Issue 1361 June 27th 2021

Mass Intentions this week

Fran Gordon (RD) Galway, Michael Treacy (RD) Tipperary

 Saturday 6pm: Mairead Hudson (Rem), Barry O’Donnell (Rem), Deceased Members of Hudson & Carroll Families

Sunday 10am: Una Broe (Months Mind), Josephine (Mama Jo) Horgan (A)

We remember the following: Martina McDonald, Deceased Members of the McDonald Family. Myles & Hannah Wilson

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Michael O’Neill (RD), Shane Crowley (RD)

Wednesday: Get Well Mass, Thanksgiving Mass

Thursday: John Geoghegan (A), Michael & Ann-Mary Norton (Rem), Larry Mary & Matthew Lennon (A)

Friday: First Friday: Masses offered for all on the November List of the Dead

►Saturday 26^th June: 6pm Mass in Blessington, 7.30pm in Lacken

►Sunday 27^th June: 10am Mass in Blessington, 11am in Manor Kilbride, 11.15 in Valleymount

►Thursday 1^st July: Holy Hour and Benediction with Deacon Gerry 7.30pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

►Friday 2^nd July – 1st Friday: Masses offered for all those on the November Altar List of the Dead

►Daily Mass: 9am Manor Kilbride, 9.30am Blessington

SATURDAY & SUNDAY MASSES. Due to the continued restrictions on numbers allowed to gather indoors it necessary that people apply for a ticket if they wish to attend 6pm Mass on Saturday or 10am Mass on Sunday in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Tickets must be collected in the Parish Office between 9.30am & 1pm Mon to Fri 045 865 327

All Masses & Services are still available via Webcam www.blessingtonparish.ie

The Rosary will resume on Tuesday 6^th July from 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington and will be offered for the intentions of our families.

Dear Parishioner, The last year has been a very strange one & much of what we have taken for granted in our Church has changed. One of the areas where the impact of lower numbers & ongoing months of Church closures has had an effect is on the first collection which supports the priests of the Parish & the sick & retired priests of the Diocese. We have been very grateful for your financial support online and through donations left in the post-box in the Church. This, with your commitment to the Christmas & Easter Dues, has enabled the Common Fund (Diocesan Fund) to support the Priests here in our parish & in other parishes. However, the Common Fund, which is made up of the first collection, Christmas & Easter dues, is at an all-time low. We have been asked by the Diocese to introduce a ‘Summer Dues’ to  help with this. We will not be posting out envelopes for this, but we will have envelopes in all our Churches that you can take as you visit the Church during the summer months. We are very aware that everyone’s situation has changed, & we appreciate all your support. Your continued support is very much appreciated. Fr Richard.

Blessington Outdoor Car Boot Sale at St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 27^th June from 7am to 4pm (Des Redmond Charities) Free Car Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Info: 086 075 2072 – Pat Conlan. Bigi Linn…Bargains Galore! Covid Restrictions in Operation!

St Mary’s Schools and Blessington Parish Lotto. Jackpot: €5000. Congratulations to the recent weekly winner of €25 on 24th June, Karen Bolger – Numbers drawn: 2, 8, 10, 15. If you’re not in, you can’t win! Text the word Blessington to 51444 or go to www.blessingtonparish.ie Thanks to all for the support! https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington/

The Summer Stars Reading Adventure is Back and running until 31st August in all public libraries across Ireland. Children up to the age of 12 are invited to register for Summer Stars in Blessington Library and be a part of the reading adventure. All participants will be given a Summer Stars Reading Card to record and track their own progress. They will receive a summer stars stamp for each book read, in print or online. There will be rewards along the way and a certificate at the end for all participants. Blessington Library will be hosting lots of activities and events over the summer months, including an Elmer Treasure hunt and story-time on Saturday, 10th July from 12 noon to 3pm. Booking for all outdoor events is essential.  Keep up-to-date through our social media and sign-up to the Blessington Library mailing list by contacting blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

West Wicklow Cancer Support continues to offer a support service remotely to our service users and the wider Blessington Community. If your life has been touched by cancer in any way by a diagnosis or caring for someone our volunteers are here for you. We continue to offer weekly meditation and Art Canvas painting and will endeavour to assist you should you need any information or advice.  Contact us on 087 4346004 or by email westwicklow15@gmail.com  “The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love” stay well and stay safe.

