RECENT BAPTISMS Niamh O'Mahony Dangan Beg.  Lorcan Michael White Knocknacurra.  Katarina Habanova North Main St.

STATION MASS for Clancoolmore & Clancoolbeg on Fri. 20th Feb. 2009 John & Niamh Ahern's at 7.30pm.

MINISTERS OF THE WORD & MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

New rotas for the above are now available in the Sacristy.  Please collect same as soon as possible.  The Sacristy is open each morning Mon-Fri until I lam. EASTER PILGRIMAGE TO ROME & SAN GIOVANNI 13th-19th April 2009 direct flight from Cork.  Further details on poster in church porch.

MEDUGORJE & POLAND PILGRIMAGE 2009

Travel from Cork on Sat 23rd-Sun 31st May.  Pilgrimage includes 4 days in Medugorje and 4 days in Poland.  I would love you to join me.  Contact Gerard Madden, Timoleague 086 3666514.

P.T.A.A. any person due to receive Fr.Cullen medals gold or silver pins please contact 023 41337 / 023 88 44052 as soon as possible.

BANDON FLOWER CLUB presents a flower arranging demonstration by Sheila Gilbert A.O.I.F.A. on Mon. 16th at 8pm in Munster Arms Hotel.  New members & visitors welcome.

GAGGIN DRAMATIC SOCIETY presents "Them" by Tom Coffey next weekend Sat 21st & Sun 22nd Feb also the following weekend Fri 27th Feb-Sun Ist March.  Curtain 8.30pm. All welcome.  Great night of entertainment assured.

SWIMMING Next Session begins week of Feb. 16th.  Lessons for adults & children, beginners, improvers, lane swimming.  Morning & evening Grove Leisure Centre.  Bandon 023 8841643.

GAGGIN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 36th Annual Combined Club Dinner dance will be held on Fri.  Feb. 20th 9pm sharp in the Munster Arms Hotel.  For tickets Contact M. Canniffe 023 88 42143 or Ann Walsh 023 88 39404. 

GRAMOPHONE CIRCLE Mon. 16th Feb 8pm Gateway Hall.  Everybody welcome. 

WEST CORK SIMON would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of its fundraising lunch at the Inchydoney Lodge 3/l/2009.  A total of :El 1.846.00 was raised on the day.

CUMANN SEANCHAIS NA BANNDAN BANDON LOCAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Charlie Coughlan, Capt.  Retd, Aer Lingus will give a lecture on the History of Irish Aviation up to 1936 on Wed. 18th Feb at 8pm in the parish centre at the rear of St. Patrick's Church.  New members very welcome.

The    street-wise say that God created man in his own image and likeness, and then man   returned the compliment.  The incident in today's Gospel reading (Mark 1:29- 39)     where Simon and his companions go out 'hunting' for Jesus, reminds me of

that quip.  The Greek verb used in verse 36 is katadioko.  A very strong word, it usually implies a hostile intend.  So, 'hunting down'jesus more accurately conveys what Simon was doing.

While people slept, Jesus made his way unhindered by the darkness to a deserted place to pray.  People considered such places, devoid of human beings, as abodes of demons.  Having just cast out many demons he now follows them to their dwelling.  He has no fear.  No evil can touch him.  For Jesus, even an abode of evil is a place for prayer 

That's a powerful and dramatic message: there are no God-free or prayer-free zones in life.

Back to the hunt again.  Why would Simon want to hunt down Jesus?  Well, he has just left everything to follow him, and now Jesus has disappeared.  This doesn't fit the image of Jesus that Simon has.  Finding him gone in the morning is a shock.  This is the first time it has happened.  What does it mean?  Has Jesus run off?  Is he a fraud, or a loony?

Has Simon made one awful fool of himself in abandoning his livelihood for him?  So, in doubt, frustration, and anger he sets out to find him.  He's looking for Jesus, but on his own terms.