newsletter5th April 2026. Issue 1587

COMMUNITY DIARY

HOLY SATURDAY 4^th April

10am Blessing of the Easter Baskets Church of Our Lady Blessington

12.00pm to 1.00pm Confessions Blessington

8pm Easter Vigil Church of Our Lady, Blessington

EASTER SUNDAY 5^th April

6.20am Community Son rise Service Blackhill Carpark Lacken

10am Mass St. Josephs Church, Valleymount. The Presbytery, beside St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount will be open after 10.00 am Mass on Easter Sunday for tea/coffee. All are welcome as we celebrate our first anniversary

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 6^th April

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

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

TUESDAY 7^th April

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

WEDNESDAY 8^th April

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

THURSDAY 9^th April

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

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

FRIDAY 10^th April

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Saturday

Mass will be offered for the people of the Parish and surrounding areas

Sunday

Mass will be offered for the people of the Parish and surrounding areas

Monday

Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday

Birthday Mass, Jim Corrigan…Rem, Anniversary mass, Thinking of you Mass, Peter Seth Smith…Rem, Tom Ward…Rem

Wednesday

Anniversary Mass, Get Well Mass, Sean Banahan…Rem, Noreen Walsh…Rem, Barry Carey…rip, Intentions Mass

Thursday

Birthday Mass, Get Well Mass, Gobnait Cardyn…Rem, Mass Bouquet Mass, Intentions

 Friday

Thank you mass, Anniversary mass, Jane Cronin… Rem, Nancy McLoughlin…Rem  , Anne Cunnane…Rem, Bertie Flynn…Rem

 

Trócaire Box Collection Please return your Trócaire boxes to the Parish before Monday 20th April 2026

Meeting For Parents of  Confirmation Candidates  First Meeting is Tuesday 14th April at 7.30 P.M in the Coimín Centre. There will be 3 Modules in Total.

PRO TERRA SANCTA COLLECTION A collection will take place on Good Friday in aid of PRO TERRA SANCTA We are invited to pray and to collect funds for the Catholic community in the Holy Land and for the maintenance of the Holy Places there. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

The Parish office will be closed from Monday 6^th to Friday 10^th April. The office will reopen on Monday 13^th April.

Dates for your Diary

Women’s Breakfast Saturday 18^th April

Family Mass Sunday 19^th April, Sunday 17^th May

Healing Mass Saturday 16^th May, Saturday 19^th September, Saturday 12^th December

 

Mass in Lacken will return on Saturday April 11^th  At 7.15pm All are Welcome

Adoration and Holy Hour will return to 7pm every Wednesday beginning on April 15th

Minister of Eucharist  April 2026 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Ann Hanlon & Frank Hanlon SUNDAY 10AM: Charmaine Quinn & Caitriona Cullen

Popes Intentions for April 2026 For priests in crisis Lehi us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

Prayer For April Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless by all in earth and heaven. Amen

Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot Numbers on 26^th March 2026: 11,12,13,14. €25 Lucky Draw Winner: Ann Moran Next Jackpot: €3000

Feast Days – 7th April – St. John Baptist de la Salle. St. John Baptist de La Salle was born on April 30, 1651, in Rheims, France. The son of aristocratic parents, De La Salle had the opportunity for an excellent education and went on to be ordained a priest. Hes known as the patron of all teachers of youth and the founder of De La Salle University,  In addition to the founding of schools in 22 cities by the time of his death in 1719, De La Salle contributed significantly to the entire field of education through his writings and innovative methodology. In 1900, John Baptist de La Salle was declared a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. He died April 7, 1719. The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. La Salle on the anniversary of his death.

Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle O God, You chose your blessed confessor Jean-Baptiste to give Christian education to the poor and to confirm young people in the way of truth, and through him You established a new religious congregation in your Church; grant that through his intercession and example, we may be inspired with zeal for Your glory and the salvation of souls, and be found worthy to share his reward in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Wonder of Creation Ladybugs play dead when threatened when scared, ladybugs may curl up and stay still, pretending to be dead. Some even release a smelly fluid to deter predators.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS There is no law which lays down that you mist smile: but you can make a gift of your smile: you can be the heaven of kindness in your family. Pope John Paul II

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.

Daycare for the Elderly in the Coimín Centre.

The needs of the elderly are growing all the time. Indeed, with an aging population, it will be an issue for the country for years to come. At the moment, the Coimín Centre caters for the elderly five days a week. On Fridays there is an Active Retirement group. On four days we host the Daycare facility run by the HSE. This was facilitated, in part, by fundraising at the time. Most of the finance came from parish funds, aided by a grant from the National Lottery.

The parish has to cater for other age groups as well. At the moment, we have initiatives for younger families and children. On Wednesdays, the Play and Pray group uses the church for prayer and the Coimín centre for play. There is a clash with HSE Daycare on those days. The HSE was asked if an adjustment of time could be agreed, but sadly the answer was no.

We also offer catechesis and religious education for families whose children are in non-Catholic schools. (This is an increasing need, as more and more schools change patronage.)  They also use the church for prayer as part of their catechesis. They meet after school, on afternoons when the Daycare is using the Centre. The elderly are leaving in small groups, as their transport arrives. It is not an ideal classroom setting. The teachers have never complained, but it is an issue we need to address.

We cannot focus exclusively on one age group. We must serve younger families of the parish as well as the elderly. This is why we are now returning to the situation that existed before COVID. It is a pity that we have to. We don’t want to. The demand is there. However, it is inescapable that the needs of all age groups cannot be met at the same time.

There are major changes in the Catholic Church. Our congregations are diminishing. It is becoming more and more difficult to staff parishes. The Catholic church, indeed any church, is no longer the centre of community life for many. Society is shifting its focus, even in the last few years. That is more obvious now than it was even a decade or so ago,

 when the Coimín centre was built.

