Issue 1445 March 19th 2023

Mass intentions in Blessington

Saturday: John & Margaret Morrissy (A)

Elizabeth McGinnity (Birthday Rem)

Sunday: Evelyn Davis (A), Alan Clarke (Birthday Rem), Maria Wilmot (RD), Bridie Toomey (A)

We also remember: Simon Foster (Rem)

Monday: Mass offered for the sick.

Tuesday: Sp Living Int, Sp Living Int

Wednesday: Jim Murphy (29th A), Joe Mullee (A)

7.30pm Mass: Patrick McEvoy (RD), Margaret Tobin (RD)

Thursday: Get well Int, Get Well Int

Friday: Carmel Birmingham (Birthday Rem), Margret O’Neill (RD)

Saturday 18^th March: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm – Lacken 7.30pm – Celebrating St Patrick with Irish Music and Irish Dancers doing An Damhsa Mór at the end of Mass. Confessions: After 6pm Mass

Sunday 19^th March: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am – Crosschapel Church: 11.30am

Tuesday 21st March: Rosary & Holy Hour 10 to 11am

Wednesday 22nd March “A TIME OF HOPE” LENTEN TALKS at 7.30pm Mass. Teresa Wood, Team Hope Ireland, CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL

The Family of the late Michael (Mick) Ryan would like to thank everyone for their sympathy & kindness on his passing. A special thanks to Fr Richard, Deacon Gerry Malone, Tony & Regina Clarke and Dr Power & staff at Tallaght Hospital. Many thanks also to all the carers who looked after him. A Mass will be offered for you all, on behalf of his wife Maria & family.

Fr Richard & the Valleymount Community Shed would like to thank Hudson Brothers for their very generous gift of supplying & delivering gravel for the Church grounds & the raised vegetable beds project at the Stables Valleymount. We would also like to thank Tony Condon, Niall & Mark for all their skill & help in spreading the gravel. Their good humour & jokes made the day. All are welcome to come & visit & get involved in the projects at the community shed. Chairman: Johnny Brophy

Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine led by Archbishop Farrell, will take place on Saturday 29th April. If anyone from Blessington, Crosschapel, Manor Kilbride, Valleymount or Eadestown is interested in travelling, there will be a bus leaving from Blessington Church at 7.30am sharp (Leaving Knock at 4.30pm) €25 per person. If you have any queries or to register contact Blessington Parish Office, 045 865 327 or email: office@blessington.info

Many thanks to all who attended the Service of Hope on Monday. €110 was donated on the night & will go to the Trocaire Earthquake Relief Fund.

Donations from the Woman’s World Day of Prayer raised €143 will go to help women who face suffering & injustice in Taiwan

ST PATRICK’S DAY SOCIAL EVENT Manor Kilbride Hall. Friday 17^th March 12noon – 2.00pm. Tea, Coffee & Cake – Vintage Style with Old-Time Music & Song. Presented by Kilbride & Lakeside Music along with Glen Heste Pure Mile. All welcome

St Mary’s Junior School Fundraising Car Wash Saturday 25th March in School Yard behind Church of Our Lady €15 hand wash includes Hot Beverage & a Snack while you wait AND free entry into draw for Karcher Car Washer (Sponsored by Karcher Ireland)

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Fundraiser is back & takes place in Hennessy’s on Saturday 1^st April from 11am to 2.30pm, we are very excited to run this event after an absence of 3 years. APT is an amazing charity supporting children & their families touched by cancer, it is a charity very close to our heart! Alannah age 10 is busy seeking sponsorship, she is having her hair cut at our fundraiser & will donate it to the Rapunzel Foundation, all money raised will be donated to APT. Please come along, pop in for a cuppa & support Alannah & join us for our cake sale, music, song, raffle & much more. If you wish to donate cakes, raffle prizes etc please contact us at: Catherine Behan 087 122 4019 – Judy Keogh 087 616 5116 – Carly Ellis Keogh 086 306 2083

BLESSINGTON U3A are pleased to welcome Neal Doherty to present a talk on the Statues & Sculptures of Dublin after his book of the same name. Talk Title: ” Statues & Sculptures of Dublin.” on Tuesday 21^st March at 10:30am in the Avon Hotel. All welcome, Non-Members €5 per person.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn 9^th March: 4, 5, 11, 18 €25 Winner: Patricia Kinsella Next Jackpot: €2,600

Visit the Bookstand at the back of Blessington Church for a variety of Spiritual Books for sale

TROCAIRE PACKS – Are now available in all our Churches. Make a Lenten Promise to fill the Trocaire Box this LENT

St Marys Junior N.S. Blessington Junior Infant places available for 2023/2024. For an application form or to arrange a visit please contact the school: 045 865 501 or email secretary@stmarysjuniorschool.ie NB: School closed 16^th & 17^th February for midterm break.

