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

www.sermon4kids.com A website for those working with children.  This website is an excellent companion to those working with children including parents.  It provides a lovely view of gospel and scripture, encompassing the meanings in child friendly stories.  Colour is evident in the site along with small rhymes to bring the information across.  It is mostly suited to children in primary school and highly useful for those preparing children for first holy communion and confirmation.  Pictures to colour in along with puzzles and word searches are also available to download in various formats and provides a great interface for engagement with the weekly Gospel.

Bandon Toastmasters We meet 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Bandon Room of the Munster arms Hotel, at 8.15pm sharp.  If you would like to speak publicly and are to shy to do so, we can help.  Improve your life and career.  Visitors and new members always welcome.

Next meeting is on 28th January.  Kinsale meeting on 4th February in The Blue Haven Hotel at 8.00pm.

Bandon Opinion February issue on sale Thursday, January 29th

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

Red Cross The Bandon Branch of Red Cross are holding their A.G.M. on Mon. 26th Jan 2009 at 7.30pm at their Red Cross Rooms, Weir St., Bandon.  New Members Welcome.

Cumann Seanchais Na Banndan Bandon Local History Association The annual general meeting of Cumann Seanchais na Banndan will take place on Wednesday 28th January at 8pm in the Parish Centre at the rear of St. Patrick's Church.  New members very welcome

This weekend concludes the first ever 'Catholic Schools Week' held in Ireland.  This is a celebration much more familiar in countries where the Catholic Church and Catholic Schools are in the minority.  Ironically, we have not dedicated a week of celebration and awareness to our Catholic Schools because traditionally, nearly all schools in Ireland were either Catholic or at least religious run schools.  Times are changing and we now live in a country where alternative styles of education are increasingly being provided for our pluralist and multicultural society.  The Irish Catholic Bishops, together with many other stakeholders in education, have supported the view that families who do not subscribe to a particular religious ethos should have the choice to educate their children in a manner which reflects their own values and ethos.  This also implies that those families who wish to have their children educated in a Catholic school should have that choice respected.  This is a new territory for Ireland and the Catholic Church here.  Among the questions these developments raise are: What exactly is a Catholic School?  How is it unique?  Why would we want our children educated in a Catholic School?  What do we celebrate when we celebrate 'Catholic Schools Week'?  

To answer these questions we could look at today's gospel.  Mark presents us with an image of Jesus as teacher.  He is the teacher who, unlike other bearers of that title, teaches with authority.  His teaching made a deep impression on them but his authority is not just expressed in words, he follows up those words with action, an action which shows his compassion, care and capacity for healing.  He liberates those who are vulnerable to forces that seek to dominate and oppress them. This gospel gives us something of a glimpse into what a truly Catholic school can and should be.  A Catholic School is a place where students experience information, formation and transformation.  A Catholic school is a place where students come to know that they are made from love, to love and be loved.A Catholic School is a place where students are educated for life and not just to make a living.  The theme for Catholic Schools Week is very appropriate: A Vision for Life.