Issue 1435 January 8th 2023

Fr Kevin Lyon RIP – 16^th June 1932 – 31^st December 2022. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Fr Kevin’s Philosophy Of Life I will greet each day with joy in my heart. I will welcome everybody I meet with friendship, as a brother or sister in whom the spirit of God dwells. I will be conscious of the fact that every hour, every minute of the day is a special instalment on life’s allotted span and that every moment bears a Satchel on its back with only the grace to live that time to the full. I will not agonise over the lost opportunities of the past or fantasise over the dreams of tomorrow.

Mass intentions in Blessington

Saturday: Tom Tyrrell (1^st A), Maurice O’Sullivan (1^st A), Liam, John & Ann Craul (A), Brenda Dewey (A)

Sunday: Bill Roche (Mths Mind), Leo Howlin (A), Deceased Members of Darcy & Murphy Families, Eric Shirran (A), John Butler (A)

We also remember: Myles Balfe (A)

Monday: Mass offered for the Sick & those in hospital

Tuesday: Blessington Christmas Mass Bouquet Intentions

Wednesday: Blessington Christmas Mass Bouquet Intentions

Thursday: Blessington Christmas Mass Intentions

Friday: Martin Cowell (RD) Liam Kavanagh (RD)

Saturday 7^th January: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm. Confessions: After 6pm Mass in Blessington

Sunday 8^th January: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am, Crosschapel: 11.30am.

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

Epiphany: The Wise Men arrive in Valleymount Sunday 8^th January at 3.30pm. Come and pay homage with them. As this is an outdoor event please dress for the weather. Light refreshments served afterwards

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 22^nd December: 3, 12, 18, 24. €25 Winner: Bernard Wilcox. Numbers drawn on 29^th December: 18, 19, 23, 28. €25 Winner: Trevor Murphy, Next Jackpot is €2,275

Many thanks to everyone for their donations at the Crib Exhibition. €200 has been sent to Fr Alan Whelan in Rumbek, Sudan where families have been suffering the effects of drought because of climate change.

Christmas Dues envelopes are still available in our Churches for those who would like to contribute. Due to the high cost of postage the envelopes were not mailed out this year so we hope that you will pick one up for your donation as you visit the Church and drop it into a collection box or into the Parish Office

Blessington Musical & Dramatic Society (BMDS) are delighted to be back in the Tramway Theatre with the panto ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Thursday 12^th & Friday 13^th January at 8pm Saturday 14^th January at 2pm & 6pm Sunday 15^th January at 2pm Looking forward to seeing you all there! Tickets on sale from The Office Shop & Next Door €12 per ticket. Special Concession for Thursday show: €10 each

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.

Lacken Naíonra Open for enrolments. ECCE & part-time places available. For information or to book a viewing, please contact 045 865 086. Follow us on Facebook – Lacken National School.

‘Good Morning Kildare’ Service provides a FREE friendly phone call on a regular basis to adults in their own home or place of residence.It is a friendly chat about everyday things e.g., Gardening, Cookery, Sport, TV, Pets etc. All calls are strictly private & confidential. All the phone operators are Garda Vetted. The service operates from 9.15am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday. ‘Good Morning Kildare’ supports Independent Living & Social Connection. The service is supported by the HSE, DEASP, An Garda Siochána. If you are interested in availing of this service or know somebody who would benefit, please contact 045-859037 / 045-870268 or E-mail: goodmorningkildare@yahoo.ie

West Wicklow Cancer Support 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, a blanket & a friend. Call: 087 4346004 or email westwicklow15@gmail.com

New Year! New Start! Courses available for all at the Further Education & Training Centre Blessington & Baltinglass: Tourism, Healthcare, Office Skills, E-business, SNA, Pathways to Employment & more. Please call Irene Hayden 086 806 1569 or Karen Townsend 086 850 3833