THE NEW CANDLE HOLDER AT THE SHRINE

In order to ensure the smooth running of candle-lighting at the shrine please follow the following regulations:

1.     Place your candle in an empty cup.

2.     Do not put your candle on top of another candle whether that candle is lighting or not.

3.     If the candle holders are all full, put your candle in the basket provided and it will be lit later by Church staff.

4.     Do not place a lighted candle anywhere else other than on the candle holder.

5.    Use only the candles provided.  Any other type of candle clogs up the system.  The candles provided are designed to bum out and the grease drops down through a hole in the cup into a tray underneath.

THE SHRINE IS A PLACE OF GREAT PRAYER AND DEVOTION FOR MANY PEOPLE.  THERE IS A HEAVY ONUS ON ALL OF US TO KEEP IT TIDY

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL The Chapel will reopen on tomorrow Monday 4th January having been closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  Fr. O'Leary has asked that people would be prudent during the present cold snap.  If roads in your particular area are dangerous please don't travel - The Lord will understand.

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Wed next is the Feast of the Epiphany and is a Church Holiday.  Masses will be at the same times as on Sundays with vigil masses on Tues at 6.00pm and 7.30pm. There will be an extra mass on Wed evening at 7.30pm.

LECTIO DIVINA Every Monday from 8pm to 9pm at Presentation Convent. "The Word was madeflesh and lived among us".  Jesus is introduced as the Word of God.

MINISTERS OF THE WORD The St. Paul Sunday Missal for 2010 is still available in the Sacristy.  It would be appreciated if Ministers would collect them as soon as possible.  As well as being available at the weekend the Sacristy is open Monday to Friday after the 9.30 am Mass until I 1 am.

RECENT BAPTISMS Kate Molly Fleming: 9 An Tostal Terrace, Convent Hill.  Brooke Crystal Doyle: 43 Radharc an Bhaile.  Linda Croften-Kopczynski.

THE BANDON CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP will meet on Tuesday 5th January 20 1 0 in the Bandon Town Hall.  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.

On New Year's Eve the text messages started early; at 6pm I had already received my first message wishing me a Happy New Year.  Apparently someone wanted to send greetings before the phone lines got busy and the networks went down.  By I lpm I was getting fed up and decided if you can't beat them join them.  So by 11.20pm I had sent all my good wishes, stopped being antisocial and decided to take account of the fact that I was still in company in someone's house and it might be a good idea to take them on again.

Every year brings its changes; naturally it's a time when we take stock as we recall all the events and happenings of the last twelve months.  For some of us it was a year coloured by one or two events.  New opportunities may have arisen, new friendships or partnerships forged or formed.  Maybe you tried something new in the last year; finally you discovered the courage and were given the encouragement to strive after a long held dream, getting rid of the shackles which imprisoned you in your fears and doubts.  For whatever reason you might have found yourself at the crossroads during this past year, wondering which path to take in the future.  What were once solid and secure foundations now seem very shaky as a result of the current financial insecurities and crisis.

Into all this turmoil, into this world and all its changes and unpredictability God has entered our story.  The Word through whom the world was made, through whom all creation has its existence, becomes one of us and journeys with us.  We all wonder at times whether God hears our cries, whether God notices our difficulties and troubles.  Yet what we celebrate at Christmas reminds us how God, out of infinite care and love, comes close to us and embraces us.  It's a question of being able to recognise God as he approaches us, it's a matter of being tuned in enough to hear his voice and answer his call.