Jubilee of Hope launched at Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne

The inclement weather did not dampen the spirits of those gathered for the diocesan launch of the Jubilee of Hope at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on Sunday, January 5^th. Bishop Fintan, in solidarity with Pope Francis, and bishops worldwide, launched the Jubilee and called on the faithful to become "messengers of hope" in a troubled world.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan urged the faithful to renew their faith, rekindle their hope, and deepen their love for God and one another. He encouraged each one to become a "Pilgrim of Hope," bringing hope to those in need in our families, Parishes and Families of Parishes, and to the wider community.

“It is providential," said Bishop Fintan, "that our Year of Prayer, Listening, and Discernment which began last September, coincides with the Jubilee of Hope." He noted that both initiatives are rooted in the foundational hope brought by faith in Jesus, urging the faithful to embark on this year with hearts open to God’s direction.

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.