THE ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS OF EIRCOM will be held in the Convent Chapel on Friday 13 November at 8p.m.

TABLE QUIZ will be held in Crosspound Pub on Friday 13th November at 9.30 pm, prompt.  Table of 4 :E20.00. Prizes, sandwiches and raffle.  All teams registered before 9.15 pm will receive 10 bonus points.  In aid of Gurrane Community and Parents Association.

ST BROGANS PARENTS ASSOCIATION are having their next meeting in St. Brogans on Monday the 9th November at 8pm.  All are welcome.

WEST CORK ADULT LEARNING OFFERS Free Beginner Computers Classes at the Education Centre, Bridewell House, Pearse Street, Bandon.  Contact Raymond 023 8842870

GRAMOPHONE CIRCLE Monday November 9th at 8pm Gateway Hall.  Everyone welcome. Proceeds in aid of St. Vincent De Paul.

BANDON CHRISTMAS COAL FUND A.C.M. Monday November 16th at 8 pm.  Annual collection.  W/E 5th/6th December.

GAGGIN BAZAAR will be held on Friday November 20th at 8.30 pm in Gaggin Community Hall.  Home baking a speciality.  Your support would be appreciated and all are very welcome

COFFEE MORNING in Carragaline Court Hotel Friday 13th November from 10.00 am to 12 noon. (In aid of Suicide Bereavement).

G.A.A. County Minor "A' Football Championship Final.  Bandon V Clyda Rovers at Sunday, 8th November, at 2.30pm

BANDON FLOWER CLUB Annual Dinner and demonstration by Margaret Ahern A.O.I.F.A. on Monday 16th at 7.30 in the Munster Arms Hotel.  Tickets available from June 8842167 or Geraldine 8841068 or any Committee member.

BANDON BRANCH OF COPE Present Claire Cullinane Image Consultant in a fun evening at the Munster Arms Hotel Bandon on Friday 13th November at 8pm sharp all proceeds to the Bandon Branch of Cope.

COMMUNITY CORAL PRACTICE starting St. Peter's Thursday November 12th onwards at 8.30 pm for an hour each week.  Community Coral service taking place St. Peter's Friday December 18th . All welcome to practice.

There is a story told about Mount Melleray Abbey in Co Waterford during the early days of the great Famine.  The Abbot had to go on a long journey and before leaving he instructed the monks to fill a large wooden bin with maize and potatoes to be distributed to whoever came to the monastery seeking help.  When he returned he was told of a strange occurrence.  The bin was filled to exactly the same level as when he had left.  Despite the daily distribution, the contents had never diminished and the monks never once had to re-fill the bin during all the time that the abbot had been away. it took faith for the monks to give of their own meagre resources and it also took deep trust in God's providence.  A rational mind might suggest that one has to look after one's own needs first - a bit like putting on the oxygen mask in an airplane before tending to others.

There is no place for such excessive caution in the Scripture passages presented to us today.  God call us to look to him first and while it is correct to be prudent with the use of our resources, we can never hold back from giving just in case we might not have enough for ourselves.  God rewards self giving and not careful generous selfpreservation.  In the straitened economic circumstances of the moment, the temptation to hold on to what we have - 'just in case' - is perhaps stronger than it had been in recent years.  However, we are called to follow the example of Christ in giving without counting the cost and in trusting in God to bring forth abundant fruit from our sacrifice.  God does not promise us riches beyond imagining, but he does assure us that he will look after our needs so that we have enough.  In sharing what we have with those who have less we discover the joy that fills the heart of God - the joy that lasts for ever.