Issue 1319 August 16th 2020
Saturday 15th August, Feast of the Assumption Holy Day Mass at 10am in Church of Our Lady, Blessington
20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 16th August 2020
The gift of Jesus in the Eucharist is a promise of his company forever in heaven. We share in his life now, and after our death in a new and different way. This is the joy and certainty of our faith.
Somehow or other Jesus was surprised by the mother’s faith when she asked for her daughter to be healed. He said he had come at this point in time only for ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’, as if he had enough to do in dealing with them. Her persistence won her the attention of Jesus as he realised that she too had great faith. Can we say that Jesus was surprised by the mother? And that he changed his mind, and realised that the time had come for him to go to the Gentiles? Our first reading has God bringing foreigners to his mountain, welcoming them all to his house of prayer.
There is a lesson here for welcoming our migrants and refugees. Also, a message to look beyond what we see at first when we meet people. We change our minds when we hear a person’s story or know the difficulties and the joys of their life. We change our mind about groups of people when we hear their backgrounds and see what we have in common.
In his message for the World Day for the Sick (February, 2020) Pope Francis says “Christ’s words of solidarity, comfort and hope, are for the very many simple people, the poor, the sick, sinners, those who are marginalized by the burden of the law and the oppressive social system.” Lord may your kingdom of compassion and of hope come among us.
Donal Neary SJ, Editor Sacred Heart Messenger
Mass Intentions this Week – Douglas Shirran (RD) Sandybanks
Saturday 6pm: Michael & Mary Dunne (A) Thomas & Lian Dunne (A) Maureen Dunne (A)
Sunday 10am: Christy Dempsey (A) Robert Kinsella (RD)
We also Remember the following: Christina O’Donnell
Monday: Mass offered for all the Blessington List of the Sick
Tuesday: Peter McNabb (RD) Rita Flynn (RD)
Wednesday: Mary McGuinness (RD) Kay Ryan (RD)
Thursday: Wedding Anniversary Mass, Special Intentions, Thanksgiving Mass
Friday: Ellen Tully (RD) Marie Farrell (RD)
Due to the extended Covid-19 Restrictions for Kildare, Crosschapel, Eadestown & Kilteel Churches will remain closed until further notice
Adoration & Rosary will take place every Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. If you are unable to come to the Church, you can join us via webcam on blessingtonparish.ie
We don’t have missalettes at Mass at the moment but Fr Kevin’s Homilies are always available on our website: https://blessingtonparish.ie/homilies-year-a/
Lacken-Kilbride Juvenile GAA Club – SEEKING PLAYERS for new Juvenile members from Under 7’s upwards (5 years old & upwards). Especially at Under 11’s, for boys & girls (players born in 2009, 2010 or 2011). And up to Under 14’s girls. Training is every Monday at 6.30pm in Kilbride & most Wednesday’s at 6.30pm. Any enquiries you can contact Diarmuid Haughian direct on 086 3113 443 or Joeann Gahan on 086 845 0247 or Donal Gahan on 087 979 2354. Or just turn up at training & speak to one of the coaches in order to get registered. Everyone is welcome at all levels.
St. Marys’ Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot next week €2575 sign up for €2 per week on parish website
St Vincent de Paul local number: 087 181 1579
A New Pilgrimage on Lough Derg’s Lakeshore – Walk & Pray in the Lough Derg Tradition on 16th, 18th, 22nd, 26th & 30th August. At times in the 1600’s & 1700’s when Station Island was closed by the Penal Laws, pilgrims undertook a form of pilgrimage on the lough shore. Walk in their footsteps. Contact 071 9861518 or info@loughderg.org for details. Numbers limited. Booking essential.
Saturday & Sunday Masses in Blessington- Due to the extended restrictions on numbers allowed to gather indoors we will continue to issue tickets for weekend Masses: 6pm Mass on Saturday & 10am Mass on Sunday in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Tickets must be collected in the Parish Office between 9am & 12.30pm Mon to Fri – 045 865 327
Courses in the Further Education and Training Centre Blessington. Are you considering doing a course, changing your career? Do you need Guidance? Here at Blessington Further Education and Training Centre we provide a free, professional, impartial career guidance and information service to all adults. For further information on upcoming courses or changing your career please contact our Guidance Service, Irene Hayden on 086 806 1569 or irenehayden@kwetb.ie or contact Karen Townsend on 086 850 3833 or karentownsend@kwetb.ie
Cruthú Gallery at Russborough – Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 12 noon. Our members have been very creative during the lockdown so we will start posting soon some exciting new art pieces that will be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing you soon and please remember to mind the social distancing rules. www.cruthu.ie or contact us at cruthuart@gmail.com
The Parish Office Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9am to 12.30pm for Mass Bookings, Mass Cards, & General Enquiries. Email: office@blessington.info Carol: 045 865 327 – 9am to 12.30pm. Jean: 087 235 0835 – 9am to 5pm. Please observe social distance & please use hand sanitiser when entering & leaving
BEIRUT EMERGENCY APPEAL https://www.trocaire.org/
Monthly Envelopes for August are now due, they may be dropped into the PDF Boxes in the Church, the post-box or into Parish Office. Many thanks to all who are making a special effort to return their envelopes this time it is greatly appreciated.
