RECENT BAPTISMS Daniel James Whelton Knocknaguffane, Bandon.  Owen Francis Galwey Donadea, Co. Kildare.

Spring Station 2009 we would like to thank the families who have to date taken a Station for this Spring. if you would like to host the Station in any of the following areas please contact Sheila Hayes, Tel. no. 023 41473.  " Gaggin and Cashelbeg. o Tullyland, Cuffavreeda, Lissaphooca, Gurranebeg and Knockanrea. o Old Chapel.  Meelon and Roundhill. - Monarone and Clashafree. - Ballylangley and Carrigcannon Kilbrogan. - Cuffaclough and Callatrim. -9 Derrycool and Carhue South.

World Day of Prayer Bible studies Thursday 26th February. 10.30 - 12 noon at Pastoral Centre.  All welcome.

Ash Wednesday The beginning of Lent.  Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and is the lst day of Lent.  There will be an evening mass in the Parish Church at 7.30pm on week-days during Lent.  Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the morning and evening mass on Ash Wednesday.

Ennis Padre Pio Pilgrimage to San Giovanni visiting also Rome and Loreto.  Leaving Cork Airport August 31st - September 9th.  Please contact Marie Coll 086 8804603.

P.IA.A. any person due to receive Fr.Cullen medals gold or silver pins please contact 023 41337 / 023 44052 final notice, presentation shortly.  P.T.A.A. Bandon Social on Fri. 6th March in Gaggin Community Hall.  All welcome.  Music: Lee Sound.  Tea Served.

Bandon Opinion March Issue on sale Thursday, February 26th.

Gaggin Dramatic Society presents "Them" by Tom Coffey this weekend Saturday 2 Ist & Sun 22nd February also the following weekend Friday 27th February & Sunday lst March.  Curtain @ 8.30pm. All welcome.  Great night of entertainment assured.

Bandon Toastmasters we meet 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month in the Munster Arms Hotel at 8.15pm sharp.  Improve your life and career, new members and visitors always welcome.  Next meeting February 25th.  Kinsale meeting on the Ist & 3rd Wed. of each month and their next meeting is on 4th March in The Blue Haven Hotel at 8pm.

Irish Wheelchair Association Did you know that the Irish Wheelchair assoc. provide a Motoring Assessment, advice and tuition for people with any type of Mobility difficulty.  This service is part funded by the HSE.  Further info Irish Wheelchair assoc. office or Tel. 021 4350282 or www.iwa.ie.

The Annual Table Quiz organised by Coiste nd dtuisti / The Parents Assoc. of Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan will take place in the Munster Arms Hotel on Friday February 27th at 8.30pm. All Welcome. :C5O per table, booking on 0866019078.  Proceeds go towards purchasing computers and an interactive whiteboard for the school.

Old Chapel Road Trotting Races Today Sunday 22nd February Ist Race at 2pm

St.  Brogans College Parent Association will hold the 2nd monthly meeting of 09 on Monday February 23rd at 8pm.  All parents are welcome to give your opinion & input into our monthly meeting.

Bandon Hockey Club Fun Fashion Extravaganza Saturday 28th February 09 Bandon Grammar Sch., Sports complex.  Fashion for all the family.  Cheese & wine reception 7.15pm Fashion Show 8pm sharp.  Spot Prizes - Raffle.  Tickets C20 available Liz 087 8246223

Fund Raising Dance in aid of Columbanus (home from home) at Munster Arms Hotel. 8th March 2009 dancing 9pm-12 Admission f 10.  A worthy cause to support.

Bandon Point-Point Races Sunday Ist March at Kilpatrick

Money Advise Budgeting Service MABS information night at the Family Centre in Deerpark.  Tuesday 24th February at 8pm.  All Welcome.

Open Night and Enrolement of new pupils for September '09 will take place in Presentation Primary School Bandon and Scoil Phadraig Naofa on Thursday March 5th at 8pm.  Everyone welcome.

As Irish people we use the expression "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't" a lot.  Maybe we become comfortable with our various weakness and lets face it we all have them.  All paralysis in not physical.  Jesus does not simply heal the man of his physical infirmity.  He says "my child your sins are forgiven" spiritual healing is central to the ministry of Jesus.  Look around and within how many of us

need.  Our sins are ever before us.  Our past is all too present, and we feel God can never forgive us.  We hold on to the past as if it were a priceless treasure.  Yet our God's forgiving love is such that he does not remember the past nor considers the things of long ago. in the words of Isaiah from our first reading "See, I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light can you see it".  God's love liberates us from the burdens of our past so as to live in a new way.  And God's word is trusty and true.  St. Paul writes in our second reading, "Remember it is God himself who assures us all, and you of our standing in Christ, and his anointed us, making us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the spirit that we carry in our hearts.  The question for us this morning, Do we have the courage to accept our healing and live in the newness of life?                                             Fr.  Paul.