Newsletter 8th March 2026. Issue 1583.

COMMUNITY DIARY

SATURDAY 7^th March

6pm Mass Communion Mass for St. Marys JNS & Gaelscoil Na Lochanna Church of Our Lady, Blessington Sacrament of Confession: After 6pm Mass

SUNDAY 8^th March

10am Mass St. Josephs Church, Valleymount

10am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington,

11am Mass St Brigids Church. Manor Kilbride

11:30am Mass Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel

MONDAY 9^th March

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

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

TUESDAY 10^th March

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

7:30-9pm Parent’s Preparation evening for First Holy Communion. Theme: Getting more from the Mass. In the Coimín Centre.

WEDNESDAY 11^th March

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Rosary & Holy Hour 10am to 11am Church of Our Lady, Blessington

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

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

7pm Funeral Ministry Training Course. Coimin Centre.

THURSDAY 12^th March

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

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

FRIDAY 13^th March

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 Rosanna (Rosie) O’Reilly…RD Valleymount

Saturday

Sinead Cullen…A, Mary Davin…1st A, Billy Horan…A, Mary, Judy, & John Behan…A, Mary Breen…A, Madge & Jack Morrissey…A, Margaret Byrne…A, Mary Hurrell…Months Mind Bill Twyford…A

Sunday

Patrick Cassidy…A, Catherine Kelleher…RD

Monday

Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday

Mary Nolan…A, Mario Mowlds…A

Wednesday

Mary O Connell…A, Sr. Eucharia O Connell…A

Thursday

Special Intentions Mass, Sheila Hayes…A

Friday

Conal Fitzpatrick…RD, Janice Shanaghan…RD

 

Our licence with the HSE for Day Care  expires at the end of June this year.

In recent years, we have experienced an increased need for space in the Coimín Centre, both for parish pastoral use and for other community groups. After much deliberation and reflection, we have informed the HSE that, from July, we can only accommodate Daycare two days per week, as was the original pre-COVID arrangement.  It is our hope that a suitable  long term solution for an extended Daycare service in the community will be found.

Join us for Weekly Lenten Reflection on www.thesower.net

Newsletter. Commercial Ad Rates From the 1^st of March 2026  the cost of advertising in the Newsletter will increase to €1 per word plus €3 for a logo or image. This is due to the increased cost related to publishing the newsletter.

Minister of Eucharist March 2026 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Mary Fenton & Pat McGrath SUNDAY 10AM: Margaret Flynn & Brendan Sheehy.

Popes Intentions for March 2026 For disarmament and peace. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS I speak a word of encouragement, for the Lord’s light will always brighten these ways. New Sheppard will come. But always the same gospel. Oscar Romero

Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot Numbers on 26^th Feb 2026: 1,23,25,26. €25 Lucky Draw Winner: Jean Roche Next Jackpot: €3000.

Feast Days 11th March – St Aengus St Aengus (Oengus) was a monk in Clonenagh, Co. Laois, who came to the monastery at Tallaght at the end of the eighth century during the abbacy of Maelruain to spend a period under his direction. He was renowned for his devotion to both foreign and native saints and composed two martyrologies. He returned to Clonenagh, where he became abbot and bishop. He died around 824. 9^th March – St. Frances of Rome St. Frances of Rome was born Francesca Bussa de’ Leoni, 1384 –1440 and was an Italian woman known for her kindness and faith. She helped many people in need. Frances started a special group of women called Benedictine Oblates. They lived a shared life focused on prayer and helping others, but without taking formal vows like nuns. She became a saint in 1608. On May 9, 1608, Pope Paul V declared Frances a saint. After her death, her body was found to be incorrupt, meaning it had not decayed. Her grave was found on April 2, 1638. Her remains were moved to the Church of Santa Maria Nova on March 9, 1649. Saint Frances the patron saint of automobile drivers and widows. Within the Benedictine Order, she is honoured as a patron saint of all oblates.

Prayer of St Frances Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Amen

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

Prayer for peace Lord Jesus, You came that the world might know the peace that You have experienced with the Father eternally. Yet, You taught us that in this life there will be wars and rumours of wars. Nations will rise against nations as violence works itself out in the world. However, through You, the world may be saved.

Lacken National School Enrolment Now open for 2026-2027 for Lacken National School. Please contact office at 045-865086 or email school@lackenns.com

St Mary’s Junior N.S.  2026/27 school year Currently accepting applications. To apply please contact Bernadette in the school office 045 865501 or visit our website  – www.stmarysjuniorschool.ie – click on Parent Information tab, select Application Forms  in the Policies and Enrolment section.

St Brigid’s N.S. are accepting enrolments for all pupils wishing to start in September. Please contact the school office on 01-4582550 for an enrolment form. St Brigid’s will also be having an open evening for all prospective students and their families Wednesday 11th February.  The school will be open from  6.30pm till 7.30pm.  This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the school, meet our staff, and get a feel for life at St Brigid’s. We look forward to seeing you there.

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.

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

Daffodil Day 2026 is on Friday 20th March  and we need YOUR help. If you can spare just ONE hour on the day, please phone or text Ann on 087 9141757. Thank you very much in advance, all help is greatly appreciated.

Blessington Carboot Sunday 22nd March St. Kevin’s Community Centre beside Aldi Store, from 8.am to 4.pm. Free Carparking. Toilets. Teas / Coffee. Stalls €10 tables provided if required. Indoor and outdoor facilities available. Bigi Linn. Bargains Galore. Info & booking. 0860752072. (Pat Conlan)

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to Checkers In Donard Community Hall Sat 21^st February, 9pm -12am. All Welcome.