Newsletter 19th Jan 2025. Issue 1530

Mass intentions in Blessington

Saturday: Helen Kennedy Lundane…A,  Jamie Mahon…A, Deceased Members of the Smith Family, Alice Garry…A, Pat Garry…A, Patrick O Grady…A, David Doyle…A, Breedge McBrearty… 2nd A

Sunday: Tom Carroll…A, Maura Wilson …RD, Jimmy Keogh…Birthday Rem, Rebecca Hopkins…A, Simon & Maisie Hopkins…Rem,  Joan Bird…A, Charles Hayes…A, Micheal Melia…2nd A, Rita & Kevin Somers…A

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Special Living Intentions, Stanley O Hora…RD

Wednesday: Eddie Miley…A, Get Well Mass

Thursday: Thank You Mass, Bridget Hayden…RD

Friday: Jackie Evans…RD, Micheal Davis…RD

Ecumenical Prayer Service. For Christian Unity, Church of Our Lady, Blessington, Saturday 25^th Jan at 11am

Dates for your Diary – Healing Mass, Church of Our Lady Blessington, Saturday 15th February, Saturday May 24^th, Saturday September 13^th, Saturday December 13^th All Masses will take place at 11am All are welcome

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.

Feast Days – 20^th Jan – St. Sebastian. St. Sebastian was an early Christian saint popularized by Renaissance painters and believed to have been martyred during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian. In the centuries that followed his martyrdom, Saint Sebastian became well known for his intercessory power, especially in fighting off the bubonic plague in the fourteenth century. More recently, he has also been honoured as the patron saint of athletes because of his dogged perseverance. He died c. 288, Rome. 21^st Jan – St Agnes Today, is the feast day of St. Agnes, celebrated on the anniversary of her martyrdom in 304. Like many early martyrs, Agnes was a member of a noble Roman family who practiced Christianity even though it was illegal. Because of the legend around her martyrdom, Saint Agnes is patron saint of those seeking chastity and purity. She is also the patron saint of young girls and girl scouts. Folk custom called for them to practise rituals on Saint Agnes’ Eve (20 January) with a view to discovering  their future husbands.

Thank you We would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the planning and the organisation of the Epiphany service in Valleymount on Sunday 12^th Jan. Your help made this a great community event. A mass will be said for your intentions on Thursday 23^rd Jan at 9.30am In the church of Our Lady Blessington. Thank you again, the Parish Team

Rosary & Holy Hour  The Holy Hour with Rosary and Adoration will resume on Wed Jan 15th at the new time 10.00am to 11.00 am for the duration of the winter months.

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

Minister of Eucharist –January 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Pat McGrath, Ann Hanlon & Frank Hanlon SUNDAY 10AM: George Richardson, Kay Clarke & Aisling Molloy.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 This year’s prayer resource has been prepared by the community of Bose, an ecumenical monastery of brothers and sisters in northern Italy. As we celebrate 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, this worship service has, at its heart, the Nicene Creed. We are invited to reflect on the story of Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus as narrated in John 11: 17-27, and to contemplate Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ Texts for the main service and for the days of the octave of prayer con be found in the Spirituality and Reflection section of the website of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland: ctbi.org.uk, and on the website of the Dicastery for Promoting Christion Unity: www.chrisfianunity.va.

Prayer to St. Agnes Agnes, you refused to give up your faith; help us to be proud of our faith, to love it, to be strong in it, and to give witness to it daily. St. Agnes, patron saint of children, watch over the children of the world. keep them safe from harm; be with them in their hour of need; and always pray for them. Amen.

Prayer to St. Sebastian Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.

Care of the Earth Jane Mellett from Trocaire will present a 6-week course on “Cultivating an Eco Spirituality” in Lumen, Sion Hill Blackrock beginning on Jan 23rd. Time: 10.30 am to 12 noon. Further details www.lumenop.ie

Thought of the Week Help other people to cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with

Pope Francis has chosen the motto “Miserando atque eligendo”, meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin ‘by having mercy, by choosing him’.

