Newsletter 21st Jan 2024 Issue 1485

Mass intentions in Blessington Kevin & Betty Griffin… Tipperary

Saturday: Jamie Mahon …A, Alice Garry…A, Pat Garry …A, Tom Carroll…A,  Fr Paddy Byrne …2^nd A, Sean & Betty Tutty …A

Sunday: Rita & Kevin Somers…A. Micheal Melia …1^st A. Jimmy Keogh …B’day Rem. Tom Kerwin …A

We also Remember: Helen Kennedy Lunden…A, Noel Franklin…RD

Monday:  Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Gabriel Navin…A , Molly Delaney…RD

Wednesday: Seamus Boylan…RD, Christine O Connell …Rem

Thursday: Peter Layden…A, Peggy Kenny…Rem

Friday:   Get Well, Kevin Griffin …RD

Rosary & Holy Hour on Tuesday 23^rd January, 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington

Pray & Play Group In the Coimin Centre, Every Wednesday From 2.45pm to 4.30pm. For children of all ages with their parents, grandparents, guardians. Contact Áine 0833798366 or Call the office on 045365327

Minister of Eucharist January 2024 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Margaret Keogh Annmarie Wall & Pat McGrath SUNDAY 10AM: Michael Keogh & Margaret Flynn

Parish Calendars Last few are still available For sale in Parish Office €5 each.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support in these challenging times, it is greatly appreciated. Our new Neighbourhood Collection account is with AIB if you would like to renew your Standing Order or set up a new one, the account details are:

IBAN IE10 AIBK 9332 3642 2314 05

BIC   AIBKIE2D

Donations can also be made through the Neighbourhood Collection envelopes from

the parish office,

Once again, may I thank all who support the parish through your donations and thank you for your generosity. With every blessing,

Fr Richard

Christianity Unity Week begins Thursday 18th January  The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an ecumenical Christian observance in the Christian calendar that is celebrated internationally. The theme of the Week in 2024 is “You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbour as yourself”. The prayer for Christian unity is that all may be one as the gracious Trinity:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Christians are called to act like Christ in loving like the Good Samaritan1. The prayer is for unity and harmony among nations and communities, and for visible unity among all who believe in him.

Dates for 2024  Ash Wednesday falls on the 14th February Easter Sunday falls on the 31st March

Popes Intention for January The gift of diversity Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of January is for the gift of diversity in the Church. “There is no need to fear the diversity of charisms in the Church. Rather, living this diversity should make us rejoice,”

We would like to Thank everyone who took part and supported the Epiphany celebration in Valleymount Last weekend. The Parish Team

CARE OF THE EARTH Creatively repurpose unwanted items to put less trash into the world. Instead of throwing things away, give them another purpose by making jewellery, household accessories, or restyled clothing. Upcycling is fun and good for the earth; for example, you could turn an old T-shirt into a grocery bag or use cinder blocks to make outdoor planters. Experiment and look for new ways to reuse              27TH JANUARY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLEAN ENERGY

Blessington Parish Caring for Creation To mark the week of Christian Unity, there will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service “Lectio on Nature “in the Church of Our Lady Blessington Thurs Jan 25th @ 10 am. Meditation and Reflection on Nature passages from Scripture with prayers offered for care of the earth.

Thought for the week The Giant in front of you is never bigger than the God inside of you

We, the Butler family, would like to take this opportunity to thank all our family, friends and neighbours for their care and compassion in the recent loss of our mother Marcella Butler. We would especially like to thank the local first responders for the care they showed mammy. Marcellas’s Months Mind mass will take place on Saturday 3rd February at 6pm in Blessington.

Catholic Schools Week Communities of service, 21-27 Jan. Monday – Service in Our Community. Tuesday – Service in Our School Community. Wednesday – Service in Our Family community (Grandparents day). Thursday – Service in Our Local Community. Friday – Service in Our Faith Community.

