Issue 1340 January 24th 2021

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 24th January 2021 (Sunday of the Word of God) The calling of Jesus is a calling to a generous and wholehearted following of his gospel.

Jesus’ Story Jesus wanted to tell people new ways to be happy. He asked Peter and Andrew to help him. They were fishermen. They will catch people now with God’s message, telling everyone that God is Our Loving Father, giver of all blessings, knows each person by name, loves everyone, can never be angry, and always coaxes us to love, care and help each other.

Mass Intentions next Week

Bernard Murphy (RD) Mayo, Sianna Koegh (RD) Canada, Rosaleen Murphy (RD) Finglas

Saturday 6pm: Peter Fennell (1^st A) James & Imelda Plummer (A) Robert Hennessy (Birthday Rem)

Sunday 10am: Peggy Howlin (A) Christopher Flanagan (A) Tina Purcell (A)

Sunday 11.30am: Denis Kelleher (A) Bernard Murphy (RD) Special Intentions

We also remember: Tom Kirwan, William & Mary Ryall, Dinny Ryall, Sean & Betty Tutty, Patrick Glennon, Simon & Maisie Hopkins, Peter Hopkins, Christopher & Mary Lambert, Ita Gaughran, Josephine O’Toole

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

Tuesday: Patrick Glennon (A) Jack & Winnie McDermott(A)

Wednesday: Gertie Byrne (RD) Margaret (Peg) Traynor (RD)

Thursday: Thanksgiving Mass, Mick Eustace (RD) Peter & Daisy Eustace (A)

Friday: Birthday Mass, Intentions Mass

All Masses & Services via Webcam www.blessingtonparish.ie

Daily Mass at 9.30am, Monday to Friday please join us in prayer for The Rosary at 9am

Saturday 23^rd January Mass at 6pm

Sunday 24^th January Mass at 10am and 11.30am

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 on Monday to Saturday and after 11.30am Mass on Sundays to allow people to drop in for quiet prayer or to light a candle. please use the HAND SANITISER as you enter & as you leave the Church. There is a Collection Point at the back of the Church to collect Mass Cards ordered by phone or by email 045 865 327 office@blessington.info

Crib Exhibition – Thank you to all who donated to the Daughters of Charity Homeless Shelter. The Sisters welcome the Confirmation candidates from our parish for a visit every year and help to give them an experience of how shelters operate. The amount raised during the exhibition before Christmas  was €435

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People. ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19 Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open  7 days a week, 8am – 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Calls to the ALONE National Support Line cost no more than a local call to a landline. Calls from Vodafone or landline bundles, PAYG bundles, and mobile contracts are free.

Financial Support for our Parish is very important at this time and we are most grateful for your contributions. You can make donations to support all our Churches via the DONATE BUTTON on the Blessington parish website(options available for all our Churches.) All SHRINE MONEY remains in the parish. Donations through the black PDF BOXES in Blessington Church also go towards the running of the parish. We are very grateful for your ongoing support. Support for our Diocese through the1st & 2nd collections may also be made via the DONATE BUTTON on our website, the 1st collection goes to towards the support of the parish. The 2nd collection goes to the Diocese. There are also envelopes available in all Churches for these donations.

St Marys’ Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto This week’s Jackpot was €3800. If you’re not in you can’t win! Text the word Blessington to 51444 or go to www.blessingtonparish.ie Thanks to all for the support! Congratulation to the weekly winner on 14th January: Donna Robbins.

Fr Kevin’s Homilies  are always available on our website: https://blessingtonparish.ie/homilies-year-b/

The Blessington Interfaith Group is organising the next event, hopefully sometime around Easter, if circumstances permit. We will be in touch regarding the details. In the meantime, if anyone is interested in meeting on line we would like to hear from you. Call us on any of the numbers below.  Many thanks to all who have supported us over the years & we wish you & your families every blessing for Christmas & the New Year. Anton Trant: 086 3389553    Grania Glancy: 087 125 3190  Joan Griffith: 087 9704832     Gerry Curran: 087 284 1009

COURSES IN YOUR LOCAL ETB THIS NEW YEAR Blessington Further Education and Training Centre. Why not try something new this new year? We have a range of courses available to brighten up the dark days and evenings:

• How to lead a healthier, stress free life
• Basic and improver computer skills
• Introduction to art
• Help with reading, writing, spelling and communications
• English for speakers of other languages

Our courses are free of charge and open to those who never fully completed their formal education. A great way to learn and have fun in a safe and friendly environment. All Covid-19 guidelines are strictly adhered to. For further information on all the above please contact Annette at 086-8462771 or Caroline at 045-851494.

