Newsletter 26th Oct 2025. Issue 1566

The Annual Remembrance Mass

 will take place on Friday 14^th November at 7pm in the Church of Our Lady,

Blessington.

If you have a deceased loved one from

outside the Parish,

and would like them called out please contact the Parish office on 045 865327

 

COMMUNITY DIARY

SATURDAY 25^th Oct

6pm Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Sacrament of Confession: After 6pm Mass

7.30pm Mass Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken

The Annual Mass of Harvest Thanksgiving will be held tonight at this mass. More information on Pg. 2

 

SUNDAY 26^th Oct

Blessington Car boot St. Kevin’s Community Centre 8am – 4pm. Information on Pg. 3

10am Mass St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount

10am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

11am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

11:30am Mass Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel

Candlelight Walk at Russborough House At 6pm. Information on Pg. 3

 

MONDAY 27^th Oct

9am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Bridge Club 7.15pm, Kare Centre. Information on pg. 3

 

TUESDAY 28^th Oct

9am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessingto

WEDNESDAY 29^th OCT

9am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 Pray & Play Group 3pm–4.30pm, Coimín Centre

Blessington Parish Children’s Choir 4.20pm-5pm. All are welcome

Rosary & Holy Hour Wed morning from 10am to 11am for the duration of the winter months Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 

THURSDAY 30^th OCT

9am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Indoor Bowls Club 7.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall, Information on pg. 3

 

FRIDAY 31^st OCT

9am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Margaret Gray …RD, Monkstown

Saturday John Healy …MM, Patrick Eustace…A, Ronnie Egan…A, Jack Kelly…A, Sr Margaret Whelan…A, Sr Catherine Whelan…A

Sunday Phillip Creighton…A, Mary Creighton…A, Anne O Reilly…Rem

Monday Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday Special Living Intention, Special Living Intention,  Special Living Intention, Thanksgiving Mass

Wednesday Jimmy & Patty Hughes…A, Tony Carey…RD

Thursday Margaret Lynch…RD, Annie Kelly…RD

Friday Anna O Connell…A, Sally Egan…A, Special Living Intention

 

UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday 1st November The Feast of all Saints Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 9.30am in the Church of Our Lady Blessington

What happens when we die. A conversation on the Four Last Things Monday 17th November Coimín Centre @ 7.30pm

Sunday 23^rd Nov. Family Mass at 10am Mass in the Church of Our Lady Blessington Refreshments in the Coimin Centre.

First Communion Requirements

Dear Parents / Guardians

All candidates wishing to receive their First Communion must be Baptised.

If your child was Baptised outside of this Parish, you will need to provide a Baptismal Certificate from the Parish where the Baptism took place.

For candidates planning to make their First Communion in 2026 who are not yet Baptised, it is essential to contact the Parish Office

 as soon as possible.

Parents wishing for their child to receive First Communion in 2027 must ensure their child is Baptised no later than 1st May 2026

Thank you for your cooperation,

Parish team

Feast Days – 28th October – Saints Simon & Jude. Simon and Jude were ordinary men, probably farmers or fishermen, but Jesus chose them ‘to make disciples of all nations’. Saint Jude is the Patron Saint of hopeless, lost, desperate, and impossible causes. Jude was a true internationalist, traveling throughout Mesopotamia, Libya, Turkey, and Persia with St. Simon, preaching and converting many people to Christianity. He was credited with helping the early creation of the Armenian Church, and other places beyond the borders of the Roman Empire. Saint Simon is the patron saint of leather tanners. He is said to be a cousin of Jesus. Simon was known for being rigorous in converting others while showing great devotion. His life is shrouded in mystery aside from mentions in the Gospels. Tradition holds that both of them were martyred in Persia.Simon is traditionally believed to have been sawed in half, and Jude is traditionally believed to have been beaten with a club.

Prayer to Saints Simon and Jude. O glorious Apostles, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, who faithfully followed our Lord and gave your lives for the Gospel, intercede for us in our times of need. You who are powerful helpers in hopeless cases, come to our aid and bring our petitions before God’s throne. Strengthen our faith, guide us in truth, and help us to trust in God’s perfect will. Through your prayers, may we have courage in trials, peace in our hearts, and hope in God’s mercy. Saint Simon and Saint Jude, pray for us. Amen.

