Episode 223

Open for Business: Hope and Renewal in Ireland | Bishop Fintan Gavin

November 3rd, 2026

47 mins 39 secs

Transcript

Link with Timestamp

Download MP3 (43.9 MB)

Your Host
Tags
anchor consulting catholic church growth church leadership clear path to discipleship diocesan directors discipleship evangelization everyday evangelization jim jansen ministry new evangelization parish renewal parish tools bishop fintan gavin diocese of cork and ross ireland catholic church cultural catholicism secularism families of parishes personal encounter archbishop vigneron father james mallon divine renovation focus cco alpha catholic alpha youth carlo acutis eucharistic adoration eucharistic procession emmaus cafe ocia young adult ministry lourdes pilgrimage priestly ministry

About this Episode

When Bishop Fintan Gavin took over the Diocese of Cork and Ross, he inherited what so many of us in parish ministry are looking at right now: tired priests, historic churches echoing with memories, and a rapidly changing culture where the old ways of "doing church" simply don't connect anymore. It’s easy to look at those empty pews and think the story is over, but that’s not what’s happening on the ground. Across Ireland, the old ways of doing things are breaking open to reveal something fresh: packed young adult masses and 5,000 pilgrims pouring out onto rain-soaked streets behind the Blessed Sacrament. The scaffolding of cultural Catholicism might be falling away, but Jesus is very much alive. Join Bishop Fintan and me as we talk through shifting from parish maintenance to mission, learning to trust the Holy Spirit in the transition, and the quiet power of person-to-person invitation.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 - Welcome: Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross
01:57 - From Dublin to Rome: Vocation, homeless ministry, and spiritual fatherhood
09:40 - Lourdes pilgrimages: Vulnerability, healing, and Irish community
14:44 - The secular shift: Cultural Catholicism and the modern mission field
21:18 - Rebuilding post-COVID: Families of Parishes and reimagining priesthood
28:56 - Maintenance to mission: The power of one-on-one evangelization
33:08 - Carlo Acutis in Cork: Relics, adoration, and 5,000 pilgrims in the rain
37:48 - Signs of hope: The Emmaus Cafe, adult baptisms, and young adult life
43:30 - Encouragement for tired leaders: Trusting the Spirit today

Resources Mentioned

Our Trusted Partners

Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries (FFLCM) helps Catholic parishes and dioceses transform fragmented faith formation into an integrated, family-centered pathway of lifelong discipleship. Through the Pathways Formation suite, practical resources, leader formation, and ongoing accompaniment, they equip leaders to engage families, build sustainable teams, and cultivate faith that is lived at church and at home.

Alpha USA is a series of interactive sessions where people can have an open and honest faith conversation, without the pressure of having all of the answers. Alpha creates a space for all people to explore questions of faith, life, and meaning.

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

If The EquipCast is helping you navigate the realities of parish leadership, please take 60 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired ministry leaders find these tools and realize they don’t have to walk this path alone!

Connect & Take the Next Step:
  • Grab Your Free Tools: Get the playbook that actually changes lives at EverydayEvangelization.org.
  • Bring This to Your Parish: Discover strategic training and accompaniment at Anchor Consulting.
  • Read the Book: Order your copy of A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish.

The EquipCast is powered by Everyday Evangelization in conjunction with Anchor Consulting, delivering practical evangelization strategies and parish ministry tools to help you leave your ministry better than you found it.

Copyright © 2026 Anchor Consulting. All rights reserved.