newsletter 18th February 2024 Issue 1480

Mass intentions in Blessington

Saturday: Vera Byrne…A , Marie McEvoy…A, Jane Miley & Thomas Miley…B’day Rem, Diane Little…A, Alicia, Hugh & Billy Hamilton …A  Paddy Byrne… B’day Rem…, May & Andy Metcalfe…A

Sunday: Greg Mulcahy…A, Micheal & Annmary Norton…A  Matthew & Mary Lennon… Rem

At Masses This Weekend,  We Remember The Following

Mick Fennan… A, Josephine O Toole…A, Christopher, Mary & Anthony Lambert…A, Eric & Agnes Shirran…A, Anne Mooney…A

Monday:  Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Walter Corbett…Rem, Teresa Quigley…Rem

Wednesday: John, Joe & Laurence Wright…A, Mary Wright…1st A

Thursday: Noeleen McGrath…A, The Bohan Family…Rem

Friday:    Toddy & Kathleen Hennessy…A,  The Harland Family…Rem

Rosary & Holy Hour on Tuesday 20th Feb, 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 February 2024 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Ann Hanlon, Frank Hanlon & Theresa Ball SUNDAY 10AM: Brendan Mahon, George Richardson & Kay Clarke

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

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 8^th February: 15,20,21,23. €25 Winner: Niamh Rouse. Next Jackpot €4,275

Congratulations to the Boys and Girls from St. Mary’s Jnr. School and Gaelscoil Na Lochana who made their First Confession this week

Thought for the week Lent is what you do

CARE OF THE EARTH – Composting A few composting bins in the garden represent an excellent opportunity to avoid littering, at the same time being a reliable source of natural manure for your vegetable garden. Manure is not harmful for the environment and litter is reduced. We have done to the boys and girls of 1st and 2nd class in St Joseph’s school Valleymount, who have adopted a penguin They are helping the WWF to protect the future of penguins and to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges facing our natural world today

Lent –

Our Prayer for Lent Loving God, in this season of Lent you call us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with each other so that we can build. your Kingdom of justice and peace, your Kingdom of love and truth, your Kingdom of holiness and grace in our world today. AMEN

SEE, what effects of flooding are you noticing in our country and world? DISCERN, how much water does your household use for cooking, bathing, and cleaning? ACT, what could you do differently this Lent to preserve water?

There is no life without water. We cannot survive without it. Sometimes we call Planet Earth, the Blue Planet. Saltwater accounts for 97.5 per cent of all water in the earth; the remaining 2.5 per cent is fresh water. This 2.5 per cent sustains human life on earth – our life. In a real sense it is the foundation of all human civilisation; however, because it seems to be in such abundance, we appear to take water for granted. While fresh water is a global concern, it is always a local issue. Most people drink from the well in their own yard. In the past one hundred and fifty years, with the significant industrialisation of society and of agriculture, the demand for fresh water has increased exponentially, and the effects of vastly increased urban living can be seen in our rivers, lakes and oceans.

#2.1 The Cry of the Earth, The Cry of the Poor

Archbishop Dermot Farrell

Divine Mercy Conference 23rd, 24th & 25th February 2024 Main Hall RDS. Ballsbridge, D4. Speakers Fr. Pat Collins CM,, Sr Mary Keneally OLM, Fr. Sean Kelly and more. Tickets, Sat €35, Sun €25, Weekend €40.

Church of the apostles Ballybrack – Women in the Bible – 28^th Feb at 7.30pm Miriam (Sister of Moses), 20^th March at 7.30pm Naomi (from Ruth story), 17^th April at 7.30pm The Syrophoenician women, 15^th May at 7.30pm Mary Magdalene. Talks given by Dr Jesse Rogers Lecturer/Dean of Theology at St Patricks Pontifical Maynooth

Free Online Reflection & Meditation Join us for 40 minutes to find healing and hope through the Sunday Gospel.  We will do this through input, music, guided prayer etc…to help nourish the soul for the week ahead. Sunday Evenings 6.45p.m. Online via Zoom (4th, 11th, 18th February) Presented By Martina & The Ruah Team https://www.ruahrest.com/ Further enquiries & bookings to info@ruahrest.com

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

Valleymount Walking Group Would you like to start walking? This group is open to everyone of all ages and capabilities. Meeting point: Community Shed Valleymount For more information contact Sean 086 250 8230

Sunday 28th January 2024 Songs & Tunes Session, Zellers of Lacken 6 to 9pm. All listeners, singers,  players very welcome. Any song/tune/style; any ability level; all ages. Just for fun! Bring a friend
Info.: Fiona 0838127317 lakesidesessions2@gmail.com

Friendship Club Every Tuesday 3-5pm Manor Kilbride Hall Starting Tue 6th Feb Tea, Coffee, Chat €2 cover charge Adults only. All welcome

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

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.

Young couple eagerly looking for a house to rent. No pets. No kids. Non-smokers. Julio at 0838272861 or juliocezaribeirojorge@gmail.com

Family coming from Brazil looking for a house to rent on a short-term basis. 23/05-05/06. For 10 people. No pets.  Julio. 0838272861 or juliocezaribeirojorge@gmail.com

The Valleymount Community shed invites you again to come & join the fun on our next night of music/song/poems and more Next Saturday 10th of February at 7.30 sharp come early to secure a seat in the Community shed. Looking forward meeting you all

GAELSCOIL NA LOCHANNA announces Rang Speisialta d’Uathachais – A Special Class for Autism Gaelscoil na Lochanna are opening a special class for 6 children with autism in September 2024. Enrolment forms are now available from school and via the school website Www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com

PICKLEBALL FOR OVER 60’s  being held on Fridays from 10-12  in St Kevins Hall. It’s the fastest growing sport for retirees. Come and give it a go or just come & watch. Its lots of fun

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 . 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.

Naas Flower and Garden Club in the Care of the Aged Centre, Limerick Road, Naas on Thursday 29th February at 7.45pm Garden Talk by: Paul Smith Head Gardener   of RHSI Bellefield House, Shinrone, Co. Offaly. Visitor’s welcome €8

Kilbride GAA Quiz Night in Miley’s Pub on Saturday the 24th of February from 9.30PM. All Welcome. Team of four, tenner a head, just turn up on the night. Teams can be formed on the night and prizes on the night! Please Support and All Very Welcome Any queries email info@kilbridegaa.com

Ambrosial Reflexology Benefits of Reflexology include Improved Sleep, Relaxation Adjunct to mental health care (Depression, Anxiety) Contact Eibhlin Ambrose (MNRRI, RGN, PHN) 0870534127