Fr Ashley Evans addressing the priests

Priests in the Diocese of Cork and Ross step aside from their ministry routines twice a year to reflect, pray and spend time together.

There is a retreat in October each year and in the spring time they meet for a half day.

Today's afternoon of reflection was guided by Fr Ashley Evans SJ. He is an Irish Jesuit priest, originally from Malahide, Co Dublin, who spent 27 years on the Missions in Cambodia. Since returning to Ireland in recent years, Fr. Ashley has been involved in spiritual direction, retreats and various spiritual programmes both here in Ireland and abroad.

These events are coordinated by a group of the priests including Msgr. Gearóid Dullea, Fr. Ben Hodnett, Fr. Michael Keohane, Fr. Sean O'Sullivan and Fr Robert Young.

This afternoon's gathering was held at Dunmore House Hotel, Clonakilty. 

Are you aged 18-30 and interested in serving others while deepening your faith?

The Diocese of Cork and Ross invites young adults to consider travelling to Lourdes as a Young Adult Helper from the 18th-23rd September 2026.

Young Adult Helpers play an important role in the pilgrimage, supporting pilgrims who need assistance, both in the hospital and by accompanying them to liturgies and other pilgrimage events. They also help with various aspects of the pilgrimage, including supporting and helping to animate the liturgies.

For the young adults themselves, the pilgrimage can be a very meaningful experience in their faith and life journey, with opportunities for formation, prayer, and reflection included as part of the pilgrimage.

To learn more, come along to our Information Evening on

Thursday 20 March
at 7pm
Mardyke House, Cork (T12 W8RP)

This evening will give you a chance to hear more about what the pilgrimage involves, what it’s like to be a Young Adult Helper, and how you can get involved.

Register for the information evening here

For more information email youthministry@corkandross.org

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.”