Issue 1386 26th December 2021 & 2nd January 2022

May the Holy Family bring Peace, Joy & Happiness to you and your family this Christmas. We invite you to join with us in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Archdeacon Kevin Lyon, Fr. Paraic McDermott, Fr. Micheál Comer, Fr. Noel Campbell, Rev. Deacon Gerry Malone, Áine Egan, Pastoral Worker, Fr. Richard Behan P.P. Reverend Canon Leonard Ruddock

A Prayer before your Family Christmas Meal Loving God, on this Christmas day we give thanks that Jesus, your Son, has come into our world bringing us gifts of peace and joy. Bless us as we sit down together at this table for our Christmas meal. Bless the food we share and help us to remember those who are hungry. Be with our neighbours and our friends, those who are lonely, sick or away from home. We pray that our departed loved ones may sit now at your table in heaven. May the joy of this feast give us strength and light, now and in the days ahead. Amen. (K&L Diocese)

Mass intentions this week:

Christmas Masses are offered for the intentions of all our parishioners:

Sunday 26^th December 10am: Francis & Olwyn Langan (A), Millicent Jones, Mary & Louis Walsh(A), Joseph McDonald, Dec Mem of McDonald & Moran Families (A), Matt & Noreen Nugent (Rem)

We remember the following: Paddy & Pauline O’Brien, John & Bridget Tipper, Seamus & Sheila Zellar, Kathleen Smith, Pearl Tipper, Christopher & Winifred Mahon, John, Brian & Mary Crickley, Rita & Frank Manning (Rem), David Cadney (Rem) Karen McEvoy (A) Dec Mem of Kelly & Higgins Family, Dec Mem of Hickey & Phibbs Families, John & Kathleen Kelly (Rem), Mairead Hudson, Dec Mem of Hudson & Carroll Families, John Lipsett, Patricia Abraham Egan, Tom & Kitty Shannon, Jim & Eilish Murphy, Paddy & Nancy Harold, George & Kate Harold, Christopher Shannon, Denis Brereton, Christy Shannon, Pete Nolan, Jimmy, Maisie & May Nolan, Christopher, Kathleen & Goo Nolan, Maisie & Katherine Monaghan

Monday 27^th December: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday 28^th December: Jimmy & Mary Robinson (Rem), Brendan McCartin (A)

Wednesday 29^th December: Regina O’Leary (RD), Margaret O’Connor (RD), Special Intentions Mass

Thursday 30^th December:  Esther Flood (RD), Patrick Nolan (RD), James & Teresa McGuire (A)

Friday 31^st December: Bill Kinsella (A), Rose Lennon (A)

All Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Masses in Blessington Church will be available on the webcam, for anyone who would prefer not to attend an indoor gathering at this time:https://blessingtonparish.ie/about/parish-webcam/

Please note there is a recording of a Children’s/Family Liturgy available anytime, on the Parish Pastoral Website: www.blessingtonparishes.com  we encourage families with children to watch this on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

CHRISTMAS EVE: Blessington: 6pm, 7.30pm & 10pm, Lacken: Mass at 7.30pm, Manor Kilbride: 8pm, Crosschapel: Mass at 9pm, Valleymount: Mass at 9.30pm

CHRISTMAS DAY: Blessington: 10.00 & 11.30am, Manor Kilbride: 11.00am, Crosschapel: 11.30pm, Valleymount: 10.00am

St STEPHEN’S DAY, Sunday 26th December: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Crosschapel: 11.30am, Valleymount: 11.15am

►Monday 27^th to Friday 31^st December the weekday Mass is at 11am in Blessington & no daily Mass in Crosschapel.

►Saturday 1^st January: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm

►Sunday 2^nd January: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 11.15am, Crosschapel: 11.30am,

►Monday 3^rd January: Bank Holiday Mass at 11am in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

►Thursday 6^th January: Feast of Epiphany: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Crosschapel: 11.30am,Valleymount: 11.15am

►Friday 7^th January: 1^st Friday of the Month, Mass offered for all on the November List of the Dead

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.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 16th 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

Mass intentions for weekend January 1st & 2nd:

Saturday 1^st January 6pm: Eilish Murphy (A)

Sunday 2^nd January 10am: Ann Clarke (A), Helen Wall (A)

We remember the following: Liam Craul (A), John & Ann Craul

Monday 3^rd January: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday 4^th January: Mass offered for all on the Blessington Christmas Card List

Wednesday 5^th January: Mass offered for all on the Blessington Christmas Card List, Michael Tully (Snr) (A)

Thursday 6^th January:  Feast of the Epiphany: Mass offered for all on the Blessington Christmas Card List

Friday 7^th January: 1^st Friday of the Month, Mass will be offered for all on the November Altar List of the Dead

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.

ECO Friendly Tips: Wrap gifts using recycled paper, ribbon & bows. Reuse old Christmas cards to make gift tags, handmade cards or an indoor Christmas garland. Switch to LED lights to save energy. Buy a live tree or a potted tree that can be planted outside. Shop local to reduce carbon emissions. Plan menus & make a list of food needed to avoid food waste. Use leftover food creatively. Remember the shops open on Dec 27th!

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

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.

Cleaner Needed for 3 to 4 hours per week, Blessington Village, contact Angela on 087 631 7499.

Blessington Counselling & Psychotherapy. Mandy Downes. Counsellor & Psychotherapist in-person & online service +353 (0) 85 134 9813  mandy@BCPcounselling.ie  www.BCPcounselling.ie

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

Gardening –  For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Strimming, etc  Phone Mark 085 133 7714

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