CONVENT MASS 8.00 a.m. Mass will resume in the Convent Chapel on Tuesday Ist September

STATION MASS for Knocknagallagh, Moneens, Danganmore West, on Friday 4th Sept at Tony and Margaret Quinian's

STATION MASS for Gurteen, Mishells, Behagh and Little Silver, on Saturday 5th Sept at Michael and Doris McCarthy's

RECENT BAPTISM 

Darragh John Payne 22 Richmount Court

Jade Alisha Ryan-Lordan 59 Deerpark

Eoin Denis Culloty Carhue

LECTIO DIUNA: "You put aside the commandments of God to cling to human traditions" (Mark).  Jesus teaches that true spirituality leads to holistic changes in mind, body and spirit. (Next meeting on Sept 7th).

BANDON BRIDGE CLUB: Beginners / Novice Bridge Lessons will commence on Monday 21/09/09 at 8p.m. :E50 for 12 classes.  Please contact John O'Donoghue (Secretary). 023 8843327 orjoe Kingston (Treasurer) 023 - 8841876 before 15/09/09

THE BANDON CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP will meet on Tuesday Ist September 2009 in the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon.  Time 2.30pm - 4pm.  Our aim is to provide encouragement, advice, support and information to patients who suffer from heart disease.  Spouses / partners are also welcome to the meeting.

THE COELIAC SOCIETY OF IRELAND, Southern Branch will hold the following meeting on Tueday September lst 2009 in the S.M.A. Centre, Wilton, Cork at 8.00p.m. Dr Alan Desmond will give a talk 'What's new in Coeliac disease'.  Dietitian will be in attendance.  Refreshments will be served.  All welcome.

GLASLINN LADIES CHOIR resumes Wed Sept 2nd in St. Peters Church, Bandon from 8p.m. - 9.30p.m. New members are welcome.  We sing all kinds of music popular, folk, musicals etc.  See you there!

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

BANDON TAE KWON DO CLUB now taking new members Tuesday and Thursday 7 to 8pm in Colaiste na Toirbirte.  All welcome Contact Aoife on 087 7569652

"LITTLE NINJAS" Martial Arts programme'for Kids aged 4 to 7. Ten week course now starting in Bandon.  Places limited.  Book now to reserve your place.  Contact Aoife Cq) 087 7569652 for more information.

BANDON SCOUT GROUP will be resuming activities shortly.  All new and existing members must be registered by Parents / Guardians at registration / information nights which will be held on Mon 7th for Cubs Tues 8th for Scouts and Wed 9th'for Beavers.  There are a limited number of places available for new members.  Contact 087 2680825 for further information.

To paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli: There are rules, damned rules and commandments.  Whatever about the rules, damned or otherwise, the commandments must be observed diligently according to today's First Reading (Deut 4:1-2, 6-8).  Doing so shows wisdom and discernment (v6).  What a pleasant and peaceful way of looking at someone else's orders to you!  Not characteristic of today's ethos.  I wonder what goes wrong to give the impression that God's commandments are burdens to be borne, better yet ignored, rather than gifts to be cherished.

Why do some people worship money, power and sex instead of the one true God?  Why can't they see the tyranny that servitude to these produces?  Why can't they see the freedom that having only the one true God in one's life endows?  And why can't they see God's commandments as guiding lights to help them travel life's convoluted course in safety?  There are so many 'whys'.

God created us to live in community.  At family level community living calls for give-and-take. if members make demands regardless of how it affects others, then the quality of life degrades. if all are equally demanding, then you have a dysfunctional family.

At world level, community living also calls for give-and-take: individually, collectively and nationally.  God's commandments wise us up to the need for justice, generosity, and respect for all people.  They help us to adapt to life out there in the real world.  They prevent us form expecting that life to adapt to us.  That's why many don't like them.  But, if we didn't have them, would we not have to invent them?