Latest Parish News

Dear Reader,

It seems a lot of things have changed in the recent past, and we also see this reflected in the seminary in Rome. The average age of Irish seminarians studying with me is approximately 28. We come from very diverse backgrounds, and it is very rare now for someone to come straight from school into the seminary. Typically a student will have firstly completed a University degree before joining the seminary. In my own case, I firstly completed a Bachelor of Commerce for four years in UCC, and then I did a Masters in Marketing in UCD. I then moved to London where I started a marketing consultancy business, with clients mainly engaging in business through the mediums of the Internet and Mobile Phones.

I also studied last year with a former doctor who worked for five years in a hospital before joining seminary, and another student worked as a pharmacist for several years in Cork City. Another student played soccer with Manchester United for seven years, and then played with Norwich City for seven years, and was capped by Northern Ireland twenty nine times. We really are all shapes and sizes.

I am now at the end of my four week placement here in Bantry and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all your encouragement and support, but especially for your very Christian witness. I would like to extend a special work of thanks to Fr Donal and Fr Anthony for all their kindness, guidance and support. As I depart for seminary I will sure miss Bantry Parish, but I leave very encouraged and motivated.

Many thanks and God bless, Marius O’Reilly

Recent Parish Baptisms:

Lexi Rebecca White (Ardnageahy, Bantry)

Nathan James Meaney (Riverway, Pearsons Bridge)

Frank Colm O’Callaghan (Bantry Bay Hotel, Bantry)

Caitlin Marie Timmis (Cois Riasc, Bantry)

Callum Jake Hadfield (Cois Riasc, Bantry)

Eilis Eileen McCarthy (Derryfadda, Kealkil)

We welcome them into our Christian Community

Culture Night: takes place at Bantry Library on Friday next, September 21st at 8pm with a book reading & public discussion by Fred Caruso. On the night, artistic and cultural organisations across Ireland provide the public with free access to performances, workshops and other cultural activities. Glengarriff author, Fred will speak about the air crash which occurred on September 23^rd, 1962 (50^th anniversary) off the S.W Irish coast. Fred survived this crash and wrote a book, Born Again Irish. For further details about this free event, contact Bantry Library at 027-50460

Conradh Na Gaeilge. Teacht le céile - 19^th Meán Fómhair agus gach Ceadaoin. Caint agus comhradh. 11am sa Leabharlan. Beatha Teanga i labhairt.

National Digital Switchover Week! 17^th-23^rd of Sept. – and this is a small reminder to all who watch their television using an aerial to make the switch soon, so you are prepared well in advance of the turn-off of the analogue signal on the 24^th of October. This is also another call on Community Groups or locals volunteers and activists to keep an eye on some people in your community who may find the switchover difficult, or who may have no-one to assist them in the switch.

A ‘Digital Switchover Champion’ is coordinating efforts in your area, and we will be holding a free information stand in the Square, Bantry on Friday 21^st of September from 9am to 2pm. Come and talk & enter a free draw for a SAORVIEW set top box and more. Contact Patricia Bevan on 55164 or patricia@wcdp.ie if you would like to get involved or have any questions.

BABY TALK.Do you have a baby five months or under? Would you like to meet other parents and get support in caring for your child? BabyTalk is a support programme for parents with babies up to 5 months & is jointly organised & run by the HSE & the West Cork Development Partnership (WCDP). The next session starts in Bantry on Weds. Sept. 19, 11am – 1pm, in the Primary Care Centre on the Quays (follow the signs for the Centre outside the Maritime Hotel). The programme will run for eight Wednesdays in a row and is open to all parents and their new babies. There is no need to book – just come along on the first day with your baby. If you need more information, call Anna Fitzgerald, WCDP Resource Centre at 087-9892150.

MALIN To MIZEN 400 mile cycle in aid of CoAction West Cork. 6 local cyclists are completing this 400 mile cycle from Weds. 19^-22nd Sept. They will pass through Bantry at about 2pm on Sat. on the final leg of the journey to Mizen. The cyclists are appealing for sponsorship for this very worthy cause. Yellow sponsorship cards are available in all shops & pubs. An  AIB bank a/c has been set up – A/C no. 936014 – 11330031. All donations will go directly to this locally based service & very welcome. The cyclists are Kate Kelly, Goleen. Tim Murnane, Kealkil. Johnie O’Sullivan, Postman Kealkil. Finbarr O’Shea, Glengarriff. Barry O’Donovan, Caheragh. Paddy Clifford, Bantry. For further information call 027-51699 or 087-2215705.

Mealagh Valley Bingo at the Community Hall, Ards on Friday September 21st. at 8.30p.m.. The usual bus service will run from Bantry. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.