Lectio Divina - Every Mondayfrom 8pm to 9pm at the Presentation Convent "They argued about who was the most important" (Mark 9). The apostles walked daily with Jesus, yet even they obsessed about position and status. Sometimes the wisdom or insight we need to receive can get blocked.

TRIDIUM TO ST.  PADRE PIO AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Begins Monday next 21st September 10.00a.m. and 7.30p.m.

SECOND COLLECTION The annual collection for the Education of Students for the priesthood will take place at all masses next weekend.

RECENT BAPTISM Anabelle Lavelle McGrath, 28 Radharc an Bhaile.

S.VP. (BANDON) wishes to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously to our recent church door collection.

BANDON FLOWER CLUB Presents a flower arranging demonstration by Una Flemming on Monday 21st at 8pm in Munter Arms Hotel.  Visitors welcome.

BANDON BRANCH OF COPE will hold their next meeting on Monday September 21st at 8.30pm in the Munster Arms Hotel.  All members please attend.

GAGGIN ICA GUILD will hold their meeting on Thursday September 24th at 8.30pm in the Community Hall Gaggin.  All members please attend

BANDON OPINION October issue is out on Thursday next, September 24th.

SWIMMING Lessons for adults and children, beginners, improvers, lane swimming.  Morning and evening.  Grove Leisure Centre 023 88 41643.

BANDON TOASTMASTERS We meet 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Bandon Room of the Munster Arms Hotel, at 8.15pm sharp.  We are starting a new season and are looking for new members or if you are just interested in what Toastmasters is all about please come to our next meeting which is on Wednesday 23rd of September.  At toastmasters we like to talk.

STATION MASS for Knockaveale, Upper Knocknagurrane, and Mayfield on Friday, 25th September, at Anthony and Catherine O'Donovan - Forde's at 8p.m.

The Gospel echoes the First and Second Readings - there is good and there is evil.  There does not seem to be any in-between.  'If you are neither hot nor cold I will vomit you out of my mouth.' it is pretty clear from today's liturgy: double life, double standards - not acceptable.  You are one thing or the other.  Even when Peter tried to be 'reasonable' with Jesus the retort was 'get behind me Satan'.  How strong can a retort be?

Jesus was, however, very encouraging.  We may wait around for the big opportunity, that time when we can really show how great and committed we are; but time slips by and the big change doesn't come.  A cup of cold water' is the response Jesus gives to the spiritual laggards.  A cup of cold water might have more significance in Jesus' situation than ours, but the love and thought behind it are the same wherever you are.  Small things, small gestures, small acts of service are important.

How single-minded and ruthless Jesus is regarding scandal.  He talks about giving scandal to others and scandal given to ourselves.  In his human nature it is questionable if Jesus knew of computers, but a 'new sin' is the scandal people give themselves by their use (abuse) of the internet and the items that can be watched which prove unhelpful to good living.  Frequent misuse of the internet can blunt our sensibilities and our respect for other people and is certainly relevant to Jesus' castigations.

Our society weeps over Jesus' statement regarding anyone who puts an obstacle in the way of a little one.  There can be no compromise or excuse for cruelty or abuse.  Those who are silent where they are aware of such acts are also givers of scandal by enabling perpetrators to perform these horrendous acts.

We must take the words of Jesus deep into our hearts, not just for fear of eternal damnation, but for love of the innocent, the vulnerable, those without a voice.  There can be no compromise with evil - we are here to be and to do good.