CONTINUING OUR SHORT SERIES OF USEFUL WEBSITES

www.webelieveweb.com

An excellent resource for those working with children with many differing sections offering a whole host of information.  Sections relating to missionary work reveals challenges facing children of similar age in Africa while each Liturgical week is explained along with reviews of Saints and the origins of their work.  An interesting section relates to young priests and the work they undertake in places such as the Vatican while a section is dedicated to activities for children and while its based on the American school system, you'll have no trouble adapting to the age quickly.  Aimed at all ages of the young, it is an interesting and insightful view of religion worldwide, both historically and today.  Definitely a top recommendation from bandonparish.ie!

PETER'S PENCE COLLECTION the annual Peter's Pence Collection will be taken up at all Masses next weekend.

RECENT BAPTISM Abbie Ciara O'Donovan. 6 Connolly St.

GRAMOPHONE CIRCLE Mon.  June 23rd. 8pm.  Gateway Hall.  All welcome.  Proceeds in aid of COPE.

BANDON ART GROUP Annual Exhibition at the 'Gateway' Bandon.  Fri 2 7th June-Sat July 5th. 11-6 daily except Sun.  Closing Sat 5th, 1.30. Supporting St Michael's Centre, Bandon.

WORK START WEST CORK is a free, FAS-funded Supported Employment service in operation for seven years.  We support job seekers who feel they need some extra support finding work due to various issues such as dyslexia, back problems, illnesses, sensory impairments, etc.  We support people to find fully paid employment in the open Labour market.  We also provide support to employers.  Contact your Local Employment Facilitator, Mags King. 086-8126806 or 023-41311.

STAGESTARS SUMMER DRAMA CAMP: 10-2.30. Children 5-12 yrs.  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.

GAGGIN I.C.A. Annual outing takes place on Thurs 3rd July.  Details from: Mgt Fitzgerald at 42126 or Ann Walsh at 39403.

BANDON OPINION July issue out on Thursday next, June 26th.

In all our lives there are moments when life seems to weigh down upon us, all of us find it hard to cope with life from time to time.  In today's Gospel Jesus offers words of encouragement to his disciples the early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs in Jesus, they lived in an atmosphere of hostility and hate.  Today we do not have to face the persecution of the early Christians but it can be hard for us to stand up for our faith.  We are living in a secular society one that is more and more hostile to the Christian message.  Many have rejected the church and turned away from it.  In our Gospel Jesus says to the Apostles: 'Do not be afraid'.  We all know that life itself can be intimidating.  God can be seemingly absent from our daily lives.  We can be tempted to simply go along with the crowd.  We become intimidated by peer pressure or the values of society which often stands in opposition to God's will.  It takes a great deal of strength to stand for something so as not to fall for everything.  To lovingly acknowledge Jesus as Lord requires courage.  This courage is never misplaced.  God loves each of us without exception.

Let us take comfort from the words of St Augustine when he wrote, 12 Sunday, in Ordinary Time a God of life, there are days when the burdens we carry weigh down upon us, when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening.

When our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage.  Flood our paths with light, turn our hearts to brave music, fill us with your courage that we may encourage the souls of all who journey with us, on the road of life. Fr.  Paul.