Issue 1433 December 18th 2022

4^th SUNDAY OF ADVENT – The birth of Christ is almost upon us now. We are reminded in Isaiah’s prophecy of the long-awaited Emmanuel – God in our midst.

Mass intentions this week in Blessington

Kathleen Allen (RD) Blessington

Saturday 6pm: Mary & Tom Tivnan (A), May Nolan (A) & Nolan Family Blessington, Nolan Family, Baltinglass, Monaghan Family, UK

Sunday 10am: William Clarke (A), Margaret Roche (A), Bill Smith (25th A), Henry Lee (A)

We also Remember: Patrick & Gretta Reidy, Frances & Leo Sheridan, John O’Kane, Frank Reid (A), Annie, Paddy & Mary Carroll, Marjorie & Denis Murray, Heather & Denis Rock, Peter & Micheline Comey, Catherine & Jimmy Devoy (A), Rosemary, Ned & Mary Walsh (A), John & Bridget Tipper, Kathleen Smith, Sheila & Seamus Zeller, Kit & Winnifred Mahon

Deceased Members of: Clarke & Nixon Families, Doyle Family, Cagney & Manning Families, Daniels & Evans Families,

Monday: Mass offered for the Sick & those in hospital

Tuesday: Mick Mills (Months Mind) Paddy & Pauline O’Brien, Michael & Lawrence Behan, Dec Mem of the Behan Family

Wednesday: Margaret Roche (A), Sp Living Intention

Thursday: Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

Friday: Gerry Foley (A), Jimmy Heaney (A), Betty Heaney, Tom Foley & Jim Foley (Rem), Jim & May Breen (A), Mary Breen (Rem), Mick & Ann Ryan (Rem),Cathy Ryan (Rem)

Christmas Dues: Envelopes are now available in our Churches for those who would like to contribute.

Saturday 17^th December: Christmas Community Service Prayers and Carols at 4pm at Church of Our Lady moving in procession  to St Marys Church for Carols. Refreshments afterwards in St Kevin’s Community Hall. Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm Confessions: after 6pm Mass in Blessington

Sunday 18^th December: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am, Crosschapel: 11.30am.

Monday 19th December: Christmas Reconciliation Service at 7:30pm. Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Rosary & Holy Hour will resume after Christmas

Blessington Parish Annual CRIB EXHIBITION in the Coimin Centre Saturday 17^th December from 11am to 4pm and before & after 6pm Mass Sunday 18^th December From 10.30am to 1pm “Cribs from around the World” Some beautiful new additions to the display this year.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. 15^th December 6, 12, 13, 22 €25 Winner: Peggy Nash. Next Jackpot is €2,220

Social Dancing Donard Community Hall (W91YW57) Saturday 17^th December from 9pm to 12. Music by Teddy & Cathal Barry – Adm €10 – Refreshments Served

Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee Present a Christmas Concert in Manor Kilbride Hall on Saturday 17^th December at 7pm. Featuring Kilbride & Lakeside Youth Ensemble, also soloists & singers. Guest artist- the amazing Aoife Garry on Trumpet. Family friendly. All welcome. Pay at the door €10

PLEASE SUPPORT St. Mary’s Schools by buying our Christmas cards! Available to purchase in the Parish Office, Brew 21, the Post Office, Martikas Hair Salon, the Tourist Office & Enda’s Flower Shop. Pack of 10 cards – two lovely local designs in each pack. €6 per pack or 2 packs for €10.

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!

Valleymount & Lacken Private Members Draw 2022 December Winners: Breda O’ Brien, Frances & Billy Kavanagh, Aoibheann & Teagan Reid, Mary & Don O’ Sullivan, Bridie & Paddy Gleeson, Catherine & Sean Miley, Tommy Mooney, Brid & Peter O’ Sullivan, Kathleen & Philip Gallagher, Ann Nolan, Eimear Miley, Tom & Fiona Guing, Seamus Balfe, Anne Broe, Ann Marie Clarke, Mary & Jack Patton, Kathleen & Philip Leonard Paul Farrell, Sadie & Seamus Miley, Kenny’s Supervalu, Molly & Kevin Byrne, Jacinta Shannon, Betty O Brien, Rose Zeller, Mary Tipper, Charmaine Quinn, Philip O’ Reilly, Aislinn & Liam Reid, Fr Richard Behan, Catherine O’Mahony, Matt Reid,  Mary & Sean Brennan, Aine & Kevin Keogh Sheila & Pat Geoghegan Siobhan & Derek McEvoy, Cynthia & Ronan Brophy Joan & Sean Farrington, Maggie Schofield, Theo Clarke

West Wicklow Cancer Support would like to wish the wider Blessington Community a very happy & peaceful Christmas. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support & invaluable community spirit, it really is appreciated. We are available by phone & email over the Christmas period, contact us on 087 434 6004 westwicklow15@gmail.com Nollaig Shona Duit!”

The Pop-Up Pool is only here for 1 more week! Community Pool for West Wicklow would like to thank everyone for supporting the Swim Ireland Pop-Up Pool during its time in Blessington. The pool will be open for public swims until 7pm on Tuesday December 20^th  For information on swim times and to book visit  https://tinyurl.com/WWPopUpPool Make sure to book your swim before it’s gone!

CROSSCARE Christmas Food Poverty Appeal. This Christmas, Crosscare are asking for help for the Food Poverty Service, where they support families who find it hard to provide nutritious food. Sadly, almost 800 families and individuals, including 1,000 children, have needed help from the Service this year & demand is likely to increase in the coming months. Crosscare ensures they have a good supply of food while at the same time looking at all the issues that may have brought them into food poverty. If you can, you can donate online at www.crosscare.ie or call 01 8360011 or send a cheque or postal order to Crosscare Christmas Appeal, 2 Saint Mary’s Place North, Dublin D07 Y768. Envelopes will also be available in all Churches

Lacken Naíonra Open for enrolments. ECCE & part-time places available. For information or to book a viewing, please contact 045 865 086. Follow us on Facebook – Lacken National School.

Valleymount Parent & Baby/Toddler Playgroup meets every Friday during school term from 9.30am to12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa & a chat.

Tús Job Opportunity in Blessington County Wicklow Partnership’s Tús Programme has a work placement opportunity in Blessington Educate Together National School Position available: Caretaker Gain valuable work experience while contributing to your community at the same time. The placement will be for 1 year & participants will be required to work for 19½ hours per week & are free to take up other employment outside of their 19½ hours. To qualify, you must be fully unemployed for 12 months. Tús payment is at the full rate of Jobseekers Allowance plus €22.50 top-up. For more information or to apply contact Neil Doyle on 087 640 9273 or ndoyle@wicklowpartnership.ie