Issue 1322 September 6th 2020
23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 6th September 2020
The gospel message is one of joy, rooted in the love & care of Christ for everyone. Today Jesus spells out our Christian family duty – to have a responsibility towards each other: we cannot stand by idly & watch others harm themselves.
Tough words today about correction. We don’t like the idea of people telling us off or trying to change us. We can see it in the wide perspective of the influence of a community or group, and of the call of Jesus to help us become better disciples.
He knows it’s a difficult area, so he offers different ways of keeping us all on the safe path. If you are concerned about someone talk to them directly, and then to just one or two people, and only later go to the community. This comes from the sensitivity of Jesus and from his desire to bring people to the better life through love and compassion.
A principal work of the gospel of Jesus is to encourage each other. An apostle, Barnabas, was known as the ‘son of encouragement’. In trying to help each other come to closer following of Jesus, an ounce of encouragement is worth a ton of exhortation! We often find that when, for example, we are trying to help a person in drug or gambling addiction: lectures don’t work.
All the commandments of Jesus and his way of dealing with us are done in the name of love. The second reading sums it up – ‘Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments’.
Donal Neary SJ, Editor Sacred Heart Messenger
Mass Intentions this Week
Saturday 6pm: Eugene Fennell (1st A) Katie Kelly (A) Mary Ann Sargent (A) Deceased Members of the Kelly & Sargent Families, Charlie Hayes (Birthday Rem)
Sunday 10am: Barry O’Donnell (Rem) Frances Lockhart (RD)
We also remember:
Monday: Mass offered for all the Blessington List of the Sick
Tuesday: Colm & Nuala, O’Donnell (A) Special Intentions, Special Intentions
Wednesday: Ian Thompson (RD) Frances Rowan (RD)
Thursday: Special Intentions, Special Intentions
Friday: Mons. Seamus Conway (RD) Anne Edwards (RD)
Eucharistic 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/
We are a new family in town just relocated from Spain. We would like to improve our English which is pretty good although it misses proper pronunciation (you know, Spanish accent :-)) we would like to find people for conversation. Ideally, (retired) English teachers. Call or text: 0034687446322 or email: danixa.montero@gmail.com
Getting Back on Track Financially Most of us have some level of debt, but when unpaid debt becomes such a burden that it prevents you from getting out of bed in the morning, brings a sense of dread when answering the phone or opening the post, it is time to take control of the situation. The unfortunate reality is that due to the impact of COVID-19 many more people in Ireland may be struggling to pay their debts having recently lost their jobs or struggling to make ends meet on reduced incomes. The effects of problem debt on a person’s wellbeing & mental health can be severe and can prevent them coming forward for help but there is a solution to every debt problem & this is where the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) can help. The ISI is the independent government body with four debt solutions to help people with all levels of problem debt – from credit cards to mortgages. It regulates debt advisors called Personal Insolvency Practitioners (PIPs). You could be insolvent if: you can’t pay your bills in full when they are due. You’re paying a little off each bill trying to keep creditors at bay. You’ve had calls and letters about missed repayments and threats of repossession. If you are insolvent & in arrears on your home mortgage you could also be eligible for a free consultation with a PIP under the State-funded Abhaile Scheme. The purpose of that Scheme is to help people in serious arrears to find the best available solutions, with the help of professional advisors. The priority will be to find a sustainable solution that keeps a person in their home, where possible. For more information visit www.backontrack.ie or freetext GETHELP to 50015 for a call-back.
GROW – Community Mental Health Programme
Tues 15th Sept: Understanding & Promoting Positive Mental Health
Tues 22nd Sept: The Power of Sleep
Tues 29th Sept: Boost Your Brain & Achieve Balance through Nutrition & Lifestyle
Tues 6th Oct: Understanding Trauma
Tues 13th Oct: Parenting Skills in Today’s World
Tues 20th Oct: Your Superpowers
Tues 3rd Nov: Mindfulness
Free Access via Zoom – 7.30pm – 9.00pm each evening. To Register For A Place Please Contact 6063184
Blessington Mini-Rugby returns outdoors for 4 and 5 year olds. Boys & girls welcome. K.O. 11:15am each Sat starting 5th Sept at St Kevin’s Hall
Blessington Mini-Rugby U10-U13 boys and girls restarts on 8th Sep, from 7pm to 8pm on GAA Astro
Winners of the Lacken and Valleymount Members Draw for August – Nuala & Seamus Kelly, Kathleen O’Connor, Sylvia & Liam Kavanagh, Sheila & Pat Geoghegan, Mary & Jack Paton
Anam Cara South Dublin is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Mon 14th Sept at 7:20pm in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght. This event is free & open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not.
St. Marys’ Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot next week €2725 sign up for €2 per week on parish website
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.
Blessington Library has now resumed the 6-day working week with late nights Tuesday and Thursday,for browse and borrow. We are observing social distancing and face coverings, and we are looking forward to seeing you.
The Parish Office Opening Hours Monday to Friday from 9am to 12.30pm for Mass Bookings, Mass Cards, & Enquiries. Email: office@blessington.info Carol: 045 865 327 – 9am to 12.30pm Jean: 087 235 0835 – 9am to 5pm Please observe social distance, and use hand sanitiser when entering & leaving.
Email us with your Community Group news: office@blesson.info
NEWSLETTER ADS
Blessington & District Credit Union – Scholarships to be won: 2 – Third Level €3000: 3 – PLC’s €1000. Entry Forms in the Office 045 865 328. Or online www.blessingtoncu.ie T & C’s Apply
Experienced Child Minder / Housekeeper Available. Ref on request. Call Pam. 085 754 7214
Anna Nagle B.Ed, E.M.T.,Dip.l.T.EC.,P.T. COUNSELLING for CLARITY. Main St, Blessington. 087 227 3925
Ruth Shine School of Dance. Ballet, Modern, Contemporary and Acrobatic Arts Classes. Ages 3 to Adult. We pride ourselves on the beautiful, confident and happy dancers our students become! Join our dance community, based in our newly renovated, state of the art studio ‘DanceTrax Studios’ Contact Ruth on 086 406 2618, look us up on Instagram/Facebook or visit our website
www.ruthshineschoolofdance.com
‘Make Your Soul Shine!’
Talbot Chimneys Ltd – Family Run Business Since 1978. Insurance Claims Handled. Chimney Repairs / Reline / Rebuild. CCTv Surveys. Chimney Cleaning. Descaling of Soot & Tar Build Up. Fully Insured. No Call-Out Charge for OAPs on Mention of this Ad. Freephone 1800 406 700 – Office 045 850 957
Gardening- For Autumn Tidying, Hedge Clipping, Lawn Care, Beds Overhauled, Painting etc Phone Mark 085 133 7714
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.
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
Painter & Decorator Interior & Exterior – Phone: Damian 085 826 0431
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
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
ROBOTIC LAWNMOWERS now available locally. Free garden assessment. Installation service also available. Contact Ken@aceroboticlawncare.ie or call 086 834 4332 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
Want to do your own Garden or Building Project? Hire the machines save time & labour mini diggers, dumpers & other equipment available. Contact Padraig BALLYMORE TARMAC on 087 271 6749 or
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
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
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