On Tuesday 23rd December 2025, three members of the executive committee of S.H.A.R.E. Cork – Peter, Saoirse and Jack – visited Bishop Paul Colton and Mrs Susan Colton at their home. Susan Colton was delighted to discover that one of them, who is actively involved in this Cork charity, is one of her own past-pupils.
S.H.A.R.E. is Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly and, since the 1970’s when it was founded by Brother Jerome Kelly at Presentation Brothers College Cork, has developed 140 independent living houses in seven complexes in the Cork City area. Each year the 39 strong Executive Committee is made up of Transition Year students from schools throughout Cork City with over 100 students at any one time collecting on the streets of the city throughout the 12 days before Christmas. Many of the students fast for 24 hours in the course of this annual fundraiser for the charity.
Usually, Bishop Colton makes the journey to the S.H.A.R.E. crib in the city centre of Cork himself, however, in a small seasonal twist for his last Christmas as Church of Ireland Bishop, he invited the representatives to visit the crib at his home instead this year.
Bishop Colton said:
It has been both a joy and an inspiration to witness, to be associated with and to support the work of these young people of Cork in their work for older people in our city throughout the last 27 years. S.H.A.R.E. is at the heart of generosity and caring in Cork and its prime movers are the young students. They do the work and that isn’t just confined to the 12 day Christmas fast and collection. There are weekly visits to the older people and social activities also. I have found that the energy and dedication of these young people has energised me over my years as bishop in my own ministry. They are magnificent.
The group enjoyed a chat with Bishop Paul and Mrs Susan Colton in their drawing room, where talk ranged from the work of S.H.A.R.E. to memories of past Christmases, changes in Cork over the years and the opportunities for charities and service in the community. Christmas treats were very much part of the occasion, prepared by Susan Colton, whose hospitality added a note of homeliness to the formal setting.
The visit concluded with the group looking at the Colton’s Crib, where Bishop Paul presented the three representatives with his annual donation.
With Bishop Paul Colton are Peter, Saoirse and Jack from S.H.A.R.E. Cork
Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton at the Blessing of the S.H.A.R.E. crib in 2023.
As bishops serving the people of Cork, we send our warmest Christmas greetings to all who live in our city and county — to people of faith, and to all people of goodwill.
Each year, when we sit at the Christmas table, whether on our own, with family, friends, or a neighbour, we bring with us all that the year has held. We bring our joys: a new birth or marriage, the seeds of a new relationship or friendship, the courage to take a new step in life, or the quiet relief of finding peace after a challenge or entering a new stage in life. Alongside these blessings, we also bring our disappointments, our grief, and the worries and troubles that have burdened us during this year. Beneath all the decorations and celebration, Christmas remains about the real lives we live and share. It is there, in the midst of ordinary, lived experiences, that God chooses to meet us.
That is why so many are drawn to the Christmas crib, whether in a church or in our homes. The crib at Bethlehem is not complicated. Its simple honesty touches us. It reminds us that God loves us and keeps His promises. He has sent His Son among us – to meet us in our churches, in our homes and workplaces, in our communities, in our relationships, our struggles, and our hopes – so that we may have new life and new light.
At Christmas, we are invited to be touched again by that light — the light of God born as one of us, Emmanuel, “God with us”. Our world needs it still: the light that overcomes the darkness of war, the shadow of injustice, and the cries of those who hunger, suffer, or feel they have nowhere to turn. It is a light that also speaks to challenges closer to home, including poverty, homelessness, loneliness and the quiet struggles carried behind many front doors.
Christmas is not something distant or confined to a story long ago. It happens wherever people love one another: when a neighbour checks in; when a hand is offered; when forgiveness replaces anger; when someone makes room — in a home, in a schedule or in a heart — for another person. That’s where God draws near.
Faith, hope and love are at the heart of Bethlehem, at the heart of our crib at home or in church, and at the heart of our own lives. The light of Christmas draws its rays from the Saviour born at Bethlehem. It is multiplied and reflected when every one of us, in our own way, allows our lives to be touched by its radiance — and when we choose, in small but real ways, to bring that light to others.
May your Christmas be filled with His light and His peace. Lord Jesus, be close to us this Christmas. Fill our hearts with Your peace. Help us bring Your light to our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and our communities. Amen.
+Fintan Gavin and +Paul Colton
The Bishop of Cork and Ross and The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Posted inChristmas|Comments Off on Joint Christmas Message 2025 from the Bishops of Cork
The United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross will hold over 200 services throughout the 12 Days of Christmas and the days leading up to the Christmas Festival.
