Issue 1284 December 1st 2019

St Vincent de Paul Annual Appeal next weekend at all Masses in all churches.

Your generous support is needed to look after those in need in our local community

Saturday 30^th November 2019

►Blessington Lights Up Christmas 1pm to 3:45pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, followed by ‘The Big Switch On’ The Square at 4:30pm

Sunday 1^st December 2019

►Children’s Church at 10am Mass in Blessington for children aged 5 to 10 years.

►Ecumenical Service with the Millennium Choir at 11am in St Mary’s Church Blessington with Advent readings & carols.

►St Brigid’s NS, Manor Kilbride, Winter Fair from 12pm to 4pm. Arts & Crafts Stalls, Books, Toys, Clothes & Cake Stalls & Refreshments. Fun Fair Games & activities for young & old. Festive decorations & Christmas Trees on sale

►Variety Concert in Church of Our Lady Blessington in aid of Blessington & District Day Care & the Coimín Centre. Featuring: The Roscommon Solstice Choir, Rachel Coyne & Lorraine Willoughby. Tickets €10 at the door

Monday 2^nd December 2019

►Holy Hour in Crosschapel every Monday after 10am Mass (ex-Bank Holidays)

►Blessington Children’s Choir practice 2:45pm to 3.30pm in the Church.

►Benediction, guided prayer & music in Lacken Church 8pm. Refreshments later.

Tuesday 3^rd December 2019

►Citizens Information Centre in Blessington Library from 1pm to 4pm. Legal advice service on 1st & 3rd Tues of month by appointment

►Blessington & District Active Retired 2.30pm in the Coimín Centre Blessington, new members welcome.

►Eucharistic Adoration from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Blessington Church.

Wednesday 4^th December 2019

►The Citizens Information Centre is open in Blessington Library today 10am to 12.30pm.

►The Rosary will continue after Christmas

►Meditation in Brittas will take a break until the New Year.

Thursday 5^th December 2019

►Coimín Management Meeting 7pm

►Blessington PPC Meeting 8pm

►West Wicklow Cancer Support Special Christmas Meditation hosted by Gemma Deeney of Yogagym  at 7.30pm in the Coimin Centre Blessington. We hope this will be a very special, spiritual & healing session followed by some Christmas cheer & mince pies!!

Friday 6^th December 2019

►Bethany Bereavement Support Group are available in the Coimín Centre Blessington for caring confidential support from 10am to 11am

►1st Friday of the Month. The Masses will be offered for all those whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead. The priests will visit the sick & housebound. If you would like a visit please contact the Parish Office, 045 865 327

►1^st Friday Mass in Manor Kilbride at 9am.

►1^st Friday Mass in Valleymount at 11.15am

►Coffee Morning in Lacken Community Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm

►Padre Pio Mass at 8pm in Blessington.

Mass Intentions this Week Shay Duffy (RD) Elizabeth Coogan (RD) Patrick Poole (RD)

Saturday 6pm: Jonas Cesokas (A) Patrick & Josephine Farrington (A) Brendan & Aoife Cummins (A) Chrissie Cummins (A), Noel Cummins (A) Phyllis Murphy (A)

Sunday 10am: Joanne & Denis Jones (A) Noel Tyrrell (RD)

We also Remember the following: Camillus Balfe (A) Patrick Mullally (A) Lily, Violet & Gerry Brown (A) Rosaleen Elliott (A)

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Micheline & Peter Comey (A) Sp Int

Wednesday: Norah Murphy(A) Kay Nolan(RD)

Thursday: Living Int, Living Int

Friday: 1^st Friday List of the Dead

The family of the late Teresa Byrne, on her 1^st Anniversary, 4^th December, wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy & support shown to them following the death of their mother. We offer our sincere thanks to everyone who called to the house, brought food, attended the funeral home & funeral Mass, sent letters, mass cards, floral tributes & also to those who travelled long distances to be with us. Special thanks to Regina & Tony Clarke for their professionalism & care, to Fr Richard, Fr Prendiville & Deacon Gerry Malone, singer Lorraine Willoughby, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Palliative Care Team & her doctors, especially Dr Mary Kearney. A special Mass is being offered for their intentions

Annual Ecumenical Carol Service on Sun 15^th Dec at 5pm in Church of Our Lady

Sacrament of the Sick & Healing Mass on Saturday 14^th December at 12 noon in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. There will be tea & coffee served in the Coimín Centre after Mass.

Christmas Collection for the Homeless at Method Physiotherapy Accepting unused toys, clothes, toiletries etc. Info: Contact 045 857 444

Blessington Allotments – Next Public Meeting. Would you be interested in allotments in Blessington? Our group is continuing to campaign for the provision of allotments in the Blessington area. Our next public meeting is on Sat 14^th Dec at 12:30 in Blessington Library – come & show your support for allotments at this meeting! For more details, contact Dónal at blessingtonallotments@gmail.com

Beginners Fencing Classes on Tuesdays from 8pm to 9.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall

Winners of Valleymount Parish Draw Mary Fitzpatrick, John & Teresa Reid, Mary & Don Sullivan, Fiona Shannon, Marie & Johnny Brophy. €100 each

‘Rugby Practice at Russborough for U7s (2013) to U12s (2008) boys & girls this Sat 23rd Nov at 10:30am”

LOOKING FOR A GREAT NIGHT OUT? Blessington Bowls meet every Thurs at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington, guests welcome, come along & bring a friend.

Further Education & Training Centre Blessington

We are currently enrolling for courses for our new term starting in January 2020

Full Time Courses – Monday to Friday

QQI Level 5 Business Studies with Sage 50 Accounting

QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies

Part Time Courses (Day and Evening)

Looking to up-skill or learn something new?

