CHRISTMAS PENETENTIAL SERVICES

Tuesday 16th December Innishannon 7.30pm

Wednesday 17th December Newcestown 8.00pm

Thursday 18th December Enniskeane 7.30pm

Monday 22nd December Bandon 7.30pm

Tuesday 23rd December Kilbrittain 8.00pm

Ministers Of The Word: The St. Paul Missal for 2009 is now available in the Sacristy.  Readers are asked to collect same as soon as possible.  When collecting the Missal please also take a copy of the booklet "Watch and pray" - a preparation for Advent and Christmas.  The Sacristy is open each morning Monday to Friday until I lam.

Recent Baptisms Roisin Cara Shannon Mayfield, Knockaveale.  Vincent Kopczynski The Rampards, Castle Rd. Ava Brenna Alana O'Hara Duniana, Clancoolmore.

I would like to thank all the collectors & their people who helped out on 8th December.  We raised a grand total ofE2,137 for the Childrens Leukemia ward in the Mercy Hospita l

Bandon Community Carol Service at St. Patrick's church Bandon on Friday 19th December. at 7.30pm. Everybody Welcome.

Bandon Flower Club Presents a Christmas demonstration by Mary Coleman A.O.I.F.A. on Mon. 15th at 8pm in the Munster Arms Hotel.  Also sales table in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Street Children of India.  Visitors Welcome.

Coffee Morning & Christmas Fayre on Monday 15th Dec from 09-30-12.30 at the social centre Castlelack, Bandon.

Ladies Lunch in aid of Cork Simon 3rd Jan 2009 at Inchydoney Lodge & Spa.  Reception at 1.30pm. Tickets C50.  Contact Adrienne Crowley 086 6031181.  Ideal Christmas Gift

In all our lives, each of us has a measure of power and in turn each of us is under the power of others.  Power and its use provides a useful insight into character.  We see what others and ourselves are made of when we are given ntrol and responsibility.  Some people grow with authority and come per appreciation of the needs of others, and some people abuse the given to them and in turn manipulate others for their own needs an en s.

John the Baptist is clearly a man who does not allow his authority and role in salvation history to become raw power or self-righteous moralizing.  In our Gospel reading John is asked the most important question.  " W lo are you?".  John could have said "While I may not be the Messiah, I still have a big role to play.  I am the one selected by God to do all the tough work of preparation I have a good deal of clout with God." John offers no such answer, he is not the Messiah.  He is not Elijah or one of the prophets come back to life.  John has no illusions of grandeur.  John is strong enough in his identity to know his place and play his part.  May the same be said for us.

We too must resist the temptation of self glory and advancing our own interest ahead of the Gospel.

In all our lives we feel the pressure to be successful.  Yet God wants us like John to be faithful.  For when we are faithful we are most successful.  During the season of advent john's calling and example speaks to us. Each of us being asked, "Who are you?" What answer can you or I give?  Fr Paul