Courses in the Further Education & Training Centre Blessington. We are currently enrolling for courses for our new term starting in January 2021

Part Time Courses (Day and Evening) Looking to up-skill or learn something new whilst gaining a QQI qualification? Our part time courses are two days a week and are either day or evening. We have part time courses available in the following starting this January:

eBusiness  (Day course)

Tourism with Business (Day course)

Healthcare  (Evening course)

Employment Skills  (Day course)

Horticulture (Day course)

Office Skills  (Day course)

For further information please contact Anne McGrath or Karen Townsend on 086 850 3833 or 045 891 099 or blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie

Good Dry Kindling for Sale at Blessington Men’s Shed €3 for 1 Bag €10 for 3 Bags. For collection information phone John Flynn at 087 297 7678. All money raised for upkeep of Shed during these difficult times.”

Irish Hospice Foundation – Living with Loss. We are now accepting bookings for the 2021 series of Workshops on Loss and Bereavement which will be delivered online via Zoom from January – June.  Booking Details can be found on the following link https://hospicefoundation.ie/education-training/bereavement-training/workshops/  Please note bookings and payment for the workshops can only be made by using the following link to Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/irish-hospice-foundation-31883804183

St Vincent de Paul local number 087 181 1579

• NEWSLETTER ADS

Just Got Engaged ? Elegant & Stylish Wedding photography. €1250 for full digital package + free Engagement photo session. Ring Jim on 087 679 9008. Instagram jimschofieldphotography

BLESSINGTON LAKES GARDEN CENTRE – Due to COVID-19 restrictions we can only deliver to our customers. Please call to discuss your order with us. All spring seeds and bulbs are in stock. 045 865 403. 087 931 9111

Career Guidance Service for students and parents with experienced qualified guidance counsellor, individual attention. Phone Gary: 086 857 4262

Furniture For Sale – Solid Pine Kitchen Table and 6 chairs 150x90cm. Solid Mahogony Sideboard 175 x 50 x 85cm. Both items in excellent condition. Phone 086 160 9293

Gardening – For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Fruit Tree pruning, Painting etc Phone Mark 085 133 7714

Funbugs Childcare have the following positions available: RELIEF STAFF and IN-HOUSE CLEANER – Relief Staff must have a passion for working with children. In-House Cleaner: flexible working hours, 4-6 hrs per week. Own transport for both is desirable. For more details, please contact Sinead or Leslie-Ann at 045 862 929 or Manager@funbugs.ie Funbugs Childcare, Rathmore, Eadestown, Naas.

Sakura Montessori in Blessington – Are looking for two kind, gentle and nurturing Practitioners with minimum FETAC / QQI Level 5 qualifications. Part-time Childcare Practioner. Aims Practioner. Immediate start. Please apply with CV and Cover Letter to: Antoinette Byrne at antoinettebyrnesakurabless@gmail.com

GasHome – Boiler Servicing and Repairs – RGI Registered. Phone Stephen 087 9060 894

Blessington Airport Taxi – 087 255 7993 Standard Taxi €77 one way. Large 7-Seater €87 one way. Call Richard on 087 255 7993 Or email: richardmc.keever@yahoo.ie

Paying too much to SKY or UPC? We install & Repair Free to Air and Saorview!! No more bills!! Call Billy: 086 868 0053

Active Appliance Repairs over 20 years’ experience repairing and servicing all brands of domestic and commercial appliances. For a fast, friendly and efficient service call us today on 086 393 7762 or 086 361 9082. Call out Charge €75  www.activeappliancerepairs.ie

Painter & Decorator – Interior & Exterior – Phone: Damian 085 826 0431

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

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

Noel Nolan – Blessington Heating & Plumbing Service  www.blessingtonheatingandplumbing.ie Call Noel: 087 243 1499 or email nolannoel2@gmail.com

Clarkes Funeral Directors I.A.F.D. Funeral Home & Office, Burgage, Blessington. All areas serviced. Phone: Tony or Regina: 087 273 9048 / 087 659 6426 www.funeraldirectorsblessington.ie

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