Issue1442 February 26 2023

Mass intentions in Blessington

Saturday: Hugh, Alicia & Billy Hamilton (A), Paul Howard (RD), Thomas & Johanna O’Neill (A)

Sunday: Trish & Eamon Hynes (A), Mick Reid (A), Mary Reid (A)

We also remember: Toddy Hennessy (A), Kathleen Hennessy (A)

Monday: Mass offered for the sick at home & those in hospital.

Tuesday: Get Well Mass, Get Well Mass

Wednesday: Noeleen McGrath (RD), Margaret Finnegan (RD) 7.30pm Mass Jim O’Rourke (RD), Bridget Cummins (RD)

Thursday: Intentions Mass, Intentions Mass

Friday: 1st Friday of the Month, Mass will be offered for all on the November list of the dead.

Archbishop Farrell has asked for a Diocesan Collection to be taken up in support of the people of Turkey & Syria affected by the devastating earthquakes. The Collection will take place this weekend & will replace the SHARE collection. The donations will be channelled through Trócaire, who are working with partners in the affected area. They have the capability to ensure that any funds raised in Ireland will be managed appropriately to meet the needs of those most badly affected.

Saturday 25^th February: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken 7.30pm. Confessions: After 6pm Mass in Blessington

Sunday 26^th February: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 10.00am, Crosschapel Church: 11.30am

Tuesday 28^th February: Rosary & Holy Hour 10 to 11am in Blessington

Wednesday 1^st March: “A TIME OF HOPE” LENTEN TALKS at 7.30pm Mass every Wednesday during Lent in Church of Our Lady Blessington. Week 2 Wed 1^st March Ger Gallagher, AMRI Communications – SPORT & FAITH.

Parents & Children welcome to join us every Wednesday for “Pray & Play” from 2.45pm in the ‘Crying Room’ Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Prayer time, Play time & Music. Refreshments afterwards.

Friday 3^rd March: 1st Friday of the Month, Mass will be offered for all on the November list of the dead. Padre Pio Blessing will be available after this Mass. If the sick or housebound wish to receive Holy Communion in their home, please call the Parish Office to arrange – 045 865 327.  The visits take place on the First Friday of the Month.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Ecumenical Service at 10am in Church of Our Lady Blessington. ALL WELCOME

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Children’s Church is returning! 6pm Mass on Saturday 11^th March in Blessington

First Communion Preparation Mass will take place in Valleymount  on Sunday 5^th March at 10am

Sunday 26^th February. Songs & Tunes Session, Zellers of Lacken, 6pm to 8:30pm. All listeners, singers, players very welcome. Any song/tune/style; any ability level; all ages. Just for fun! Bring a friend 🙂 Info: Fiona 083 812 7317 lakesidesessions2@gmail.com

Blessington Car Boot Sale Returns to St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 26^th February: 7am to 4pm.  Tea/Coffee. Indoor & Outdoor Spaces. Free Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Info: Pat Conlan: 086 075 2072

Mindfulness Workshop in Blessington Library. Tuesday, 28th February at 6.30pm. A gentle session of mindfulness that will engage your heart and mind, moving you towards balance in this busy world. Sian Keary is an Occupational Nurse and an Accredited Psychotherapist. Booking required: blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie  or 045 891 740

Thank you to everyone who contributed money & spot prizes for the pub quiz in The Avon on Thursday 16^th February. € 3492 was collected & has been sent to Unicef for their Turkey / Syria appeal.

 Study looking for adults (70 + years) to take part in our Protein & Online Exercise classes for 12 weeks by PhD student Catherine Fallon from University College Dublin. All appointments & classes will be done from your own home. For more information, please contact 086 724 0910 or email Catherine.fallon@ucdconnect.ie

ENGINEERS WEEK. To mark Engineers Week, we’re running FOUR Robotic workshops in Blessington Library on Saturday, 4th March 10am; 10.30am; 11am; & 11.30am. It will be a fun interactive workshop demonstrating how simple robots can be created and manipulated. Each session lasts for 30 minutes. Suitable for ages 9 to 11. Spaces are limited. Please book in advance: Blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie or 045 891 740.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 16^th February. 6, 11, 17, 24. €25 Winner: Margaret O’Dwyer Next Jackpot is €2,500

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.

Valleymount Community Shed are having A Social Night on Saturday 4^th March at 7.30pm in The Stables Valleymount. This is an ‘Open Mic Event’ & is free to all who attend. We hope you will be able to come along & join in the music & the craic. Light refreshments will be provided.

Clothes Collection supporting Friends of Calcutta ( CHY No. 13218) on Tuesday March 7th. All items of wearable clothing, footwear, curtains etc most welcome and can be left close to the FOC Sign in Church Car Park at any stage that day up to 1pm. All enquiries to Michael Hopkins 087-9073074 who will be delighted to arrange a home collection if requested

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 Friday during school term from 9.30am to 12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa and a chat.

Celebrating over 60 years involvement in Theatre. “From the Shoulders Down” Written & Performed by Richard Lynch. Embracing the humour & pathos in the life, times & labours of Patrick Joseph Mulpeter, P.J. for short B.L.A. (Builders Labourer Anonymous). Proud of his past & somewhat embittered by it, bewildered by the present & uneasy about the future. “Lynch not only wins his audience, he owns them” – Leinster Leader. Saturday 25th February at 8 p.m. Valleymount Community Centre. Tickets €10 at the door.

ALONE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED “I spent so many years sitting right in front of this window hoping for a visitor or the phone to ring…I used to order things I didn’t need just to have a short chat with the delivery men. That’s how lonely I was.” Are you interested in volunteering to visit or call an older person & help us combat loneliness in your area? We are urgently in need of volunteers. Visit www.alone.ie to sign up today

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.

A Time of Hope – Lenten Talks – 7.30pm Mass every Wednesday during Lent – Church of Our Lady Blessington

• 1st March – Ger Gallagher, AMRI Communications – SPORT & FAITH
• 8^th March – Carmel Dillon, Principal St Mary’s JS – FAITH IN SCHOOL
• 15^th March – Sr Enda Mullan, HOPE IN CREATION
• 22^nd March – Teresa Wood, Team Hope Ireland, CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL
• 29^th March – Christina Malone, Parish Pastoral Worker, BUILDING HOPE IN CHURCH