Issue 1308 May 31st 2020

PENTECOST SUNDAY

The coming of the Holy Spirit is a gift of God for all peoples: the sign of his presence is in the reconciliation, justice and peace we create among people. The feast today is both a gift and a call: a call to be the ones who make the Holy Spirit present among God’s people everywhere.

We can all probably remember our confirmation day. What we did that day; visits to relatives, a special treat, maybe being asked a question by the bishop. We were told that we were given the gifts of the Spirit. God’s spirit would always be with us in life to help us be good Christians. As baptism was a promise from God to be with us as an infant and always, confirmation was the same promise as we enter our teenage years. The gospel today is about one big gift of the Spirit – forgiveness. No matter what my past, I am forgiven. We all have a past. There is no sinner who cannot be a saint, no saint that is not a sinner. All of us have regrets – what we have done, people we may have hurt especially family. God casts sin to the end of the ocean when we are sorry and do our best. Then there are the signs of God’s spirit – peace, joy, self-control, forgiveness, gifts we would all love to enjoy. So the Christian life is very attractive. The spirit today is the Spirit of God’s love – Son for Father, Father for Son. And we are invited into it. Jesus’s love is for the whole person, and that includes everyone. Often we think he likes only bits of me. He looks at me whole and entire in love. Maybe this love can help me forgive myself for all I feel guilty and ashamed of. Forgive us Lord, as you have forgiven us.

Donal Neary SJ, Editor Sacred Heart Messenger

Mass Intentions this Week

Saturday 6pm: Michael Chalke (A) George McGuire (A)

Sunday 10am: Tom & Molly Hamilton (A) Paddy Monaghan (A)

We also Remember the following:

Andy Farrington (A) Mag Farrington(A) Mick & Mary Hubbard (A) Jim Toomey (A)

Tuesday: Exam Mass, Sp Intentions

Wednesday: Sp Intentions, Birthday Mass

Thursday: Nora Gavin (RD) Eileen Wilhare (RD)

Friday: Mass offered for all on the November Altar List of the Dead

While the Parish Office is Closed to the Public.

We are available by telephone or email

for Mass Bookings, Mass Cards, & General Enquiries Monday to Friday

Email: office@blessington.info

Carol: 045 865 327 from 9am to 1pm

Jean: 087 2350835 from 9am to 5pm

The Church is open  from 10am to 1pm every day. Drop in for quiet prayer or to light a candle.There is a small area cordoned for this purpose. We will keep the area cleaned & disinfected but please use the HAND SANITISER as you enter & as you leave the Church.

Deacon Gerry leads a Holy Hour of Prayer & Benediction via Webcam from 7.30pm to 8pm Church of Our Lady Blessington. Log in for an hour of prayer, music & reflection.

Please keep up with Parish Events on  Blessington Parish Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/blessington.info

Mass Cards by Phone or On-Line

Blessington Parish Office can take orders for Mass cards on line & over the phone.

Online: e-mail your Mass Card order and details to office@blessingtonparish.ie

When you receive confirmation you can pay through the website.  Click the “Donate” button and pick

“Mass Card, Shop, Newsletter Items” product. Cards will then be posted out or left in the Church for collection

By Phone  Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm, call in your details to  045 865 327 or 087 235 0835.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Hospice Sunflower Days.

Each June, our dedicated volunteers help to raise funds for Wicklow Hospice with our Sunflower day pins, teddies & Sunflower themed merchandise. Unfortunately, as we can’t hold our collection out on the streets this year, we are running our campaign online & we hope you can help us to spread the word!

How to support Hospice Sunflower Days in 2020

The campaign is now up and running and you can access information via www.wicklowhospice.ie ,  we would really appreciate your support to help us spread the word. There are 3 key ways that people can support Wicklow Hospice this year.

1. Text Wicklow to 50300 to donate €4
2. Buy Sunflower Days gifts at https://www.itsplainsailing.com/club/wicklowhospice#merchandise
3. Donate online at www.wicklowhospice.ie

Please share the news with family & friends that our sunflower day campaign has gone digital!

Community Pool for West Wicklow Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday June 18^th at 7pm. As per Government restrictions we will be holding the meeting online using the Zoom app. All are welcome to join us to hear what the campaign has been up to & what we have planned for the coming year. Please email us at poolforWestWicklow@gmail.com & we will send you Zoom meeting log in details. Thank you for your continued support.

Every year Trócaire asks for your help during Lent to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. This year, of course, it was not possible to return Trócaire boxes through schools or parishes in the usual way. This is the worst possible timing coming just as the world’s poorest people need us most. Therefore, Trócaire are appealing to you to return your Lenten donation. Simply count or estimate what is in your box and donate in the following ways:

1. Online at www.trocaire.org
2. By phone: 1850 408 408 (ROI)
3. By post to Trócaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (ROI)
4. Check with your local parish on how to safely return your donation (**If it is possible and safe for  people to return donations to your parish, please include those details here**) The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference. This virus knows no borders, but neither does our compassion.

Covid19 Tech is a  group of I.T professionals who have come together from  across Ireland to volunteer and offer free tech support to Irish seniors in our communities so they can stay connected with their loved ones and required services during the Covid19 crisis. For further information to help any of your senior friends , neighbours or relatives who could do with a little help keep in touch at the moment. Info:    https://covid19tech.ie/ or  https://www.facebook.com/Covid19TechHelp/posts/118344963168927

ALONE COVID-19 Support Line for Older People ALONE has launched a national support line & additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries & give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am – 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024.

West Wicklow Cancer Support may be closed but they are still available to help. Call: 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.

St. Marys’ Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot next week €1925 sign up for €2 per week on www.blessingtonparish.ie

St Vincent de Paul 087 181 1579