Baptism
Our baptism was a special occasion even though we may have no memories whatsoever of it except for photos.
Every Christian baptism today is celebrated with joy and the ceremony is full of beautiful meaning and symbolism. Unfortunately we tend to see our baptism as a once off event when in fact its effects have an impact on our daily lives.  Our baptism and what we believe in gives our lives meaning and fulfilment and no one can take that away from us.
Lord, today is the feast of your baptism. May I always nurture the gift of faith you have given me. You have said that the smallest of seeds can make such a difference. Help me to realise that my faith too can make all the difference.
This weekend at the 6pm Vigil Mass the First Parish Baptismal Preparation Team will be commissioned and presented with their Certificates.  In September 2008, they undertook a training course here in the parish along with six other parishes.  We congratulate Irene Dermody, Olive Kenny, Philomena Walsh, Mary O'Mahony, Richard & Carol Delaney and we wish them God's Blessing as they begin to help families here in our parish make the day of their child's baptism an occasion that gives meaning and fulfilment.

Parenting Course.
Recently, the Parish Assembly organised a Parenting Course for the parents of young children, it was very successful and parents found it very helpful.  We now plan to organise a course (six weeks) for the parents of teenage children – If there is sufficient interest The course will begin in February in the Parish Centre.  Please contact any member of the Parish Assembly or one of the priests.

Parish Assembly Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Parish Assembly on this Monday (January 12th) in the Parish Centre at 8pm.

Offertory Collection:
Last weekend Offertory Collection came to €2,261. Thank You for your generosity.

Christ King Secondary School Parents' Council
Christ King Secondary School Parents' Council are holding a Bebo Talk, named "Social Networks – Use, Abuse and Prevention", by Mr Alan Woods, BCL.
The aim of the talk is to educate parents about bebo and other social networking sites. The talk will be held on Thursday 15th January, at Christ King Secondary School, South Douglas Road, at 8.30pm sharp. Tickets, €10, are available from committee member, Ruth, on 0879865523 and at school office. All parents welcome.

Prayer to know my vocation.
My Lord and my God,
you are Love itself, the source of all love and goodness.
Out of love you created me to know you, to love you,
and to serve you in a unique way, as no one else can.
I believe that you have a plan for my life,
that you have a mission in your Kingdom reserved for me alone.
Lord grant me the light of grace I need to see the next step in Your plan;
grant me the generosity necessary to follow your call;
and grant me the courage required to take up my cross and to follow you.
Show me your will, O gentle and eternal God, and help me to say with Mary, "I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."
Let me say with Jesus, "Let not my will be done, but yours."
Amen.

The Irish Catholic.
In the coming weeks the Irish catholic will feature a series of articles by Fr Jerome Murphy-O'Connor (Jerusalem) to mark the Year of St Paul.  He unravels the life of St Paul and sheds new light on the real person of Paul.

Do This in Memory.
The Parent Representatives of the Four First Holy Communion Classes will meet in Fr Charlie's House on this Monday (12th January) at 7.30pm.  The next Do this in Memory Mass will take place at 10.30 next Sunday.

Offertory Collection:
Last weekend Offertory Collection came to €2,261. Thank You for your generosity.

Deaths:
We remember in our prayers Patricia Tracey, Friar's Road and Canon John O'Donovan (Retired PP of Bantry) who died recently. We extend our sympathy and prayers to both families at this time.