Issue 1373 September 26th 2021

Mass intentions this week: Paddy Cosgrove (RD) Brittas, Ronnie Kennedy (RD) Tallaght, Patti Rosta Riggi (RD)

Saturday 6pm Mass: Myles Wilson (Months Mind), Breda Daly (Months Mind), William & Mary Ann McDonald (A), Ann Linane (A)

Sunday 10am: Tom McGreal (Jnr), James O’Neil (A)

We remember the following: May Kennedy (A), Rose Balfe (A), Bernard Kilbride (40^th A)

Monday:  Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Birthday Intention, Get Well Intention

Wednesday: Ann Lindfield (RD), John Earley (A)

Thursday: Jimmy Keogh (Birthday Rem), Elizabeth Heeney(A)

Friday: First Friday of the Month. Mass will be offered for all on the November List of the Dead.

Comhghairdeas le gach buachaill agus cailíni. Congratulations to the Boys & Girls who will receive 1st Holy Communion this weekend. Gaelscoil na Lochanna, Blessington No 1 School & St Joseph’s NS Valleymount. Congratulations!

►Saturday 25^th September:  6pm Mass in Blessington, 7.30pm Mass in Lacken

►Sunday 26^th September: 10.00am Mass in Blessington, 11.00am Mass in Manor Kilbride, 11.15am Mass in Valleymount & 11.30am Mass in Crosschapel

►Tuesday 28^th September: Holy Hour & Rosary offered for the intentions of our families from 7pm to 8pm in, Blessington

►Daily Mass: 9am Manor Kilbride, 9.30am Blessington, 10am Crosschapel

The Country Market will be held in Valleymount Community Hall this Sunday 26th September from 10am to 3pm

The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1^st Sept to 4^th Oct (The Feast of St Francis of Assisi.) During this time, we are asked to celebrate the beauty of creation & protect our common home through prayer, reflection & action. On Monday 4^th October there will be a Prayer Service in Church of Our Lady at 7.30pm on Care of the Earth & sustainable living. All are welcome.

Blessington Outdoor Car Boot Sale – St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 26^th Sept from 7am to 4pm (Des Redmond Charities) Free Car Parking. Toilets.Tables €10. Bigi Linn. Bargains Galore! Info: 086 075 2072. Covid Regulations in Operation!

Rugby at Russborough for age groups U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, boys & girls! Tuesday 7pm to 8pm & Saturday 11am to 12:30. All Welcome to Blessington Mini-Rugby!

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn 23rd September: 10, 14, 16, 19. Weekly winner of €25 was Aoifanna Phibbs. Next week’s jackpot is €1150.  www.blessington.ie

* Footballers Wanted! * Blessington AFC are looking for Children born in 2008 or 2009 to join their exciting Under 14 Squad. All levels welcome. Please contact enquiries@blessingtonfc.com or 083 870 1926

Blessington Library. From Monday 22^nd September, study spaces and PCs are reopening in Blessington Library. Daily newspapers are also available to read. You can book your study space by emailing us at blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie  or on 045 891 740.

Blessington Football Academy is now taking in new members. Our academy runs on Saturday afternoons at 3pm on our pitches in Crosschapel. The Academy caters for children born in 2014,2015, and 2016. If interested in signing your child up, please email our Academy Director Tony Bridger at academy@blessingtonfc.com

Lacken-Kilbride GAA Community Family Cycle including FREE BBQ & Medals for all participants Sunday 3^rd October at 12.30pm from the New Pitch in Kilbride (BBQ from 1.30PM) Cycle Grades/Age Groups: 7 to 11, 12 to 15, 16+ and Family with tots Prizes for Top Three in Each Group. Registration link can be sent via email, please email: lackenkilbridegaaclub@gmail.com or see Club Facebook page. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe53Nbw4auIwngLusRCvJN3Q4worp0uBJsTmHrxNV_DKAUwTA/viewform?resourcekey=0-TwitkxvGw_2yQHuQhgDoXA 

