Record numbers gathered in Gougane as the sun shone for Gougane Barra Sunday.

Large numbers of pilgrims representing all ages, from parishes, new Irish faith communities and movements, gathered yesterday around St Finbarr’s oratory to celebrate Gougane Sunday in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the feedback from the year of prayer, listening and discernment, and invited those gathered to take home three invitations, where the Holy Spirit is encouraging us to go forward in our parishes:

1. Baptism as a Path, not an Event – Walking with families from birth through the early years, ensuring a genuine welcome at Sunday Mass, and creating spaces where families and children are truly welcome.

The West Cork orientation session for recently appointed teachers in primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross was held on Thursday 25th September at the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery.

The teachers met with Bishop Fintan Gavin, Regina O’Sullivan (Diocesan Education Secretariat) and Mary Anne Collins (Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools).

Bishop Fintan thanked the teachers for their important work in schools and emphasised his wish to connect with teachers and support them in their work. The unique challenges and opportunities of multi-grade teaching were acknowledged and the availability of the Grow in Love Teaching Schemes for Multi-Class Situations was welcomed by teachers. The teachers also had the chance to review the differentiated resources for the 2nd class Grow in Love programme which will help teachers to prepare pupils for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

Regina O’Sullivan (Diocesan Education Secretariat), Stephanie Cannon (Bandon Primary School), Jenny Byrne (Dreeny NS), Mary Anne Collins (Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools), Rachel Crowley, Kate-Anne Fenton (Bunscoil Fachtna), Bishop Fintan Gavin, Jess Henry (Bandon Primary School), Micheál Ó Duinnín (Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra), Erin Leahy (Clogagh NS), Bríd Hartnett (Knockavilla NS), Oran Mullally (Knockavilla NS)

The Diocese of Cork and Ross is delighted to announce CONNECT 7, an event for Young Adults aged 18-35.

Connect 7 is taking place on Saturday 18th October in the Cathedral of St Mary at St Anne’s, Cork City from 2-7pm. 

Connect is a gathering for young people of faith and for those who are searching between the ages of 18-35. Previous CONNECT events have been very successful in bringing young adults together to celebrate their faith and find support and nourishment for their faith journey today.

This Connect’s theme is: ‘Finding purpose – God’s plan for my life’, which will centre around what God is inviting us to do with our lives, whether married, a priest, a religious or single. Our keynote speakers are Fr. Conor McGrath, Vocations Director in the Diocese of Down and Connor, and Lorraine Buckley, Faith Development Coordinator in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

The day will include a talk by the two guest speakers, Mass, Adoration, time for a panel discussion, confessions, pizza and more.

Register Here

Our fifth day in Lourdes was filled with tenderness, prayer, and hope as we reflected on the healing love of God and the compassion of Our Lady.

The morning began with a deeply moving Mass of the Anointing of the Sick. Many of our pilgrims received the sacrament, surrounded by the prayers and support of our diocesan family. It was a powerful reminder that in moments of weakness, God draws close to us, offering strength and peace.

Carol receiving the oil blessing from Bishop Fintan