Newsletter 10th November 2024 Issue 1523

Mass intentions in Blessington Peter Fisher…RD  Rockypool Crescent, Eoin Tyrrell…RD Beechdale, Mairead Graham…Rd Valleymount

Saturday: Eileen Patrick & Elizabeth Kelly…A, Micheal Byrne…A, Paul Garry…A, Frankie Keogh…A

Sunday: Christy Sargent…A, Fintan Gilheany…A, Dickie Reid…A

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: The Corry Family…A, Kathleen, Micheal, Jim & Seamus Corry…Rem

Wednesday: Joan Armstrong…Rd, Micheal Ferris…Rd

Thursday: Special Intentions, John Fennell…Rd

Friday: Jimmy & Patty Hughes…A, Joan Browne…Rd

Blessington & Valleymount Parishes

are looking for a suitably qualified Bookkeeper, 15 hours per week, time is flexible. If you are interested, please contact the parish office.

Closing date for applicants is Friday 15^th November at 1pm

Feast Days – 11^th November – St. Martin Of Tours, Bishop, 12^th November – St. Josaphat, Bishop & Martyr, 13^th November – St Francis Xavier

Funding Appeal

Our Parish Finances are in a very fragile state. There are many reasons for this – dwindling congregations, lack of regular income, peoples’ own financial situations etc. Historically, our Parish account had been with the Ulster Bank. When that closed, we lost quite a frightening number of Standing Orders. So much so, we are operating from month to month at the moment. I am asking you to consider renewing your standing order with your Bank, and, if your resources permit, to increase your contributions. We need a regular income on which we can depend.

The offerings given at Mass on Sundays do not stay in the parish. They are for the diocesan salaries of priests, and for the support of parishes poorer than our own. The money we rely on comes from the envelopes, the standing orders, and whatever rental income we can generate from our buildings.

Thank you in advance for supporting your parishes. Standing Order forms are available at the back of our churches. As we continue to build the church of the future in hope, may the Lord bless us and the gifts we are able to give.

Change of Mass Times For Bank Holidays and Holy Days All Masses will now be at the usual time of Morning Mass at 9.30am in the Church of Our Lady Blessington. Weekend Masses will remain the same. Saturday 6pm & Sunday 10am

Rosary & Holy Hour  Every Tues 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington

Pray & Play Group In the Coimin Centre, Every Wed 2.45pm to 4.30pm. For children of all ages with their parents, grandparents, guardians. Contact Áine 086 107 0480

The family of the late Gerry Rawson (Gerry)  would like to express our sincere appreciation to all who sympathized & supported us when we experienced our recent sad bereavement. To those who visited the funeral home & attended the funeral mass thank you. Thanks to Rev. Noel Campbell, Rev. Gerry Kane P.P & our Deacon Gerry Malone for their kind assistance. To the undertakers Regina & Tony Clarke Thank you.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 31^st October: 16,19,28,29. €25 Winner: Aoifanna Phibbs. Next Jackpot €2475.

Team Hope Shoe Box Appeal Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an annual campaign that delivers gifts straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. Often these shoebox gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and the joy that they bring is incredible. If you would like to take part in the shoe box appeal, Please drop off your show box into the Blessington Parish Office.  Leaflets can also be picked up in the Parish office. The office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm  or you can call 045 865327 for more information.

POPES INTENTION FOR November – For anyone who has lost a child We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.

SVP Blessington would like to acknowledge two anonymous donations received recently through the parish office of €70 and €20. Also, a bag of non-perishable food was left in the SVP shop. We sincerely thank you for your generosity and support and it is very much appreciated. Please remember that  100% of all donations to SVP Blessington goes back to assisting and supporting the local community. Thank You

Sincere thanks to everybody who baked and donated food items for the Harvest Mass in Lacken Church on Sat 26th. Proceeds from the sale amounted to £525 which will be shared between Lacken Church Fund and a school in South Sudan run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Your generous support is greatly appreciated.

