Issue 1315 July 19th 2020

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME  19th July 2020

God knows the good and evil in a person’s heart and accepts both in us. He knows our struggles over evil and he both heals and forgives the wrongdoing in our lives.

In the normal garden we find flowers, grass, maybe some trees, we also find weeds. Jesus looks at a piece of land – a wheat field with weeds. He talks about the gardener who was constantly digging up weeds and the wheat with them he says to leave them and separate them at the harvest.

Our life is a bit like this field. Faults, failings, and the bits and pieces of ourselves that are sinful. We would like to get rid of them and the intolerances we have, or the bad temper, or the grudges and bitterness and judgements on others. We do our best but some of our personal faults and failings stay with us.

Maybe some faults and failings, or the weaker side of our lives, have made us more compassionate and humble. Maybe if we didn’t fail at something, we would be pompous and proud. We can sometimes feel a bit humiliated by our weaknesses, but in this we grow in humility and in our dependence on the understanding and forgiveness of God. With Jesus we do our best in life, changing what we can and accepting what we cannot. In that there is great wisdom.  Donal Neary SJ, Editor Sacred Heart Messenger

Mass Intentions this Week

Pauline McLoughlin (Leitrim)

Saturday 6pm: James (Jimmy) Mahon Months Mind, Sean Corr (3rd A)

Sunday 10am: Alan Clarke (A) Bob Curtin(A)

We also Remember the following: Teresa Doyle (A) (Old Court) Joseph Burke, Christy Cartwright, Simon Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, Maisie Hopkins, Kay Lennon

Monday: Mass offered for all the Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Lorraine Mullins (RD) Msgnr Jim Cassin (RD)

Thursday: Teresa Clarke (RD) Lily Mooney (RD

Friday: Mass offered for all on the Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

Adoration & Rosary will take place every Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. If you are unable to come to the Church, you can join us via webcam on blessingtonparish.ie

Blessington AFC – Notice to all coaches, managers, members, and parents. The Blessington AFC AGM will take place on Monday 10th August 2020 in St Kevin’s Hall Blessington. It will start at 8pm sharp.

St. Kevin’s Hollywood will be hosting their Annual Cemetery Mass on Sunday July 26th at 5.00p.m.

SENIOR LINE – National Confidential Listening Service for Older People provided by trained older volunteers. All Calls are Free. Open 365 Days a Year from 10am to 10pm. A telephone listening service for older people. We do not ask for or pass on any information about our callers. FREEPHONE 1800 80 45 91

St. Marys’ Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot next week €2375 sign up for €2 per week on parish website

https://blessingtonparish.ie

Cruthú Gallery at Russborough Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 12 noon. Our members have been very creative during the lockdown so we will start posting soon some exciting new art pieces that will be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing you soon and please remember to mind the social distancing rules. www.cruthu.ie or contact us at cruthuart@gmail.com

The Irish Hospice Foundation – National Freephone Service. Have you been impacted by a bereavement during COVID-19?  Are you finding it difficult to cope with a bereavement at this time?  Would it help to talk to someone in confidence about your loss? The Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line is a national freephone service – 1800 80 70 77 – available from 10.00am to 1.00pm, Monday to Friday.

DONATE to the Parish Online you can now make donations to Blessington, Crosschapel, Manor Kilbride, or Valleymount/Lacken or Donations to the Archdiocese, Easter Dues & the 1st & 2nd Collections that are normally taken up at Mass. It is straightforward to use, but if you need any help call Jean 087 235 0835 or Carol 045 865 327 during the week.

The Parish Office is open – Monday to Friday 9.00am to 12.30pm for Mass Bookings, Mass Cards, & General Enquiries. Email: office@blessington.info, Call: 045 865 327. from 9am to 1pm. Please observe social distance & please use hand sanitiser when entering & leaving.

Courses in the Further Education and Training Centre Blessington Are you considering doing a course, changing your career? Do you need Guidance? Here at Blessington Further Education and Training Centre we provide a free, professional, impartial career guidance and information service to all adults. For further information on upcoming courses or changing your career please contact our Guidance Service, Irene Hayden on 086 806 1569 or irenehayden@kwetb.ie or contact Karen Townsend on 086 850 3833 or karentownsend@kwetb.ie

Saturday and Sunday Masses in Blessington – Due to the extended restrictions on numbers allowed to gather indoors we will continue to issue tickets for 6pm Mass on Saturday & 10am Mass on Sunday in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Tickets must be collected in the Parish Office between 9am & 12.30pm Mon to Fri – 045 865 327