Issue 1431 December 4th 2022

2^nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: The message of repentance during this season of Advent is a call to each of us to look into our lives, to renew & deepen our relationship with God.

Mass intentions this week in Blessington

Noel Murphy (RD) Tinode, Tina Fennan (RD) Ballymore, Bill Roche (RD)Blessington

Saturday 6pm: Essie Hanlon (10th A), Jimmy Hanlon (Rem)

Sunday 10am: Kitty Whittle (1st A), Tom & Ellen Cummins (A), Chrissie & Noel Cummins (A), Margaret & Dan Ryan (A), Brendan & EBA Cummins (A), Lily, Violet & Gerry Browne (A)

We also Remember: Patrick & Josephine Farrington (A), Jim & Kathleen Hamilton (A), Molly White O’Rourke (Rem)

Monday:  Mass offered for the Sick

Tuesday: Laszlo Mate (A), Nicky Bennett (A)

Wednesday: Pat Mitchell (RD), John O’Rourke (RD)

7.30pm – Holy Day Vigil Mass: Remembrance for Deceased Members of Blessington GAA

10am Holy Day – Thursday: Michael Behan (A), Tony Mahon (RD)

Friday: Get Well Int, Get Well Int.

St Vincent de Paul Annual Collection will take place at all Masses next weekend, 10^th & 11^th DecemberReplacing the Share Collection. Please give generously.

Saturday 3^rd December: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm. Confessions: after 6pm Mass in Blessington

Sunday 4^th December: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am, Crosschapel: 11.30am.

Tuesday 6^th December: Rosary & Holy Hour 10 to 11am in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Holy Day – Feast of the Immaculate Conception:

Wednesday 7^th December Vigil Mass for Holy Day 7.30pm in Blessington

Thursday 8^th December: Blessington: 10am Mass, Manor Kilbride: 11am Mass, Valleymount: 11.15am Mass

Joe Walsh & Family, Old Paddocks, would like to thank all who sent Mass Cards & messages of sympathy for the loss of his mother Carmel Walsh. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

Valleymount Private Members Draw November Winners: Tommy & Jack Farrington, Teresa Mahon, Maureen Phibbs, Breda Broe, Ann & Gerry Malone.

Let There Be Christmas Blessington Millennium Choir invites you to join them in singing Christmas songs and carols to celebrate the festive season in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Sunday December 11^th at 4pm. Tickets €10 (Children under 12 free) (Includes fruit punch and mince pies) Tickets available from choir members & The Parish Office or call: 087 2343 1499 By kind permission of Fr Richard Behan P.P. Proceeds to Coimin Centre Blessington

Santa arrives in Manor Kilbride on 11^th December at 12.30pm. Also: Kilbride GAA Christmas Raffle, Cake Sale, Games & some stalls – in Manor Kilbride Hall – Proceeds towards the Playground for Manor Kilbride. All Welcome. Buy a Raffle ticket online today from €5 @ www.KilbrideGAA.com/shop Prizes include: €300 Voucher from Colin Murphy at BRYCO & One All Ireland Final Hurling Ticket for 2023. All Prizes are listed: https://www.kilbridegaa.com/news/santa-arrives-christmas-raffle/

Book Launch “Left at the Lamb” on Tuesday 13^th December at 6.45pm in Blessington Library. A flavour of the History & Heritage of the Blessington area by Aiden Cruise, David Harrington & Seamus Balfe. All Welcome

Christmas Community Service Prayers and Carols. Saturday 17^th December at 4pm at Church of Our Lady moving in procession  to St Mary’s Church for Carols. Refreshments afterwards in St Kevin’s Community Hall

Christmas Reconciliation Service: Monday 19^th December at 7:30pm Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Crib Exhibition will be on display beforehand in the Coimin Centre

Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee Present a Christmas Concert in Manor Kilbride Hall on Saturday 17^th December at 7pm. Featuring Kilbride & Lakeside Youth Ensemble, also soloists & singers. Guest artist- the amazing Aoife Garry on Trumpet. Family friendly. All welcome. Pay at the door €10

“You Don’t Need Irish to Send Your Child to The Gaelscoil!” Gaelscoil na Lochanna is accepting places for the school year 2023-2024 from now up to 21^st December. Parents will be notified of places on 13^th January & will have to 27^th January to accept the place. There are 31 places available. Tá an fógra bliantiúl maidir le ligean isteach fógraithe anois ar www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com  mar aon le foirm iontrála. Spriocdháta dona hiarratais ná 21ú Nollaig agus cuirfear tuistí ar an eolas ar an 13ú Eanáir. Beidh ar thuistí/chaomhnóirí an áit a chinntiú roimh/ar an 27ú Eanáir 2023.Tá 31 spás sna Naíonáin ar fáil (más chuí). View the Annual Admissions Notice & access enrolment forms on the school website www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com “Gaelscoil na Lochanna will have an Open Night on  7^th December at 7:30pm  in the Gaelscoil for any parents interested  in joining the Gaelscoil”. Follow us on Instagram #gsnalochanna

PLEASE SUPPORT St. Mary’s Schools by buying our Christmas cards! Available to purchase in the Parish Office, Brew 21, the Post Office, Martikas Hair Salon, the Tourist Office & Enda’s Flower Shop. Pack of 10 cards – two lovely local designs in each pack. €6 per pack or 2 packs for €10.

CROSSCARE Christmas Food Poverty Appeal. This Christmas, Crosscare are asking for help for the Food Poverty Service, where they support families who find it hard to provide nutritious food. Sadly, almost 800 families and individuals, including 1,000 children, have needed help from the Service this year & demand is likely to increase in the coming months. Crosscare ensures they have a good supply of food while at the same time looking at all the issues that may have brought them into food poverty. If you can, you can donate online at www.crosscare.ie or call 01 8360011 or send a cheque or postal order to Crosscare Christmas Appeal, 2 Saint Mary’s Place North, Dublin D07 Y768. Envelopes will also be available in all Churches

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. 1st December: 5, 7, 21, 25 – €25 Winner: Seanna Pender. Next Jackpot is €2,0125

Lacken National School are now accepting enrolment applications for 2023/2024 school year. Enrolment applications also being accepted for the 2023/2024. Early Intervention Class. Please email school@lackenns.com   or contact the school office on 045 865 086.

Valleymount Parent & Baby/Toddler Playgroup meets every Friday during school term from 9.30am to12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa & a chat.

Tús Job Opportunity in Blessington County Wicklow Partnership’s Tús Programme has a work placement opportunity in Blessington Educate Together National School Position available: Caretaker Gain valuable work experience while contributing to your community at the same time. The placement will be for 1 year & participants will be required to work for 19½ hours per week & are free to take up other employment outside of their 19½ hours. To qualify, you must be fully unemployed for 12 months. Tús payment is at the full rate of Jobseekers Allowance plus €22.50 top-up. For more information or to apply contact Neil Doyle on 087 640 9273 or ndoyle@wicklowpartnership.ie

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

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

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