News and Announcements from the Family of Parishes
Foundations in Theology and Sycamore Programmes for Young Adults
The Diocese of Cork and Ross, in collaboration with UCC Chaplaincy and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project, is offering two exciting programmes for young adults (18-35 years), starting on Wednesday 29th January from 6-8pm in Mardyke House, Cork, T12 W8RP
Both programmes will run concurrently over the next 10 weeks:
- Foundations in Theology: This introductory programme explores the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Sessions will be presented by various experts, including some of our own priests.
- Sycamore Formation Series: A welcoming and accessible starting point for young adults interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.
Each session will begin with food and refreshments, and provide participants with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion.
To sign up or for more information, please email Sheila at
Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment
Family of Parish Gatherings – Next Steps: Over the next four months all the Parishes and Families of Parishes of our Diocese will be involved in the next stage of our Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment. This will involve representatives of each Parish Leadership Team participating in 3 meetings over 3 weeks reflecting on the questions posed in Bishop Fintan’s invitation in September. Since September, people individually and in Parishes have been praying the Diocesan Prayer from the Boat. As we continue to pray this prayer together, we pray for the success of these gatherings and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us as together we try to pray, listen and discern God’s future for our Church.
Are you considering the Poor Clare vocation or would you like to know more about the enclosed contemplative life of a religious sister?
You are invited to join the Sisters for a:
Vocations Afternoon
Saturday 22 February 2025
2:00pm to 4:00pm
at the Poor Clare Monastery, College Road, Cork
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 25 January 2025
2:30pm to 4:00pm
(venue to be confirmed)
The Greater Chernobyl Christmas Fair
Sunday 8th of December
11am - 5.00pm
Marian Hall Ballinhassig Co Cork T12 PN2X
‘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
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:
by phone 1800 408 408 / 021-427 5622
by post or in person to
Trócaire
9 Cook Street
Cork. T12 F583
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.
Emergency Phone (urgent calls)
Ballyphehane
086 074 9169
The Lough
087 609 3424
Togher
087 249 5075
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