Issue 1381 November 21st 2021

Mass intentions this week:

Robert (Bob) Snr. Cullen (RD) Manor Kilbride, Jimmy Neary (RD) USA

Saturday 6pm Mass: Helen Dardis (A), Deceased Members of the Dardis Family, Nelly Carroll (A), Larry Lennon (Birthday Rem), Mary & Matthew Lennon (A), Mary Norton (A), Rita Jameson (A)

Sunday 10am: Michael Quigley (1^st A), Bridie Coughlan (A), Jim Crampton (30^th A)

We remember the following: Elizabeth Coogan, Winnie Hayes, Michelle Pender, Winnie Hayes, Billy Sargent, Nora Shirran, Patrick Mullaly, Agnes Twyford.

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Elizabeth Coogan (2^nd A), Rita Hamilton (RD)

Wednesday: Patrick Nolan (RD), Christy Miley (RD)

Thursday: Sharon O’Brien (Birthday Rem), Birthday Mass Intentions, Robert O’Hara (A)

Friday: Mass for all on the Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

►Saturday 20^th November: 6pm Mass in Blessington, 7.30pm in Lacken.

►Sunday 21^st November: 10.00am Mass in Blessington, 11.00am Mass in Manor Kilbride, 11.30am Mass in Crosschapel, 11.15am Mass in Valleymount.

►Tuesday 23^rd November: Holy Hour & Rosary offered for the intentions of our families from 7pm to 8pm in, Blessington

November Monthly Envelopes can be dropped into the Parish Office, Post Box in Church or to the collection boxes at Mass. Many thanks to all contributors for your continued support.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues to support those seeking assistance. Many families helped, are faced with daily impossible choices, but at this time of year these impossible choices get harder; to put oil in the tank or for those essential Christmas gifts. This year, more than ever, your help is needed to make sure that children & families have what they need to share in the magic of the season. The Annual Church Collection will be held on Sunday 11th December, to raise funds for those who are struggling to manage this Christmas.

November List of the Dead. Envelopes available in the Church. Masses offered on the 1st Friday of every month throughout the year.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto.  Numbers on 11^th Nov 5, 17, 21, 26: Weekly winner of €25 was John Paul Moran. Next week’s jackpot is €1525 www.blessingtonparish.ie https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington

Congratulations to Blessington Senior Football team beginning their Leinster Campaign on Sunday, 21st November @1pm in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford

The Annual Senior Citizens Draw which is held in Hennessy’s Public House is unfortunately being cancelled again this year due to the high Covid cases. We would like to wish all our supporters & sponsors a very happy & safe Christmas & New Year.  We will see you all in 2022. Tom, John, Barry, Tara Karen, Edel, Lilly, Bernadette and Geraldine.

COMMUNITY POOL FOR WEST WICKLOW are delighted to be returning to Russborough House & Park with our Outdoor Christmas Market  from 12pm to 4pm on December 11^th. With over 30 stalls from local artists, crafters & artisans located in the Hippodrome & East Courtyard you are sure to find the perfect gift for your loved ones this Christmas. Pick up some festive treats to enjoy in the wonderful surroundings of Russborough House and Park or bring them home with you to share later. A trip to our Outdoor Christmas Market would not be complete without visiting Santa in the Hippodrome! Tickets for Santa can be purchased on the day and will be €5 per child. Children will receive a selection box from Santa and all proceeds will go towards our campaign for a pool for West Wicklow! Please note that this is a cash only event and there are no ATM facilities on site. This is an outdoor event so we advise all guests to dress appropriately for the weather & request that all Covid 19 guidelines are adhered to. We hope to see you all there!

Due to the worsening situation with Covid 19, the organisers of the Donard Glen Community Talent Show have decided to postpone the event until the spring.

Collection for the Capuchin Day Centre for the Homeless Saturday 27th November – Lakeshore Striders A.C. Annual Charity Collection for the Capuchin Day Centre for the Homeless will run for its sixth year and take place on Saturday the 27th of November at the back entrance to Super Valu, Blessington from 12pm to 3pm. Items requested by the centre include toiletries: shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, razors, toothpaste, tooth brushes, etc, nappies, baby wipes, baby food and formula, hats, socks, gloves, scarves as well as canned foods such as beans, peas, fruit etc. Please note all items must be new & unopened.  Cash donations also accepted on the day.  For further information please email lakeshorestriders@gmail.com  or call Edel on 087 961 8337

 “West Wicklow Cancer Support” Weekly Mediation with Gemma Deeney continues on Wednesdays at 11.15am in the Primary Care Centre Blessington. Call: 087 4346004 or email: westwicklow15@gmail.com to book a place as numbers are restricted. All Covid health & Safety measures are in place. Do bring your own blanket & pillow. “The best cure for the body is a quiet mind”

Santa Returns as Blessington <<LIGHTS UP>> Christmas 2021. Despite the challenges of the past nearly-two years, Blessington & District Forum continues to provide festive cheer in Blessington with the town’s regular Christmas Lights & Tree.nThis year’s great news is that Santa will be arriving on Saturday 27^th  November  at 12:30pm in the Square, Blessington to meet all the boys & girls and he will turn on the lights at 5.30pm. As the Forum’s usual fundraising was hit by COVID-19, we are looking for donations to keep the lights twinkling in Blessington over Christmas. As always, our Blessington Lights Up Christmas (BLUC) Committee is hard at work, but it is a huge task & every donation counts. Last year’s €3,965 GoFundMe total was the main source of Blessington’s lighting up funds for 2020. The Forum & BLUC hope do as well or better with this year’s GoFundMe project, which can be found at https://tinyurl.com/vr877rza See our Facebook page for updates

New weekly events running in Blessington Library. Spaces are limited so please book to avoid disappointment. TUMMY TIME: Thursdays – 11.30am. For babies who haven’t started to crawl yet. Babies can play beneath the beautiful light projections of Tovertafel. TODDLER TIME: Fridays – 11.30am Song, movement and rhymes for toddlers. Suitable for children aged 1 – 3-year-olds.nCHILDREN’S STORY-TIME: Sat 11.30am. Join us for some tall tales and fun stories. Suitable for children aged 3 – 6-year-olds

St Brigid’s N.S. Manor Kilbride is now accepting enrolments for the next school year, 2022 – 2023. To enrol your child, please call Charlotte in our school office on, 01 458 2550 or find the enrolment documents on our school website http://manorkilbridens.scoilnet.ie/blog/ We hope to hold our Open Evening in February, which will give prospective parents & parents of children already attending, a chance to have a look around our lovely school.