Prayer of St Martin of Tours Father, by his life and death Martin of Tours offered you worship and praise. Renew in your hearts the power of your love, so that neither death nor life may separate us from you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  Matt 18:20 Our next Women’s Breakfast will be in Coimin Centre Sat November 23rd 2024, from 9.30 to 11am. This is a great opportunity for women to get together to have a relaxing chat along with a delicious breakfast and hear a short testimony from one woman about her faith journey. A small donation would be appreciated to cover costs.

CARE OF THE EARTH Winter is a challenging time for birds to find food so setting up feeders in your garden or outdoor space can provide much-needed sustenance for our feathered friends

Thought of the Week Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. St Francis Xavier

At a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica on Ascension Thursday, Pope Francis solemnly proclaims the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025, “Hope” is the overarching theme. Pope Francis announces that the Jubilee Year will begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, 2024

AWARE SUPPORT & SELF CARE GROUPS If you or those with whom you work wish to connect with people in relation to your mental wellbeing, consider using Aware’s phone-in and Zoom support and self-care groups, support line or support mail. For more information, visit www.aware.ie.

Accord Prayer for Marriage & Family Life God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love. Give to us the gift of respect, empathy and understanding. Bless and strengthen our love for each other. Help us to appreciate the value of family life and to live in harmony with all whom we come in contact with. Encourage us, we pray, to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with the Lord. Praise be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT The Irish Hospice Foundation provides a free Bereavement Support Line. This National Freephone Service is available from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, by calling 1800 807077. Visit www.hospicefoundation.ie for more information.

ALZHEIMER CAFÉ NAAS The Alzheimer Café evening takes place on the last Wednesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm in the Convent Tea Rooms at McAuley Place, Sallins Road, Naas (Beside Parish Church). Those living with a dementia, families, carers and professionals with an interest in the area are all welcome to attend. Each month a different speaker will give a perspective on Alzheimer disease and an open discussion takes place with questions and answers.

A Prayer for our Parish Heavenly Father, Bless our Church and our parish, And all the good work that goes on in them. May all who are Christians live and work together for the good of each other and the glory of your Name. May those who do not know you be brought by our example to a loving knowledge and peace with you. Amen

Communion Letter for Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope you have settled into the new school year. This is a very special year for you, your child and for your Family.

To help support you and your child in the preparation for First Communion, the Parish team have a program that we hope will enrich and inform you and your child for this great day. This program will run parallel with the school curriculum Grow in Love. In the hope that with the support of the Parents, the School and the Parish, your child will be focused on this great day.

We will have an information meeting to outline the program on Monday 18^th November 2024 at 7.30pm in the Church of our Lady Blessington.

You will be required to register online before the information meeting at Blessingtonparish.ie

Click on the First Communion Registration box on the home page. We ask for a contribution of €25.00 per Family to help with the cost of this program. If you have any difficulty, contact the Parish office and they will assist you.

We look forward to working with you and your Child during the year. We ask All God’s Blessing on you and your Family.

Sincerely yours,

Parish Team.

Christmas at Russborough ✨ ✨ The holiday season is upon us, and we’re thrilled to invite you to a series of magical events to celebrate Christmas at Russborough! Join us for unforgettable festive experiences, from carols at our tree lighting to creative workshops and concerts. Book now and make this season extra special with family and friends. 🎄🎶🎄 Christmas Tree Lighting & Carols: Sunday 24th November Kick off the season with our annual tree lighting! Join us for a night of carols, community, and festive cheer as we light up Russborough’s Christmas tree. 💐 Pop-Up Festive Floral Shop: Sunday 1st December Discover a one-day-only floral shop, brimming with seasonal arrangements and decorations to bring holiday magic to your home. 🌿 Wreath-Making Workshops: Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th December Craft a beautiful wreath with locally sourced foliage—perfect for welcoming guests this season. 🎁 Wrapping Paper Workshops: Saturday 7th & Saturday 14th December Get creative with your gift wrapping this year! Join us to design unique, hand-crafted wrapping paper that’s as beautiful as your gifts. 🎶 Festive Harp & Soloist Concert: Saturday 14th December Experience the elegance of live harp music and solo performances to end the season on a truly magical note. Book now at www.russborough.ie

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to Thomas McGuire & Fhiona Ennis In Donard Community Hall Saturday 16^th Nov 9pm -12am. All Welcome

We are staging ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet this Christmas. A joint production, between Ruth Shine School of Dance and Valleymount Theatre Company. The dates this year are 7th, 8th & 14th 15th December at Valleymount hall. Doors at 6pm start at 6.30pm. Tickets available at Eventbrite  Nutcracker Ballet Valleymount.

