I look forward to welcoming you on the day.”

The Procession will commence at 3pm from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne. A number of additions have been made to the Procession this year.

To facilitate the increasing numbers taking part each year, the liturgy and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on a specifically erected stage and altar on the Grand Parade.

Bishop Fintan said: "You cannot have the word 'community' without 'unity'. The Eucharistic Procession celebrates the unity in faith that abounds in Cork, as well as the need to foster further unity in an increasingly complex world.

“This year’s Procession will have participants from every continent and many countries. Cork’s Catholic parishes have been welcoming newcomers to Cork for a couple of decades now and they are making a very valuable contribution to the life of our parishes and our diocese as well as working in so many walks of life.”

Music is a big part of the procession so we have invited the choirs and music groups from the parishes in the city and beyond to participate. The procession will be led by the Butter Exchange band.