The Year of Prayer, Listening, and Discernment, which was launched by Bishop Fintan on Gougane Barra Sunday, enters a new phase this week

Three key information meetings are planned for Priests, Parish Leadership Teams and chaplaincies on Saturday 23 November, Sunday 24 November and Sunday 1 December.

These meetings will set the context for the Year ahead and outline the next steps for Parishes and Families of Parishes. The process for prayer, listening, and discernment has been piloted in one Family of Parishes and is being fine-tuned based on the feedback to be rolled out across the Diocese in the new year.

The Holy Spirit is guiding us to be faithful and courageous in new ways so that we can carry on the mission of the Church. In addition to reciting ‘Our Prayer from the Boat,’ you are invited to participate in special times of guided prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the following Parish churches:

• Saturday 23 November - Our Lady Crowned, Mayfield (12:30pm to 2:00pm)
• Sunday 24 November - Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty (1:00pm to 2:00pm)
• Sunday 1 December - St. Columba’s Church, Douglas (12:30pm to 2:00pm)

The Bishop's Office has announced that the death occurred on Saturday last of Fr Des Campion at The Bon Secours Hospital Cork

Bishop Fintan Gavin has extended his sympathy and prayerful support to all of Fr Des’s family, Salesian Confreres, Naval colleagues and friends at this time.

Fr Des has been ministering as Chaplain Naval Services and Port Chaplain, Haulbowline, Cork since 1988. 

Fr Des, a native of Drimnagh, Dublin 12 , was ordained on December 7^th 1973 to the Salesians of Don Bosco Ireland at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mourne Road, Drimnagh.  After ordination he served in many teaching, chaplaincy and pastoral roles in various Salesian Houses including Crumlin - Dublin, Ballinakill - Laois and Pallaskenry and Milford in Limerick.

In 1985 Fr Des took up appointment as Chaplain to Sarsfield Army Barracks in Henry Street, Limerick.  In 1988 Fr Des was appointed Chaplain to the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Cork where he served until his death.   

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.

Holy Well National School, Carrigaline, welcomes Bishop Fintan

Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed at Holy Well National School middle and senior school buildings by Principal Mr Aidan Crowley, BOM Chairperson, Mr. Diarmaid Cogan, priests from Carrigaline Parish, staff members as well as parent and pupil representatives. He met with pupils in both buildings and shared in a liturgy at both assemblies during which pupils sang and joined him in prayer. Following Bishop Fintan’s lead, all pupils learned and joined with him in saying a meaningful prayer with actions.  

Pupils engaged in a Q&A session with Bishop Fintan in which they gained an insight into both his life and ministry as Bishop of Cork & Ross. Bishop Fintan thanked the pupils for their kind welcome and rewarded them with a homework pass which was well received.