VOCATION AWARENESS WEEKEND

This year the Catholic Church in Ireland has asked to reflect on our Christian calling and so has called for a "year of Vocation".  This runs from Vocation Sunday 2008 to Vocation Sunday 3rd May 2009.  Its threefold theme - Called to Love , Called to Serve, Called to Witness - includes all vocations within the Church.  Whatever we do whoever we are,whether we are single, or married, young or older, priest or religious- it will have something to say to each one of us in our following of Jesus Christ . It will help us deepen and appreciate our belonging to the Church.  An important feature of this year will be the promotion of Priesthood and Religious Life.  During the Weekend of 22nd-23rd November we, in Bandon parish, are invited to focus on and appreciate our own particular call, asking the Lord to deepen our belonging to Him.  There will be a short input on the topic of "Vocation" at each Mass over the weekend and "Vocation Literature" will be on display in each Church.

Wriggletto - Relaxed weekly music and movement classes for you and your pre-school child (infant to age 5).  Classes recommence early December in Bandon.  Songs, chants, movement dance, instrument play and family fun!  Try it out for free-reserve a demo space (late November) or hear more by calling Mairead Gallagher at 021 4776908 Step Training Course Looking for new skills and opportunities?  Step Dancing begins on Monday Jan 19th 2009 in Bandon YMCA!  STEP is a full-time training course & lasts for 22 weeks.  IT skills feature highly on the course, but it is much than just a computer course.  Quaulifications include: ECDL & FETAC Level 5 awards in Communications and Work Experience.  For more information Contact Sinead at Tel: 087 9652738 Web:www.ymca-ireland.org/STEP%2006

Gramophone Circle Monday November 24th 8pm Gateway Hall.  Everyone welcome

Bandon Toastmasters We meet 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Bandon Room Munster Arms Hotel at 8.15pm sharp and 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 Wednesday 26th Nov.  Kinsale meeting on Dec 3rd in the Blue Haven Hotel at 8.00pm

Bandon Opinion December Issue out on Thursday next, November 27th

Special Education Need and Parents Presents: an interactive Workshop with Ted Tierney from Mental Health Awareness Discover the importance of de-stressing in today's busy world on Thursday 20th November 2008 at 7.30pm at the Parkway Hotel Dunmanway.

St Brogans Parents Association: St Brogan's College Parents Association will host a talk by Dan Arnold, Parenting Coach on Tuesday 25th November, 2008 at 7.45pm. The speaker will cover various issues regarding teenagers including responsibility for their own problems.  He will also hold a question and answers session allowing parents to bring up issues.

Gramophone Recital: The annual Gramophone Recital organized by Bandon and District Soroptimists will be held in the Bandon Golf Club, on Fri. 28th November at 8.00pm Tickets ElO.00 each includes refreshments, Proceeds go to Cope and Aid Bandon Children.

We come to the end of our Liturgical year, The Feast of Christ Our l(ing and we prepare ourselves for Advent, The coming of the Word made flesh.  In reality the Term King doesn't fit for Jesus.  He was bom in a stable, Harassed all his life by those in Authority in the end crucified, forsaken by his friends and laid in a borrowed tomb.  Jesus is not a king who loves power, but a king who shepherds with the power of love.  In our First Reading today The Prophet Ezekiel puts it this way." Thus says the Lord I myself vafl look after and tend my sheep I will rescue them, the lost I will seek out, I will bring back the injured and heal the sick.  Jesus gives an example to all authority, that leadership must be expressed through service.  Jesus kinship involves judgment.  However we will not be judged by our worldly success or economic power.  Jesus requires service from the community of disciples and surely you and I are his disciples.  On this we will be judged.  Did we give food to the hungry clothes to the naked, welcome the stranger and visit the sick and imprisoned. if we have, we have been imitators of Jesus.  By ministering to the least of our brothers and sisters we minister to Jesus in his need.  Our king and Lord is so closely identified with the poor and rejected that when we respond to those in need we are the presence of Jesus himself Fr.  Paul