We have part time courses available in the following:

eBusiness QQI Level 5

Tourism with Business QQI Level 5

Childcare QQI Level 5 – Childcare QQI Level 6

Healthcare QQI Level 5 – Computer Science QQI Level 5

Further information from: Anne McGrath or Karen Townsend on 086 850 3833 or blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie

Christmas Car Boot Sale (Des Redmond Charities) in St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 8^th Dec from 7am to 4pm. €10 per table, Free Car Park, Tea & Coffee.

Ballycane Church Choir presents Songs of Praise Concert at Ballycane Church, Naas on Sun 1st Dec from 6.30pm to 8pm. Admission free. Donations Welcome.

“TRY it out! Mini-Rugby for Tots for ‘under 5 (2015)’ and Under 6 (2014) in St Kevin’s Community Centre, Blessington every Saturday at 10:15am for ‘boys & girls’

Cruthú West Wicklow Art Group Christmas Exhibition in Blessington Tourist Office.  The exhibition opening event will be on Friday 29^th November from 7pm to 8pm. The exhibition will open from 11am to 6pm daily until Sun 15^th Dec.  Late opening Friday to 8pm.  There will be original locally produced Art, Craft, Photography on display, all available to buy.   Find a perfect Christmas gift, or simply drop in to enjoy the art & be inspired.  Like us on Facebook & Instagram or visit www.cruthu.ie

Valleymount & Lacken Parish Concert

St Joseph’s National School Present ‘The Nativity’ according to The Gospel of St Luke.

Concert featuring St John’s Gospel Choir, Ballinteer & Blessington Folk Group in St Joseph’s Church Valleymount on Sunday 15^th December at 7pm.

Tickets €10 each or 2 for €15, available from St Joseph’s School or Valleymount Church (after Sunday Mass) and from Blessington Parish Office

Cub Scout Blessington. Is your child aged 9-11years, if they are interested in joining scouts & you would like to become a scout leader (free training provided) please contact me aoibheannmc1@yahoo.ie for more details.

Interested in a social cycle in the Blessington area?  Led by an experienced volunteer, Cycling Ireland/Axa Community Bike Rides are gentle, social bike rides for adults, usually followed by coffee & chat.  New series for beginners added for Wednesdays at 10:30am. Join for FREE at www.AxaCommunityBikeRides.com

Lacken Community Centre Calendar 2020 on sale now from Supervalu, Blessington Bookstore, The Office Shop, Blessington Tourist Office, West Wicklow House, Flowers by Enda, Zellers Lacken & Cullens Bar Ballyknocken

Hollywood Friendship Club every Wednesday from 2.15 to 4.15pm in Hollywood Centre New members welcome. The Club members will visit Newbridge Silverware to do their usual Christmas Shopping on Wed 4^th December

Community Pool for West Wicklow Christmas Monster Raffle in aid of a pool for West Wicklow! Prizes include a family pass for Kaleidoscope, Afternoon Tea at Ballymaloe, an overnight stay at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort & much, much more! Tickets €5 or 4 for €20 available at www.tinyurl.com/CPWWMonsterRaffle Draw will take place in Murphy’s Bar on Sunday December 22^nd Info email: poolforWestWicklow@gmail.com

December Events

►As part of Russborough’s Oscar Wilde Christmas join us on for ‘An Evening with Oscar Wilde’ on Dec 6^th at 7pm. Compiled & performed by Richard Lynch, share Wilde’s sparkling humour & wit, tinged with a certain pity & sadness.  Tickets €15. Booking 045 865 239 or www.russborough.ie

►Bealin’s Bar Golf Society Christmas Party & Prize Presentation in Bealin’s Lounge on Friday 6^th December with a monster raffle on the night. Music by Sean Reddy

►Join us at Russborough House on Saturday December 7th from 12pm to 4pm for a Christmas Market in aid of the Community Pool for West Wicklow. We’ll have live music, face painting, over 30 stalls with local crafts, baking and Christmas gifts and Santa will be there too!

►Saturday 7^th December: Tramway Theatre proudly presents – Connor McKeon Swing into Christmas. Let the good times roll. A glitzy & glamorous night of high energy big-band swing including the best loved Christmas Classics.  Doors open 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm sharp. Tickets €25 (including wine & mince pie reception) available from Hennessy’s Next Door & The Office Shop or call 086 8239946

►Christmas Concert with ‘Celtic Brothers’ starring The Willoughby’s in Tynock Church at 8pm on Sun 8^th Dec. Concert in aid of a Multi-Sensory Room for Baltinglass Hospital Tickets available from 087 266 8300 or email multisensoryconcert@gmail.com

►West Wicklow Day-Care Committee will be putting up a Christmas Tree in the grounds of Baltinglass Hospital in celebration of the lives of our family & friends who are no longer with us, you can shine a light in their memory by sponsoring a light for €5 on the Christmas Tree. Please call Mary 087 293 4806 or Valerie 045 865 412 to sponsor a light. Christmas Tree lighting ceremony & Carol Service will take place on Sunday 8^th December at 2pm

►Hollywood Senior Citizens Christmas Party on Thurs 12^th Dec Hollywood Inn. Meal at 3.30pm Music/Song/Dance until 8pm. Invitations will be sent out first week December.

►Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee Concert on Saturday 14^th December in Manor Kilbride Community Hall at 6.30pm. Featuring KILBRIDE & LAKESIDE YOUTH MUSIC With guest artist one of Ireland’s most revered musicians DONAL LUNNY along with rising star SIOBHÁN HARTE (granddaughter of singer & song collector, the late great Frank Harte) also the amazing Manor Kilbride native, KELAN WALSH baritone sax. Admission €10 Adults