Issue1354 May 9th 2021

Mass Intentions this week

Stephen Broe (RD) Blessington, Agnes Reilly (nee Gaffey) (RD) Hollywood, Peter McDonald (RD) Baldoyle

 Saturday 6pm: Sean Flanagan (1^st A), Ita Jalili (A)

Sunday 10am: Mary Ann McDonald (Lacken) (A), Pat Duffy (A), Thomas Miley (2^nd A) Fr Tony Farrell (1st A)

Sunday 11.30am: Sadie Phelan (RD) Ferdia O’Halloran (RD)

We remember the following: Jack Boothman (5^th A), Catherine Doran, Colin Meyler, Kathleen Quigley, Gerard Jordan, Jacinta Sweeney, Teresa Kavanagh, Mary Jordan

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Jack Boothman (5^th A) Maureen Harty (RD) Edward O’Connell (RD)

Wednesday: Robert Hennessy (10^th A), Paddy McManus (RD)

Thursday: Birthday Mass Intentions, Get Well Intentions

Friday: Thanksgiving Mass, Barry O’Donnell (Rem)

All Masses & Services via Webcam www.blessingtonparish.ie

►Saturday 8^th May: 6pm Mass

►Sunday 9^th May: Mass at 10am & 11.30am

As our Churches re-open for public worship, we welcome everyone back to daily Mass on Monday 10^th May

►Manor Kilbride 9.00am

►Blessington 9.30am

►Crosschapel 10.00am

Weekend Masses re-open to the public on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th at the usual times in all our Churches.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY MASSES – Due to the continued restrictions on numbers allowed to gather indoors it necessary that people apply for a ticket if they wish to attend 6pm Mass on Saturday or 10am Mass on Sunday in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Tickets must be collected in the Parish Office between 9.30am & 1pm Mon to Fri 045 865 327

BLESSINGTON PARISH OFFICE will re-open to the public on Monday 10^th May from 9am to 1pm

Burgage Cemetery Mass 2021 – In accordance with Government guidelines on public gatherings, the Annual Cemetery Mass at Burgage cannot take place in the cemetery. A Memorial Remembrance Mass will be held on 16^th May at 3pm in Church of our Lady, Blessington, via Webcam only www.blessingtonparish.ie

Hennessey’s of Blessington – This year, 2021 Hennessey’s celebrate 100 years of business in Blessington.  To commemorate this special year, we have a museum in our Hardware Store with artifacts and photographs of local people, old family photos, unusual items of interest etc. We will be open on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. If you would like to visit our museum, we will allocate a time slot. Please TEXT 087 674 1286 to book a time. Remember to wear a mask. Looking forward to welcoming you all.

Blessington Union of Parishes are available on the parish YouTube channel by searching for “Blessington Union” or at this link

St Mary’s Schools and Blessington Parish Lotto. Jackpot: €4725 – Congratulations to the recent weekly winner of €25 on May 6th  Garvan McCabe – Numbers drawn: 8, 9, 12, 22 – 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!

SVP Blessington Appeal: Families in our local community are facing mounting financial pressure to put food on the table, pay utility bills, rent and mortgages due to the impact of Covid 19. SVP Blessington is appealing to everyone to assist people in need in your local community. Please give what you can to this very worthy cause by making your donation, payable to SVP Blessington Ulster Bank IBAN: IE36 ULSB 98534015436018 BIC:: ULSB: IE 2D  through any financial institution. 100% of all donations goes towards supporting the local community.

Good Dry Kindling for Sale at Blessington Men’s Shed. 1 bag for €3 and 4 bags for €10. Information & collection: John Flynn at 087 297 7678. All money raised will go towards the upkeep of Shed during these difficult times.

Support for PARISH FINANCES – Blessington, Crosschapel, Manor Kilbride, Valleymount / Lacken

Monthly / Weekly Envelopes: Contact Jean in the Parish Office if you would like to make a monthly/weekly envelope contribution or if you would like to re-join if you used to contribute.

Online: Donations / Contributions can be made  via the “Donate” button on the parish website (options available for all our Churches.)

 Bank Standing Order: If you would like to set up a monthly standing order through your bank, please contact Jean in the Parish Office

Parish Development Fund (PDF): Donations through the black PDF boxes in Blessington Church also go towards the running of the parish.

Shrines: The donations to shrines remains in the parish.

Gaelscoil na Lochanna (established 15 years) is now accepting enrolments for the new school year. Our children learn to speak Irish quickly and learn everything through Irish. A Brand new school building is on the way. We are launching a New “Aistear” Infant play room in September. Parents do not need Irish to start children in school. gsnl.info, www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com All enquiries to 045 900 525, or 087 938 8651 or via website. Fáilte

St Brigid’s N.S. Manor Kilbride are accepting enrolments for the next school year: 2021 – 2022. To enrol your child, please call Charlotte in our school office 01 458 2550 or find the enrolment documents on our school website http://manorkilbridens.scoilnet.ie/blog/

Lacken National School are now accepting enrolments for Mainstream and Early Intervention Classes for September 2021. School bus runs daily from/to Blessington. The school offers afterschool care for Junior and Senior Infants until 2.30 pm. Lacken School also has a pre-school facility which is ECCE and NCS approved. Enrolment forms can be downloaded from www.lackenns.com or please contact the school office on 045 865 086 or lackenschool@eircom.net

RUGBY IS BACK – Mini-rugby for U5 (2016) and U6 (2015) boys and girls at St Kevin’s Community Centre @ 11:15am each Saturday. Rugby at Russborough – Mini-rugby for U7 to U13 boys and girls at Russborough at 11:30 each Saturday. New members welcome.