Tuesday Rural Bus Service to Naas & Newbridge. Your support is needed to keep this service open. This is ideal as a “shopping bus”. Adult return journey €3.50 & €1 for students. (a free service for many qualifying adults) Departs Blessington Bus Shelter at 10am via Naas to Newbridge (Whitewater Shopping Centre) Departs Whitewater at 1.45pm. Further info: Jane Auld 087 266 0616 or Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

Lacken Naíonra Open for enrolments. ECCE & part-time places available. For information or to book a viewing, please contact 045 865 086.

Lacken National School are now accepting enrolment applications for the 2023/2024 school year. Also accepting enrolment applications for the 2023/2024 Early Intervention Class. Please email school@lackenns.com or contact the school office on 045 865 086.

Valleymount Parent & Baby/Toddler Playgroup meets every Thursday during school term from 9.30am to 12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa & a chat.

Blessington St Patrick’s Day PARADE – 12 noon

Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Monday 27^th March.  €599 pp sharing. Price includes return train, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with full board.  All entertainment & excursions included. Day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum.  Single supplement €100 Contact Patricia on 087 1890 236 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com

REMINDER TO PARISHIONERS: OUR ULSTER BANK ACCOUNTS ARE NOW CLOSED. If you have been donating to the Parish by Standing Order, we would be very appreciative if you could transfer it to our new AIB account. Please use your Surname & your 4-digit parish code when you set up the new Standing Order. Call the Parish Office for details: 045 865 327 or to set up a new Standing Order. The Standing Order Donations are a vital help in the running of our Parish, & we depend so much on these donations. Many thanks if you have already made this change.

Active Appliance Repairs: Having a problem with your appliances. Don’t delay give Karl a call 0863637792

Job Opportunities at VENTAC Blessington Ventac design, manufacture & supply acoustic solutions for commercial & industrial vehicle OEMs. We are recruiting for the following production roles based in our head offices at Fitzwilliam House, Blessington, Co Wicklow W91 V972:

General Operatives – Machine Operators – Machinists The successful candidates must be enthusiastic & be able to work on their own initiative with acute attention to detail. For more information & to apply, email your CV & cover letter to hr@ventac.com

Part-Time Coffee Shop Assistant/Administrator at June Blake’s Garden. We are currently seeking a Part-Time Coffee Shop Assistant/Administrator to join our team at June Blake’s Garden. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a passion for customer service & gardening. The role will involve preparing and serving coffee, tea & cakes to customers. Completing general administrative duties such as cash handling, record-keeping, & stock management. Role is part-time 3 days per week & includes weekends. Please contact fiona@juneblake.ie

Jones Power Tools Ltd Ride-on Lawnmowers/Push Mowers/Robotic Mowers. From your new purchase to a service on your own Machines. We’re here to help. Jones Power Tools Ltd – Contact 059 81033 or 087 6638788. Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Talbot Chimneys – Free Chimney Check With Clean. Weather still cold; Chimney Inspection & Cleaning Local Chimney Sweep – Fully Insured & certified Chimney Specialists. 100% Spotless Work. Book a Chimney Sweep, Stove Sweep or Chimney Inspection. Call Us Today! 045 850 957

Mother’s Day @ San Patrizio, Blessington’s Authentic Italian restaurant is now taking bookings for Mother’s Day. Special table d’hote menu available 045 865 214. Opening hours Thursday 5pm, Friday 5pm, Saturday 4pm, Mother’s Day 1pm

Very nice self-contained private office to let at Aran Centre, Blessington opposite Aldi.  €135 per week all-in.  Contact Sean on 087 8175227.

Gas Home for all your gas boiler servicing and repairs. New boiler fitted from €1,899. Over 20 years in Blessington. Phone Stephen 087 906 0894

Castle Canine Cuts 1 to 1 Dog Grooming Service. Available to groom your small to large breeds. Taking bookings Tuesdays – Saturdays Call/Text Gillian 087 764 1911 or find us on Facebook.

BRYKO Shop / Yard Assistant Required. Full time Position, Manual Lifting Ability Essential. Please Drop in your CV to Emilia or email to bryko.products@gmail.com