St Brigid’s N.S. are now accepting enrolments for all pupils wishing to start in September.  Please contact the school office on 01-4582550 for an enrolment form. St Brigid’s will also be having an open evening for all prospective students and their families on Tuesday 30th January 2024.  The school will be open from 6.30pm till 7.30pm. All the staff look forward to seeing you there

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 11^th January: 15,22,24,26 €25 Winner: Bernadette Rooney Next Jackpot €4,125

Left at the Lamb Book Reprint available In the Parish Office

Used Stamp Collection We are collecting any used stamps in aid of the Missions. If you would like to donate the stamps that you have at home you can put them into the box which is located back of the Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Monday at 7.30pm in the Kare Centre. All new players welcome.

Valleymount Community Shed NEW MEMBERS. If you or someone you know would like to join our Shed, drop in any Monday or Friday from 10.30 to 12.30 at the back of the priest’s house (The old stables) for a chat and to see what we do.

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

Blessington Walking Club Community support for mental emotional and physical health Morning walks during weekdays  at 9.30am Sunday walks at 11am Meeting point Blessington further ed centre WhatsApp 087 223 4005 insta@blessingtonwalkingclub

Valleymount Community Shed Committee We would like to express our gratitude for the wonderful support we received at all our Saturday night events last year. We are now available on Facebook, click on and like our page to see how our shed is progressing and have a look at the videos from our recent music nights. We are open to new members, young and old. Send us a message and we will contact you with all the details on how to join.   All are most welcome to attend, especially musicians, poets, singers, and storytellers. We will have something new at each upcoming music night this year, a 10-minute talk or demonstration by some interesting people, Not To Be Missed!! Come along and see what we’re all about

Always wanted to sing? All Welcome. No Auditions. Blessington Millennium Choir are looking to recruit new members who love to sing. With mixed ability and experience, we aim to positively impact our community and as such regularly raise funds for organisations and participate in events. So, if you sing in the shower, you are the King or Queen of Karaoke or a keen amateur, Come & Join Us We meet every Tuesday evening 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Kare Centre, Blessington For more details please phone (087) 4352385 or (087) 2431499 www.choirbmc.com

Blessington Library Wednesday 24th January at 11 am: Toddler Time with Rachel Drew (Call 045 891740 or blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie to book your place) Tuesday 30th January at 6.45 pm Traditional Music by Rógaire Dubh, all welcome. These are our recurring events. For children and their parents/guardians Tummy Time [0 – 12 months] – Every Thursday, 11.30am Toddler Time [1 – 3 years olds] – Every Friday, 11.30am Story Time [3 – 6 years olds] –  Saturday, 11.30am Children’s Book Club  (Contact the library for more details) Age 8-9 First Thursday of month at 6.30pm Age 10-12 Third Tuesday of month at 7pm. For adults Cuidiú – Breastfeeding group Every second Monday, starting  Monday 15th January. Adult Book Clubs  (Contact the library for more details) Last Thursday of month at 6.30pm Last Friday of month at 11.00am Last Tuesday of month at 6.45pm Writing Group Second Thursday of month at 7pm Poetry Group Third Thursday of month at 6.45pm Crafty Hookers, Knitting Group
Every Wednesday, 11.00am

Blessington Community Employment Vacancies These are developmental opportunities, no experience necessary. St Kevin’s, Cemetery, Hollywood Duties inclusive of but not restricted to grass cutting, light maintenance, key holding, and cleaning. Closing Date: 20/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317015. Secretary, St Kevin’s  Community Centre. Duties inclusive of but not restricted to admin, answering calls,  And secretarial work. Closing Date: 02/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317031. Caretaker, Hollywood Community Centre. Duties to include but not restricted to preparing hall for meetings and events, cleaning, light maintenance, and painting. Closing Date: 02/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317081 Caretaker, St. Johns Cemetery, Ballymore. Duties inclusive of but not restricted to grass cutting, light maintenance, key holding, and cleaning. Closing Date: 16/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317525 Please contact us on 085-2523563 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.

Septic Tanks Emptied & Digger Hire Call Dermot or Adam Phibbs 087 799 5320 – 083 037 4750 lizmphibbs6@gmail.com      License no: NWCPO-21-12619-01

Blessington Counselling & Psychotherapy – Mandy Downes MAPCP 085 134 9813 Specialist in CBT & Solution focused Therapy

Wicklow & Kildare Mental Health Services  Counselling & Psychotherapy. Aran Centre, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. For Bookings please contact, by phone: 089 274 4920 or e-mail: info@wicklowandkildarementalhealth.ie