Bishop Fintan Gavin’s First Visit to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Saturday 7th November, on the invitation of the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Most Rev. Dr Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, made his first visit as Bishop of Cork and Ross to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork.

Welcoming Bishop Gavin to the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, said he was delighted that this visit could at last take place to the site where Cork was founded and where Christian worship has been offered since the 7th Century. The Dean described the occasion – the dedication of a new votive candle stand and prayers of remembrance for those who have died of Covid-19 – as sombre, but as, nonetheless, appropriate, given its focus on shared liturgy and common prayer.

On the occasion of the first visit to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork of Bishop Fintan Gavin were (l-r) Bishop Gavin, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, and Bishop Paul Colton. Picture: Gerard McCarthy Photography

Explaining the delay in bringing about the occasion Bishop Paul Colton said:

Not long after Bishop Gavin arrived in Cork I was in hospital. Then, earlier this year, the Coronavirus Pandemic took hold. When things did quieten down over the summer months I was out of action for a number of months following an accident and subsequent surgery. But here we are!

At the start of the visit, Bishop Colton presented Bishop Gavin with a replica of the head of St Fin Barre. The heads of significant bishops from the 7th century until the time of the consecration of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in November 1870 (150 years ago this month) are carved in the Bishop’s seat (cathedra) in the Cathedral.

Presenting the replica, Bishop Colton said:

‘I welcome you, and this small gift is a token of not only our friendship but also, more important, of our common inheritance in the Christian history in this place and in the Gospel.

Bishop Paul Colton (right) presents Bishop Fintan Gavin with a replica of the carving of the head of St Fin Barre from the Bishop’s seat in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork marking Bishop Gavin’s first visit to the Cathedral as Bishop of Cork and Ross. Picture Gerard McCarthy Photography
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Act of Remembrance 2020 at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork

Posted on November 8, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Sunday, 8th November 2020, with church buildings closed for public worship, an Act of Remembrance took place, as in other years, in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. It was recorded and you are invited to view it here.

Posted in Cathedral, Cathedral Choir, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Peace, People from Cork, People from the Diocese, Reconciliation, Remembrance, Remembrance Sunday | Comments Off on Act of Remembrance 2020 at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork To Open for Personal Prayer Remembering Covid-19 Victims

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

As part of the annual Remembrance/All Souls’ weekend, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork will open temporarily on Saturday 7th November, for personal prayer as permitted by current level 5 regulations,  to allow members of the public to come in to light a candle in memory of those who have died as a result of Covid-19.

A specially chosen globe-shaped candle stand has been commissioned and manufactured  in Sweden which will be the focal point for candle lighting and prayer.  

Bishop Paul Colton had originally sourced the stand for use in conjunction with a prayer area being developed in the Cathedral during the period of historic centenary commemorations.  However, with the onset of the pandemic, it was decided to bring it into use sooner to meet the more immediate need for Corkonians to remember those who have died from Covid-19 both here and across the world. 

Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop Fintan Gavin will dedicate the new candle stand in a private ceremony prior to the Cathedral opening to the public on Saturday morning.

Bishop Colton said,

In these troublesome times people really do need opportunities to remember loved ones and to pray.  Being globe-shaped, this candle stand reminds us that this pandemic has not only had a serious impact on us locally, but is a shared experience across the whole world. It also reminds us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

I hope those of all denominations, all faiths and none will find this small window of opportunity to remember and to pray helpful in the midst of grief, anxiety and uncertainty.

The Dean of Cork, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne said,

Who would have thought that something planned for marking commemoration of past sufferings would have been so badly needed for present times?  Our brief re-opening on Saturday during this important weekend is but a small but important opportunity for people to find somewhere to remember and pray, albeit briefly and in a controlled environment.

The Cathedral will be open on Saturday (7th November) from 11.00am to 1.00pm and from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.  Entrance will be via the main West Door. Those  entering will be asked to wear a mask and sanitise their hands, and will be guided (socially distanced) to the Crossing where they can light their candle and pause briefly for prayer.  Exit will be via the North aisle and the Southwest Door.

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150th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The last day of this month – 30th November 2020 – will be the 150th anniversary of the Consecration of one of Cork’s, indeed of one of Ireland’s, most iconic buildings:  Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.

