Class Distinction
Today's reading from the letter of St. James provides practical and gentle Christian encouragement to pupils and parents who have been exposed to market-driven forces since the new school term began.
New school bags, new lunch boxes and new school books have been produced in many homes all around the country – a case of the Emperor's New Clothes, New School Bang, New Pencil case and New Sports Kit! An auditioning of performance (and attendance) in the classroom will show that this year's best achievers will not necessarily have the most modern equipment and kit!
In Christian terms, St. James is demanding that high-society Confirmations, First Communions and Weddings be re-auditioned from a faith context. As a mathematical formula, this can be expressed thus: the amount of money spent on 'religious occasions' is inversely proportional to the amount of genuine faith.

Mission Awareness
This weekend Bro. Brian Johnson who is a member of the Franciscan Brothers will speak at our Masses. Bro. Brian is living and working in Kenya. The Franciscan Brothers were founded in Galway in the early 1800's to work with the rural poor in the West of Ireland. They have a mission in Kenya where they now live and work with the poor in the very interior of the country. They are working to eliminate poverty through education, sustainable agriculture and rural development. We extend a warm welcome to Bro. Brian.

The Coming Week
Wednesday 13    St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor
of the Church. He was Archbishop of Constantinople and is honoured as the patron saint of preachers.
Thursday 14    The Triumph of the Cross. Today we celebrate the finding of the True Cross by St. Helena in the year 320. Since then the Triumph of the Cross has been celebrated annually on 14 September.
Friday 15    Our Lady of Sorrows. On this day, immediately following the Triumph of the Cross, we honour Mary who stood at the foot of the Cross and shared in her Son?s sacrifice for the salvation of the world.
Saturday 16    Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, martyrs.

'Defeat is not the worst of failure,  Not to have tried is the true failure.'
– George Woodberry
Sport can be a great leveller and it proved to be the case in Croke Park last Sunday. It is little consolation to say to any member of our Cork Team, 'Ye'll be back next year.' That is a real possibility but not appropriate just now. It doesn't take away the pain of losing. We salute a great team who have given us so much during the past year and given so much in recent years too. They say you can learn a line from a win and a book from a defeat. Failure and defeat are always close to us. Life can be cruel. But at the heart of the Gospel message is the word courage. We need the courage to accept the pain of defeat but also the courage to pull together all the scraps and begin rebuilding. But courage needs space and time to work.

All Ireland
The best of luck to the Cork Comogie Team as they play Tipperary in the All Ireland Comogie final on this Sunday.

Deaths
We remember in our prayers Sile Ni Mhaolain (Mullane), Ossory Place, Evergreen Road, and Agnes Peilow, St. Joseph's, Derrynane Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families. May they rest in peace.

St. Joseph's Young Priests Society
Monthly meeting in the Parish Centre on this Tuesday 12th Sept. at 8pm.

Turners Cross Active Retired Group, Care Centre, Capwell Road
will re-open on this Tuesday 12th Sept. 7.30pm to 9.30pm. All are welcome.

Arthritis Ireland
will be holding a public information meeting in the Silver Springs Moran Hotel on Tuesday 12th September at 7.30pm. The purpose of this meeting is to raise awareness of Rheumatoid Arthritis as a condition, educate the general public on the treatment options available to them and provide an opportunity for those attending the meeting to raise specific issues with the attending consultant and medical expert.
Further information: Anne on 01 7038 618.

Douglas Community School
Adult and Community Education Night Classes
Night time enrolment takes place on Wed. 13th Sept. from 7pm – 8.30pm
Office and postal enrolments are taking place daily, during office hours.