QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK

Q.   If the Eucharistic Bread was subjected to laboratory testing before and after the consecration, would the results be any different?

A.    There is no chemical or physical change at the consecration, so the chemical analysis would yield the same result before and after the consecration.  In the same way, a chemical test on Jesus of Nazareth during his life on earth would have found the elements of a human body but would not have detected his divinity.  Our faith is based on the words of Jesus.  The Son of (iod dwelt for some thirty-three years in human nature, and now he comes to us as the bread of life, made holy in the consecrated bread and wine.

RECENT BAPTISMS: David Keith O'Mahony, 28 O'Mahony Avenue .  Conor O'Sullivan, 5 Cottage Gardens , Castle Road .

LECTIO DMNA: "If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever:" (John 6) Chew on God's Word everyday.  It is Life and Truth, feeding the body and nourishing the soul for its long eternal ourney. (Next meeting September 7th)

In preparation for the International Eucharist Congress.  A series of studies on the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH will be held at different venues in the Diocese of Cork and Ross, from September - December, 2009. (These studies are open to all adults who wish to have a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith).  Further details on Church noticeboards.

STUDY THEOLOGY FROM HOME!  The Dominicans are offering a theology programme specifically for lay people, offered by distance learning.This means that one can study for a certificate, diploma or degree in theology, and even more importantly, become more educated in the Faith, all from the comfort of home.  For further information, please contact The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24, Tel.: (01) 404 8124/7, or email enquiries prioryinstitute.  Visit our website www.prioryinstitute

THE BANDON TENNIS CLUB SUMMER CAMP will run from Monday 17th to Friday 21st August.  Open to all ages.  For further details contact Mike Lehane on 086 668 6247.

The message on the Church bulletin board reads: 'Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.' Wisdom is knowing what to stand for - and standing up for it.  Wisdom is putting knowledge to good use.  Today's First Reading (Prov 9.1-6) urges us to 'lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight' (v 6).  Easier said than done.

Someone who is immature is not ripe.  Growth in one or more areas of their life slowed down or stopped completely at some stage.  It's scary enough that such a thing can happen, but to make matters worse it can happen without our realising it until it's late in the day.

Today's reading also tells us to walk in the way of insight.  Fine!  But how do you do that?  You can't just decide to have an insight as you'd have a cup of tea.  You can't conjure one up, order one over the Internet, or go to a shop and buy one.  No!  They either come to you or they don't.  However, maybe it's just one basic insight that the reading refers to.  Once you've had that one others follow of their own accord as life presents them.  But without the basic one you miss the others.  And what is more basic to realise than that life has purpose, and consequences that extend beyond death.  Once that sinks in we begin to see things differently.

Wisdom has built her house, set her pillars, and prepared a meal for those who enter.  So let's put immaturity aside and live.  Let's cop on not cop out.