Issue 1441 February 19th 2023
CASA Church Collection at all Masses this weekend: 18th & 19th February – CASA is a registered charity established in 1981. It is a volunteer led organisation whose goal is to develop friendships and social opportunities for adults and children with disabilities through a variety of social events and activities. CASA has over 20 local groups nationwide with each group holding regular social events and activities with one-to-one person-centred care which is what makes CASA unique. The aim of these groups is to provide our members with the opportunity to socialise, develop friendships and empower themselves in a caring and relaxed setting. Please give generously. Thank you
Mass intentions in Blessington
Robert Sargent (RD) Rathmore, Lexie Casey (RD) Roscommon, Jack Bohan (RD) Stillorgan, Hugh O’Neill (RD) Rathfarnham
Saturday: Maree McEvoy (A), Vera Byrne (A), Pat Byrne (Birthday Rem), Jane Miley (Birthday Rem, Thomas Miley (Birthday Rem), Diane Little (A), John & Mary Cruise (A), Bridie & John Richardson (A)
Sunday: Andy Hanlon (A), Lisa Walsh (A), Trevor Kinsella (A), Kathleen Kinsella (A), Josephine O’Toole (A), Christopher, Mary & Anthony Lambert (A)
We also remember: John Kelly (Rem), Agnes Shirran (A)
Monday: Mass offered for the sick at home & those in hospital.
Tuesday: Sp. Intentions Mass, Intentions Mass, Sp. Intentions Mass
Wednesday: Mick Melia (RD), James Cummins (RD) 7.30pm Mass Get Well Intentions, Get Well Intentions
Thursday: Toddy Hennessy (A), Kathleen Hennessy (A)
Friday: Tom Roberts (RD), James Oliver Coffey (RD)
Saturday 18th February: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken 7.30pm Confessions: After 6pm Mass in Blessington
Sunday 19th February: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am, Crosschapel Church: 11.30am
Tuesday 21st February: Rosary & Holy Hour 10 to 11am in Blessington
ASH WEDNESDAY – 22nd February – Blessed Ashes will be distributed at Masses in Blessington & Manor Kilbride. Ashes will be available for home use if you want to drop into the Church during the day. There will be a Service of Blessing & distribution of Ashes in Valleymount Church at 10am.
Parents & Children welcome to join us every Wednesday for “Pray & Play” from 2.45pm in the ‘Crying Room’ Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Prayer time, Play time & Music Refreshments afterwards.
“A TIME OF HOPE” LENTEN TALKS at 7.30pm Mass every Wednesday during Lent in Church of Our Lady Blessington Week 1 Wed 22nd February Deacon Gerry Malone talks on FAITH & CALLING
Acknowledgement – The family of the late Mary (Moira) Reid would like to thank all who sympathised, attended the wake, Funeral Mass & burial, sent mass cards, online condolences, provided food & supported the family in any way. Thanks to Fr. Behan, Deacon Gerry, Tony & Regina Clarke for their kindness, help & support. To Lorraine, Richie & Harry for the beautiful singing & music in the Church. Thanks also to Valleymount GAA for the guard of honour & for their support. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. Mary’s 1st Anniversary Mass will take place in Valleymount Church on Sunday 26th February at 10am.
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 16th & 17th February for midterm break.
Valleymount Community Shed are having A Social Night on Saturday 4th March at 7.30pm in The Stables Valleymount. This is an ‘Open Mic Event’ & is free to all who attend. We hope you will be able to come along & join in the music & the craic. Light refreshments will be provided.
Naas Flower & Garden Club, Care of the Aged Centre, Limerick Road, Naas on Thursday 23rd February at 7.45pm. Garden Talk by Brid Kelleher AOIFA & NAFAS. Visitors welcome €8
Blessington History Society is holding its AGM on Tuesday 21st February 8pm in the Coimin Centre. All are welcome to attend. If you wish to become a member of the society for the year 2023 the membership fees are as follows: €25 for a single membership, €35 for a couple. On the night we will a power point presentation of old photographs & memories of Blessington in former years. This will be followed by light refreshments.
West Wicklow Cancer Support – You are welcome to our February Monthly Drop-In Evening, Thursday 23rd February 7.30pm to 9.00pm in the Coimin Centre Blessington. Come to our gardening evening hosted by a local horticulturist showing us how to bring colour into our spring & summer garden. Gardening is good for the brain & good for the soul! No need to book, spaces available, no charge. Contact us on 087 434 6004 / westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Ecumenical Service on Friday 3rd March at 10am in Church of Our Lady Blessington. ALL WELCOME
McGreal’s FREE CPR Training in the Primary Care Centre Pharmacy on Thursday 23rd February from 6pm to 7pm. All Welcome
St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 16th February. 6, 11, 17, 24. €25 Winner: Margaret O’Dwyer. Next Jackpot is €2,500
Interested in drawing & painting but haven’t tried it yet? This course will give you the practical skills to draw & paint through the guided work in class & is a great introduction to Art. Please join us at for an information session on Wednesday 22nd February from 7:30-8:30pm at the Blessington Further Education Centre. For further information, please contact abeblessington@kwetb.ie or call 045 851494.
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.
Blessington Car Boot Sale Returns to St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 26th February: 7am to 4pm. Tea/Coffee. Indoor & Outdoor Spaces. Free Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Info: Pat Conlan: 086 075 2072
Valleymount Parent & Baby/Toddler Playgroup meets every Friday during school term from 9.30am to 12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa and a chat.
