Eucharistic Congress: The Pope decides the theme of each Eucharistic Congress, taking into account the recommendations of the theological commission established by the Bishop of the host diocese.  We hope to know the theme by late spring or early summer.

*      Once the theme for the Congress has been decided, a theological commission appointed by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in consultation with the episcopal conference, will prepare the conference document.  This will be a short booklet, which will explore the theme and suggest ways in which it can be developed in the programme of evangelisation and catechesis which will take place in each diocese in Ireland, and further afield.

*A Congress logo will be designed and a Congress 'hymn' will be prepared to give expression to the theme.

LECTIO DIVINA is best taught and practised with Sunday Readings.  It is a personal encounter with God (a communion which resembles though different from) the Eucharist, We love the text, linger on it and let it remain with us - next meeting September 7th.

SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER For the Pope, the church and for our families which are under attack in these times.  Saturday 3rd October 2009.  Eve Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED at 7.30pm on Monday 6th July next at Ballymodan cemetery, Bandon for all those buried in the cemetery.

A CHARITY GARDEN WALK & COFFEE DAY will take place Saturday 4th July and Sunday 5th July 12noon to 6pm.  Raffle with fantastic prices.  Bbq at 3pm to 5pm.  Bouncv Castle on Sunday.  At the family home of Michedl & Helen Sexton, Grangemore, Timoleague. in aid of Br6 Columbanus: home from home accommodation for relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork Hospitals and Hospice.  Tel: 021 434 5754 for further details.

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".

CEMETERY MASS Mass will be celebrated at 7.30pm on Monday 6th July next at Ballymodan Cemetery, Bandon for all those buried in the cemetery.

There's some strange stuff in today's Gospel (Mark 6:1-6).  Jesus, an unmarried 30year-old, unlettered carpenter very forwardly starts to teach in his local synagogue.  From his listeners' stunned reaction it must have been his first time to do so.  You'd expect them to be indignant at his self-promoting posturing in the synagogue, as they'd see it, and to sneer at what he says.  But no!  They're impressed, amazed even, at his wisdom. in fact, so impressed are they that they just can't believe it.  They can't get their head around the fact that someone like him - an ordinary Joe Soap of a carpenter - could have so much more than they have. jealousy rears its ugly head, and instead of opening their minds to his wisdom they close their hearts to his person.

That's not all.  He could do no deed of power there except to cure some people who were sick.  They distanced themselves from him and would not allow him to work the miracle: personal transformation.  

What this episode shows is that knowing about Jesus is not enough.  We have to know him for the wonder to work.  The miracle of transformation is a two-way thing: God and man at work together.  We see Jesus in his humanity, but acknowledge him in his divinity too.  As with those from his hometown, familiarity with the home-grown Jesus can breed contempt.  We need to delve deeply, to go boldly where reason cannot take US.

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.