Bishop of Cork and Ross invites people to respond to Church changes with a time of prayer, listening and discernment

On a weekend when heavy rain and winds had blown across his diocese, it seems more than coincidence that a new pastoral message from the Bishop of Cork and Ross should begin with a scripture quote: “Even the wind and the seas obey Him”.

Bishop Fintan Gavin read his message on Sunday to pilgrims attending the annual Mass at St. Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra.

Bishop Fintan’s message is a call to the people of the diocese to commit to a year-long time of prayer, listening and discernment about the future of the Catholic Church in the parishes and chaplaincies of the diocese.

In a time of unprecedented change in society and the Catholic Church in Ireland, people are understandably concerned about their parish’s future, he said.

A year of prayer will be launched this Sunday from one of the diocese's best known places of prayer

Bishop Fintan will lead the pilgrimage to Gougane Barra, on Sunday October 6th and will preside at Mass at 3pm at the Oratory.

Rosary will precede the Mass at 2.30pm.

During the Mass Bishop Fintan Gavin will read a new pastoral message which he is publishing to the entire Diocese of Cork and Ross. It will also be read at all Masses throughout the diocese on the weekend.

Central to the bishop's message is an invitation for everyone in the diocese to begin a year of prayer, listening and discernment asking the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in times of extraordinary change.

Bishop Fintan will also launch a prayer which he is asking everyone to pray during the year. 

The invitational message and the prayer will both be available at Gougane Barra for people to take home.

St. Finbarr's Oratory, Gougane Barra

Post Primary Religion Teachers meet for In-service gathering

The annual Cork and Ross Post Primary RE Teachers In-service gathering was held at Innishannon House Hotel on Thursday September 26^th. 

Sixty Religious Education Teachers and School Chaplains representing 33 Post Primary schools from across the Diocese participated. 

They were joined by Bishop Fintan Gavin for the duration of the event.

Morning Prayer was provided by teachers Anne Marie Nolan, Matthew Sweeney and Collette O’Donovan from Coláiste Éamann Rís in Cork City.

Presentations were given by Nodlaig Lillis from the Youth and Adult Ministry Office in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore who facilitated a very productive session on “Resources for Junior and Senior Cycle Religious Education”.  After morning break Brother Richard Hendrick O.F. M. Cap. engaged delegates in a very insightful and thought-provoking presentation on “ The Challenge and Promise of Religious Education in Ireland today”.

Ever thought about opening your mind and spirit to explore theology in the company of other young adults?

Through the success of ‘Sycamore’, the diocese and partners are launching a brand new 10-week introductory programme exploring the fundamentals of our Christian faith, called ‘Foundations in Theology’

This 10-week introductory course/programme is designed for young adults aged 18-35 years presented by various experts in the area. It will run concurrently to the ‘Sycamore’ programme on a Wednesday evening in Mardyke House, Cork, T12 W8RP.

It will begin on Wednesday 2 October 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and will run for 10 consecutive weeks.

Sign Up Here for Foundations in Theology

To sign up to either course, or for more information, email Sheila at youthministry@corkandross.org