The Committee of Lakeshore Striders would like to congratulate the 200 participants in last week’s lakes10k. The winners were Sergio Ciobanu (30:57) & Maria McCambridge (35:49) The 1st Striders home were Stephen Pettigrew & Sarah Byrne, with personal bests everywhere. Many thanks to our amazing volunteers: marshals who spent a long time at various junctions & those manning registration, water station & bag drop.  Thank you to Blessington Educate Together for the use their grounds. The Samba Band provided a great atmosphere before the race. The muffins were most welcome at the finish line!  Each participant received a medal, & everyone was delighted to be in an actual race again. Huge thanks to our SPONSORS: Blessington & District Credit Union, D&D Stationers, Phibstrans, Crafternoon Tea, DavBreen Ltd, BlueStream Waste Water Service, Grogan Engineering, Ballymore Tarmacadam. Thanks also to Matt from High Definition for a great warm up, to Norman Eager for the use of his field for parking & to Ivan Smith for the PA.

FitLine is Age & Opportunity’s volunteer telephone support line designed to help those over the age of 50 who want to feel a bit fitter & healthier, but perhaps don’t have the motivation, confidence or information on where or how to take that first step. The service is completely free. We’re encouraging people to free phone 1800 303 545 & learn more. After you’ve made that first call, a FitLine mentor will arrange a time to ring you every two weeks until you’re happy with your progress. FitLine mentors are volunteers who understand the challenges of getting active. They’ll give you information, advice & gentle encouragement to get moving, along with updates on what is happening in your local community. As we move into the colder months it is important to keep active in any way we can. FitLine mentors are able to offer guidance for each individual’s needs. For those who are working it’s important to make time for yourself to exercise & calls are planned to suit your busy schedule. To find out more free phone I800 303 545 or email fitline@ageandopportunity.ie   You can also visit our website at https://ageandopportunity.ie/active/fitline/

Wicklow County Childcare Committee (WCCC) are facilitating support clinics for parents, childminders & providers, where you will have the opportunity to discuss any childcare related query you may have. The Clinics will be held on the 1^st Tuesday of every month from 10.30am to 12.30pm in Blessington Library. Are you a childminder thinking of setting up or already set up & want to know options for registration etc? You can discuss in confidence any query you might have. Are you a parent worried about options for childcare? We can help you navigate your choices.Are you thinking of starting a Parent & Toddler Group? To book a 30 min slot email: bernie@wccc.ie with your preferred date, time & contact details.

CRUTHÚ ART GROUP 15th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS & END OF SEASON SALE. Cruthú Art Group is celebrating its 15th birthday.  To mark the occasion,  we are offering 15% off all art & craft in our Russborough gallery, & in our display in Blessington Tourist Office.  This will be Cruthú’s last season in Russborough, please visit us on Saturdays & Sundays 11am-5pm during September before we finalise our exhibition in our home of 11 years. Thank you to everybody who has supported Cruthú over the years at Russborough.  We look forward to sharing our work with you going forward.  Keep an eye on our Facebook & Instagram for news. Contact us at cruthuart@gmail.com

Thank you to all parishioners who have donated through our online donation facility so far. You can donate by simply visiting https://blessingtonparish.ie/ and click on the Donate button.

St Vincent de Paul Blessington, local number 087 181 1579

• NEWSLETTER ADS

Rods + Cones Opticians Blessington. Beside the GARDA station. Formerly Cullinane Opticians. Open 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.

