Issue 1253

Holy Saturday 20^th April 2019

►Confessions

10.30am to 11.00am Kilteel

11.30am to 12.30pm Eadestown

12.00pm to 1.00pm Blessington

►Annual Blessing of the Baskets for the Polish Community in Our Lady of Mercy Church, Crosschapel at 11am Swieconka (sh-vee-en-soon-kah) is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions. Baskets containing a sampling of Easter foods are brought to be blessed on Holy Saturday.

WIELKANOC 2019 Swiecenie pokarmow w kosciele w Crosschapel 11am. 20^th April o godz. Odbedzie sieswiecenie pokarmow na wielkanocny stol. Serdecznie zapraszam, z panem bogiem. Fr Kevin.

►Easter Vigil  

7.30pm             Manor Kilbride

8.00pm             Blessington

9.00pm             Eadestown

Easter Sunday 21^st April 2019

►Mass Times as normal for Sunday ex there is Mass in Lacken at 10.30am

Easter Monday 22^nd April 2019

►Mass at 11am in Blessington followed by Divine Mercy Novena

Tuesday 23^rd April 2019

►Mass at 11am in Blessington followed by Divine Mercy Novena

►Citizens Information Centre in Blessington Library from 1pm to 4pm.

►Eucharistic Adoration from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Blessington Church.

Wednesday 24^th April 2019

►Mass at 11am in Blessington followed by Divine Mercy Novena

►The Citizens Information Centre is open in Blessington Library today 10am to 12.30pm.

►The Rosary will be offered at 7.30pm for the intentions of our families in Blessington Church

Thursday 25^th April 2019

►Mass at 11am in Blessington followed by Divine Mercy Novena

►West Wicklow Cancer Support – Drop in Meeting at 7.30pm in the Coimin Centre – a night of relaxation, meditation & refreshments.  All are welcome & do feel free to bring a friend.

Friday 26^th April 2019

►Mass at 11am in Blessington followed by Divine Mercy Novena

Sunday 28^th April 2019

►Divine Mercy Sunday starting at 2.30pm with Confessions & Prayer in Crosschapel. Fr Kevin will celebrate Mass at 3pm. All Welcome followed by Divine Mercy Novena

Every Blessing for Easter 2019

May the peace of the Risen Christ

be with you always….

Fr. Páraic McDermott, Fr. Kevin Lyon,

Fr Richard Behan, Fr. Noel Campbell,

Fr. Micheál Comer, Rev. Leonard Ruddock & Deacon Gerry Malone

Mass Intentions this Week

Christina (Creenie) Foley (RD)

Francis Vallely (RD) Vincent Cullen (RD)

Rosario Hayes McCoy (RD) Willie Melia (RD)

Saturday Easter Vigil

Prayers offered for all our Parishioners

Easter Sunday 10am

Prayers offered for all our Parishioners

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Joseph Nixon (A) Maisie Brown (A) Molly Keogh (A)

Wednesday: Get Well, Special Intentions

Thursday: Dora Tully (A) Winnie Galvin (RD)

Friday: Blessington Deceased List

O’Brien, Monica

In loving memory of Monica O’Brien, on the first anniversary of her death on 18^th April. The family wish to express their sincere appreciation to everyone who called to the house, attended the funeral home, mass and burial, sent mass cards, flowers and those of you who phoned, wrote or travelled long distances to offer sympathy and support. A special thanks to the staff of St. Vincent’s University Hospital and Naas General Hospital for the care they gave Monica.

Blessington Parish Office will be closed from Fri 19^th April until Mon 29^th April at 9am

Mary Byrne Live at The Avon on Sat 4^th May from 9pm. Charity Event in Aid of Blessington Day Care. Tickets €25 available from Parish Office, The Avon & Texaco Garage.

Valleymount Country Market on Sun April 28th from 10am to 3pm. Proceeds in aid of the renovation of Valleymount Community Hall

Visitation of the Sick: If there are any parishioners ill, at home or in hospital who would like a visit from a priest, please contact the Parish Office to let us know and to make arrangements 045 865 327

Children’s Church on Sunday 28^th April at 10am Mass in Church of Our Lady, Blessington for children aged 6 to 9 years

A Marian Evening of Prayer, Music and Reflection on Wed 1^st May from 7.30pm to 7.45pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington Light Refreshments afterwards.

