Issue 1377 October 24th 2021

Mission Sunday 24th October is being celebrated in every Catholic parish around the world this weekend! It supports missionaries who work alongside communities that are poor or in need, regardless of their background or belief. By supporting Missio, the Pope’s charity for world mission, you will help missionaries like Sister Veronica build peace in Nigeria and share the love of Christ with those most in need. Please pray for the mission of the Church throughout the world & give what you can to this very important collection which will sustain the future of our Church. The 2nd Collection this weekend will be for Missions and will replace the Share Collection Info: www.missio.org.uk

Mass intentions this week: Hugh O’Byrne (RD) Ballon, Co Carlow

Saturday 6pm Mass: Patrick Eustace (A), Pat Dignam (4^th A), Ita & Dan McCarthy (A)

Sunday 10am: Francis Geoghegan (A)

We remember the following: Elizabeth & Michael O’Toole (A)

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Get Well Intentions, Special Intentions

Wednesday: Jimmy & Patty Hughes (A), Bridget Franklin (A)

Thursday: Mass offered for all on the Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

Friday: Margaret Allen (RD), Sean O’Connor (RD)

►Saturday 23^rd October: 6pm Mass in Blessington, 7.30pm Mass in Lacken

►Sunday 24^th October: 10.00am Mass in Blessington, 11.00am Mass in Manor Kilbride, 11.15am Mass in Valleymount & 11.30am Mass in Crosschapel

►Monday 25^th October: Bank Holiday Mass will be at 11am in Blessington

►Tuesday 26^th October: 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 Folk Group in Church of Our Lady Blessington are currently preparing for their return once restrictions allowing singing in church are lifted. They are looking for new members – singers & musicians, especially guitarists to join in the singing.  If you are interested, please call Declan: 086 806 3436 or contact the parish office.

Harvest Thanksgiving Mass will take place in Lacken Church on Sat 30^th Oct. Donations of home baking, jams, fruit/veg can be left in the church before Mass. Proceeds from the sale of produce will go towards work being carried out in Lacken Church. NOTE: Numbers in Church restricted

Deacon Gerry will bless the stock in Lacken between Tues 26^th Oct & Fri 29^th Oct. Anybody wishing to have this blessing of their stock can contact the parish office or Deacon Gerry.

Bethany Bereavement Support Group will resume their drop-in mornings on Friday 5^th & 19^th November from10am to 11am in the Coimin Centre, Church of Our Lady, Blessington, for caring, confidential support. No appointment necessary.

BYT are currently refunding tickets from our postponed March 2020 show.  For anyone requesting a refund please contact BYT on 087 465 0835. The rescheduled show will now take place in early December (date to be confirmed). If you wish to attend, your original ticket must be exchanged before the upcoming show. Thank you for your continued support. BYT

St. Mary’s Junior School. For parents considering where to send their child to school, we invite you to a Prospective Parents/New Student Intake. Open Evening in the Junior School. Thursday 4^th November from 6pm to 7pm. The Principal, Carmel Dillon, members of staff & parents of current students will be available to discuss with you how our school operates & show you around the school. For all application enquiries, please contact the Secretary at bsec@live.ie  or phone the school on 045 865 501.

Blessington Educate Together are now accepting enrolments for the next school year 2022-2023.  Enrolment forms can be downloaded from our website www.betns.ie or contact the school office on 045 865 281 or email office@betns.ie

St Joseph’s National School Valleymount are now accepting enrolment applications for the 2022/2023 school year. Forms available from the school office call 045 867289 or email valleymountns@gmail.com   Closing date for receipt of applications is October 22nd 2021

Gaelscoil na Lochanna is now accepting places for the 2022-2023 the school year. You don’t need Irish to send your child to the Gaelscoil! Tá an FÓGRA BLIANTIÚL MAIDIR LE LIGEAN ISTEACH fógraithe anois ar www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com mar aon le foirm iontrála agus eolas faoi Oíche Oscailte Fhíorúil. (3ú Samhain, 7:30) Spriocdháta dona hiarratais ná 24ú Samhain agus cuirfear tuistí ar an eolas ar an 1ú Nollaig. Beidh ar thuistí/chaomhnóirí an áit a chinntiú roimh/ar an 21ú Eanáir 2022. Tá 60 spás sna Naíonáin ar fáil (más chuí). The ANNUAL ADMISSIONS NOTICE.with enrolment forms is now available to view on the school website www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com. Applications for spaces are due before/on the 24th November 2021 & parents will be notified on the 1^st December. Parents/Guardians will then need to confirm their acceptance of the place on/ before 21st January 2022.There are 60 spaces available in Junior Infants. For those considering the Gaelscoil there will be a Virtual Open Night on 3rd November to give everyone a chance to see how it all works in a Gaelscoil. The Gaelscoil will be hosting a series of Community Talks throughout the year around the topics of Special Education in the Gaelscoil. (Dyslexia, Autism, Visual Impairment, Down syndrome & Using Lámh, Maths, Homework, Reading strategies in the Gaelscoil). These talks will be open to everyone. For all enquiries please contact Runai@gaelscoilnalochanna.com (school secretary) or phone 045 900 525, 087 938 8651.