We asked the Active Retirement group, which meets on Fridays, if they would be prepared to shift time to accommodate the Daycare, and their answer was a unanimous No. That meeting is, as they said, a “lifeline” for them. We assured them that they would not be moved. This, too, is a valuable service.

The provision of Daycare is the responsibility of secular authorities, not any charitable group. Up until recently, that burden has fallen largely on the voluntary sector – parishes, community groups, a few secular groups, charities and the like. It is time for Government agencies to assume responsibility. It is time to lobby councillors, TDs and those with responsibility for facilities in the community. That is precisely where the emphasis needs to be put.

We have given the HSE and parishioners as much notice as we could, so that alternative arrangements can be made for more Daycare facilities. There is a centre on the Kilbride Road, which the HSE sold to the County Council. It was seemingly earmarked for an interpretive centre for an expanded Greenway, which is now not proceeding. That could be one solution for Daycare.

The more people that act in good conscience, lobbying where it will be effective, the sooner a satisfactory outcome will be achieved,

especially for our elderly.

Congratulations to the recent winners of Valleymount & Lacken Parish Draw

 February: Jennifer Mahon, Terry Kearney, Anne & Michael Moran, Maura & Seamus Balfe, Phyllis & Martin Byrne, Carmel O Neill

 March: Jane Fleming, Bernie Fitzpatrick, Frances & Billy Kavanagh, Marie & Joe McMahon, Corine & Leo O Connor, Marie & Johnny Brophy

Blessington Mens shed Mens shed on Bank Holiday Monday the 6th of April, at 7.30pm. See you there for the music and the craic. Thank you all for your continued support

Daffodil Day 2026 was a great success and we even had sunshine all day! The total amount collected on the day in Blessington was €12,926.00 and we are most grateful to the community for supporting this fundraiser so generously and to all our volunteer collectors who made it all possible, we couldn’t do it without you. Thank You, Maura, Margaret & Ann

Social Dancing. Donard Community Hall Enjoy an evening of dancing to The Wicklow Man Sat 18^th April, 9pm -12am. All Welcome

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.

GARDENING SERVICES Grass cutting / Ride on lawnmower Push Lawnmower, Hedge cutting Chainsaw Cutting, Splitting Timber, Spraying, Weeding, Powerwashing Driveway Patios, General Maintenance around your home. Just Call for reasonable Quates/ Price. Call or text 0876640695.

Blessington Taxi Phone Greg 087 2626 393

Catriona Byrne & Co Solicitors BESIDE AIB – OVER 20 YEARS ESTABLISHED FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS 3 Mill Bank, Blessington County Wicklow Tel: 045 857 537 www.catrionsbyrne.ie

Driving instructor RSA and ADI approved.  Contact Michael 087 459 4258  for bookings.

HEADSTONES McEvoy Monumental Works Blessington. Headstones, Inscriptions, Renovations. Serving the people of Blessington for over 40 years. Call to our workshop at Millbank Blessington Call: Mick 045 865 487 – 086 843 8832 or Gary 087 933 3487 www.mcevoymonumentalworks.com

Local Builder Available All services under one roof, Windows & Doors, Plumbing, Tiling, Roofing, Plastering, Electrical, Carpentry, Insulation. All levels of construction services available. Fully registered. Call Paul: 086 309 1829

Eagle Cleaning Solutions Chimney Cleaning, Exterior Power Washing, Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning & Repairs. Find us on Facebook! Call for appointment: 087 247 4388. info@eaglecleaningsolutions.com

German Autoworks – Service Specialist VW/Audi, Mercedes, Skoda, Seat, Opel – Call 087 286 3997 www.germanautoworks.ie

Niall Kearns Building & Roofing Contractor 086 274 6969 nkbuildandroof@gmail.com Building New Homes, Extensions, Sunrooms Attic Conversions, Renovations, Chimney Repairs Roofing New Roofs, All Roof Repairs Flat Roofs, Gutter Repairs Roof Replacement, PVC Fascia & Soffit All Work Fully Guaranteed

JP&M Doyle What’s Your Property Worth? Talk to us today for your free-Market Appraisal Specializing In Residential Town & Country Homes Development & Agricultural Land Commercial Property Lettings, Valuations. 2025 is your year to make it happen! With high demand and a lack of supply, now is the perfect time to maximise your property’s value. www.jpmdoyle.ie Tel: 045-865568.

KILDARA HEATING & PLUMBING Call Dara: 0862356610 Email: Kildaraheating@gmail.com Heating & Plumbing Services Bathroom Renovations Boiler install/service Heat pumps Central Heating Power flushing Fully Insured RGI & Oftec Registered

Jennifer Kavanagh Sports & Remedial Therapy: *Muscle Aches and Pains *Chronic Muscle or Joint Pain *Struggling to perform Day-to-Day Tasks *Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation *Increased Mobility Fully qualified ITEC NCVA,  fully insured and local experienced Therapist.  Ph: 087 9021099

Block Laying & small building works 30 years’ experience Reliable, Quality & Fair pricing. Ph 085-150-5668

Brittas Early Years Services St Martin’s National School Brittas Co Dublin D24WK77 Enrolling now for September 2026 Contact Patricia on 0879173518 or 014582665

Castle Canine Cuts Dog Grooming Appointments only Mon-Fri One to one grooming small to large dogs 24 years in business locally Find us on Facebook Ph. Gillian 087-764-1911

Local and trusted Homecare assistant for the elderly.  Compassionate, reliable support for elderly residents in our community. Help with daily tasks, companionship, and maintaining independence at home. Available for sleepover shifts. Call/Text: Aoife Mescall: 0872120149 Email: mescallaoife@hotmail.com