Issue 1353 May 1st 2021

Mass Intentions this week

Jerry Hayes (RD) Limerick

Stephen Broe (RD) Blessington

Saturday 6pm: Pat Kelly (A) John O’Connor (A) Michael O’Connor (A)

Sunday 10am: Breda Mulry (1^st A) Mary Byrne (Mths Mind) Eamon Byrne (5^th A) Paddy Redmond (A) George Devoy (A) Brigid McDonald (A) Deceased Members of McDonald Family

Sunday 11.30am: Betty Connolly (RD) Brian Hyland (A)

We remember the following: Kevin, Mary & Geraldine Shiels, Sheila & Martin Kearns, Louie, Gerty, Ann, & Brendan Murphy, Mary & Charlie Keogh, Jimmy Balfe, Oisin Reilly, Andy & May Metcalfe, Dot Kelly, Bosco McGuire, John & Brigid Miley, Margaret & Andy Farrington

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Andy & May Metcalfe, Brigid McDonald (A) Deceased Members of McDonald Family

Wednesday: Jack Boothman (5^th A) Seamus Graham (RD)

Thursday: Intentions Mass, Intentions Mass

First Friday: Mass offered for all whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead

All Masses & Services via Webcam www.blessingtonparish.ie

►Saturday 1^st May: 6pm Mass

►Sunday 2^nd May: Mass at 10am & 11.30am

►Thursday 6^th May: : Holy Hour / Benediction with Deacon Gerry 7.30pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington   

►Friday 7^th May: 1st Friday: Masses offered for all on the Altar List of the Dead

►Daily Mass at 9.30am Monday to Friday. Join us for the Rosary at 9am each morning.

►Mon & Fri: Evening Prayer, join the parish team for evening prayer via zoom: 7:30pm to 8:10pm on the Parish Pastoral Website:  www.blessingtonparishes.com

The Vincent Family would like to thank everyone who sent Mass cards, sympathy cards & letters, made kind phone calls and gave practical help after the death of our dear Berkeley.  We appreciate this so much. Vivien, Craig & Bronwyn

Burgage Cemetery Mass 2021 – In accordance with Government guidelines on public gatherings, the Annual Cemetery Mass at Burgage cannot take place in the cemetery. A Memorial Remembrance Mass will be held on 16^th May at 3pm in Church of our Lady, Blessington, via Webcam only www.blessingtonparish.ie

Gaelscoil na Lochanna (established 15 years) is now accepting enrolments for the new school year. Our children learn to speak Irish quickly and learn everything through Irish. A Brand new school building is on the way. We are launching a New “Aistear” Infant play room in September. Parents do not need Irish to start children in school. gsnl.info, www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com All enquiries to 045 900 525, or 087 938 8651 or via website. Fáilte

St Brigid’s N.S. Manor Kilbride are accepting enrolments for the next school year: 2021 – 2022. To enrol your child, please call Charlotte in our school office 01 458 2550 or find the enrolment documents on our school website http://manorkilbridens.scoilnet.ie/blog/

Lacken National School are now accepting enrolments for Mainstream and Early Intervention Classes for September 2021. School bus runs daily from/to Blessington. The school offers afterschool care for Junior and Senior Infants until 2.30 pm. Lacken School also has a pre-school facility which is ECCE and NCS approved. Enrolment forms can be downloaded from www.lackenns.com or please contact the school office on 045 865 086 or lackenschool@eircom.net

2021 Private Members Draw in aid of Valleymount & Lacken Churches. Winners for March and April held on 24^th April

March: Sheila Fitzpatrick, Alice Stones, Kathleen O’Connor, Charmaine Quinn, Liz and Paul Riley

April: Teresa Curran, Cissy McEvoy, Paul Farrell, Seamus Balfe (Kylebeg), Alice Stones

RUGBY IS BACK – Mini-rugby for U5 (2016) and U6 (2015) boys and girls at St Kevin’s Community Centre @ 11:15am each Saturday. Rugby at Russborough – Mini-rugby for U7 to U13 boys and girls at Russborough at 11:30 each Saturday. New members welcome.

Congratulations to Lacken Tidy Village Group who have been awarded a certificate in  recognition for their efforts to develop sustainable tourism in the area.

