Bandon Bridge Club will resume after the Summer break on Tuesday 2nd September at 7.45pm in the Munster Arms Hotel.

Bandon Branch of Cope Foundation meeting will be held Monday the Ist of September in the Munster Arms Hotel at 8.30pm.

Craft Day Gaggin I.C.A. Guild are holding their annual craft day on Saturday 18th October.  For further information and to secure your place contact: Eileen 023 41982 Margaret 023 42126 Marjory 023 22787

St. joseph's Young Priests Society will be held in the Munster Arms Hotel on Tuesday 2nd September at 8.30pm.

Denis O'Mullane will launch his CD "Songs for a Sing Song" in aid of Marymount Hospice at a garden party and musical afternoon at Lisselan Gardens, on today, 31st August, at 4pm.  Supporting acts.  Bring a straw hat and a picnic basket.

Cooffadda Bridge Club re-opens at Gateway on Tuesday 2nd September at 7.45P.m. Contact 023 41750 or 023 41080.

Station Mass for Carhue North, Laragh and Shinagh on Saturday 6th September 2008 at Peter and Maura Murphy's at 10-30am.

Autunm Stations 2008 If you are willing to have the station for your area this Autumn please contact Sheila Hayes (023 41473) before September 14th, 2008.  Dangan, Cripple Hill & Danganmore; Lower Knocknagurrane, Tultyland, Curravreeda, Lissaphooca, Gurranebeg & Knockanrea.  Old Chapel, Meelon & Roundhifl.  Ballylangley & Carrigcannon.  Cuffaclough & Callatrim.  Derrycool & Carhue South.  Clancoolmore & Clancoolbeg.

Biblical Scholar to talk in Turner's Cross Church on Wednesday Sep 3rd, Fr.  Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Jerusalem will continue his series of talks in Christ the King Church, Turner's Cross, on Wednesday 3rd Sept. at 8pm.  All are welcome.

Bandon Tennis Club: Junior coaching for the winter months resumes again on Monday Ist September from 2.30pm to 7.30pm and the Saturday mornings on 6th September from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Please contact the coaches Mike Lehane on 086 6686247 or Mark Cunningham 087 9852247. www.bandonltc.com

Bandon Scout Group: Meetings will resume as follows; Scouts on Friday 5th at 7.30pm. Macaoimh on Monday 8th at 7.15 pm and Beavers on Wednesday 10th at 7.00pm. All welcome to join.  Contact Group Leader on 087 7910062.

In our Gospel today Jesus prepares his disciples for the ordeal he is about to face in Jerusalem.  The disciples are upset and appalled, but Jesus knew he would have to take up his cross.  The words of Jesus today could hardly be more challenging.  He outlines that we as Christians are called to follow, not an easy path, we too must take up our cross.  Our world is one where money talks, where power and prestige are considered the things of great value.  As Christians we must be involved with the concerns of the world.  Our following of Jesus can be in small steps, our God is patient.

In the Gospel Jesus asks for commitment from his followers.  In all our lives we have to make sacrifices, look at the sacrifices parents make for their children everyday.  The only thing that makes sacrifice easy is love.  Love enables all of us to turn our crosses from stumbling blocks into stepping stones.  To be a true disciple of Jesus is a serious business.  The road to Jerusalem brought Jesus to Calvary, but it didn't end there it led to Easter.  To be a follower of Christ often means going against the values of the world we live in.  Let us pray that we will have the courage to follow Christ faithfully.

Fr.  Paul