Issue 1444 March 12th 2023

Mass intentions in Blessington

Hannah Jones (RD) Knockieran

Saturday: Bridget Cummins (Months Mind), PK Joyce (1st A), Nora English (1st A), Patrick Cassidy (A), Mary Nolan (A)

Sunday: Jim Farrell (A), Molly Keegan (RD)

We also remember: Paddy Magee (A), Margaret Byrne (A)

Monday: Mass offered for the sick.

Tuesday: Conor Keane (RD), Larry Bealin (RD)

Wednesday: Sally Egan (A), Tom Metcalfe (RD), Mary O’Connor (RD)

7.30pm Mass: Mary Carr (RD), John Hyland (RD)

Thursday: Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

Vigil 6.00pm Mass: Get Well Mass, Get Well Mass

10am St Patrick’s Day – Friday: John Magee (3^rd A), Paddy Magee (A), Laurence Kinsella (A)

Saturday 11^th March: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm – Children’s Church – all children (aged up to 10) & their families are invited 6pm Mass. Lacken 7.30pm. Confessions: After 6pm Mass

Sunday 12^th March: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am – Crosschapel Church: 11.30am

Monday 13^th March: Children Sharing Hope Service in Solidarity with children in Turkey & Syria following the Earthquake. Blessington at 7pm. All welcome to join.

Tuesday 14^th March: Rosary & Holy Hour 10 to 11am

Wednesday 15^th March: “A TIME OF HOPE” LENTEN TALKS at 7.30pm Mass. Sr Enda Mullan – Hope in Creation

Thursday 16^th March: Vigil Mass for St Patrick’s Day – 6pm in Blessington

St Patrick’s Day: Friday 17^th March. Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Valleymount: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am,

Saturday 18^th March: 7.30pm Mass in Lacken – Celebrating St Patrick with Irish Music & Song

The family of the late Bridget Cummins wish to express their heartfelt thanks for the great support & comfort received throughout the recent sad loss of their mother. Special thanks to Clarke’s Funeral Directors, to Fr. Richard Behan for the beautiful funeral Mass, to Jenny Cullen for her wonderful singing, to Doctors Michael & Mary Joyce & to Bridget’s carers, who all gave her such great care & attention. Thanks in particular to all who visited the house, attended the funeral & sent mass cards. The holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions. Bridget’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sat 11^th March at 6pm.

A Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered on Friday 10^th March at 9.30am in grateful appreciation for all the support & prayers I received during my cancer journey over the past year. Paula Daly (Finnegan)

Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine led by Archbishop Farrell, will take place on Saturday 29th April. If anyone from Blessington, Crosschapel, Manor Kilbride, Valleymount or Eadestown is interested in travelling, there will be a bus leaving from Blessington Church at 7.30am sharp (Leaving Knock at 4.30pm) €25 per person. If you have any queries or to register contact Blessington Parish Office, 045 865 327 or email: office@blessington.info

St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee hosting a Senior Dance Evening in the Avon Blessington on Friday 10^th March from 8pm til late…… Admission €10, at door. Full bar. Safe place for all our seniors to have a dance, a few laughs & a meet up.

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

80/90s Disco on Saturday 11^th March in the Avon from 9pm til late. Over 18s only. Full bar & DJ. Admission €10, at door.

ST PATRICK’S DAY SOCIAL EVENT Manor Kilbride Hall. Friday 17^th March 12noon – 2.00pm. Tea, Coffee & Cake – Vintage Style with Old-Time Music & Song. Presented by Kilbride & Lakeside Music along with Glen Heste Pure Mile. All welcome

Blessington Parish Office open from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday 045 865 327 – office@blessington.info

Anam Cara supporting bereaved parents – meeting for bereaved parents on Mon 13^th March at 7:15pm in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght. Free event, open to all

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 2nd March. 4, 5, 17, 18. €25 Winner: Marie Keogh. Next Jackpot is €2,575

Visit the Bookstand at the back of Blessington Church for a variety of Spiritual Books for sale

TROCAIRE PACKS – Are now available in all our Churches. Make a Lenten Promise to fill the Trocaire Box this LENT

St Marys Junior N.S. Blessington Junior Infant places available for 2023/2024. For an application form or to arrange a visit please contact the school: 045 865 501 or email secretary@stmarysjuniorschool.ie NB: School closed 16^th & 17^th February for midterm break.

Tuesday Rural Bus Service to Naas & Newbridge. Your support is needed to keep this service open. This is ideal as a “shopping bus”. Adult return journey €3.50 & €1 for students. (a free service for many qualifying adults) Departs Blessington Bus Shelter at 10am via Naas to Newbridge (Whitewater Shopping Centre) Departs Whitewater at 1.45pm. Further info: Jane Auld 087 266 0616 or Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

Lacken Naíonra Open for enrolments. ECCE & part-time places available. For information or to book a viewing, please contact 045 865 086.

Lacken National School are now accepting enrolment applications for the 2023/2024 school year. Also accepting enrolment applications 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 Thursday during school term from 9.30am to 12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa & a chat.

Blessington St Patrick’s Day PARADE – 12 noon

Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Monday 27^th March.  €599 pp sharing. Price includes return train, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with full board.  All entertainment & excursions included. Day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum.  Single supplement €100 Contact Patricia on 087 1890 236 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com

REMINDER TO PARISHIONERS: OUR ULSTER BANK ACCOUNTS ARE NOW CLOSED. If you have been donating 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 Standing Order. The Standing Order Donations are a vital help in the running of our Parish, & we depend so much on these donations. Many thanks if you have already made this change.

Would you like to practise your English? Blessington Library is setting up a new Conversation Café for adult learners. Starting on Saturday 11^th March at 3.15pm, it will run every fortnight after that. Tea, coffee & chats. No booking required; just come along

WE ARE HIRING – Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort are hosting a Recruitment Evening on Thursday 16^th March from 6pm to 8pm. We have a number of full time & part time positions available. If you are interested or would like more information, please visit our website www.tulfarrishotel.com/careers  or email hr@tulfarris.com

Talbot Chimneys – Free Chimney Check With Clean. Weather still cold; Chimney Inspection & Cleaning Local Chimney Sweep – Fully Insured & certified Chimney Specialists. 100% Spotless Work. Book a Chimney Sweep, Stove Sweep or Chimney Inspection. Call Us Today! 045 850 957

Mother’s Day @ San Patrizio, Blessington’s Authentic Italian restaurant is now taking bookings for Mother’s Day. Special table d’hote menu available 045 865 214. Opening hours Thursday 5pm, Friday 5pm, Saturday 4pm, Mother’s Day 1pm

Very nice self-contained private office to let at Aran Centre, Blessington opposite Aldi.  €135 per week all-in.  Contact Sean on 087 8175227.

GET INTO GOLF Enjoy some exercise, fresh air & socialising with friends & family. Blessington Lakes Golf Club W91 YF10. Programme: Commencing Wednesday 5^th April at 7pm for 8 weeks. Just bring yourself, dress comfortable & wear runners! Cost €80. Contact:  086 342 1555

Gas Home for all your gas boiler servicing and repairs. New boiler fitted from €1,899. Over 20 years in Blessington. Phone Stephen 087 906 0894

Castle Canine Cuts 1 to 1 Dog Grooming Service. Available to groom your small to large breeds. Taking bookings Tuesdays – Saturdays Call/Text Gillian 087 764 1911 or find us on Facebook.

BRYKO Shop / Yard Assistant Required. Full time Position, Manual Lifting Ability Essential. Please Drop in your CV to Emilia or email to bryko.products@gmail.com