Diocesan News
The Mass for the closing of the Jubilee Year celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, with principal celebrant Bishop Fintan Gavin. (Michael English)
At the closing Mass of the Jubilee Year of Hope in the cathedral in Cork on 4 January 2025, the bishop said the year had not been about “an ending, but about a God who draws near,” urging the diocese to carry forward what had been planted during the Jubilee.
Reflecting on the Mass readings, Bishop Fintan Gavin told the congregation that Christian hope rests on the belief that God does not remain distant but “comes close” to humanity. Quoting St John’s Gospel, he said the mystery of the Incarnation — “the Word was made flesh; he lived among us” — was the foundation of hope, particularly for those carrying burdens of illness, anxiety, grief, or loneliness.
Bishop Fintan described hope not as optimism or denial, but as “the quiet, stubborn trust that God is with us, God is faithful, and God is at work even when the road is steep and the night feels long.”
Calling all those involved in music ministry across our diocese
Choir directors, choir/music group members, organists, musicians, and individual singers etc. You are warmly invited to Songs of Praise, an afternoon dedicated to reflection, prayer, and spiritual nourishment.
This event will take place on
Sunday 1 February 2026
2:30pm
at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne
Music plays a vital role in our worship often demanding time, energy, and commitment. This gathering offers a space to pause, give thanks, and be renewed through sacred song, scripture, and shared prayer, in the beautiful setting of the Cathedral.
This afternoon is for all who are involved in music ministry to come together to learn new music, reflect, listen, and lift our voices in praise, followed by an opportunity to chat over light hospitality.
Please do share this invitation widely with choirs/music groups, and individuals.
We look forward to welcoming you for this time of shared praise and renewal.
This is a free event. Donations will be gratefully accepted on the day to help cover costs.
Booking is essential to facilitate hospitality.
Songs of Praise: Sunday 1 February 2026
Bishop Fintan Gavin sends a greeting and a blessing to everyone for the New Year.
Bishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and Ross wishes everyone a blessed and peaceful new year.
Bishop's New Year blessing
Cork and Ross Diocese 2025 - watch the video
A zip-through in images of some of the highlights of the life of the diocese in 2025
Schools … Parishes … Rome … Music and song … Prayer … Listening … Discernment … Meetings … Processions …Lourdes Pilgrimage … Holy Week … Youth Ministry … and much more.
Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced that two priests will take a sabbatical in the new year and will be replaced by priests who are on loan to the diocese.
Sabbatical leave is ongoing formation for a priest and often involves an experience of ministry in a different environment.
Fr Pat McCarthy will complete his time as Chaplain at the Mercy University Hospital on the 1st January. He will be replaced by Fr Vineesh Ulahannan who will begin his appointment on the same day. Fr McCarthy will begin a period of sabbatical leave taking up a new appointment this summer.
Fr Bernard Cotter, Co-Parish Priest in Aughadown, Castlehaven and Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen Family of Parishes will be on sabbatical leave from early January for a six-month period. Fr Kevin Hanley OFM Conv. will serve as a curate pro-tem in the Aughadown, Castlehaven and Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen Family of Parishes from early January 2026 for a six-month period.
Bishop Fintan is grateful to Fr Vineesh and Fr Kevin for their generosity in taking up these new appointments.
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