BYT BLESSINGTON YOUTH THEATRE – A number of Blessington Youth Theatre Leaders are retiring this year after 11 years with the group.   It is now time for parents, past members & all those who may be interested within the Community of Blessington & district, to volunteer & ensure the continuation of this vibrant, wonderful Community Youth Group.   There is a current membership of 60 children & also a waiting list of approximately 60 which indicates the success & the need for this group to continue for many more years to come. In this regard we invite those interested in continuing BYT to please attend an important meeting to discuss the future of Blessington Youth Theatre at the TRAMWAY THEATRE, BLESSINGTON, ON THURSDAY 16^th MAY AT 8 PM.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE.

Tai Chi Classes (in aid of the Coimin Centre) every Tuesday from 3pm to 4pm in HD Fitness (under the Lemon Tree). Suitable for all ages & levels of fitness, this is a gentle form of exercise which improves coordination, balance, joint mobility & core strength. We ask participants to make a €3 contribution for the Centre.

Sharing Our Stories at Blessington Library on Thurs 25^th April at 7pm. We will have the pleasure of welcoming June Blake to our fifth monthly event ‘Sharing Our Stories’. These events are a series of interviews designed to celebrate local people & their lives. The interviewer is local man, Paul O’Connor. Each month sees more & more people in attendance & the library being a community space & accessible to all provides an opportunity for the teller of the stories & a space for the audience to relax & enjoy. June has dedicated many years to the creation of an exciting, experimental & contemporary garden which is located on the N81 in the grounds of a Victorian house & farmyard. Come along to the library to hear June’s story, she will talk about her garden, her life & whatever else crops up. All welcome & free admission.

🎵Sunday 28th April 2019 (+ every Last Sunday); 1st BIRTHDAY of local SONGS & TUNES session; Zellers, Lacken (front section) 6pm to 9+ ALL KINDS of music; ALL AGES; free & just for fun. Check it out? LISTENERS very welcome. An inclusive setting IF you’d like to try singing or playing.

A night for Peadar Moran ESB Lake-Warden on his retirement in Mileys on 11^th May at 8.30pm, Trad Musicians welcome, enquiries to Sean 086 108 5879

Annual Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 26^th May. Leaving the Square Blessington (outside the Downshire Hotel) at 8am Sharp. For further details contact Mary on 087 6061 729

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Burgage Cemetery Mass, Sunday 19^th May at 3pm

Cycle Against Suicide” is coming to Blessington this May Bank Holiday Monday at Midday to spread their message “its ok not to feel ok and its absolutely ok to ask for help”. We are looking to get the community on the streets along with as many sports/community groups & businesses to come out & show your support. There will be music & talks taking place at the Main Square. If your group or business, feel they can help out on the day please contact casblessington@gmail.com

IN AID OF PIETA HOUSE – Blessington’s Darkness into Light 11^th May. To register for Blessington’s FIRST Darkness into Light go to darknessintolight.ie or contact Greg at blessington@darknessintolight.ie

West Wicklow Festival

Tickets are now on sale for the third edition of the West Wicklow Festival which takes place from 15^th to 19^th May.

Building on the success of previous festivals, the 2019 West Wicklow Festival boasts an incredible line-up of musicians & artists from all over the world with concerts being held at Russborough House and St. Mary’s Church, Blessington.

Having doubled in size last year, the Festival has once again expanded its programme & this year will feature 15 incredible artists over 5 days.

You can book tickets in person from Russborough House, McGreal’s Pharmacy or the National Concert Hall, Dublin. You can also book online at www.westwicklowfestival.com or by calling (01) 417 0000.

Blessington ‘Tots’ mini-rugby for boys & girls is at St Kevin’s Community Centre 11am outdoors each Saturday

 Blessington Mini-Rugby for Under 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11’s boys & girls rugby practice resumes at Russborough Hse at 10am on Sat & at Blessington GAA Astro on Tues at 7pm. blessingtonrugby@gmail.com and Facebook.

SAVE THE DATE – The Coimín Greenway 5k. Register now to secure your place in the Coimín Greenway 5k on Sun 16^th June. Race is chip timed with cash prizes, there’ll be bespoke medals for all race participants. www.popupraces.ie/race/blessington-5k-family-fun-day/ Proudly sponsored by Kenny’s Supervalu Blessington & supported by the Wicklow Leader Programme.