The following list gives details of church services in the parishes and chaplaincies across the diocese. The list is organised by parish/location. If you would like to see a list organised by date/festival please visit our website.
For further information on specific services you can contact your local clergy HERE.
Abbeystrewry (Skibbereen)
Sunday December 21st ~ The Fourth Sunday of Advent
8.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
10.00am Morning Prayer in St. Mary’s, Caheragh
4.00pm Carol Service in Abbeystrewry Church with Saint Fachtna’s Silver Band.
Wednesday December 24th ~ Christmas Eve
10.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church
4.00pm Family Crib Service in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
11.30pm Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen.
Thursday December 25th ~ Christmas Day
9.00am Eucharist in St. Barrahane’s, Castletownshend
10.00am Eucharist in St. Matthew’s, Baltimore
10.15am Eucharist in St. Mary’s, Caheragh
11.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
Friday December 26th ~ Saint Stephen
10.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church
Sunday December 28th ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents
8.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
11.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
Sunday January 4th ~ The Second Sunday of Christmas
8.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
10.00am Eucharist in St. Barrahane’s, Castletownshend
10.00am Eucharist in St. Mary’s, Caheragh
11.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen
Tuesday 6th January ~ The Epiphany
10.30am Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church.
Ballydehob
Sunday 21st December ~ The Fourth Sunday of Advent.
11.00am St Matthew, Aughadown; United Service of Lessons and Carols, With refreshments to follow
7.30pm Saint Matthias, Ballydehob: Community Carol Service
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve.
11.30pm Saint Matthias, Ballydehob: Holy Communion Service
Thursday 25th December 2025 ~ Christmas Day.
10.00am St Matthew, Aughadown: Holy Communion
11.30am Saint Matthias, Ballydehob: Holy Communion
Sunday 28th December 2025 ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents
10.00am St Matthew, Aughadown: Morning Prayer
11.30am St Matthias, Ballydehob: Holy Communion
Bandon
Sunday 21st December ~ The Fourth Sunday of Advent.
11.00am United Nativity Service, St. Peter’s Church, Bandon
Wednesday 24th December~ Christmas Eve
12noon Christ Church Innishannon
9.00pm St. Peter’s Church, Bandon
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
9.30am Ballinadee
10.00am Rathclaren
11.30am Bandon
11.00am Innishannon
Sunday 28th December~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
11.00am United Carol Service, St. Peter’s Bandon
Sunday 4th January ~ Second Sunday of Christmas
9.30am Ballinadee
10.00am Rathclaren
11.30am Bandon
11.00am Innishannon
Carrigaline
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
11.00am Holy Communion St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
4.00pm Nine Lessons & Carols, St John’s Church, Monkstown
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
4.00pm Carols around the Crib, St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
11.00pm First Eucharist of the Nativity, St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
9.30am Holy Communion, St John’s Church, Monkstown
11.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
Sunday 28th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
11.00am United Christingle/Holy Communion Service, St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
Sunday 4th January ~ Second Sunday of Christmas
9.30am Holy Communion, St John’s Church, Monkstown
11.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
Tuesday 6th January ~ The Epiphany
10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline
Carrigrohane and Ballincollig
Wednesday 17th December
7.30pm Candlelight Carol Service, Church of the Resurrection Blarney
Friday 19th December
St. Peter’s Parish & Community Carol Service, St. Peter’s Carrigrohane
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
7.30pmSt. Senan’s Ecumenical Community Carol Service, St. Senan’s Cloghroe
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
11.00pm Holy Communion, St. Senan’s Iniscarra
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
10.00am Holy Communion, St. Peter’s Carrigrohane
11.00am Holy Communion, Sunday AM, The Carraig Centre
11.30am Holy Communion, Church of the Resurrection Blarney
Sunday 28th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
10.00am All Age Christingle Service, St. Peter’s Carrigrohane
11.30am All Age Christingle Service, St. Senan’s Iniscarra
Cloyne and Midleton
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
9.15am Holy Communion, East Ferry
10.30am Service of the Word, St John the Baptist, Midleton
7.00pm Carol Service, St Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
8.00pm Eucharist, St Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne
11.00pm Eucharist, East Ferry
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
9.15am Eucharist, St Michael and All Angels, Corkbeg
10.30am Eucharist, St John the Baptist, Midleton
Sunday 28th December ~ The First Sunday of Christmas
10.30am United Service with Baptism, St John the Baptist, Midleton
Sunday 4th January ~ The Epiphany
9.15am Morning Prayer, East Ferry
10.30am Eucharist, St John the Baptist, Midleton
