Singing for the Brain Brings the Community Together

It was wonderful to see St Oliver’s Church full of music, movement and conversation recently as members of the local community came together for a Singing for the Brain session.

Facilitated by Ceara, the session involved much more than singing, with participants taking part in breathing exercises, movement and activities designed to engage both the body and mind. Most importantly, it provided an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy each other’s company and take part in something positive within their local community.

Founded by Fiona Flavin, Singing for the Brain uses singing and related activities to support social connection and wellbeing, with sessions taking place in communities across Cork.

Singing For The Brain

The Raising Hope Conference – Caring for Our Common Home Together will take place on:

Saturday, 21 November 2026

from 10am to 4pm
at the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel, Tivoli, Cork.

The conference will explore how parishes and communities can respond to the Cry of the Earth at this time, with a focus on practical initiatives, eco-spirituality and ways we can care for our common home together.

The event is supported by the Laudato Si' Movement and Trócaire.
More information will follow in the coming weeks.

Raising Hope Conference November 21st 2026

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Community Cork will celebrate its Community Day and Feast of Mother Mary on

Saturday, 3rd October 2026

at the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, Cork, beginning at 10:00am.

The main celebrant for the occasion will be Bishop Antony Mar Silvanos, Bishop of the Curia, with Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, delivering the Gospel message.

The celebrations will include a liturgical reception of the Bishops, Solemn Holy Mass in the Syro-Malankara Rite, First Holy Communion and Agape.

The celebration brings together the Syro-Malankara Catholic community in Cork for a special day of faith, worship and community at the Cathedral.

Syro-Malankara Catholic Community Day

On Sunday 27th September 2026, people from across the Diocese of Cork and Ross are invited to gather at Gougane Barra to celebrate the Feast of St Finbarr, Patron of Cork and one of the Patrons of the Diocese of Cork and Ross

Gougane Barra Sunday Schedule

1.30pm – Confessions
2.30pm – Rosary
3.00pm – Mass

People from all across the Diocese, including our parishes, religious communities and new Irish Faith Communities, are warmly invited to join together at Gougane Barra for this special celebration.

This year’s celebration comes as the legacy of St Finbarr is also being recognised on the Island of Barra in Scotland, where the local community has commissioned the building of a large public statue of St Finbarr. The statue will recognise his significant legacy and contribution to building a strong Catholic and Gaelic-speaking island community in Scotland.

Little Day Productions is also producing a special feature tracing the history of St Finbarr from Gougane Barra in Cork to the Island of Barra in Scotland.

As part of the production, Bishop Fintan Gavin was recently interviewed and had the privilege of presenting representatives with Holy Water from Gougane Barra.