STATION MASSES Friday 26th September: at 8pm.  Roughgrove, Mallowgatton and Lisnabanree at Denis and Marguerite Callanan's.  Saturday 27th September at I lpm: agallagh, Moneens and Danganmore West at Dan and Marion Twomey's.

YOUTH 2000 RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS: Youth 2000 will host a retreat for young adults aged between 16 - 35 years (approx) in Myross Wood Retreat Centre, Leap from Friday September 26th (7.30pm) to Sunday 28th.  The retreat weekend will be filled with fun, laughter, craic and prayer.  Meals and Board provided, donation only.  Newcomers especially welcome. www.youth2000.ie. Contact: Eamon on 086 9972539.

ARE YOU GRIEVING?  HAVE YOU HAD ANY SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN YOUR LIFE/ Would you like help with your particular loss?  You may be interested in a new series of Bereavement Support Group meetings starting on Thursday 2nd October in Clonakilty.  It is open to all people who have suffered any significant loss in their lives, whether you are recently bereaved or long term.  Tel: 023 46611/34118.

MODERN LINE DANCE CLASSES commencing Thursdav 25th September at 7.30pm in the Town Hall.  Contact 087 696 9057.

ST BROGAN'S COLLEGE ADULT EVENING CLASSES commence Mon 22nd/ Tues 23rd see full details on Church Notice Board or last week's Soutbern Star

BANDON TOASTMASTERS we meet 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Bandon Room of the Munster Arms Hotel at 8.15pm sharp.  If you would like to speak publicly and are too shy to do so, we can help.  Improve your life and career.  Visitors and new members always welcome.  Next meeting is on 24th September.  New club opening in Kinsale on October Ist.

BANDON OPINION October issue out on Thursday next, September 25th.

BANDON ARTS FESTIVAL "ENGAGE" 26th-28th September '08.  Exciting Cultural Events.  For full programme, see Local Press.

CEILI AND SET DANCING CLASSES in the Town Hall, Bandon every Thursday at 9pm.  All are welcome.

KNOCK Legion of Mary Annual Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 28th September.  Bus leaving Bandon 6am.  Contact: 086 3030195, 087 7496421.

GAGGIN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION are holding a meeting on September 24th at 8.30pm in the Community Hall Gaggin.  All members are requested to attend and new members are always welcome.

FUNKY FISH CHESS GROUP starting October til February.  All ages.  All levels.  All welcome.  For more info phone: 087 6659550.

BANDON FRIENDS TOGETHER GROUP meet every Wed afternoon in the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon from 2.30-4.30pm. New members always welcome.

One of the big complaints the Pharisees had about Jesus was the way he treated sinners.  Jesus had time for sinners.  He welcomed them and told them that they too could find salvation.  This generosity didn't please the Pharisees.  They felt indignant about it.  It didrf t seem fair or just that sinners should be treated with the same mercy as those who had faithfully kept the law.

Sometimes like the Pharisees, we can feel a little hard done by too.  We go to Mass regularly.  We do our best to live good Christian lives.  We remain loyal to the Church when so many others are drifting away... and yet we are told that God will treat us no more generously than the person who makes a death-bed conversion after having lived a Godless life.  We may wonder where is the justice in that.  But the truth is that none of us, not even the greatest saints, can do enough on our own to merit the reward of heaven.  We cannot earn it.  At the end of the day we have to depend on the mercy and generosity of God.  That generosity, no matter to whom it is extended, is something none of us should ever complain about.