Issue 1426 October 30th 2022

Mass intentions this week

Sheila Melia (RD) Blessington, Moyra McCarthy (RD), Jim McConville (RD), Marina Finnerty (RD Roscommon

Saturday 6pm: Mick Horan (Months Mind), Tommy Horan (A) Bridie Keogh (A), Ronnie Egan (A) Oliver Shirran (A), Matthew, Michael & James Ryan (A), Special Intention Mass

Sunday 10am: Rita Hamilton (1^st A), Eamon Tully (1^st A)

We also Remember: Kathleen (Kit) Hanlon (A)

Monday: Mass offered for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Holy Day 10am Mass – Eamon Tully (1^st A), Thomas & Anna Connolly (A)

Wednesday: Birthday Int, Get Well Int

Thursday: Eugene Keogh (A), Patrick Nolan (A)

1^st Friday: Mass offered for the List of the Dead

This Week in the Parish

Saturday 29^th October: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm – Harvest Thanksgiving Mass. The church will be open from 3 to 4 pm for donations of harvest produce.

Sunday 30^th October: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am (Harvest Thanksgiving Mass) Crosschapel: 11.30am.

Monday 31st October Bank Holiday Mass at 10am in Church of Our Lady Blessington

Holy Day – Feast of All Saints

Monday 31^st October: Vigil Mass in Blessington at 7.30pm

Tuesday 1^st November: Blessington: 10am Mass, Manor Kilbride: 11am Mass, Valleymount: 11.15am Mass

Wednesday 2^nd November: November Mass of Remembrance at 7.30pm, for all our parishioners who died during the past year. If you have a relative or friend who has died outside our parish & would like their name called out on the night, please call the parish office with details: 045 865 327

Friday 4^th November1^st Friday, Mass offered for all on the November List of the Dead. Coffee morning in Lacken Community Centre from 2pm to 4pm

Saturday & Sunday 5^th & 6^th November – Remembrance Ceremonies at the weekend Masses in Lacken & Valleymount. Candles will be lit in memory of all our deceased family members & friends.

The family of the late Christopher (Christy) Miley wish to extend their heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of sympathy & support they received at the time of Christy’s tragic passing. Many thanks to all who attended the wake, Funeral Mass & Burial & to those who sent floral tributes, mass cards, letters & online condolences. Thanks to Fr Behan, Deacon Gerry & Clarkes Funeral Directors for their care & kindness to us. We are very appreciative of the musicians for the beautiful music & Valleymount GAA, Valleymount NS & Euro Oil for the guard of honour & also to the grave diggers. We remain grateful for the continued kindness & support.

November List of the Dead. Envelopes are now available in all the Churches and can be returned to the Parish Office or in the collection boxes/bags during the month of November. Masses will be offered on the 1st Friday of every month throughout the year.

Valleymount Change of Mass times – Further to consulting with Valleymount Parish Council, I regret to say that I will have to change the Mass time in St Joseph’s Church, Valleymount on Sunday mornings. As Fr Kevin is no longer available to celebrate Mass in Crosschapel, I will have to celebrate Mass there too. In order to keep all four Churches open to celebrate Masses on Saturday evening & Sunday mornings I will need to celebrate Mass in Valleymount on Sundays from now on at 10am. As the number of priests are reduced, we will need to change the Mass times accordingly but for the present I hope to be able to keep celebrating Masses each weekend in Blessington, Crosschapel Lacken & Valleymount. To facilitate this change beginning this weekend 30th October 2022 Mass in Valleymount will be at 10am each Sunday. With every blessing, Fr Richard

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 27th October: 1, 7, 12, 27. €25 Winner: William O’Byrne. Next Jackpot is €1975

Team Hope Christmas Shoe Box Appeal – Build your shoe box at home by covering a shoebox with Christmas paper. Fill with the 4 W’s Decide if it is for a boy or girl   Age: 2 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to14. Wash: toothpaste/brush, soap Write: pens/copies/colours Wear: Hat/Socks/gloves Wow: Toys/sweets €5 Transport Fee  Info leaflets in the Church. Return filled box to Parish Office by end of October