Celebrating over 60 years involvement in Theatre. “From the Shoulders Down” Written & Performed by Richard Lynch. Embracing the humour & pathos in the life, times & labours of Patrick Joseph Mulpeter, P.J. for short B.L.A. (Builders Labourer Anonymous). Proud of his past & somewhat embittered by it, bewildered by the present & uneasy about the future. “Lynch not only wins his audience, he owns them” – Leinster Leader. Saturday 25th February at 8 p.m. Valleymount Community Centre. Tickets €10 at the door.
ALONE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED “I spent so many years sitting right in front of this window hoping for a visitor or the phone to ring…I used to order things I didn’t need just to have a short chat with the delivery men. That’s how lonely I was.” Are you interested in volunteering to visit or call an older person & help us combat loneliness in your area? We are urgently in need of volunteers. Visit www.alone.ie to sign up today
Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Monday 27th 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.
A Time of Hope – Lenten Talks – 7.30pm Mass every Wednesday during Lent – Church of Our Lady Blessington
- 22nd February – Deacon Gerry Malone – FAITH & CALLING
- 1st March – Ger Gallagher, AMRI Communications – SPORT & FAITH
- 8th March – Carmel Dillon, Principal St Mary’s JS – FAITH IN SCHOOL
- 15th March – Sr Enda Mullan, HOPE IN CREATION
- 22nd March – Teresa Wood, Team Hope Ireland, CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL
- 29th March – Christina Malone, Parish Pastoral Worker, BUILDING HOPE IN CHURCH
St Vincent de Paul Blessington, local number 087 181 1579
- NEWSLETTER ADS
Single Room To Rent in Blessington. Phone 087 750 8644
YOGA Classes New Term starts 23rd February. Blessington St. Mary’s Junior School Thursdays 7:30pm Kilteel Hall Tuesdays 9:30am & Wednesday 8:15pm. Please book in advance. Nancy Hickey – 087 639 1676. Qualified Yoga Instructor
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
Window & Door Repairs PVC Repairs – Hinges & Handles Replaced, Misted, Foggy or Cracked Windows? Change your Existing Glass to ‘A Rated Glass’. EVERY PANE’S MY PLEASURE. Call Gerry on 085 786 4273
GARDENING For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Strimming, etc Phone Mark: 085 133 7714. Greenleaf Garden Care
Rods + Cones Opticians Blessington. Beside the GARDA station. Formerly Cullinane Opticians. Open for all your eyecare needs. FREE Eye Exam + Glasses with PRSI + Medical Card. Large selection of Designer Frames + Sunglasses. Special Offers + Discounts on 2nd Pairs. Varifocal Experts – try them with our 30-Day Guarantee. Many Thanks to all our loyal customers. Call 045 891 056 for an appointment.
SeeThru Solution – Your Local Trustworthy Cleaning Service for Windows, Gutters, Fascia, Pressure Washing, Softwash, Carpet & Upholstery. Call Greg: 085 858 1850
Painter & Decorator – Interior & Exterior Phone: Damien 085 826 0431
Paying too much for SKY or Virgin Media? We Install or Repair Free to Air and Saorview! No more Bills! Call Billy 086 868 0053
Local Builder Available – All services under one roof, Windows & Doors, Plumbing, Tiling, Roofing, Plastering, Electrical, Carpentry, Insulation. All levels of construction services available. Fully registered. Call Paul 086 309 1829
Interior Designs by Elizabeth Creative, Unique, Personal. Please phone: 086 088 1806. Email: elizabethdoyle.ed@gmail.com
Eagle Cleaning Solutions – Chimney Cleaning, Exterior Power Washing, Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning and Repairs. Call for appointment: 087 247 4388. Email: info@eaglecleaningsolutions.com Find us on Facebook
German Autoworks – Service Specialist VW/Audi, Mercedes, Skoda, Seat, Opel. Call 087 286 3997 www.germanautoworks.ie
Noel Nolan – Blessington Heating & Plumbing Service www.blessingtonheatingandplumbing.ie Call Noel: 087 243 1499 or email nolannoel2@gmail.com
Clarkes Funeral Directors I.A.F.D. Funeral Home & Office, Burgage, Blessington. All areas serviced. Phone: Tony or Regina: 087 273 9048 / 087 659 6426 www.funeraldirectorsblessington.ie
HEADSTONES – McEvoy Monumental Works, Blessington. Headstones, Inscriptions, Renovations. Serving the people of Blessington for over 40 years. Call to our workshop at Millbank Blessington or phone: Mick 045 865 487 or 086 843 8832 or Gary 087 933 3487 www.mcevoymonumentalworks.com
Newsletter Advertising Rates, For just 50c per word per week you can reach a large, local audience. Cut-off for receiving adverts is Wed 10am. You can email the copy to office@blessington.info and pay in the Parish Office, or via the Donate button on our website or by bank transfer. Call the Parish Office: 045 865 327
- PARISH INFORMATION
Church of Our Lady, Blessington – Mass Times: Saturday 6.00pm. Sunday 10.00am
Weekdays: Monday to Friday 9.30am – Fr. Richard Behan PP. Tel: 045 865327
Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel – Mass Times: Sundays 11.30am
St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride – Mass Times: Sundays 11.00am
Weekdays: Monday to Friday 9am – Fr. Paraic McDermott C.S. Sp., Tel: 01 4582154
St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount – Mass Times: Sunday 10am
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken – Mass Time: Saturdays 7.30pm
Parish Office: 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday Tel: 045 865 327