STATION MASS for lower Knocknagurrane on Thursday 30th October at 8pm at the home of Brendan and Jane Scannell.

RECENT BAPTISM'S Emma Jane O'Connell, Garrynadruig, jayden Sean Wilmot, 3 Castle Court, Ava Shannon-Leahy, 2 Hewitts Bridge.

Bandon Opinion November issue out on Thursday next, October 30th

www.2u.ie You will be immediately impressed by the opening page of this website which has a mellow usage of colour while impressing the viewer with a thought provoking photo and delivering a thought for the day further down the page.  With the logo of "Today is my gift to you", each day provides you with a quotation and a brief thought based on the quote along with a photo.  The site is run by a Cork Priest and is well worth a look on a daily basis.

Thank You Sincere thanks has been extended to the parish from The Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the generous contributions to the Mission Sunday collection.  The total raised last Sunday will be an invaluable resource for the continued work of missionaries worldwide.  We are asked to continue praying for our missionary brothers and sisters as they bear witness to God's message and speak for those with no voice.

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 our 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 labor market.  We also provide support to employers.  We have a large pool of personable, skilled and experienced people seeking employment.  Contact your Local Employment Facilitator, Mags King 086 8126806 or 023 41311

Church Bulletin Bandon Day Care centre is holding its annual coffee morning on the Ist november in the day care centre between 10am - 12pm.  All are welcome.

Gramophone Circle Monday 27th October 8pm Gateway Hall.  Everyone welcome.

St.  Brogan's College Parents Association monthly meeting November 3rd 8pm in St. Brogan's College all parents/guardians welcome.

Keep Fit Classes Places still available - 4 classes left.  Tuesday Mornings 11 -12 (Next class Tuesday 28th October) Tuesday Evening 7 - 8pm (Next class Tuesday 28th October).  At Bandon Family Support Centre, Deerpark. :E3 per class.  Also: Computer classes, smoking cessation & parent toddler group, starting in November.  Enquiries: 023 42743.

Today's first reading has some very blunt language.  While the Gospel speaks about love and the command to love, the first reading from Exodus talks about hatred and racial prejudice and Warns against it.  The statement that comes from God is very strong.  "You must not molest the stranger or oppress him." (Ex 22:2 1) In the book of Leviticus 19:20, the statement is spelled out in greater detail: "When a stranger stays with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  The stranger who stays with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

Hatred of the stranger is a wicked thing.  It is like the human form of mad cow disease.  It devours the human soul and sucks out the essential human qualities of concern and compassion.  It is the opposite of love.  I'm sure you've noticed how prejudice works.  When I'm prejudiced, I judge the other group or race or religion as a group, not as individuals.  I presume that they are ALL evil in some way, or ALL are spongers or stupid or thieves or whatever. if I'm shown examples of members of the group who are kind and generous and caring, I dismiss them as mere exceptions that prove the rule.

There is an intolerant streak in a lot of us.  If it's left unaddressed, it can be like a time bomb.  There's anger in God's words quoted above: "Do not molest the stranger" As Christians we are called not just not to hate.  We are called to love the stranger as ourselves.