Issue 1424 October 16th 2022

Mass intentions this week:

Jim Coffey (RD) Kill, Co Kildare

Saturday 6pm: Betty Tyrrell (A), Margaret Murphy (A), Kathy & Willie Dunworth (A), Paddy Nolan (A), John & Bridie Richardson (A), Edward Ball (A), Michael Murphy (A)

Sunday 10am: Molly Keogh (Birthday Rem), Annie Fennell (A)

We also Remember: Michael & Thomas Fitzpatrick (A), Elizabeth Redmond (A), Christy Mooney (A), Michael O’Brien (A), Deceased Members O’Brien Family

Monday: Mass offered for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Get Well Int, Birthday Int, Mass for Holy Souls

Wednesday: May Smith (RD), Mick Horan (RD)

Thursday: Get Well Int, Thinking of you Intentions

Friday: Helen Humphries (RD), Monica Fitzpatrick (RD)

This week in the Parish:

Saturday 15^th October: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm

Sunday 16^th October: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 11.15am Crosschapel: 11.30am.

Tuesday 18^th October: Holy Hour & Adoration 10am to 11am  in Church of Our Lady.

Thursday 20^th October: the Rosary will be prayed at 12 noon in Church of Our Lady.

November Mass of Remembrance for all our parishioners who died during the past year, will be held on Wed 2^nd November at 7.30pm. If you have a relative or friend who has died outside our parish & would like their name called out on the night, please call the parish office with details: 045 865 327

Reminder to Parishioners: our Ulster Bank accounts will be closing shortly.  If you donate to the Parish by Standing Order, we would be very appreciative if you could transfer it to our new AIB account. Please use your Surname & your 4-digit parish code when you set up the new Standing Order. Call the Parish Office for details: 045 865 327 or to set up a new SO. The Standing Order Donations are a vital help in the running of our Parish, and we depend so much on these donations. Many thanks if you have already made this change. Fr Richard 

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 13^th October: 5, 6, 18, 20.  €25 Winner: Antoinette O Rourke. Next Jackpot is €1900

Blessing of the Stock. Deacon Gerry will bless the stock in Lacken & Valleymount beginning in the week October 17^th If you would like your stock blessed contact the Parish Office – 045 865 327

Harvest Thanksgiving Mass will take place in Lacken on Sat 29^th October at 7.30pm Mass and in Valleymount on Sun 30^th October at 11.15am Mass. Donations of home baking, veg, fruit, jam chutney etc can be left before the altar & will be sold after mass.

COFFEE MORNING for the Irish Cancer Society in McGreal’s Pharmacy Main Street, Blessington on Friday 21^st October at 11am.

Social Dancing Donard Community Hall (W91YW57) Saturday 15^th Oct from 9pm to 12. Music by Bernie Heaney – Adm €10

Interested in Gardening? Join us for free taster sessions on Friday 21^st & Friday 28^th October from 9:30 to12:30pm in Blessington Further Education Centre. Six-week course to start in early November. Tell your friends! For more information, please contact 045 851494, 086 8462771 or email: abeblessington@kwetb.ie

Dr Emma Lyons author of the book: ”Morristown Lattin, County Kildare, 1630-1800: the estate & its tenants” will give a presentation on the subject of her book to Blessington History Society on Thursday 20^th October at 7:30pm in the Coimin Centre Blessington.” Admission is €5 for non-members of the society.

Are you a Bridge Player? If so, you are welcome to join Blessington Bridge Club. Resuming on Monday 17^th October & subsequent Mondays other than Holiday Mondays  at the KARE Centre which is located off the Blessington By-Pass. Ample car parking. Play begins at 7.30pm

Blessington Car Boot Sale – St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 23^rd October 7am to 4pm Tea/Coffee. Indoor & Outdoor Spaces. Free Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Bargains Galore! Info: Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

St Mary’s Junior School invites all current & prospective parents to our Open Day on Wednesday 19^th October from 3pm to 4pm & 7pm pm to 8pm. Please come to see the children’s work, tour our building & meet our staff. All visitors welcome.

Blessington Educate Together National School are now accepting enrolments for the next school year 2023- 2024. Please enrol on our school website www.betns.ie

VALES AROUND CLOUGHLEA MINI FESTIVAL 2022 “From The Shoulders Down”,  drama, depicting the life & times of fictional builder’s labourer PJ Mulpeter. Written & performed by Richard Lynch. In Manor Kilbride Community Hall on Sunday 16^th October at 12 noon. Tickets €10.  Refreshments available. To Book contact oldkilbride@gmail.com or 087 965 6257. Presented by Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee along with Glen Heste Pure Mile.

On Sunday 23rd of October, the woodland trail at Russborough House will be transformed into a place of Halloween fun for all the family. Spooky woodland characters will guide you along the 2.4km looped outdoor walking trail through Russborough woodlands, on your quest to spot as many spooky creatures along the way. Visit the Forge Courtyard to learn about the history of Samhain; visit the Barretstown bus; grab some yummy Halloween treats & hot chocolate in the Russborough Café. Have a fun filled few hours in your best fancy-dress whilst helping raise vital funds local Kildare Children’s Charity, Barretstown. Sign up to take part in our seriously spooky walk; with proceeds from ticket sales supporting Barretstown.   https://www.barretstown.org/boo-for-barretstown-family-halloween-event/

Parent & Toddler Group in St Kevin’s Hall every Tuesday & Wednesday from 10am to12pm €4 per family per day

Blessington Community Choir is looking for new members. We learn & perform all sorts of song (soul, rock, pop) in a no pressure community setting. There are no auditions, & no previous experience is required. Just come over, sing in harmony & keep your mind & body joyously stimulated. To join – please fill out this form https://forms.gle/3CFSWAy7KssP4Tyr9 or just come on Thursdays, 8:15pm in Ruth Shine School of Dance studio (above Dunnes).

