Bishop Fintan Gavin has made his first pastoral visits to the two post-primary schools in Clonakilty and was warmly welcomed by students, staff and the school communities

Sacred Heart Secondary School and Clonakilty Community College serve the post-primary educational needs of a large community in the parishes in and around Clonakilty. Sacred Heart Secondary School is an all-girls school established by the Sisters of Mercy and now in the trusteeship of CEIST. Clonakilty Community College is co-educational and its trustees are the Cork Education and Training Board.

The bishop’s visits were coordinated by Paul Kelly, the Diocesan Coordinator for Post-Primary Schools who accompanied the bishop on his visits. Bishop Fintan took part in a prayer service in both schools during which representative students and staff also took part and led singing.

Gathering as a community on the Lord’s Day to celebrate the Eucharist has always been at the heart of our Church

However, changes in society - some brought by the Covid19 pandemic - have seen some people’s connect with Sunday Mass weakened.

Ireland's Catholic Bishops have launched material in print and online with which they invite people to reflect on the profound importance of Sunday Mass.

Welcoming Why Sunday Matters in a video message, Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildate and Leighlin, said, “As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Irish Bishops’ Conference invites everyone to. We recognise it not only as an obligation, but also as a precious gift – the source and summit of our faith.”

The Rosary is recited at Emmet Square, Clonakilty on

The First Saturday of the Month

at

11:00am

Highlighing Our Lady of Lourdes and the Rosary

All are Welcome

Our faith community has welcomed into our Christian family baby Seona Jean Antezzo who was baptised at Clonakilty Parish Church

Baby Seona’s family live in Yonkers, New York, USA and her mother Sharon Moloney is originally from Clonakilty.

The Christian Community welcomes baby Daniel David Moloney, Shannonvale, Clonakilty, who was baptised at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty

Baby Daniel was joined by his older brothers and extended family for the celebration.

Baptisms are celebrated in the churches of our family of parishes each Saturday on a specific rota.

Read about arranging a Baptism

As well as being blessed with churches which the people before us have left for worship, our parishes also have a extensive array of places where people have gone to pray for centuries

These include holy wells, grottos to Our Lady, Mass rocks from Penal Times, shrines associated with local saints as well as ruins of former abbeys, friaries and churches where Christians encountered the Lord downthrough the ages.

There are many days throughout the year, especially feast days of saints, when people visit such sacred places. By far the most popular day for liturgical rites at these holy landmarks is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th).