Feasts and Memorials this Week

Monday 4th August:          St. John Vianney

Wednesday 6th August: The Transfiguration of the Lord 

Friday 8th August: St. Dominic

Saturday 9th August:        St. Teresa Benedict of the Cross (Edith Stein)

RECENT BAPTISM Andrew Jeremiah Lane, 22 Rosewood Rise, Ballylangley, R6isin Charlie Wilson, Derrycool, Bandon.

Bandon Family Festival Today Sunday: Car Boot Sale.  Morris Minor Rally and Family Festival Events from 9am Bandon G.A.A. Pavilion.

Bandon Community Hospital are hosting a Musical Supper on Thursday August 7th from 7 - 9pm.  Tickets available from Maura Meehgan on 023 41228 or 087 2359254.

The Bandon Tennis Club Summer Camp will run from Monday 1 Ith to Friday 15th August with 5 - 7 year olds from 10 - 11-30am at:E50 per child.  Then 8 - 10 year olds from 11-30am - 1.30pm at E60 per child and 10 - 15 year olds from 2 to 4.30pm at E65 per child.  Great fun and games for all ages!  Please contact Mark at 087 9852245 to sign up.  Also see website: www.bandonltc.com for information on all tennis activities.

St.  Brogans GA.A. Summer Camp - 10.00am to 2.30pm each day August 1 Ith to 15th for boys and girls aged 6 to 14 years.  No hurling or football experience necessary.  Lots of fun and games during an action packed week.  For further details contact 086 3323997.

Pathways, Exploring Faith and Ministry - This is a two year course run from September - May each year.  It is held in Farranferris College, Cork, on Wednesday evening from 7.30pm - 10-00pm.

Our Gospel reading today invites us to encounter grace.  Jesus had been teaching and healing.  The crowd is huge and so are their needs, far surpassing the couple of fishes and loaves of bread they have.  The disciples see only what is lacking, "Send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food." Like a lot of us today the disciples are locked into problem thinking, looking beyond what we have to what we haven't.  Jesus by contrast, accepts the resources that are there and gives thanks.  All those present ate their fill.  Gratitude has a way of drawing out what is hidden, overlooked and ignored.  Above all, gratitude opens our hearts to how much grace we have received and how much we are capable of sharing.  In our second reading St. Paul invites us to encounter grace.  God gave the world his Son because He loves us unconditionally.  This love is not for a moment but forever and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.  Because this love is so freely given we find it hard to accept.  Our old fears and suspicions are constantly causing us to doubt.  We find ourselves more comfortable with a God who is angry, demanding and judgemental, who keeps account of our every wrong.  Is it because we judge ourselves that we feel judged?  We focus on problems rather than giving thanks for what we have, just like the disciples.  The miracle of the loaves and fishes involves a lot more than giving food to people.  It is an expression of the love and care God has for each of us. 

Fr.  Paul