The Feast of all Saints, Saturday 1^st November. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 9.30am in the Church of Our Lady Blessington.

The Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving will be held in Lacken church on Sat Oct 25th @ 7.30 pm. Donations of food and garden produce welcome. Proceeds from the sale of food items will be shared between Lacken Church Fund and a school in Rumbek South Sudan run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Popes Intentions  Oct 2025 For Collaboration Between Different Religious Traditions Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity.

The Wonder of Creation. It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.~ David Attenborough

CATHOLIC SOCIAL Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It means refusing to be consumed by the same destructive force. Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti

A Prayer for our Parish. Heavenly Father, Bless our Church and our parish, And all the good work that goes on in them. May all who are Christians live and work together for the good of each other and the glory of your Name. May those who do not know you be brought by our example to a loving knowledge and peace with you. Amen

Join the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal! Every shoebox you fill brings joy, hope, and love to a child in need this Christmas. It’s easy to take part-just fill a shoebox with small gifts like toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and sweets. Drop it off by mid-November at the parish office. Let’s make this season magical-one box at a time. Visit teamhope.ie for packing tips and more.

Deadline for Notices in the Newsletter The deadline to have your notices in the newsletter is Tuesday at 11am  at the very latest.

Minister of Eucharist October 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Geraldine McMulkin & Colette Fennan SUNDAY 10AM: Margaret Flynn & Brendan Sheehey

Holy Communion Dates 2026

Lacken National School – Sat 2^nd May 2026 at 11am

St Josephs School Valleymount – Sun 10^th May 2026 at 10am Mass

St Marys School Blessington Sat – 9^th May 2026 at 11am

No.1 School – Sun 17^th May at 10am

Gaelscoil Na Lochanna – TBC

Confirmations Dates 2026

St Josephs School Valleymount – Thurs 4^th June 2026 at 11am

No.1 School – Tues 9^th June at 11am

St Marys School Blessington Thurs 11^th June 2026 – Times TBC

Gaelscoil Na Lochanna – TBC

 

Enrolment Now Open for 2026–2027 at St Brigid’s N.S., Manor Kilbride St Brigid’s National School in Manor Kilbride is now accepting enrolments for the upcoming school year, 2026–2027. To enrol your child, please contact Charlotte in our school office at 01 4582550, or visit our website to access the enrolment documents http://manorkilbridens.scoilnet.ie/blog

The Sound of Music Tramway Theatre Blessington on Fri 7^th Nov, 7.30pm, Saturday 8^th Nov, 7.30pm Sunday 9^th Nov, 6pm. Tickets €25. Available from www.eventbrite.ie

Enrolment Now open for 2026-2027 at Lacken National School Lacken National School are now accepting enrolments for the upcoming school year 2026/2027. To enrol your child, please contact Pauline in our school office on 045 865086. www.lackenns.com

Experienced Home Help Sought  Manor Kilbride area for full time care of back injury recovery female patient with limited mobility, on site own door accommodation available that may suit a couple. Contact 087 4270780.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 16^th October. 3,4,18,19. €25 Winner: Margaret McDermott Next Jackpot €3000.

Flower Arranging  Classes The Band Hall,  Ballymore Eustace. Tuesdays 10.30 to 12.30 Starting 4th November for six weeks Cost €90.00 Booking essential Christine Hughes 0876864620

Blessington Library Event. 22nd Oct at 12.30pm. Fun Halloween Sing along for babies and toddlers with Rachel Drew. 29th Oct at 12pm Junior Chess Tournament (Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Swiss ranks will decide tied players.). 30th Oct at 3 pm Fun Halloween Music and Movement for children with Katie Fu.

Mens Shed Blessington Its session time in the Mens shed Again  next Monday the 3rd of November, starting at 7.30. Great music and songs guaranteed. All welcome.

