Issue 1385 19th December 2021

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. 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.

Mass intentions this week: Margaret Reilly (RD) Lacken

Saturday 6pm Mass: Mary & Tom Tivnan (A), Kitty & John Devoy (A), Thomas & Susan Eustace (A), Thomas & Ann Eustace (A), Jamie Mahon (A), Deceased Member of Smith Family

Sunday 10am: Shay & Sean Duffy (A), Denis & Ina O’Keefe (A), Denis O’Keefe Jnr (Rem), Paddy & Gertrude Donnolly (Rem) John O’Sullivan (A), William Ryan (A) Mary Ryan (A), Nora Ryan (A) James Ryan (A), Bridget Norton (A)

We remember the following: Patrick & Elizabeth Kelly, John & Helena Kelly, Eileen Kelly, Samuel, Edward, James, Ellen & Annie Kelly, John, Ann & Liam Craul, Deceased Members of Doyle Family, Patrick & Gretta Reidy, Ambie & Maisie Miley, Simon, Rebecca & Maisie Hopkins, Charles & Kathryn Doran, Tom, Martha & Lizzie Doran, Patricia Abraham Egan

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Nan Cullen (RD), Marian Fallon (RD)

Wednesday: Margaret Roche (A), Frank Reid (3^rd A)

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

Friday: Living Intentions, Living Intentions

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 19^th December 2021. Mary’s first journey after the annunciation was to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who needed her help. Christmas brings the question to each of us, “who needs my help?’’

►Saturday 18^th December: 6pm Mass in Blessington. 7.30pm in Lacken.

►Sunday 19^th December: 10.00am Mass in Blessington, 11.00am Mass in Manor Kilbride, 11.30am Mass in Crosschapel, 11.15am Mass in Valleymount.

Advent Daily Reflections www.blessingtonparishes.com

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 16^th December 8, 14, 17, 21. CONGRATULATIONS JACKPOT WINNER of €1750 was Peggy Nash. Next week’s jackpot is €575. www.blessingtonparish.ie  https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington

2021 Private Members Draw In aid of Valleymount & Lacken Churches – December Winners: Anne Tipper, Nuala & Shay Kelly, Eileen Balfe, Frances & Billy Kavanagh, John Moriarty, Seamus Doyle, Rachel & Niall Jones, Edel Kelly, Paul Farrell, Teresa & Jaimie O’ Brien, Paddy Broe, Bernie Fitzpatrick, Sheila & Pat Geoghegan, Bridie & Tony Kavanagh, Phil O’ Reilly, Sheila Kinane, Liz & Paul Riley, Sadie & Seamus Miley, Ann & Jimmy Flynn, Deirdre Ryan, Carmel O’ Neill, Angela & John Richardson, Ruby Miley, Suzanne & Paul Sullivan, Bernie & Jimmy Reid, Joan & Sean Farrington, Mairead Graham, Catherine & Sean Miley, Mary & John Fisher, Mary & Seamus Kavanagh, Aoibheann & Teagan Reid, Aislinn & Liam Reid.

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.

Gaelscoil na Lochanna would like to thank all the many, many businesses in the town for supporting our Crannchur Nollag/Christmas Raffle. Your support will help us create a “Seomra Ciúin/ Quiet room” for children with anxiety & sensory needs. GO RAIBH MILE MAITH AGAIBH AGUS NOLLAIG SHONA. Gaelscoil na Lochanna will host talks in New Year on supporting children with educational needs (Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD, etc) @gsnalochanna, www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com

Good dry Kindling for sale in the Men’s Shed. For full details contact John Flynn:087 297 7678. All money raised goes to the upkeep of the Men’s Shed.

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.

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

Blessington <LIGHTS UP> Christmas 2021. FREE RAFFLE FOR CHRISTMAS HAMPERS. Blessington and District Forum is holding a Raffle with one draw entry for every GoFundMe donation of €5 or more. Prizes donated so far include: Two large hampers worth €80 each – Some smaller hampers – Other prizes – More prizes added if donated by businesses or individuals in time for the draw. The draw is on Tuesday 21^st December, from among all GoFundMe donations received by 3pm that day. Anonymous donors will be included in the raffle. The B+D Forum’s GoFundMe appeal can be found at https://tinyurl.com/vr877rza & will continue for some time into the New Year. See B+D Forum’s Facebook page

The Community Pool for West Wicklow would like to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone who took part in our Outdoor Christmas Market at Russborough House & Park. Thanks to all who visited the market, our stall holders, Blessington Community Choir, Swim Ireland, Wicklow Co Co, Russborough House & Love Food Catering, all our volunteers, sponsors & those working behind the scenes. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Wrap gifts using recycled paper, old ribbon & bows. Re-use old Christmas cards to make gift tags, handmade cards.

Plan menus & make a list of food needed to avoid food waste. Use leftover food creatively

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.

Due to continued growth, Manor Homecare is recruiting for Health Care Assistants. We are looking for compassionate, kind and caring individuals who will assist our clients to remain independent in their own homes. Positions available in Blessington, Naas, Kill, Straffan & Tallaght. What we offer:    Flexible hours of work, Career progression. Home Carer Bonus throughout the year. Paid Holidays (Double pay on Bank Holidays) Paid induction & Mandatory training. Free QQI training. Refer a friend bonus of €250. We provide free Personal Protection Equipment. 24-hour emergency support and advice from managers. Be part of an established healthcare team. Free Moving & Handling Training & Safeguarding Training. What we require: 1 Year professional or family experience. A minimum of 2 QQI modules (or be willing to work towards them). Have an excellent command of the English language, both verbal & written. Be kind, reliable, patient, punctual & caring. Provide care to a high standard. Have excellent communication skills and willingness to learn. Salary: €15,000-€25,000 per annum. All applications will be treated with strictest confidentiality. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

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

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