Over the next five weeks we will be giving some information on religious websites which we hope people will fmd helpful www.sermon4kids.com

This website is an excellent companion to those working with children including parents. it provides a lovely view of gospel and scripture, encompassing the meanings in child friendly stories.  Colour is evident in the site along with small rhymes to bring the information across.  It is mostly suited to children in primary school and highly useful for those preparing children for first holy communion and confirmation.  Pictures to colour in along with puzzles and word searches are also available to download in various forinats and provides a great interface for engagement with the weekly Gospel.

RECENT BAPTISM Sarah Marie O'Driscoll, Ballyhandle, Crossbarry.  Ella Sarah McCarthy, 8 Oliver Plunkett Street.  Natalia Tirdova, 15 North Main Street.

Pathways:       A new opportunity for adufts interested in exploring their faitb.  This course, beginning in Cork city in September 2008, offers you a chance to explore questions related to faith, church and life in general one night a week over the course of the year.  Open to adults of all ages.  No exams or written assignments required, simply an openness to learning with and from others.  More information on church notice board.  For a brochure, call Fr.  Sean O' Sullivan, Adult Religious Education Office at 021 4357765 or email are@corkandross.org. Places limited.  Closing date for applications 3 Ist July 2008.

Cumann Sean chais Na Banndan Bandon Local History Association A visit to Carrigadrohid castle and graveyard and Canovee on Wednesday 18th June leaving St. Patrick's car park at 6.45p.m. sharp or meet at Caffigadrohid at 7.30 pm. Guide for the evening is Peter Scanlon.  New members always welcome to join on the evening.

Stagestars Summer Drama Camp: 10.00 - 2.30. Children 5-12yrs.  Weeks 7/7/08, 14/7/08 and 21/7/08 in Gaggin Community Hall.  Contact Pam Golden 087 2465118.

Care-A-Lot Childcare: Opening September 2008.  Crossbarry / Innishannon area.  For enrolment and further information contact Averil 087 6644006 after 6pm.

All three readings of our mass today address the reality of our human condition as well as the amazing Grace of good at work in our hearts and in our history.  The Israelites have nothing to commend them as a good nation, they are a collection of tribes who lack unity and purpose, they are slaves but God's Grace is at work in their history.  God ends their slvery and carries them on eagles wings.  St Paul reminds of the reality of sin in our lives.  God liberates all of us from sin and death because God loves us totally.  In our gospell Matthew presents Jesus as a man moved with pity.  Jesus is a man for others, throughout the gospels Jesus shows his concern for all those he meets, he shares their burden.

Everyday we meet people who are in need and in distress, the world we live in is full of suffering and more of us have to look to far to find it.  As members of the faith community our response to the suffering we meet must be of genuine compassion which comes from our hearts, motivated by love.  We have Jesus as our example and through history there has been other great examples for us to follow Mother Teresa, Oscar Schindler, St. Francis, Nelson Mandala, Martin Luther King and everyday ordinary people responding to what the encounter.  People came to Jesus with their needs, their hopes, their soffows and their pain.  Jesus is moved with pity for them because they are harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus did more than empathise with those he met, he felt their pain.  Jesus commissioned his disciples to show God's compassion to the world and all also to proclaim it.  The task Jesus gave his disciples is also given to each of us.  The question we can only answer as individuals is: can we risk caring for others?  St Francis told us "It is in giving that we receive." Fr Paul