12noon Morning Prayer, St Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne
Cobh and Glanmire
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
11.30am St Morning Prayer, St Lappan’s Church, Little Island
4.00pm Service of Lessons and Carols, Christ Church, Cobh
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
7.30pm United Service of Holy Communion, St Lappan’s Church, Little Island
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
10.00am Holy Eucharist, Christ Church, Cobh
11.30am Holy Eucharist, St Lappan’s Church, Little Island
Sunday 28th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
10.00am Holy Eucharist, Christ Church, Cobh
11.30am Service of the Word for All Ages, St Lappan’s Church, Little Island
Sunday 4th January ~ Sunday of the Epiphany
10.00am Morning Prayer, Christ Church, Cobh
11.30am Holy Eucharist, St Lappan’s Church, Little Island
Tuesday, 6 January ~ The Epiphany
10.30am Holy Eucharist, St Lappan’s Church, Little Island
Cork – St Anne’s, Shandon
Saturday 20th December
3.30pm St. Anne’s Church: Hanging of the Greens service followed by decorating the church and refreshments
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
10.15am Morning Prayer, St. Anne’s Church
12noon Holy Communion, St. Luke’s Care Home
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
10.15am Holy Communion, St Anne’s Church
12noon Holy Communion, St. Luke’s Care Home
Sunday 28th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
10.15am Holy Communion, St Anne’s Church
12noon Holy Communion, St Luke’s Care Home
Sunday 4th January ~ The Epiphany
10.15am Holy Communion, St. Anne’s Church
12noon Holy Communion, St Luke’s Care Home
Cork – St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
Sunday 21st December ~ The Fourth Sunday of Advent
11.15am Choral Eucharist
4.00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
12noon The Eucharist (said, in the Deans’ Chapel)
4.00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
11.15am Festal Choral Eucharist of the Nativity, Celebrant & Preacher: The Bishop
Friday 26th December ~ The Feast of Saint Stephen
12noon The Eucharist (said, in the Deans’ Chapel)
Saturday 27th December ~ The Feast of Saint John the Evangelist
12noon The Eucharist (said, in the Deans’ Chapel)
Sunday 28th December ~ The First Sunday of Christmas
11.15am The Eucharist (said, with hymns)
Monday 29th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents (transferred)
12noon The Eucharist (said, in the Deans’ Chapel)
Thursday 1st January 2026 ~ The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
12noon The Eucharist (said, in the Deans’ Chapel)
Sunday 4th January 2026 ~ Sunday of the Epiphany
11.15am Festal Choral Eucharist
3.30pm Festal Choral Evensong
Tuesday 6th January 2026 ~ The Epiphany
12noon The Eucharist (said, in the Deans’ Chapel)
Cork – Chapel of Christ the Healer, Cork University Hospital
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
9.15am The Eucharist
Sunday 28th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
9.15am The Eucharist
Douglas Union with Frankfield
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
8.30am Holy Communion, Blackrock
9.45am Morning Prayer, Passage
10.00am Carol Service, Frankfield
11.15am Carol Service, Douglas
7.00pm Carol Service, Blackrock
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
4.30pm Crib Service, Douglas
10.30pm Holy Communion, Douglas
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
8.30am Holy Communion, Blackrock
9.45am Holy Communion, Passage
10.00am Holy Communion, Frankfield
11.15am Holy Communion, Douglas
11.30am Holy Communion, Blackrock
Sunday 28th December ~ The Feast of the Holy Innocents / First Sunday of Christmas
8.30 Holy Communion, Blackrock
11.00am United Service, Blackrock
Sunday 4th January / Tuesday 6th January ~ The Epiphany
8.30am Holy Communion,Blackrock
9.45am Service of the Word, Passage
10.00am Service of the Word, Frankfield
11.15am Service of the Word with baptism, Douglas
11.30am Service of the Word, Blackrock
Fanlobbus (Dunmanway)
Friday 19th December
7.30pm Carols by Candlelight, St Matthew’s Church Drimoleague
Sunday 21st December ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
11.00am Christingle United Service, St Mary’s Church, Dunmanway
Wednesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
9.00pm Eucharist, St Matthew’s Church Drimoleague
11.00pm Eucharist, St Edmund’s Church, Coolkelure
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
9.45am Eucharist, Christ Church Drinagh
11.00am Eucharist, St Mary’s Church, Dunmanway
Sunday 28th December ~ The First Sunday of Christmas
11.00am United Service, Christ Church Drinagh
Wednesday 31st December ~ New Year’s Eve
11.15pm Watchnight Service, St Mary’s Dunmanway
Fermoy
Thursday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
9.45am Eucharist, Christ Church, Fermoy
9.45am Eucharist, Ballyhooly
11.15am Eucharist, Knockmourne
11.15am Eucharist, Glenville
Kilgarriffe (Clonakilty)
Sunday 14th December ~ Third Sunday of Advent
9.00am Morning Prayer, Church of the Ascension, Timoleague
11.00am Christmas Nativity Service, All Saints’ Church, Kilmalooda
As Bishop Paul Colton prepares to bring his more than 27-year tenure as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross to a close, he announced at the Diocesan Synod (27 September 2025) that he and his family had commissioned a new bell from Matthew Higby & Co Ltd (based in Bath, Somerset) to be presented as a parting gift to the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross and its future synods and councils.
