Issue 1383 December 5th 2021

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 5^th December 2021. The message of repentance during this season of Advent is a call to each one of us to look deeply into our lives, to renew and deepen our relationship with God & our fellow sisters & brothers.

Mass intentions this week: Marion Fallon (RD) Manor Kilbride, Stephen Masterson (RD) Manor Kilbride

Saturday 6pm Mass: Eamon Tully (Month’s Mind), Ellie & James Hanlon (A), Carmel Costelloe (A)

Sunday 10am: Christopher Enright (Months Mind), Chrissy & Noel Cummins (A), Tom & Ellen Cummins(A), Maisie O’Reilly (A),Jim & Kathleen Hamilton (A)

We remember the following:

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Mary McCarthy (A), Kathleen Ramsey (RD)

Wednesday 8^th December: HOLY DAY 10am: Brian O’Reilly (RD) Siobhan McStay (RD) 8pm: Deceased Members of Blessington GAA

Thursday: Mary Conway (RD), Des Higgins (RD)

Friday: Teresa O’Gorman (RD Co Clare, Fr Michael Sheedy (RD)

►Saturday 4^th December: 6pm Mass in Blessington, 7.30pm in Lacken.

►Sunday 5^th December: 10.00am Mass in Blessington, 11.00am Mass in Manor Kilbride, 11.30am Mass in Crosschapel, 11.15am Mass in Valleymount.

►Tuesday 7^th December: Holy Hour & Rosary offered for the intentions of our families from 7pm to 8pm in, Blessington. This is the final one before Christmas and will resume on Tuesday 13^th January

►Wed 8^th December: Holy Day Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Holy Day Mass Times:

11.00am Manor Kilbride

11.30am Crosschapel

10.00am Blessington

11.15am Valleymount

8.00pm Blessington

2021 Private Members Draw in aid of Valleymount & Lacken Churches October Peter Kelly, May Nolan, Caroline & Mick Maguire, Peg Geoghegan, Edel Kelly November Teresa & John Reid, Nicola & Steven Byrne, Jenny & Glen Cullen, Mags & Mattie Browne.The final Private Members Draw will be held before Christmas.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Annual Church Collection will be held on Sat 10^th & Sun 11^th December to raise funds for those who are struggling to manage this Christmas.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 2nd Dcember 3, 9,15, 29. Winner of €25 was Siobhan Cullen. Next week’s jackpot is €1700. www.blessingtonparish.ie https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington

Crosscare Food Services This Christmas we really need your help forhundreds of families who struggle to get nourishing food. We work with families to help them out of food poverty & crisis situations. We help with budgeting, healthy eating, housing & welfare to support families in the long term. We provide urgent support through our Foodbanks & Community Cafés. This year, as we cannot hold our parish food appeal,we are asking for your financial support to help ushelp them.Please donate if you can at www.crosscare.ie or Call 01 836 0011

The Community Pool for West Wicklow are delighted to return to Russborough House & Park with our Outdoor Christmas Market from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday December 11^thWe will have over 30 stalls from local artists, crafters & artisans located in the Hippodrome & East Courtyard selling everything from handmade soaps & Christmas Stockings to hand painted bonbons! It’s the ideal place to find that perfect gift for your loved ones this Christmas. Our friends from Swim Ireland will be joining us this year too so make sure to give them a warm West Wicklow Welcome! Grab some lunch from the Love Food Catering hanging BBQ, pick up your Christmas Tree from the Blessington Lakes Garden Centre Stall & enjoy some Christmas Classics performed by the Blessington Community Choir! Don’t forget to visit Santa in the Hippodrome. Please note that this is a cash only event & there are no ATM facilities on site. Admission to the Outdoor Christmas Market is free but all donations are welcome to support our campaign for a pool for West Wicklow.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. There is a charge of €3 to park at Russborough House & Park. We hope to see you all there!

St. Mary’s Schools Parents Association are offering scenic Christmas cards with beautiful cover photos taken by two staff members of the Junior School. The cards are €6 for a pack of 10 cards, with 5 cards of each style. Available now to purchase through the Parish Office, the Tourist Office and from both schools. Many thanks for your support.

Congratulations Lacken Tidy Village Group for being awarded a certificate of recognition for their work on “Clean Up the Uplands” initiative in the Pure Mile. The group regularly organise litter picks and clean ups over 17k in the village & neighbouring townlands.

Advent Daily Reflections, Prayers & Advent Calendars www.blessingtonparishes.com

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. CHILDREN’S STORY-TIME: Sat 11.30am. Join us for some tall tales and fun stories. Suitable for children aged 3 – 6-year-olds

Parent & Toddler Group Tuesday & Wednesday – 10am to 12 noon in St Kevin’s Community Centre, Blessington. Covid Cert Required.

We are delighted to announce details of this year’s Christmas Fair. Blessington Tourist Office Christmas Fair 1^st to 23^rd December, Opening hours Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am to 4pm. Loads of new stock all by Local Artists with 10% of everything sold going to Pieta. Ending Suicide. Beginning Hope. We will also be selling raffle tickets for wonderful prizes. Drop by from the 1^st of December & Support Pieta & Local Artists while also picking up some unique Christmas Gifts.

Due to the increase in Covid Cases Blessington Youth Theatre have taken the decision to record our Show: The Magic of Musicals. It is with a heavy heart that we made this decision but feel it is the best decision for the safety of our members, leaders & the community. Therefore, we are offering a refund on tickets previously purchased for our amazing show which was planned for March 2020. If you decide to avail of the refund please text with your name, contact details & the number of tickets to the BYT phone: 087 465 0835. We are planning to stream the recording of ‘The Magic of Musicals ‘to your sitting rooms during December!! Watch out for dates & link to be announced very soon. This promises to be a great show, that will lift your spirits, & giving our dedicated members the chance to showcase their talent. Thanking you, BYT Committee

The Committee & Members Blessington Men’s Shed would like to thank, most sincerely, the management & staff of Aldi in Blessington for their most generous donation of €500 to Blessington Men’s Shed. We are most grateful for this donation.

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

Lacken National School is looking for a Bus Escort 5 days a week, 2 hours 20 min per day. Please send your application to school@lackenns.com  by 13^th December.

BLESSINGTON LAKES GARDEN CENTRE – Christmas Trees now in Sizes from 2ft to 14ft all non-shed. Living Christmas Trees in Pots. Open every day 9am to 5pm – 045 865 403 or 087 931 9111

Job Vacancy R&H have vacancies for full and part-time general operatives. Please email your CV to Sharon for further information s.casey@rh-lenses.com

NutriQuick is Expanding and is now looking for General Operatives to join their team: You will be working on a food production line and carrying out processing and packing duties as required.Previous experience in the food industry is an advantage but not essential. The rate of pay is €11.00 per hour. For further information please email nqhr@nutriquick.ie.  NutriQuick Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer.