Part of the congregation at the Mass. Pic: Brian Lougheed

A Mass celebrating the 250th anniversary of the South Presentation Convent founded by Nano Nagle took place at St. Finbarr's South Parish Church on Dunbar Street, off Douglas Street. 

The Principal Celebrant was Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Also in attendance was Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley; Cllr. Sean Martin, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork; Pat Ledwidge, chair of Nano Nagle Place and many of the religious Brothers and Sisters of the Presentation family.

Bishop Fintan recalled at the Mass that Nano Nagle was known in the city as “The Lady with the Lantern.”

"But the lantern she carried was more than just a light for the streets of Cork," he said. It was a light of compassion.  A light of faith. A light of hope."

Bishop Fintan told the congregation which was mostly made up of students of the Presentations schools in Cork that the reason Nano carried that light was very simple. "She wanted to follow Jesus and live the way Jesus taught his disciples to live."

That small light has been passed on from generation to generation for 250 years, the bishop said.

The Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 18th September to Wednesday 23rd September 2026 under the patronage of Bishop Fintan Gavin.

A Mass of Thanksgiving for those who travelled on last year’s pilgrimage was celebrated last Friday evening in the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield. The gathering provided an opportunity for pilgrims to give thanks for the many blessings received in Lourdes and also marked the official launch of the 2026 diocesan pilgrimage.

Following the Mass, refreshments were served in the parish centre where pilgrims had the opportunity to reconnect, renew friendships and share memories of their time in Lourdes.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the special spirit of the pilgrimage and encouraged those present to invite others to experience Lourdes for themselves.

Bishop Fintan blessing those present at the Mass of Thanksgiving

Catechumens, candidates and sponsors

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion was celebrated recently as adults who are preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter gathered from across the diocese in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the theme of choice at the heart of the Christian life, reminding those present that faith is always a response to God’s call. As he explained: “The Church calls this the Rite of Election, because God has chosen you. You are also choosing Him. It is a relationship. God calls and we respond.”

The Sacrament of Confirmation is being celebrated across the diocese with young people from primary schools.

This year's ceremonies began on February 9th and continue until April 30th. There are 89 Confirmation Masses being celebrated across the diocese with up to three ceremonies being held on many of the days.

Bishop Fintan Gavin is administering the sacrament in many of the ceremonies. He is assisted in other ceremonies by Bishop John Buckley, Bishop Padraig Harrington SMA, Bishop Noel O'Regan SMA, Mons Gearóid Dullea, Co-PP, Chancellor; Mons. Aidan O'Driscoll Co-PP, VG and Fr Tom Hayes, Co-PP, VG.

Over four thousand young people will be Confirmed in the diocese this year.

The schedule of Confirmations for 2026 is available here.

Confirmation group from Bandon Primary School

Cork City Hall was filled with energy and applause as almost 500 young people lit up the stage with a concert.

The Maranatha 2026 concert featured post-primary school students from parishes throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Twenty-three schools came together for the celebration, transforming the historic venue into a powerful showcase of talent and conviction.

Maranatha blends music, faith and fun — creating a space where students can express who they are, celebrate their identity and build lasting connections and friendships in an atmosphere of joy and community.

Statement of Bishop Fintan Gavin in relation to the announcement by the Augustinian community of the decision to withdraw from St Augustine’s Church in summer 2026

It is with great sadness that I, along with so many people across Cork City and beyond, have learned of the decision of the Augustinian community to withdraw from St Augustine’s Church this coming summer. For generations, the Augustinian community at St Augustine’s has been an important and cherished part of the cultural, spiritual and faith life of our city. Many people have found there a place of prayer, welcome, and belonging.

With the declining number of religious vocations within the Augustinian Order, and the advancing age profile of many of its members, I fully understand and respect the reasons behind this decision, which has clearly been made after careful discernment about their future mission and resources.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Augustinian friars, past and present, for their faithful ministry, their preaching of the Gospel, and their generous service to the people of Cork over so many generations. Their contribution to the spiritual life of the city will long be remembered with gratitude and affection.

I will have an opportunity in the coming months to thank the Augustinians more publicly for their immense contribution to the faith life of our city.

I am particularly mindful that this news will come as a sadness to many who have found in St Augustine’s a spiritual home over the years. I want to reassure all of you that I will endeavour, as your Bishop, to respond pastorally to that need, even as the Holy Spirit may now be inviting us to live and express that faith in new ways and in new places.

Bishop Fintan Gavin