The bell, now affectionately named The Colton Bell, has been placed in a beautifully crafted wooden presentation box and carrying case made by Kevin Carey, Assistant Principal and Woodwork and Construction Studies teacher at Ashton School, Cork. Kevin’s skilled craftsmanship ensures that the bell is held and displayed with dignity and permanence, adding a further layer of community contribution to this meaningful gift.
Bishop Paul Colton with Kevin Carey (Woodwork and Construction Studies Teacher) and fifth form Construction Studies students at Ashton School, Cork
In his Synod address, Bishop Colton explained that in the early Celtic Church bells were given to bishops as a symbol of their office and used to call the people together. He also noted the bell-ringing tradition among church bell-ringers. The link between Bath (where the bell company is based) and the diocese was also mentioned: Bishop Colton pointed out that his predecessor, Bishop Isaac Mann (1772-1788), died in Bath and was brought back to Cork for burial.
For many years, whenever diocesan gatherings or synods threatened to run away with themselves (or people proved difficult to be summoned back from their tea break), salvation arrived in the form of Mrs Susan Colton’s trusty school bell. With characteristic generosity, she would lend it to proceedings so that there was at least one way to keep clergy and laity in line. The bell, like its owner, proved faithful, good-humoured, and indispensable (proof that sometimes it takes a schoolteacher’s touch to keep a diocese behaving itself).
Thus the new Colton Bell stands as a ‘thank-offering’ for years of mission and ministry together, and as a practical device for the future: ‘to use in your proceedings henceforth.’ It marks the end of Bishop Colton’s long tenure and the Diocese’s transition to new leadership, while leaving behind a tangible symbol of his time and service. It gives the Diocese its own instrument for assembly, literal and metaphorical, to call people together for worship, deliberation and mission.
As the Diocese moves into its next chapter, the bell will serve as a reminder: we are a people gathered and a church assembled. Whenever that bell rings, clergy and lay, volunteers and visitors, will hear its summons to worship, to act, to listen, to serve. In the wise words of Bishop Colton:
The bell calls us together … to be the worshipping people that God asks us to be.
St Luke’s Church in Douglas was buzzing with warmth and community spirit last Sunday, 30th November 2025, as parishioners, diocesan lay readers, civic representatives, and current and former clergy gathered to mark the church’s 150th anniversary.
The service was led by the Rector, the Rev. William Olhausen, and Bishop Paul Colton was preaching. The congregation also included a number of special guests, among them local councillors Dan Boyle and Peter Horgan, Minister Jerry Buttimer, TD, and An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD.
During the service there was also an Act of Remembrance, led by Bishop Colton, where everyone was invited to think of those connected with the parish, past and present, and whose lives helped shaped the community. People were given small cards to write personal prayers or names to remember.
The Douglas and Frankfield Church Choirs sang beautifully throughout the service, accompanied by Veronica Tadman and Mark Spade on the organ. The choir of St Luke’s N.S. Douglas also sang a piece with their music teacher Ms Elaine Guinane. The service marked the last time Bishop Paul would attend a service in the parish in his official capacity as Bishop, and John Kershaw, on behalf of Douglas Union and Frankfield, presented Bishop Paul and Susan with a small present to thank him for his many years of service.
After the service, the celebrations moved to a lively reception where parishioners served tea, coffee, and an impressive spread of small treats.
The anniversary service was a vibrant reminder of what makes St Luke’s special today: its people, their generosity, and their commitment to the life of the parish.
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