This is an unprecedented time, it’s time for unprecedented kindness
NEWSLETTER ADS
OFFICE CONTENTS to include – selection of sturdy desks, with or without returns & drawers, computer desks, solid mahogany dining table & 6 chairs, selection of seats & chairs, large & small shredders, printers, Panasonic KX-T7730 phone system with 7 extensions, filing cabinets with folders, notice boards, some old computers and other bits & pieces such as cd rack, staplers, etc., from as little as €1. Total clear-out everything must go! 087 290 7992.
CARETAKER Blessington Soccer Club Ref: CES 2152799 closing date August 24th
HANDYMAN VARIOUS PROJECTS Ref: CES 2152797 closing date August 17th
TOURIST OFFICE ASSISTANT Ref: 2152798 closing date August 24th For further information, please contact Martin Cahill on 045 891 348 or email on bessanddistce@gmail.com Please note the candidates must be in receipt of social welfare payment for at least 12 months.
Painter & Decorator Interior & Exterior – Phone: Damian 085 826 0431
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
Blessington Airport Taxi – 087 255 7993 Standard Taxi €77 one way Large 7-Seater €87 one way Call Richard on 087 255 7993 Or email: richardmc.keever@yahoo.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
Affordable Live-in Homecare provides live-in carers for the elderly in your area. If you are looking for a live-in carer for your relative, please call Eileen or Tom today on 087 9916791 or 087 7440729. Our website is www.alhomecare.ie
Happy Faces Pre School Blessington Situated in the Further Education Centre (old Tech) is a fun, stimulating & welcoming environment with a curriculum focusing on the best care & education for your child. Our staff are highly trained within the childcare sector, child led & Montessori methods of learning & development, limited ECCE & part time places available for Sept 2020. Find us on Facebook or email us happyfaces@blessingtonfec.ie for more information
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
Newsletter Advertising Rates For just 50c per word per week you can reach a large, local audience. Final cut-off for receiving adverts is Wed 10am You can email the copy to office@blessington.info and pay in the Parish Office or by bank transfer. Office open from 9am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday
Active Appliance Repairs over 20 years’ experience repairing and servicing all brands of domestic and commercial appliances. For a fast, friendly and efficient service call us today on 086 393 7762 or 086 361 9082 Call out Charge €75
Paying too much to SKY or UPC? We install & Repair Free to Air and Saorview!! No more bills!! Call Billy: 086 868 0053
Noel Nolan Blessington Heating & Plumbing Service www.blessingtonheatingandplumbing.ie Call Noel: 087 243 1499 or email nolannoel2@gmail.com
German Autoworks – Service Specialist VW/Audi, Mercedes, Skoda, Seat, Opel Call 087 286 3997
Wicklow Partnership on behalf of Wicklow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) has asked The Entrepreneurs Academy to recruit & engage with 40 Wicklow Rural Youth members (age 18-35), with an interest in starting up a social enterprise or in early design stage. Our Social Enterprise Climb Programme is a 15 week part time course aimed to help participants develop practical entrepreneurial skills in Social Enterprise. Participants will explore and develop new or existing business ideas to determine their viability. In accordance with current government guidelines, the programme will take place on Zoom. The participants will be guided on a journey of enlightenment on all things entrepreneurial,covering everything they need to know from A – Z. The course itself comprises of the following:
– 8 boot camps on Saturdays.
– 7 weekday evening workshops that will take place on Wednesday/Thursday evenings.
– 8 participants will receive a complete bespoke website for their Organisation to help convey their vision & mission to all.
The flexible scheduling of the programme is designed to facilitate access to the programme to all eligible learners. Expressions of interest are being accepted here: https://entrepreneursacademy.ie/social-enterprise-climb/
BLESSINGTON LIBRARY NEWS
Blessington Library is Open Each Week Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10am till 5 pm, Tuesday 1pm till 8.30 pm. Our customers are welcome to come in, browse and borrow books.
Heritage Week is running from 15th August until 23rd and we are inviting children to take part in a Blessington Local Heritage Quiz, (prizes awarded) finding places of interest in the town
From Monday 24th August we will resume our 6 day working week with late nights Tue and Thursday, again for browse and borrow. We are observing social distancing and face coverings, and we are looking forward to seeing you.
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