Celebrating Altar Servers:

Altar servers are a really important ministry in each of our Parishes. Since Covid some Parishes have struggled to reengage Altar Servers. The Office for Mission and Ministry and the Coordinator for Youth Ministry are looking at ways of supporting Parishes to develop or introduce Altar Servers.

A first step is to gather with all of our Altar Servers and those priests and adult volunteers who look after them to celebrate Altar Serving in a fun atmosphere and to look at how we can together develop this ministry. We are gathering on Saturday, January 25^th from 2.30pm to 4.00pm (venue to be confirmed).

Come and Discover Alpha: Would your Parish or Family of Parishes like to find out more about Alpha? We are hosting a ‘Come and Discover Alpha’ day from 10am to 4pm in the Visitor Centre of the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on Saturday, January 18^th from 10am to 4pm. In the morning, you will have the opportunity to experience a full Alpha session, and we will be offering workshops in the afternoon on how to run Alpha. Registration is essential: https://tinyurl.com/mission-ministry

The Greater Chernobyl Christmas Fair
Sunday 8 December 

The Greater Chernobyl Christmas Fair
Sunday 8th of December 
11am  - 5.00pm
Marian Hall Ballinhassig  Co Cork  T12 PN2X

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Voting in Elections

‘To be a people of hope! Bishops’ statement for Election 2024 and questions for candidates

Key takeaways:

• All eligible to vote should exercise their right to maximise the common good
• Homelessness is unacceptable.  The inability to acquire a home affects social cohesion and is a scandal
• Politicians should lead by welcoming all immigrants who come with a willingness to contribute to our society
• The deliberate taking of human life undermines civilised society
• Political parties must urgently address pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity
• The war in Gaza and the Middle East must stop now.  Enough is Enough!
• Church-State structured dialogue is not functioning and in need of review

Read more …

Trócaire Christmas Gifts of Change bring real hope and opportunity to families and communities living with poverty and injustice across our world, and a chance to create lasting and positive change from Somalia to Guatemala, from Sudan to Palestine. 

There are gifts for everyone starting at 5 euro for the Gift of Soap.  You can support the gifts by buying them online at trocaire.org/gifts; by phone 1800 408 408/021-4275622; by post or in person to Trócaire, 9, Cook Street, Cork. T12 F583. 

"Even the winds and seas obey Him"

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.

Read more …

St Bernadette’s Relics Pilgrimage to Cork & Ross

For the first time, the Relics of St Bernadette are visiting Ireland, and we will have the privilege of welcoming them to the Diocese of Cork and Ross at the end of this month.  The Diocese have put a full programme together to try and recreate something of the experience that Lourdes offers here at home.

The Relics will be displayed in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne (North Cathedral) on Wednesday October 30^th from 4pm, and then on the following day, Thursday October 31st, they will travel to the Church of the Immaculate Conception Clonakilty for veneration starting at 2pm. Full programme of events available on the Diocesan website, www.corkandross.org.

ABIDE in His Love Women’s Conference. 15th-17th November 2024
The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal.

Join us for an inspiring weekend with guest speakers including Lisa Cotter (Denver, Colorado), the Nashville Dominican Sisters, Fr. Barry Braum (London), Kathleen Nichols & Celine Kelly (Magdala, Israel), Bishop Kevin Doran (Elphin), Catherine DiNuzzo (Kansas), and Fr. Joseph Mary Deane, CFR, among others.

This conference will celebrate the beauty and dignity of women in the Church and the world today. It offers a wonderful opportunity to come together, form new friendships, be uplifted by powerful talks, and experience the transformative presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

We encourage you to invite a family member or friend to join you. To register, visit Eventbrite.ie and search for "Abide in His Love."

Further information, including accommodation details, will be sent via email upon registration.

See link below for registration

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abide-in-his-love-womens-conference-24-tickets-925364579367?aff=oddtdtcreator

Update for Gougane Sunday:

Please be advised that regrettably, the pilgrimage and Mass at St. Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra, which was scheduled for this Sunday 29th is now postponed to the following Sunday, October 6th. 

The time of the Mass and Rosary on Sunday 6^th October will remain the same, Rosary at 2.30pm with Mass at 3pm.

This change is necessary due to the forecast inclement weather which has led to an Orange Weather Warning being issued by Met Eireann and out of concern for the safety of all involved.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage from Cork Airport

Group Leader Jim Keogh

This pilgrimage travels to Medjugorje from Cork with Aer Lingus on 4^th June 2025.

Everyone is most welcome! Full daily programme which includes a visit to all the apparition sites where Our Lady first appeared to the six children in June 1981.

Our 4star hotel is conveniently located close to the village centre and the St James Church. Coach transfer to Medjugorje on arrival. 7 nights 4* hotel accommodation. Half board: breakfast & dinner each day. Coach transfer from your hotel to airport for return flight.

Check-in assistance at airports. 20kg check-in bag and 1 small cabin bag.

For further information and full details please contact Jim Keogh 021 4885371 Early Bird Offer €100 off per person for bookings paid in full before 15 November 2024!  N.B. As our places are strictly limited they are allocated on a first come first served basis.