Donard Annual Variety Show the best of local talent. Performing on Friday 22nd November at 8pm in Donard community hall. Tickets are €10 on the door. Lots of fun prizes throughout the evening. All welcome.

Cruthu Art Group. ‘A Gathering of Art’ Autumn Exhibition in St Mary’s Junior National School, (GP Room), Main Street Blessington Friday 8th November – Pupils and Parents, Sat 9th November 12 noon-7pm  & Sun 10th November 10am -5pm  All Welcome

Blessington Community Employment Vacancies These are developmental opportunities, no experience necessary. Caretaker, Hollywood Community Centre. Duties include, but not restricted to, preparing hall for meetings and events, cleaning, light maintenance, and painting. CES 2341099 Closing Date: 28/06/2024 Caretaker, St. Johns Cemetery, Ballymore. Duties include, but not restricted to, grass cutting, light maintenance, key holding and cleaning. CES 2339500 Closing Date: 28/06/2024 Barista/ Customer Service, Kilbride GAA. Duties include, but not limited to, serving tea/ coffee, meeting and greeting, light cleaning, phone/ message taking. CES: 2339656 Closing Date: 28/06/2024 Caretaker, Hollywood Cemetery. Duties include, but not limited to, grass cutting, light maintenance, key holding. CES: 2341100 Closing Date: 28/06/2024 Secretary Hollywood Parish Office Duties include, but not limited to, administration, message taking, key holding. CES: 2341101 Closing Date: 28/06/2024 Admin/ Project Worker West Wicklow Cancer Support Duties include, but not limited to, administration, social media, promotional work. CES: 2341103Closing Date: 28/06/2024 Please contact us on 085-2523563 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.”

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Monday at 7.30pm in the Kare Centre. All new players welcome.

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

FUEL STAMP SAVING SCHEME Fuel Stamps are a great way to help budget for your fuel costs. Start saving now towards your fuel bills during the winter months. The Stay Warm Saving Scheme is an easy payment option plan which enables households to budget for their central heating oil or solid fuel. Start saving the €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps on the savings card and use the stamps to pay (in full or part payment) for fuel with the listed suppliers on the card. A new supplier to the scheme but not listed on the card is Tom Phibbs Fuels Tel: 01 2118469.  The Scheme is open to all households in the Blessington area and full details are available on the card. This initiative is in association with the Department of Communications Energy & Natural Resources. The €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps and Savings Card are only available from Hennessy’s Hardware and SVP Shop.

Blessington Library Events If you need help with your smart phone, tablet, laptop, or navigating the internet, Blessington Library offers 45-minute sessions one – one with a qualified tutor on Mondays, 1.30pm – 4.30 pm & Thursdays, 3 – 7 pm. Book your place: (045) 891 740 / blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie Social Inclusion Week Sunday, 13th -19^th October Stories, Crafts and Music with Agata Lojek – children 5-9 (Wed 16th Oct at 3 pm) Connection through song with Mags from Blessington Choir (event for adults, coffee and tea provided). Thurs 17th Oct at 10 am. Book your place: (045) 891 740 / blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

Childminder wanted: Looking for a kind, responsible person to mind our two children (4 & 2) in our home. Monday to Thursday, typically 9-5pm until March, then 12-5pm from March onwards. Creche/School pickups required, would need own transport. Contact CP 0851446632

Job Vacancy Full-Time Warehouse Operative The Natural Medicine Company, Burgage, Blessington. Email applications to:hr@naturalmedicine.ie