Catholic Diocese of Cork and Ross, Ireland

Cork Scripture Group in conjunction with the Office for Mission and Ministry are offering two ‘Unfolding the Word’ workshops in October.

‘Unfolding the Word’ helps people come together in their own parishes to explore the Word of God. Each session consists of discussion and sharing on the Word of God, prayer and a ‘cuppa’ and chat. No previous knowledge or experience is required. The workshop will give practical experience of running a session and provide four sets of texts and background notes that can be used in your parish free of charge.

Both events take place from 10:00am to 1:00pm and are offered in these two venues:

  • Sat 5 Oct 2024: Sacred Heart Parish Centre, Western Road, Cork
  • Sat 12 Oct 2024: Randall Og GAA Club, Bunanumera, Dunmanway, Co. Cork

Further Information

Please register your interest if you wish to attend:

Register Your Interest

Unfolding the WordUnfolding the Word

The Diocese of Cork and Ross has announced its intention to create a diocesan pastoral centre to serve the current and future needs of the local Church in Cork and Ross.

The current and future needs of the diocese and its parish faith communities rest on priests, deacons and lay people sharing responsibility for the life and mission of the Church, Bishop Fintan Gavin said.

The Cork and Ross Pastoral Centre will be used to help train volunteers for leadership and ministry in the families of parishes in the years and decades ahead.

The new Centre will bring all Diocesan functions under the one roof, including Education, Mission and Ministry, Youth Ministry, Safeguarding, Communications and administrative functions including the Bishop’s Office and the Diocesan Secretariat.

Bishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and RossBishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and Ross

At the meeting of priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and RossAt the meeting of priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and Ross

The question most people around the diocese ask the bishop on a visit is “Why all the changes in the Church and in our parish?”

Change was the focus of a gathering of all the priests who hold an appointment in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Almost 80 priests came from parishes and chaplaincies from Goleen to Watergrasshill to spend time together at Rochestown Park Hotel.

The first part of the time was devoted to prayer which was led by Lorraine Buckley, Faith Development Coordinator of the Diocese and Fr James McSweeney who ministers in the family of parishes around Carrigaline.

Priests then spent considerable time reflecting on and talking in groups about the changes they have been experiencing – the welcome ones and the changes which have been challenging. This part of the day was guided by Eilis Casey, Parish Life Coordinator of the Diocese.

Feedback was received from each group of priests and a wide range of issues emerged but with a lot of common themes.

Bishop Fintan addressed the gathering and acknowledged the amount of change that has been happening in our society, in our Church, our diocese and in the life of each priest.

Bishop Fintan celebrates Station Mass during parish visit 

On Saturday morning, Bishop Fintan arrived in Watergrasshill & Glenville Parish where he celebrated the ‘Doon Station’ in the home of Mossie & Breda Buckley.  Mossie & Breda’s family along with a large number of their neighbours welcomed Bishop Fintan.  

Bishop Fintan spoke about the great and strong tradition of having the Stations. He said that the intimacy of gathering with your family and neighbours to celebrate the Eucharist and share hospitality was an invaluable tradition which he was delighted to support and encourage.

Mossie Breda Buckley with their family and Bishop FintanMossie and Breda Buckley with their family and Bishop Fintan
Some of the attendees who celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Grotto at Courtmacsherry.Some of the attendees who celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Grotto at Courtmacsherry.

Courtmacsherry Grotto celebrates 70 years since its opening.

One of two grottoes in Barryroe parish, it was dedicated on on 8th September 1954 with a rosary on the feast of Our Lady's nativity organised by Ms Edel Jones.

After a big effort to clean up the grotto by parishioners earlier in the year, led by Ms Teresa Egger, the rosary was prayed in front of Our Lady's image with the decades elaborated by verses of Marian hymns led by Courtmacsherry church choir.

A group of more than seventy attended the public prayer which was followed by a very interesting talk by Ms Margaret O'Dwyer on how the grotto came to be built and opened.

A number of those who had been present in 1954 also attended the recent celebration, including some of the altar boys and a member of the choir.