The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival from 20^th May to 14^th June. This year the festival is online with performances coming from all over Europe! All of the concerts are free online but we are asking for donations to support the charity, please book your free tickets at www.westwicklowfestival.com

Thursday 20^th May 2021    Rachel Kelly (mezzo-soprano) and Fiachra Garvey (piano)

Monday 24^th May 2021      Rosanne Philippens (violin) and Julien Quentin (piano)

Thursday 27^th May 2021    Sean Shibe (guitar)

Monday 31^st May 2021      Rising Star’s concert Phoebe White (violin) & Peter Regan (piano)

Thursday 3^rd June 2021     Quatuor Van Kuijk

Monday 7^th June 2021       Jamal Aliyev (cello) and Sam Armstrong (piano)

Thursday 10^th June 2021   Sitkovetsky Trio

Monday 14^th June 2021      Rachel Kelly (mezzo-soprano) and Fiachra Garvey (piano)

Full Programme of Performances: https://www.westwicklowfestival.com/programme

West Wicklow Cancer Support – If your life has been touched by cancer in any way, we are here for you, contact us on 087 434 6004 /  westwicklow15@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. “Nobody is exempt from the trials of life but everyone can always find something positive in everything even in the worst of times. Keep smiling and moving, we are stronger together”

New Courses at the Further Education and Training Centre Blessington

We are now recruiting for courses starting in September 2021. If you are interested in up-skilling or learning something new we have the course for you! New ** Back to work course ** – 3 days a week – must be over the age of 21 and in receipt of a social welfare payment for at least 6 months. Part time courses in the following:

• Childcare Level 5 and 6 (2 evenings a week)
• Healthcare Level 5 (2 evenings a week)
• E Business Level 5 (2 mornings a week)
• Business with Tourism Level 5 (2 mornings a week)
• Office Skills Level 4 (2 mornings a week)
• Horticulture (2 mornings a week)

For more information on any of the above please contact us blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie or 086 806 1569 or 086 850 3833. Looking forward to welcoming you all in September 2021

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

St Vincent de Paul Blessington, local number 087 181 1579

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4 Large Bedrooms With Ensuite to rent short or long term kitchen living room wash room dryer. Good parking over looking blessington lake’s. Rooms 450 per month. Contact 0892765072

Satchidananda Art Sangha- ‘One On One’ Art Classes For Alzheimer And Dementia Patients. Handmade Picture Frames. Phone: 0872540705

Luxury Irish Gift Boxes – Solace Sister Gifts. Our gift boxes are perfect for all occasions; Birthdays, New Mothers & Babies, Thank You Gifts, Sympathy Gifts or simply ‘Just Because’. Website: www.solacesistergifts.ie

Rods + Cones Opticians Blessington. Beside the GARDA station. Formerly Cullinane Opticians. We are open during COVID lockdown for all your eyecare needs. FREE Eye Exam + Glasses with PRSI + Medical Card. Large selection of Designer Frames + Sunglasses. Special Offers + Discounts on 2nd Pairs, Varifocal Experts – try them with our 30 Day Guarantee. Many Thanks to all our loyal customers. Call 045-891 056 for an appointment.

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

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

Tús Programme Job Opportunities in Blessington.  County Wicklow Partnership’s Tús Programme has a number of work placement opportunities in Blessington and surrounding areas. Blessington town and from Hollywood to Manor Kilbride. Roles available in: Caretaking & Maintenance – Administration – Retail Charity – Social Care. While on Tús you can gain valuable work experience and contribute to your community at the same time. The placement will be for 1 year and participants will be required to work for 19½ hours per week and are free to take up other employment outside of their 19½ hours. To qualify for Tús, you must be fully unemployed for 12 months. Tús payment is at the full rate of Jobseekers Allowance plus €22.50 top-up. Information: You can self-select for a position with Tús. For more information or to apply contact Neil Doyle on 087 640 9273 or ndoyle@wicklowpartnership.ie

HOME SHARING – Give A Little Time – Make A Big Difference Have you the time to offer breaks to an adult or child with an intellectual disability in your home for mid-week and weekend overnight breaks? You don’t need a qualification, just energy, commitment and the desire to support a person with a disability in your community. Information and support are provided, and you will be paid an allowance. If you are interested in hosting, please contact: Jennifer Alfa Ogbaje, Social Worker, KARE. Email; Jennifer.alfaogbaje@kare.ie 045 480 200 / 087 720 6779 or homesharesecretariat@kare.ie 045 448700

Newsletter Advertising Rates, For just 50c per word per week you can reach a large, local audience. Cut-off for receiving adverts is Wed 10am. You can email the copy to office@blessington.info and pay in the Parish Office, or via the Donate button on our website or by bank transfer. Call the Parish Office: 045 865 327