Blessington Union of Parishes are available on the parish YouTube channel by searching for “Blessington Union” or at this link

SVP Blessington Appeal: Families in our local community are facing mounting financial pressure to put food on the table, pay utility bills, rent and mortgages due to the impact of Covid 19. SVP Blessington is appealing to everyone to assist people in need in your local community. Please give what you can to this very worthy cause by making your donation, payable to SVP Blessington Ulster Bank IBAN: IE36 ULSB 98534015436018 BIC:: ULSB: IE 2D  through any financial institution. 100% of all donations goes towards supporting the local community.

Good Dry Kindling for Sale at Blessington Men’s Shed. 1 bag for €3 and 4 bags for €10. Information & collection: John Flynn at 087 297 7678. All money raised will go towards the upkeep of Shed during these difficult times.

Support for PARISH FINANCES – Blessington, Crosschapel, Manor Kilbride, Valleymount / Lacken

Monthly / Weekly Envelopes: Contact Jean in the Parish Office if you would like to make a monthly/weekly envelope contribution or if you would like to re-join if you used to contribute.

Online: Donations / Contributions can be made  via the “Donate” button on the parish website (options available for all our Churches.)

 Bank Standing Order: If you would like to set up a monthly standing order through your bank, please contact Jean in the Parish Office

Parish Development Fund (PDF): Donations through the black PDF boxes in Blessington Church also go towards the running of the parish.

Shrines: The donations to shrines remains in the parish.

ECUMENICAL BIBLE WEEK 2021 is an exciting and successful venture which is now in its eight year and will run from Pentecost Sunday (23rd May) to Trinity Sunday (30th May) 2021. Ecumenical Bible Week (EBW) is led by the Archdiocese of Dublin and the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in collaboration with many other Christian traditions ranging from the Evangelical Alliance to Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and support from the National Bible Society and Scripture Union.  The overall theme this year is “Unlocking Faith Today: Responding to New Realities”. This year EBW will have an opening and closing prayer event organised by Holy Trinity Rathmines on Monday 24th and St Finian’s Lutheran Church on Sunday 30th respectively. To Register visit  – www.bibleweek.ie

West Wicklow Cancer Support – If your life has been touched by cancer in any way, we are here for you, contact us on 087 434 6004 /  westwicklow15@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. “Nobody is exempt from the trials of life but everyone can always find something positive in everything even in the worst of times. Keep smiling and moving, we are stronger together”

Lakeside Community Games Virtual Events. Lakeside Community Games are delighted to announce that they are an affiliated area this year & therefore all children living in our area can participate in the National Community Games virtual events which include art, model making, handwriting, recitation, dance, music & singing. All details about these virtual events as well as online entry forms are available on the National Community Games Website www.communitygames.ie

Fr Kevin’s Homilies are always available on our website: https://blessingtonparish.ie/homilies-year-b/

St Vincent de Paul Blessington, local number 087 181 1579

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BLACK FRIDGE FREEZER- SPLIT 80/20, BELLING 41/166 LITRE. BFF207BK. Bought new for €299, 6 months old BARGAIN PRICE €180. Call LIZ  087-139 0509

Rods + Cones Opticians Blessington. Beside the GARDA station. Formerly Cullinane Opticians. We are open during COVID lockdown 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 045-981 056 for an appointment.

Gardening – For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Fruit Tree pruning, Painting etc Phone Mark 085 133 7714

Tús Programme Job Opportunities in Blessington.  County Wicklow Partnership’s Tús Programme has a number of work placement opportunities in Blessington and surrounding areas. Blessington town and from Hollywood to Manor Kilbride. Roles available in: Caretaking & Maintenance – Administration – Retail Charity – Social Care. While on Tús you can gain valuable work experience and contribute to your community at the same time. The placement will be for 1 year and participants will be required to work for 19½ hours per week and are free to take up other employment outside of their 19½ hours. To qualify for Tús, you must be fully unemployed for 12 months. Tús payment is at the full rate of Jobseekers Allowance plus €22.50 top-up. Information: You can self-select for a position with Tús. For more information or to apply contact Neil Doyle on 087 640 9273 or ndoyle@wicklowpartnership.ie

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

HOME SHARING – Give A Little Time – Make A Big Difference Have you the time to offer breaks to an adult or child with an intellectual disability in your home for mid-week and weekend overnight breaks? You don’t need a qualification, just energy, commitment and the desire to support a person with a disability in your community. Information and support are provided, and you will be paid an allowance. If you are interested in hosting, please contact: Jennifer Alfa Ogbaje, Social Worker, KARE. Email; Jennifer.alfaogbaje@kare.ie 045 480 200 / 087 720 6779 or homesharesecretariat@kare.ie 045 448700

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