Originally a day of celebration was planned for the previous day, Sunday 29th November, with invited guests from the Diocese and the City, as well as national and international representatives.  ‘Clearly this is no longer possible’ said the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne.  ‘But that will not deter us’, he added.

A whole year of thanksgiving and celebration was mapped out and now the plans have been adapted and, depending on the public health realities, will evolve as the year goes on.

The Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, says that he hopes that Cork people and Irish people will pick up the story of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral:

This isn’t only about celebrating the place the iconic three spires and golden angel have on the landscape of Cork.  It is about what the site itself represents and the role the Cathedral has played in the life of people of faith, in Cork generally and on the national stage too.

While the anniversary itself on 30th November will be marked now in a necessary low key way, an adapted programme of events for the year will include:

  • To coincide with All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance, the Cathedral will be open for personal prayer next Saturday 7th November from 11.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm with an opportunity in particular to light candles in memory of those who have died this  year of Covid-19.
  • Bishop Paul Colton will celebrate the Eucharist in the Cathedral on Sunday 29th November at 11.15am without a congregation but it will be broadcast online on the Cathedral website.
  • A video launch of the Cathedral Choir’s new CD  – Let all the world in every corner sing – will take place.
  • On the CD is a recording of the winning composition by composer Nicholas O’Neill of a setting in B flat of the canticles for Evensong:  Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. The first live performance has had to be rescheduled.
  • A limited edition Annie West print celebrating the Cathedral’s consecration will be available to purchase.
  • Bishop Colton has written and compiled a resource for children and young people to mark the 150th anniversary and this will be available in hard copy as  well as online for use in schools (at all levels) and in children’s and youth groups, and for families at home.
  • Two exhibitions will be mounted of photographs; one of the demolition of the former Cathedral, and another from a family album owned by Bishop Robert Gregg, son of Bishop John Gregg showing the completed new cathedral.  The album, discovered by Bishop Paul and Mr Susan Colton,  includes a drawing – a doodle sketch – done by the cathedral architect, William Burges, for Bishop Gregg’s grandson, Jack, as a child.
  • Other planned events, depending on the prevailing public health situation, may be rescheduled.

Further information from:

Saint Fin  Barre’s Cathedral Office

Library House, Dean Street, Cork, T12 V348

Telephone:  021 496 3387   

Email:   sfb150th@gmail.com

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork at the time of the Consecration on30th November 1870
Posted in Announcements, Bishop, Bishops of Cork, Cathedral, Cathedral Choir, Children's Ministry, church buildings, Church History, Church Music, Church of Ireland, Church Services, Churches in Cork, Commemoration, Community Involvement, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Dean of Cork, Diocese, Sesquicentenary | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 150th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork

Cork, Cloyne and Ross Mothers’ Union Virtual Festival Service goes live

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Each year in the Spring, Cork, Cloyne and Ross Mothers’ Union members from around Cork City and County meet for a celebratory Festival Service. It is always a special occasion when members enjoy fellowship and meeting up with friends. This year’s service, however, which was to include the commissioning of our new trustees, had to be postponed. As time passed and it became obvious that it couldn’t go ahead at a later date, the trustees made plans to meet up at the wonderful new Carraig Centre in Ballincollig to record our Festival Service. Everything was thought through, the Service was prepared, the Reverend Robert Ferris was set to record, everybody knew what their role was – and then the Level 3 restrictions arrived.

What to do? Of course, what else but rise to the challenge and try recording the service.

So the trustees met on Zoom and celebrated the 2020 theme of ‘Building Hope and Confidence’.  Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson joined us as Bishop’s Commissary, along with the Rev Isobel Jackson, who is our Mothers’ Union Diocesan Chaplain.

Our chaplain lead the worship and the Archdeacon commissioned the trustees and also shared some thoughts on the theme.

The four new trustees, Marjorie Garland, Veronica Deane, the Rev. Eileen Cremin and Deirdre Whitley read the readings and the prayers; Heather Fleming and Joyce Buttimer read the lyrics of two hymns with the melody playing in the background. Lucinda McDonald and Oliver recorded the Mothers’ Union prayer at home and were able to be part of the worship.

There were  some technical challenges, but the video has turned out well and Mothers’ Union in Cork, Cloyne and Ross trustees are delighted that it is now live on our Facebook page and on the Diocesan YouTube channel.

The links to the service are as follows. 

On the Diocesan Youtube Channel HERE

On Facebook HERE

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