Issue 1392 February 20th 2022

Mass intentions this week: Patrick (Rusty) Byrne (RD), Manor Kilbride, Charlotte Dalton (RD) USA

Saturday 6pm: Mary & John Cruise (A), Dec. Relatives and Friends of the Cruise Family, John & Bridie Richardson  (A), Michael & Mary Brennan (A)

Sunday 10am:Diane Little (1st A), Damien Kenny (RD), Ciaran Ward (RD)

We also Remember: Joseph Hanlon, Hugh, Alicia & Billy Hamilton, Josephine O’Toole, Mary Lambert, Vera Byrne, Maree McEvoy, Paddy Byrne (B’day Rem)

Jane Miley (B’day Rem), Thomas Miley (B’day Rem), Mick Fennan, Lena Doyle

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Special Intentions Mass, Jim, Mary & Sean Duffy (A), Hugh, Alicia & Billy Hamilton (A)

Wednesday: Toddy & Kathleen Hennessy (A), Barry O’Donnell (Rem)

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

Friday: Thanksgiving Mass, Angela Corley (RD)

►Saturday 19^th February: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm

►Sunday 20^th February: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 11.15am, Crosschapel: 11.30am,

►Tuesday 22^nd February – Holy Hour and Adoration for the intentions of families from 7pm to 8pm. All welcome to join & spend some quiet time with the Lord.

‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate’ (Luke 6:36) As Synodal gatherings begin in parishes, this line from Sunday’s  Gospel reminds us that the quality of our attention to one another will be crucial in the Synodal pathway. Careful listening helps us to understand the other person, to stand in their shoes. When we really listen, we listen to understand in an open, loving & compassionate way. “Holy Spirit, as we gather together in your name. Guide our listening that we may receive others with respect, for we are to love our neighbour as ourselves”

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 17^th February:  3, 10, 24, 29  €25 WINNER: Dora O’Brien Jackpot is €1025. www.blessingtonparish.ie  https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington

A Pair of Glasses was found outside St Mary’s Junior School grounds on Friday 28^th Jan Owner can claim them from JNS office: 045 865 501

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

Kilbride Under 14 Ladies Football team are recruiting players for this season. If your birthday falls within the following dates Jan 2008 and Dec 2010 and you want to play Gaelic football, please let us know. Contact Joanne via text message: 086 845 0247 or email: info@kilbridegaa.com

Lacken National School & Naíonra – Now taking enrolments for September 2022. Contact: 045 865 086 school@lackenns.com  for enrolment forms.

Blessington Outdoor Car Boot Sale returns to St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 27th February from 7am to 4pm Tea/Coffee. Free Car Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Bargains Galore! Info: 086 075 2072

Gaelscoil na Lochanna will be hosting a series of talks over the coming months. These talks will be led by Neurodivergent Consultants, Gaelscoileanna Principals & expert guests from the surrounding area. The talks are open to everyone & will be of particular interest to any parents of children who may have emerging special needs or who may be considering a Gaelscoil as a school for their children in the future. “Bacainní a Bhriseadh – Breaking down Barriers”.  “Dyslexia”  3^rd March at 7.30pm. School led talk on the Dyslexia Label “awareness & openness”. Why Choose a Gaelscoil ? 29^th March at 7.30pm. Seven Principals from Wicklow, Kildare, South-West Dublin, will give a shared experience talk on life in a Gaelscoil. Register via Zoom links – view this on: Instagram page @gsnalochanna or on the school website     www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com For any further queries please call  045 900 525 or 087 938 8651

West Wicklow Cancer Support welcomes you to our February Drop-in Evening. This will be hosted by Margot Ussher of the Healers Dance with the theme of the evening focussing on “Connections” Thursday 24^th February 7.30pm to 9pm. Coimin Centre Blessington. All Welcome, no charge, do bring a friend.  Please contact us on 087 434 6004 if you have any queries.

Three artists present new work about the Poulaphuca Reservoir – ‘Púca in the Machine’  will be shown at Blessington Library from February 17^th to March 5^th  Artists: Shane Finan (Valleymount, Wicklow), Niamh Fahy (Bristol, UK) & Alannah Robins (Inagh, Galway) began working on this project in 2021, brought together by Wicklow-based Finan to study the reservoir from the perspective of myth, ecology & the more-than-human. Call in during library opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am to 5pm Tues & Thurs 10am 8.30pm

The Irish Catholic Newspaper is now available in Dunnes Stores Blessington.

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.

Blessington Further Education and Training Centre. We have some interesting courses starting in February and March 2022: Container Gardening – learn about the amazing range of plants you can grow in containers. Learn lots of gardening tips & get a Level 3 QQI Cert at the same time. Art for All – try your hand at different art techniques while having fun. Smart Phone – learn how to get the most out of your smart phone. English Conversation – a class for speakers of other languages. Courses are open to those who didn’t complete their formal education. Courses are free of charge. Take time out for yourself and have some fun learning something new.  For more information simply phone Annette at 086 8462771 or Caroline at 045 851494 or email abeblessington@kwetb.ie

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

Fully Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on 21^st February €549 per person sharing. Price includes return bus transfer from Dublin, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with Full Board.  All entertainment and excursions. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single supplement €60. Contact Patricia on 087 1890 236 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com

ALONE supports older people to age at home, combatting loneliness & isolation. Would you like to volunteer from the comfort of your own home? We are seeking volunteers to make Support & Befriending calls to older people. Please visit our website at www.alone.ie or call our National Support & Referral line: 0818 222 024 to find out more about volunteering with ALONE.

Cleaner Required for 4 hours, 1 day per week, Thursday or Friday. General Cleaning, Ironing & Light Housekeeping Duties. Must be honest, reliable & able to work on own initiative. References required. Own transport  necessary. Blessington Area. Email:  office@blessington.info for details

Blessington Counselling & Psychotherapy – Here to support you with a range of challenging issues including: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, Isolation, Grief, Loss, Trauma, Relationship issues, family dynamics, Addiction, Substance misuse, Self-harm. Contact Mandy on ph:0851349813

Roofing Services including Roof Repairs, Roof Replacements, Gutter Repairs, Gutter Cleaning, Fascia & Soffits, Flat Roofs, Chimney Repairs, Perspex Roofs, Attic Insulation. Call Mick: 085 737 9394

Hi folks, Mac’s Fish is coming to Blessington. One of our vans will be here every Thursday from 10 until 2. We bring only the finest of fresh fish straight from Kilmore Quay in Wexford. Don’t hesitate to contact us on 085 702 3122 or 089 263 3816

Job Vacancy: Blessington Tidy Towns – Caretaker. Job reference number: CES2210192. Duties include, but not limited to, grass cutting, painting, cleaning. Closing date: 26/02/2022. Please contact us on 085 252 3563 or martincahill@blessingtonce.ie Please note *You must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for the last 12 months to qualify.

Bathroom Upgrades, Plumbing & Heating, Showers, Roofing, Windows, & Doors. Internal & External Insulation. Call Paul 086 309 1829.

Castle Canine Cuts – Dog Grooming Service. 1 to 1 Grooming for small to large breeds. Tues – Saturday by appointment only. Revolut & Card now accepted. Call Gillian 087 764 1911. Find us on Facebook

SEETHRU Solution – Your local trustworthy cleaning service for: Windows, Gutters, Fascia, Pressure Washing, Softwash, Carpet & Upholstery. Greg: 085 858 1850

Paragon Bathrooms. Full Bathroom Renovations. Showroom Open, Main Street, Blessington. Call Aiden 085 137 8770

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

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