RECENT BAPTISMS Sinead Bridin O'Rourke, 10 Woodfield Old Chapel Ida Kitimbo Bridget Lawlor, Eaulwood, New South Wales Australia Taylor Bridget Maria Hogan, I Fox's Hill Jason Owen Patrick Looney, 2 Castledon Court

TAI CHI FOR HEALTH & FITNESS

Whatever your age or level of fitness, tai chi chuan is the ultimate form of exercise to keep you strong and healthy in body & mind.  A 10 week morning & evening course will commence on Jan 22nd at 10-30am and 7.30pm at the town hall Bandon.  For further details please contact Mary Niles on 087 2492921 / 086 1780680.  Mary is a qualified instructor with the John Ding international academy of Tai chi chuan.

GRAMOPHONE CIRCLE Monday Jan 19th 8pm Gateway Hall.  Everybody Welcome.

GAGGIN ICA GUILD are holding an afternoon tea dance in the community hall Gaggin on Sunday Jan 25th with Music by Patrick O'Sullivan.  Dancing 3-6pm Teas served.  Proceeds in aid of Cope foundation.

BANDON FLOWER CLUB

Presents A.G.M. and a talk on essential oils and aloe vera by Mary McSweeney in the Munster Arms Mon 19th at 8pm.  New members & visitors welcome.

ST.  BROGAN'S PARENTS ASSOCUTION are holding a parents meeting in St. Brogan's secondary college on Monday 19th Jan Co) 8pm sharp.  All parents welcome

ST BROGAN'S COLLEGE: Adult evening classes.  Enrolment: Mon. 19th Jan. 7-8pm Ten week classes cost 4E115: beginner computers, ECDL, art and bridge (beginners and improvers), creative writers workshop, ballad guitar, Spanish, English for newcomers.  Eight week classes cost C95: reflexology, reiki, introduction to the stockmarket, digital camera skills, flower arranging, beauty/colour/style/assertiveness, business skills, interior design.  Classes will be held on Mondays or Tuesdays: 7.30-9.30pm Tel: 087 2309653 after 2pm only.

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 some extra 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 labour market.  We also provide support to employers.  Contact your local employment facilitator, Mags King 086-8126806 or 023-884 1311

In today's Gospel Jesus' question to the future disciples is a fundamental one which we all must ponder, "What are you looking for?".  These men have been told by John that Jesus was the lamb of God.  Something within each of them told them to instinctively follow Jesus.  I wonder what made them follow him, maybe he could teach them a better way to fish or -help them drive the Romans their oppressors out of their land, maybe nothing greater than a few words of kindness and some direction in their lives.

The invitation of Jesus is nothing more than a simple open and straightforward, "Come and see".  There are no great plans or false promises.  To follow Jesus and see where he is, is to be part of a great adventure of faith.

When the Lord called Samuel the youth responded, " Speak Lord your servant is listening".  Leaps of faith were fine for Abraham, Samuel and king David but not for us people of today's world.  We play things down and keep our options open.  Modern day living has taught us to be very slow to commit to anything.  Media has taught us to be negative about everything, God knows the church hasn't shone in a positive light, our economy is going through the hardest time in years, people are feeling the pinch in a real way.  Our God offered none of us a job description in life, not even to his disciples, but neither does God put boundaries on his love for us.  The invitation to followjesus is extended to each of us no matter who we are or what our difficulties in life are, all God asks of us is a listening heart and a willing spirit.

Fr.Paul