LECTIO DMNA on Mondays from 8pm to 9pm at Presentation Convent.  'All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy (Ps.46)

RECENT BAPTISMS Michael Jeremiah, Lane 4 Dun Cuilinn, The Curragh, Co.Kildare. Shauna Ellen Crean-O'Sullivan, 16 Woodlands Old Chapel.

STATION MASS for Knocknagallagh, Upper Knocknagurrane and Mayfield will be held on Saturday 30th May at Julia Slyne's and family at 10-30am.

BANDON OPINION JUNE issue out on Thursday next, May 28th.

BANDON TIDY TOWNS work nights.  Meet at 7pm every Tues at Hartes car park.(weather permitting) More volunteers most welcome "Many hands make light work".

GRAMOPHONE CIRCLE Monday 25th May 8pm Gateway Hall everyone welcome

COFFEE MORNING with a twist in aid of Independent Age the Gateway Bandon Mon. 29th June 10-30am - 12.30pm. Crean's farm shop, Oven's plant & produce home bake .independantage.ie

COME FOR THE CRAIC CEILI in Gurrane community hall Gurrane N.S. on Friday 5th June at 9.30pm. Music by Owenabue valley trad group Admission 4E IO all welcome.

WANTED VOLUNTEERS The national advocacy programme is looking for people who would like to become a volunteer advocate for older people in residential care.  Are you interested in working with older people - Non-judgemental and a good listener?  Interested in human rights and social justice?  Able to use your own imitative?  Flexible?  Loyal?  Do you want to make a contribution to your local community?  Have you 2-3hrs a week to spare?  Then you could be the person we are looking for!!

Contact:       Anne Harris 045 988310 for further information.

in these day numbered from Ascension to Pentecost we stand as it were between worlds.  The Lord has taken his leave of us but the Spirit has not yet come upon us and we stand there, stuck in the moment.  How much of our life is spent in this inbetween time, this no man's land grieving some loss or other, in sickness, in depression, our tears going nowhere?  Stuck in a moment and now you can't get out of it.  And questions, there are so many questions: 'Lord has the time come?  Are you going to restore the kingdom?'And answers there are none and worse, it seems that thev as we are left standing alone & waiting.

There comes from stage left two messengers of light, who would shake us from our slumber.  Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky?  This Jesus who has been taken from you will come back. in this time of waiting, remember the Father's promise of which Jesus spoke.  Not many days from now, you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.  Believe!  And they static standing there are moved by the power of God's Holy Spirit.  Going out, they preached everywhere, each giving of their giftedness.  And all the time, the Lord was working with them and confirming the word by great signs.

There is here a great word of hope for each one of us in our difficulty.  There is here a word of hope and a challenge for the Church as it stands and waits between a world, a way of life that is passing before us and a future uncertain.  Men of Galilee, holy people, Church of God, why stand there?  Go!  Proclaim the Good News!

This feast we celebrate today invites us to hold fast to the Father's promise while we wait.  Stay with the promise.  Receive the power.  Receive the power and realise your giftedness in the service of the kingdom of God. Fr.Paul