Issue 1384 December 12th 2021

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 12^th December 2021. The coming of Jesus is joyful news for all his people. Our hope at Christmas is to be bearers of his joy.

Mass intentions this week: Daniel (Ted) Conlon (RD) Blessington & Glencullen, Mario Mowlds (RD) Burgage Manor & Late of Kilmacud, Ken Linney (RD) Ascot, UK

Saturday 6pm Mass: Rita Hamilton (Months Mind), Mary Dempsey (RD), Denis Brereton (A)

Sunday 10am: Josie Byrne (A), Cathal Gallagher (A), Mary & Bill Smith (A)

We remember the following: Joe & Eileen Boyle, John, Ettie & Marie O’Donovan

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Marion Fallon (RD), Josie Flynn (RD)

Wednesday: Carmel Corkery (RD), Margaret Moore (RD)

Thursday: Nan Cullen (RD), Kevin Donnolly (RD)

Friday: Stephen Masterson (RD), Rose O’Hare (RD)

►Saturday 11^th December: 6pm Mass in Blessington, 7.30pm in Lacken.

►Sunday 12^th December: 10.00am Mass in Blessington, 11.00am Mass in Manor Kilbride, 11.30am Mass in Crosschapel, 11.15am Mass in Valleymount.

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

Blessington Parish 3^rd Annual CHRISTMAS CRIB EXHIBITION in the Coimín Centre Blessington on Saturday 18^th December from 12 Noon to after 6pm Mass and on Sunday December 19th from after 10am to 5pm. Over 100 exhibits of “Cribs from around the World” Some beautiful new additions to the display this year.

Advent Daily Reflections  – Inviting all parishioners to join us in Prayer during the Advent Season on the Parish Pastoral website www.blessingtonparishes.com

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 9th December 5, 14, 16, 29. Winner of €25 was Ann Murphy. Next week’s jackpot is €1750. www.blessingtonparish.ie  https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington

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.

GOAL MILE: CHRISTMAS DAY @ 12:30pm.The annual GOAL MILE will take place at the track in Blessington Community College. Walk it, run it, all are welcome. So, come along and help raise funds for GOAL and work up an appetite!”

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.

Donard December 18^th Social Dance has now been cancelleddue to government announcements

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

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

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

Lacken-Kilbride GAA Christmas Raffle at 1pm on Sunday 12^th December. Santa arriving at 12.30pm! Great prizes to be won – funds raised from the raffle are going toward the purchase of temporary dressing rooms for next year, which is costing the Club €3,500 so try your best to support a great cause – you can purchase online here: https://www.idonate.ie/…/ChristmasRaffleTemporaryDressi…  Tickets can also be bought on the day, or from any Committee Member or email to arrange bank transfer, PayPal or Revolut: lackenkilbridegaaclub@gmail.com

Courses Starting at the Further Education & Training Centre Blessington. We are now recruiting for courses starting in January 2022 If you are interested in up-skilling or learning something new, we have the course for you! Full time courses in the following: Bookkeeping & Payroll Level 6 – Back to Work Level 4 – Part time courses in the following: Childcare Level 5 & 6 (2 evenings a week) – Healthcare Level 5 (2 evenings a week) – E Business Level 5 (2 mornings a week) – Business with Tourism Level 5 (2 mornings a week) – Office Skills Level 4 (2 mornings a week) – Horticulture (2 mornings a week) For more information on any of the above please contact us  blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie or 086 806 1569 or 086 850 3833

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.

Embankment Plastics Ltd – Vacancies. General Operators 15 – 18 hrs per week. Flexible hours. Permanent positions. Please email cv to HR@Embankment.ie  or call 045 858090

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.

Blessington Roofing and Guttering. All Roof Repairs Slate Tiles Chimneys Guttering Fully Insured Free Quotations 24/7 Emergency call-out. 25 Year Guaranteed Roof Installation and Roof Repairs. Call Today for a free no-obligation quote. 087 379 4038 www.roofrepairsandguttering.ie

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