Blessington Lakes Golf Club Annual Golf Open in aid of Blessington & District Senior Citizens Day Care Charity Golf Open – Monday 31^st October. Blessington Lakes Golf Club, Boystown, Co. Wicklow. Competition: 3 Person Champagne Scramble, Entry Fee: Members €15 – Visitors €30 (Including soup or sandwich) Booking on BRS or Telephone clubhouse 045 867 146

 “You Don’t Need Irish to Send Your Child to The Gaelscoil!” Gaelscoil na Lochanna is accepting places for the school year 2023-2024 from now up to 21^st December. Parents will be notified of places on 13^th January & will have to 27^th January to accept the place. There are 31 places available. Tá an fógra bliantiúl maidir le ligean isteach fógraithe anois ar www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com  mar aon le foirm iontrála. Spriocdháta dona hiarratais ná 21ú Nollaig agus cuirfear tuistí ar an eolas ar an 13ú Eanáir. Beidh ar thuistí/chaomhnóirí an áit a chinntiú roimh/ar an 27ú Eanáir 2023.Tá 31 spás sna Naíonáin ar fáil (más chuí). View the Annual Admissions Notice & access enrolment forms on the school website www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com  We will host an Information Open Day during Seachtain na Gaeilge in March for those thinking of sending their child to the Gaelscoil in the next few years. Follow us on Instagram #gsnalochanna

Community Pool for West Wicklow are delighted to announce that the Swim Ireland Pop-Up Pool Blessington Midterm Break Schedule is HERE! There are plenty of Public Swims to keep your spirits up. €3.50 for a child & €7.50 for adults. Want to learn something new while you’re off school? Check out the Swim Ireland 4-day intensive swim course – Levels 1, 2 & 3. Running from Tue November 1^st to Fri November 4^th for 30 minutes a day, this course will help your child grow their confidence in the water over a short period of time. €46 for 4 swim lessons. For more details of the midterm swim schedule and how to book please visit www.westwicklowpool.ie

Are you a Bridge Player? If so, you are welcome to join Blessington Bridge Club. Resuming on Monday 17^th October & subsequent Mondays other than Holiday Mondays  at the KARE Centre which is located off the Blessington By-Pass. Ample car parking. Play begins at 7.30pm

Parent & Toddler Group in St Kevin’s Hall every Tuesday & Wednesday from 10am to12pm €4 per family per day

Blessington Bowls Club – Thursday at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Guests are most welcome, why not come along and bring a friend.

The Blessington Fencing Club Spaces available in the 8-11yrs Beginners Class in St Kevin’s Hall – Fridays 5pm. Only comfortable clothing & runners are needed. Pop in & watch or participate in a free trial lesson. We have a great mixed group of children. Some children don’t enjoy traditional team sports or battle in some way. Every child can be taught to fence. Adult Beginner Classes  starting on Tuesday evenings. Give us a call if you would like to try. Call Lee: 087 676 4183

West Wicklow Cancer Support Our group hosts a weekly Mindful soundbath Meditation with Gemma Deeney on Wednesdays at 11am in the Primary Care Centre Blessington. No cost, open to all. Do bring your own cushion, blanket & a friend. If your life has been impacted by cancer through a diagnosis, a family member, friend, or carer we are here for you. Call: 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com

Current Blessington Community Employment Vacancies

 West Wicklow Cancer Support: Project Worker. Job Reference: 2245584. Ideal Candidate will have experience in administration. Full training provided. Duties to include, but not limited to: Development of the project. Administration. Advertising & Promotion. Event Planning and Organisation. Typing Letters & Minutes. Work Closely with the Committee. Respond to Calls & Emails. Attend Weekly Meeting. Social Media. (Closing Date: 01/11/2022)

Building Caretaker: St Kevin’s Community Centre. Job Reference: 2245593. This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: General light maintenance. Some cleaning duties. Painting. Assisting in general operations of the centre to include key holding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health and safety. Hall duties. (Closing Date: 08/11/2022)

Building Caretaker: Hollywood Community Centre. Job Reference: 2245591.  This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: Light maintenance. Admin duties. Cleaning. Painting. Assisting with general operations of the centre & this could include key holding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health & safety. Flexible hours required due to the nature of the role to include after hours. Report to reception & or assigned committee member. (Closing Date: 08/11/2022)

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 for these positions *  CE Rates Apply.