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Hollywood Café – Hollywood Village, Co. Wicklow. Inside & outside seating. Covid precautions throughout. Open Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm. Wood Fired Pizzas. Friday & Saturday 5pm to 8.30pm. Contact 045 863 097

NutriQuick is expanding and looking for enthusiastic Supervisors, Maintenance & General Operatives to join the team. General Operatives – Work on a food production line. Carry out processing and packing duties as required. Previous experience in the food industry, an advantage. Production Supervisor – Working in our production monitoring CCP’s such as cooling, packing etc Batching & Documenting, Monitoring food safety documentation. Level 3 Food Safety Management required. Maintenance Person – Part-Time –Preferred experience in construction/engineering. For more information contact 085 143 7227 or email contact@nutriquick.ie

Blessington Counselling & Psychotherapy – Mandy Downes – Counsellor & Psychotherapist in-person & online service. +353 (0) 85 134 9813.  mandy@BCPcounselling.ie –  www.BCPcounselling.ie

The Healer’s Dance Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre. Autumn Events: Sunday 19^th September – Mythical Ireland Meditation/Breathwork W/S 10am – 12pm €25. Sunday 26th September – Shamanic W/S 10am – 3pm €50. Tues 28th September – IET Energy Therapy Clinic. Tues 5th October – Meditation/Mindfulness 6 week class €15 per week 10am and 7.30pm. Fri 8th October – Kinesiology Clinic. Fri 15th October – Red Tent Women’s Circle 7pm – 9pm €15. Contact Margot Ussher @ 087 236 2955 or www.healersdance.com

We are currently seeking to recruit a Tourist Office Information Officer  under the Scheme. This is a development opportunity, no experience necessary. Accredited training will be provided to support your career. Duties include marketing, customer service, sales, research, administration, event organising & liaising with stakeholders. Job ref: CES-2193277  closing date 20th October 2021. Please contact us on 085 252 3563 or email martincahill@blessingtonce.ie Please note you must be in receipt of a Social welfare payment for 12 months

Qualified Accountant Required, At least 2 years Practice experience. Friendly office with Flexible hours. Attractive terms to the right candidate. Please contact 087 – 8558 729

“Very nice self-contained private office to let at Aran Centre. €130 + VAT per week all-in. Tel. 087 817 5227.”

Office Worker Required with typing skills in Blessington, full or part-time. Contact 087 231 0082.

Semi Permanent Make Up – Natural Enhancement  Eye Brows – New Technique, Hombre, Hair Stroke, Eye Liner, Lips, 10 Years Fully Qualified. Call Pam on 085 754 7214

Ustoreit@hollywood: Convenient Storage Units to Rent. Individual Lock-Ups. CCTV on All Units. 15 X 10 and 25 X 15. Suitable for Furniture, Vintage Cars or Motor Bikes etc Call: 087 356 7601

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

Gardening – For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Strimming, 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

COURSES IN YOUR LOCAL EDUCATION & TRAINING BOARD THIS AUTUMN Blessington Further Education & Training Centre. Why not try something new this autumn? We have a range of courses available for you as life begins to return to normal: Basic and improver computer skills. Introduction to art, Help with reading, writing, spelling & maths, English for speakers of other languages Gardening – C.V. preparation. Get the most from your smart phone. Our courses are free of charge & open to those who never fully completed their formal education. Classes run during the day & at night. A great way to learn, meet others & have fun in a safe & friendly environment. All Covid-19 guidelines strictly adhered to. For further information on all the above please give us a call:  Annette at 086 846 2771  or Caroline at 045 851 494.

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

• PARISH INFORMATION
  

Church of Our Lady, Blessington – Mass Times: Saturday 6.00pm.  Sunday 10.00am

Weekdays: Monday to Friday 9.30am – Fr. Richard Behan PP. Tel: 045 865327

Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel – Mass Times: Sundays 11.30am

Weekdays: Monday to Saturday 10.00am – Archdeacon Kevin Lyon. Tel: 045 865215

St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride – Mass Times: Sundays 11.00am

Weekdays: Monday to Friday 9am – Fr. Paraic McDermott C.S. Sp., Tel: 01 4582154

St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount – Mass Times: Sunday 11.15am.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken – Mass Time: Saturdays 7.30pm

Parish Office: 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday Tel: 045 865 327