Lacken National School are now accepting enrolment applications for the 2022/2023 school year. Please email school@lackenns.com  or contact the school office on 045 865086.

IS ALCOHOL CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW? Do you want to stop drinking? Is there an alcoholic in your life? Blessington Alcoholics Anonymous Group is hosting an OPEN PUBLIC MEETING in St Joseph’s Hall, Main St. Blessington on Monday 8^th Nov at 8pm. The purpose of this meeting is to reach the still suffering alcoholic through a third party, family & friends by letting them know that AA exists, where it can be found & what it can offer. With speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. Refreshments served. All welcome.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn 14th October: 10, 13, 22, 25. Weekly winner of €25 was Fiona Donald. Next week’s jackpot is €1300 www.blessingtonparish.ie

Community Pool for West Wicklow are delighted to announce the return of our Christmas Market to Russborough House & Park this December! The Christmas Market will take place on Saturday December 11^th and will feature live music; face painting & of course, Santa will be there too. If you are a local business, artist or crafter & would like to take part please contact us by email at poolforWestWicklow@gmail.com

Events and meet-ups are back in Blessington Library from Tues 26^th Oct. The community room will also be available for bookings again. To celebrate, we’re running a series of family & children’s events for Halloween: Tuesday 26th @ 7pm Tale from the Shadows, Puppet Show family event  Wednesday, 27th @3pm Spooky Storytime (under 6 years) Thursday 28th @3pm Origami Workshop Saturday 30^th @11am  Arts & Craft workshop. Booking is required on 045 891 740 or at blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

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! blessingtonrugb@gmail.com

Blessington Outdoor Car Boot Sale – St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 24^th October 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!

Vales Around Cloughlea Festival 2021: EVENT 1 CONCERT: St. John’s Church Cloughlea Fri 29^th Oct 7.30pm. Laoise O’Brien (recorders), Eamon Sweeney (early guitars and lute), Malachy Robinson (voice and bass viol) EVENT 2 GUIDED NATURE WALK: through Ballyward Forest Sat 6^th Nov at 11am. For details contact Aidan 086 3958207. EVENT 3 CONCERT Manor Kilbride Community Hall,  Saturday 6th November at 7.30pm, Dónal Lunny, Paddy Glackin & Phil Callery. Pre-booking for the above events essential. Contact Maria 087 9656257 or e-mail oldkilbride@gmail.com EVENT 4 ART & CRAFT EXHIBITION: Sunday 7^th November 12noon – 4pm. Manor Kilbride Community Hall: Music: Kilbride & Lakeside Young Musicians. All welcome to drop by. Organised by Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee & Glen Heste Pure Mile Group. Supported by Wicklow Co. Council Arts Dept

West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival ‘Winter Weekend’ The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival‘s inaugural “Winter Weekend”, will take place from 12^th to 14^th November at Russborough. Tickets & further information from www.westwicklowfestival.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

Reliable, Good Humoured, Eager Worker Required For Busy Factory in Manor Kilbride. Excellent rates paid. Piece work, flexi hours. Approx. 20 hrs per week. Call Dave on 086 306 6335

Embankment Plastics Ltd. Weekend Production Operators Required. 2-week shift cycle. Week 1 Sat 7am to 7pm & Sun 7am to 7pm. Week 2 Sat 7pm to 7am Sun 7pm to 7am. Contact / applications to HR@Embankment.ie

Toyota Corolla for Sale.  1.4, 1 owner 225,000 kms. €1850. Phone 086 108 5522

Lady available for housework. Morning time. Sophia 089 956 3494

Manor Home Care are seeking health care assistants in the Blessington area, to care for local clients. *Full training provided. *Flexible working hours. *Choice of working mornings or evenings or both. *Competitive rate of pay. Let’s help others by giving up some of our time! Please call Myra on 045 856498 or email mgill@manorhomecare.ie

Paragon Bathrooms Showroom now open on Main Street, Blessington. Are you looking to build the bathroom of your dreams? Call Aiden on 085 137 8770. for a hassle-free quote.

Thompson Painting. Professional Decorating Services. Call Daniel on 085 741 1974

Blessington Airport Taxi: Standard Taxi €83 – One Way. Large Seven-Seater €93 – One Way. Minimum Charge €30 for other Taxi Journeys

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.

Eat Your Way to Better Health. Qualified Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach now taking clients. On-line consultations available. Call Garech on 087 9943519. Visit www.garechbrennan.com  for more info.

Septic Tanks Emptied and Digger Hire. Call Dermot or Adam Phibbs 087 799 5320 / 083 037 4750 lizmphibbs6@gmail.com license no. NWCPO-21-12619-01

NIALL KEARNS BUILDING & ROOFING. Extensions, Renovations, Sun Rooms, Attic Conversions etc. ROOF REPAIR SPECIALISTS New Roofs, Slating, Tiling, Lead Valleys, Ridge Pointing etc. Call Niall 086 274 6969

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

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