Candlelight Walk at Russborough House Join us on a magical evening where we follow the candlelight walk around the grounds. Walk will be lit with over 1200 tealights. Sun 26^th Oct Starting at 6pm. In aid of St Mary’s Church Blessington and The Irish Cancer Society. The Russborough Cafe will stay open until 7pm.

Blessington Car boot  Sunday 26^th October  St. Kevin’s Community Centre  beside Aldi Store 8am – 4pm. Free Customer Parking, Toilet Facilities. Tea / Coffee. Stalls indoor / outdoor facilities €10 per stall.  info. 0860752072 Pat Conlan

AWARE SUPPORT & SELF CARE GROUPS If you or those with whom you work wish to connect with people in relation to your mental wellbeing, consider using Aware’s phone-in and Zoom support and self-care groups, support line or support mail. For more information, visit www.aware.ie.

Accord Prayer for Marriage & Family Life God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love. Give to us the gift of respect, empathy and understanding. Bless and strengthen our love for each other. Help us to appreciate the value of family life and to live in harmony with all whom we come in contact with. Encourage us, we pray, to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with the Lord. Praise be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT The Irish Hospice Foundation provides a free Bereavement Support Line. This National Freephone Service is available from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, by calling 1800 807077. Visit www.hospicefoundation.ie for more information.

Blessington Indoor Bowls Club meet every Thursday night at 7.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Guests are most welcome, why not come along  & bring a friend.

Gaelscoil na Lochanna  is open for enrolments from 1st October until 7 November. Enrolment forms available from school office. Places still available. Information / Open night on 23rd October, 7:30pm. www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com You don’t need Irish to enrol your child in the Gaelscoil! Contact Fíona in the school office for any queries.  runai@gaelscoilnalochanna.com, 045-900525 / 087-9388651.

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Mon at 7.15pm in the Kare Centre. New players welcome.

Helix Motorcycles repair shop just opened in Stratford, if you need a simple service, complex repair or just a touch up on the paintwork call or text on 087 373 5709

Paragon Bathroon & Tiles Transform your bathroom with Paragon Bathrooms At Paragon Bathrooms, we specialise in stylish bathroom remodels and bespoke mobility bathrooms designed around your needs. Our goal is to help you create a special space that’s functional as it is beautiful. Grant approved adaptation work. Contact: 0851378770

WANTED Part-time Bus driver for local school run D licence required, Leinster Coaches Contact Andrew 087-243-8887

Room Available to Rent Woodleigh. 089 444 5157

All Weather Pitch and Clubhouse ready for rental throughout the winter… contact the Club today…! Hire the Kilbride GAA All Weather Facility and Clubhouse!!. Club Training. Individual 5-a-Side Matches. Birthday Parties (inclusive of available clubhouse community room with pool table and games beside our club playground) etc. Entire Facility (58 x 38.5 metres) or a Five a Side Pitch (official size, 36.5 x 27). Lined for two 5 a side pitches and full  facility, 7 v 7. Newly installed LED Lighting. Retractable Goals. Surface Performance – Passed. Inclusive of available Changing Rooms, Showers and Parking. Contact info@KilbrideGAA.com or call 0863113443 for any enquiries. Or Book a Session today online and enter your preferred day/times: https://www.KilbrideGAA.com/shop/

All Weather Pitch and Clubhouse ready for rental throughout the winter… contact the Club today…! Hire the Kilbride GAA All Weather Facility and Clubhouse!! Club Training, Individual 5-a-Side Matches, Birthday Parties (inclusive of available clubhouse community room with pool table and games beside our club playground) etc. Entire Facility (58 x 38.5 metres) or a Five a Side Pitch (official size, 36.5 x 27). Lined for two 5 a side pitches and full  facility, 7 v 7. Newly installed LED Lighting. Retractable Goals. Surface Performance – Passed. Inclusive of available Changing Rooms, Showers and Parking. Contact info@KilbrideGAA.com or call 0863113443 for any enquiries. Or Book a Session today online and enter your preferred day/times: https://www.KilbrideGAA.com/shop/