This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School

On Tuesday 16th December at 12 noon, Bishop Fintan will share his Live Crib Christmas Message for the whole Diocese of Cork and Ross.

The message will be broadcast to the 175 Catholic Primary Schools across the diocese. All parishioners, families, communities, and people throughout the diocese are warmly invited to watch the video message.

This year’s message comes from a live crib on the O’Sullivan Family Farm in Kilmurry, with the participation of pupils from Kilmurry National School. Baby Patrick also plays a special role in this year’s message.

In his message, Bishop Fintan reminds us that the Birth of Jesus is not merely an event of the past, but a living reality present in every home, parish, Family of Parishes, school, and community. He offers a message of encouragement and renewal as the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Listening for God’s promise of joy breaking into our world.

As we journey through the Third Week of Advent, we are invited to pause and attune our hearts to the quiet yet persistent joy God is bringing forth. Rooted in the Gospel readings of these days - from John the Baptist’s question and Jesus’ response on Gaudete Sunday, through calls to repentance and trust, and into the intimate beginnings of Jesus’ birth - the readings of Week 3 of Advent traces how God’s promise takes shape in human history. As we move closer to Christmas through the O Antiphons and the stories of Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth, we are invited to listen deeply, recognise signs of hope, and welcome the joy that breaks into our world often unexpectedly, yet always faithfully.

Our Lectio Divina resource for week 3 of Advent is now available to download here.

Waiting in Hope: Week 3 - Listening for God’s promise of joy breaking into our world

Our Lectio Divina resource for week 3 of Advent is now available to download

Pupils from twenty-nine primary schools across the Diocese of Cork and Ross participated in Confirmation retreats over a two-week period in November.

The retreats were facilitated by the Mission Team of NET Ministries Ireland and coordinated by Mary Anne Collins, Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools. The retreats included short talks, drama, discussion in order to explore themes relevant to commitment and confirmation. This took place in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection with lots of fun. 

The retreats were very well received. Pupils and teachers reported that they found the retreat days to be very enjoyable and beneficial in the children’s preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Many thanks to NET Ministries, principals, teachers and local clergy for their cooperation with this initiative.

On the Feast of Christ the King, joy filled the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork as the Presentation Brothers Community celebrated Br. Simon Fernandes’ Perpetual Profession of Vows.

Bishop Fintan Gavin was the chief celebrant for the occasion. His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts, Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi in Simon’s homeland of Pakistan, was also present at the Mass. Br Simon’s family and friends travelled from the United States, Pakistan, Britain and across Ireland to be there, joining young people and parishioners connected with young adult ministry in the Diocese of Cork & Ross and the Presentation Brothers L.E.A.F. Project at Mardyke House.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan said: “Today, Brother Simon pledges poverty, chastity, obedience - not as constraints, but as pathways of love that mirror Christ’s kingship. In other words, these vows are shepherding - communion and reconciliation made visible”

Our Lectio Divina resource for week 2 of Advent is now available to download

Listening for God’s promise of mercy and restoration

As we journey through the Second Week of Advent, our Gospels draw us into a posture of hopeful waiting. God speaks his promise into the ordinary moments of our lives: a promise of mercy for the weary, rest for those who labour and are overburdened, and restoration for a world longing for peace. Advent reminds us that our waiting is never empty - Christ is already at work, renewing creation and preparing our hearts to receive him. Together, let us listen attentively to God’s word this week and allow hope to take root and grow within us, lighting our way toward the coming of our Saviour.

Our Lectio Divina resource for week 2 of Advent is now available to download here.

Waiting in Hope: Week 2 - Listening for God’s Promise Through the Word