Polish chaplaincy celebrates 20 years in Cork with special Mass 

The Diocese of Cork and Ross celebrated 20 years of the Polish chaplaincy in Cork recently with a special Mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mahon.

The principal celebrant was Bishop Fintan Gavin, who concelebrated with current Polish chaplains, Fr Rafal Zielonka and Fr Bartlomiej Dziedzic, as well as former chaplains, Fr Piotr Galus and Fr Kamil Bachara.

They were additionally ed by the co-parish priest of Mahon, Fr Micheal Keohane.

Earlier this year, the Polish chaplaincy in the diocese transferred from St Augustine’s Church to the Holy Cross Church in the family of parishes of Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Rd, and Mahon.

The chaplaincy serves the sacramental and pastoral needs of Polish people and families in the diocese.

Significant role

Bishop Gavin said the Polish community plays a significant role in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

“We had a wonderful day celebrating 20 years of the Polish chaplaincy,” he said.

“The Polish community is a valuable part of the diocese — it’s great to see so many celebrating with us.

“Many have started their own families in Cork and want to on the values, traditions, and lived faith that they received from their parents and grandparents in Poland — our faith unites us together.

“The Polish community is a vibrant part of the Catholic Church and we are most grateful for their continued .”

At the end of the Eucharist, Bishop Gavin blessed an icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, which was donated to the church by the Polish community.

After the mass, attendees gathered at the Mahon Community Hall, where a screening of a film about the history of the Polish chaplaincy in the Diocese of Cork and Ross was shown, as well as artistic performances by of the Polish community.