Blessing of Candles and Blessing of Throats Monday 2nd Feb. is the Feast of the presentation of the Lord and the blessing of candles will take place at morning mass.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who year after year get candles blessed to be used on the Altar.  Tuesday 3rd February is the feast of St.Blaise and traditional blessing of throats will take place at morning mass.

Recent Baptisms Shaun Winnett Old Blarney rd, Cork.  Saidbh Fia O'Sullivan Silversprings, Watergate st.  Fionn Michael Collins Littlesilver, Bandon.

Lourdes invalid Collection The annual collection for the Lourdes invalid fund will take place at all masses next week

A Winning Investment We are surrounded by economic doom and gloom.  Investing is a feared word shunned by many until this uncertainty runs its course.  There is one guaranteed investment-it always pays huge dividends.  Why not invest in your marriage?

Marriage Encounter runs weekend events for couples that really deliver the goods.  The next weekend will take place in the Lake Hotel Killarney on the 27th Feb-lst March 2009. you could find out more by looking at their website www.marriageencounter.ie or by contacting Mike/Bernadette Foley at 064 44319, Ray & Ann Hennessy at 086 8334382.  If you have the wisdom to invest in your most important relationship it will provide excellent return.

Open Day at Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, College of Further Education, Tramore Rd., Cork.  Friday, 6th February, 10am-3pm. 40 full-time and part-time courses.  Talk to students, meet the tutors.  Information meetings every hour.  All Welcome.

The Coeliac Society of Ireland, Southern Branch will hold the following meeting in February: Date: Tuesday, Feb. 3rd 2009 Place: S.M.A. Centre, Wilton, Cork. Time: 8pm.  Topic: Talk from Anne Manning, who is responsible for Manufacturers booklet and from Ellen O'Mahony, Dietitian.  Refreshments will be served.  All welcome

Gramophone Circle Monday February 2nd 8pm Gateway Hall.  All Welcome.

Bandon Branch of Cope Foundation A.G.M. will be held Monday February 2nd 8pm Munster arms hotel.  All Welcome.

Spring Stations 2009 - if you would like to host the station for your area please contact Sheila Hayes - Tel No. 023-41473.

Bandon Golf Club Mass for deceased members will be celebrated at the club house on Tues. 3rd.  Feb. at 7.30pm. All Welcome.

An afternoon on 'Heart Health' information will be held in Bandon with a view of setting up a cardiac support group.  Date: 3rd Feb. 2009 in Munster arms Hotel 2.30-4pm. For more info please contact: Imelda O'Connor, Cardiovascular Public Health nurse at 021 4872626/ Martin Scully, Community Worker at 087 6599581

Today's First Reading (Deut 18:15-20) makes me wonder if God still raises up prophets, or even needs to.  Isn't our society literate, our Church organised, our liturgies regular, the word of God on tap, so to speak?  So what do we need a prophet for?  Could it be for the bits we miss?

When we listen to God's word what do we hear?  Words about love, so general, saccharine, and predictable that they pose no challenge to anybody?  Or, words that compel us to put faces on those we must love and see among them some we hate?  Perhaps a prophet could help us profile those ones.  Words about God that place him way out there; remote, impersonal, and uncaring?  Or, words that enable us to reach God way in here within our heart?  If that's too close for comfort perhaps a prophet could tell us why.  Words about having died with Christ in baptism, full of imagery but nothing else, and soon forgotten?  Or, words of power to radically change our way of life?  Perhaps a prophet could supply that power.  Words about a new heaven and a new earth on their way, but with luck not today?  Or, words that pump our hearts with hope & joy?  Perhaps a prophet could provide the pump.

Yes, we do need prophets: those who have heard God's word and taken it to heart.  Those who are comfortable with God up close and personal.  Those who don't need to tell others what to do.  Those who proclaim truth simply by the way they live.