Blessington AFC – As part of the Club’s ‘Always Away from Home’ Campaign to highlight the lack of playing facilities for the club in the town of Blessington, we have decided to have a walk around the town on Saturday October 22^nd at 3pm starting from the Community College. We will walk the ring road, a 4km walk, the distance our members have to travel to play football. We would appreciate if all members could get involved along with family & friends to make as much noise as possible, it’s been 54 years with Blessington AFC  “Always Away from Home”. Let’s wear the green of Blessington AFC & let’s make some noise. We need football pitches in Blessington, our home, 54 years is too far too long to wait to play a home game.

Blessington Bowls Club – Thursday at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Guests are most welcome, why not come along and bring a friend.

The Blessington Fencing Club Spaces available in the 8-11yrs Beginners Class in St Kevin’s Hall – Fridays 5pm. Only comfortable clothing & runners are needed. Pop in & watch or participate in a free trial lesson. We have a great mixed group of children. Some children don’t enjoy traditional team sports or battle in some way. Every child can be taught to fence. Adult Beginner Classes  starting on Tuesday evenings. Give us a call if you would like to try. Call Lee: 087 676 4183

West Wicklow Cancer Support Our group hosts a weekly Mindful soundbath Meditation with Gemma Deeney on Wednesdays at 11am in the Primary Care Centre Blessington. No cost, open to all. Do bring your own cushion, blanket & a friend. If your life has been impacted by cancer through a diagnosis, a family member, friend, or carer we are here for you. Call: 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com

Current Blessington Community Employment Vacancies

 West Wicklow Cancer Support: Project Worker. Job Reference: 2245584. Ideal Candidate will have experience in administration. Full training provided. Duties to include, but not limited to: Development of the project. Administration. Advertising & Promotion. Event Planning and Organisation. Typing Letters & Minutes. Work Closely with the Committee. Respond to Calls & Emails. Attend Weekly Meeting. Social Media. (Closing Date: 01/11/2022)

Building Caretaker: St Kevin’s Community Centre. Job Reference: 2245593. This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: General light maintenance. Some cleaning duties. Painting. Assisting in general operations of the centre to include key holding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health and safety. Hall duties. (Closing Date: 08/11/2022)

Building Caretaker: Hollywood Community Centre. Job Reference: 2245591.  This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: Light maintenance. Admin duties. Cleaning. Painting. Assisting with general operations of the centre & this could include key holding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health & safety. Flexible hours required due to the nature of the role to include after hours. Report to reception & or assigned committee member. (Closing Date: 08/11/2022)

Please contact us on 085 252 3563 or martincahill@blessingtonce.ie Please note *You must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for the last 12 months to qualify for these positions *  CE Rates Apply.

New Bri Coffee & Health Bar Located at High Definition Fitness (Across From Aldi) Open Monday to Friday 6am to 3pm –  Saturday & Sunday 10am to 2pm. Open for Drive Thru, Sit In & Take Away Coffees / Treats & Smoothies.

Double Room to Rent Blessington Abbey. Contact Pamela: 085 206 7708

Glenmore Kennels & Cattery – Glenmore, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. W91 EC89. 087 276 1106 – 086 241 7497 – 045 865 559. Open all year round. Heated Kennels. Special diets catered for.

Weight Loss Program Starting on Saturday 8^th October, St Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Weigh in: 9am followed by Class Talk at 9.45am. For further information, call Fiona 087 125 7152

Parent & Toddler Group in St Kevin’s Community Centre on Tuesday & Wednesday 10am to12 noon. €4 per family per day

SeeThru Solution – Your Local Trustworthy Cleaning Service for Windows, Gutters, Fascia, Pressure Washing, Softwash, Carpet & Upholstery. Call Greg: 085 858 1850

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

Guitar Lessons Private Tuition. Contact Greg: 086 275 2005

Blessington Roofing and Guttering. All Roof Repairs Slate Tiles Chimneys Guttering Fully Insured Free Quotations 24/7 Emergency call-out 25 Year Guaranteed Roof Installation and Roof Repairs. Call Today for a free no-obligation quote. 087 379 4038   www.roofrepairsandguttering.ie Email:   roofingr7@gmail.com

Paying too much for SKY or Virgin Media? We Install or Repair Free to Air and Saorview! No more Bills! Call Billy 086 868 0053

Local Builder Available – All services under one roof, Windows & Doors, Plumbing, Tiling, Roofing, Plastering, Electrical, Carpentry, Insulation. All levels of construction services available. Fully registered. Call Paul 086 309 1829

Interior Designs by Elizabeth Creative, Unique, Personal. Please phone: 086 088 1806. Email: elizabethdoyle.ed@gmail.com

Gardening – For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Strimming, etc Phone Mark 085 133 7714 (Greenleaf Garden Care)