Cruthú Art Gallery at Russborough will be open Saturdays/Sundays/Bank Holidays throughout the summer from 12 noon – 4pm. Our members have been very creative over the last 12 months and we are looking forward to exhibiting 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 Also check out the Cruthú Art display at Blessington Tourist Office.

Blessington Library is open for browsing and borrowing. Opening hours for May:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am to 5pm Tuesday, Thursday 10am to 8.30pm We look forward to seeing you! 045 891 740  blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

Blessington Union of Parishes are available on the parish YouTube channel by searching for “Blessington Union” or at this link https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blessington+union

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

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.

For the first time in over 50 years, the development of a swimming pool in West Wicklow is included in a Wicklow County Development Plan! This is a huge achievement which was made possible because of the support that our campaign for a pool for West Wicklow has received from our community. Thank you. The Wicklow County Development Draft Plan is now open for Public Consultation.  and we need your help!We need EVERYONE to make a submission about how much we need a Pool for West Wicklow & remind Wicklow County Council how important it is for our community! There are 3 ways that you can make a submission:

By Post:  Write/Draw why a Pool for West Wicklow is important to you & post it to Wicklow County Development Plan, County Development Plan Review, Planning Department, Wicklow Co Council, Station Road, Wicklow Town

Online: Create an account at the Wicklow County Council Consultation Portal at www.consult.wicklow.ie & submit your letter of support there.

As Part of Community Pool for West Wicklow’s Submission: Email us your letter and/or drawing of support for a Pool for West Wicklow and we will include it as part of our submission. Our email address is poolforwestwicklow@gmail.com Make sure to include your name and address in your submission. Tell Wicklow County Council why having a Pool in West Wicklow is important for you, your family, your Sports Club, your Community Group, your Business, or your School. You must be over 16 to make a submission but children can write letters or draw pictures about why having a swimming pool in West Wicklow is important to them and these letters and drawings can be included in a family or group submission. Your children can send us their letters and pictures and we will include them in our submission! The Draft County Development Plan can be viewed online at https://consult.wicklow.ieOr You can view the Draft Wicklow County Development Plan in person at the following locations:

•  Town Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Station Road,  Wicklow Town
• Arklow Arklow Municipal District Office, Castle Park, Arklow Town
• Blessington Blessington Civic Offices, Blessington Business Park, Blessington
• Bray Bray Municipal District Office, Civic Offices, Main Street, Bray
• Greystones Greystones Municipal District Office, Mill Road, Greystones

Please check the Council’s website or call 0404 20100 for arrangements to access to these buildings as appointments may be necessary having regard to prevailing COVID precautions. The DEADLINE for submissions is Monday August 16^th at 5pm! We plan to host a number of online information sessions on how to make a submission to the Wicklow County Development Plan to talk you through the online Consultation Portal. More details about these to follow soon. If you have any questions or need any help with your submission, please email us at poolforWestWicklow@gmail.com Thank you for your continued support. Together we will get a Pool for West Wicklow! Deirdre, Jane, Marion, Sue & David, Community Pool for West Wicklow Committee

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

St Vincent de Paul Blessington, local number 087 181 1579

• NEWSLETTER ADS

Maxol Service Station Blessington Requires Deli Assistants to work on a part-time and full-time basis. Two positions are available, part-time up to 20 hours per week and full time over 30 hours per week. No training is necessary as full training will be provided however an interest in food is essential. Candidates must be 18 or over and be able for an early start. Rate of pay is 12.50 per hour. Please send cover letter and cv to info@jroil.ie

We are delighted to announce we have 3 positions on the Blessington & District Community Employment Scheme. Please note you must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to qualify.

Job Ref: CES2182390, Closing Date 13th July 2021. Burgage Cemetery Groundskeeper.

Job Ref: CES 2182391, Closing Date 1st July 2021. Ballymore Parish Secretary.

Job Ref: Ces2182393, Closing Date 1st July 2021. St Vincent De Paul Retail Assistant

Contact Martin Cahill 085 252 3563 or email martincahill@blessingtonce.ie

Jones Power Tools Ltd. Sales, Service and Repairs. Specialises in Stihl and Honda. Stockists of Fleetwood Paint. Contact:- info@jonespowertools.ie Phone:- 059 648 1033

Castle Canine Cuts – Dog Grooming Service, 1-to-1 grooming for small to large breeds, open Monday to Saturday by appointment only, find us on Facebook or call Gillian 087 764 1911

Painter & Decorator, Interior & Exterior. Ph: Damien 085 826 0431

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 045-891 056 for an appointment.

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

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