St Brigid’s N.S. are accepting enrolments for all pupils wishing to start in September 2025.  Please contact the school office on 01-4582550 for an enrolment form. St Brigid’s will also be having an open evening for all prospective students and their families on Wednesday 5th February 2025.  The school will be open  from 6.30pm till 7.30pm.  All the staff look forward to  seeing you there.

Lacken Naíonra (Preschool) are now accepting ECCE applications for September 2025. Please email naionra@lackenns.com for further information.

Experienced home help sought Manor Kilbride area for full time care of back injury recovery female patient with limited mobility, on site own door accommodation available that may suit a couple. Contact 087 4270780.

Childminder available In Minders home Fully qualified Level 5 First Aid 087 2676094

Childminder needed Manor Kilbride Home. Part time from 2pm approx. 5.30pm Monday to Thursday.  Friday flexible. Please call Anne 0868590772

PUPPY RAISERS NEEDED Help to train a future Guide or Assistance Dog by fostering a puppy! This full-time volunteer role involves a pup living in your home from 9 weeks up to 14 months old. To find out more, please email pups@guidedogs.ie or visit www.guidedogs.ie.

Blessington Further Education Centre’s new term starting in January 2025 is open to adults who want to return to education. We provide free classes and work with early school leavers and people who have not been in a learning environment in some time. We work with people who are in employment and also those in receipt of social welfare payments. Classes are offered day, night and afternoon on a part-time basis ranging from 2-6 hours per week. We work at the learner’s pace in a friendly environment We offer classes in: Blow drying hair, – Gardening,-  Art, – Food and nutrition – We can help you with your C.V and interview skills. – Computers/ Laptop & Phones for beginners and those who need to improve their skills.- Horticulture QQI Level 4 – Growing Vegetables, – Office Skills QQI Level 4 – customer service and desktop publishing, Information Technology Skills, – Business Administration QQI Level 5  – word processing and desktop publishing, NEW COURSE IN APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES – please phone for more details, SNA Level 5 – day class,  FREE Course/Job Guidance service also available We provide 1-1 support to improve English skills of reading and writing as well as numeracy. One of our past students commented that – Leanne said “I was able to talk to my child’s teacher with confidence and express my concerns and listen to advice”. For more information on any of the above please contact us on 045 891099 or email info@blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie

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

Blessington U3A  are pleased to announce our next talk Speaker: Dr Rebecca O’Neill Title: “Celebrating Irish Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)” Date:Tuesday 21st January  at 10.30am Venue: Avon Hotel, Blessington

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

GAELSCOIL NA LOCHANNA will hold their open night on 9 January 2025, 7:30. Fáilte [All parents welcome to find out what life is like in the Gaelscoil] Enrolments for 25-26 school year accepted all through January. (31 spaces) Enrolments for our Autism class accepted all through February. (4 spaces left) Fáilte romhaibh – You don’t need Irish to join the Gaelscoil!! www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com 087 9388651 / 045 900525 …AGUS NOLLAIG SHONA DAOIBH 

Manor Kilbride Community Hall Available for hire for Classes, Training Groups Parties & Events. Email: Kilbridecommunitypage@gmail.com

Daz Auto Motors Blessington Newly opened a small garage for motor repairs and car valeting Contact 0894564703 Beside Pet Hospital in Blessington Unit 4 Blessington Industrial Estate W91HY32

Ustore @ Hollywood Large storage area available Phone 087-356-7601 €100 Per month

Catriona Byrne & Co Solicitors BESIDE AIB – OVER 20 YEARS ESTABLISHED FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS 3 Mill Bank, Blessington County Wicklow Tel: 045 857 537 www.catrionsbyrne.ie

Septic Tanks Emptied & Digger Hire Call Dermot or Adam Phibbs 087 799 5320 – 083 037 4750 lizmphibbs6@gmail.com      License no: NWCPO-21-12619-01

Blessington Counselling & Psychotherapy – Mandy Downes MAPCP 085 134 9813 Specialist in CBT & Solution focused Therapy

Wicklow & Kildare Mental Health Services  Counselling & Psychotherapy. Aran Centre, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. For Bookings please contact, by phone: 089 274 4920 or e-mail: info@wicklowandkildarementalhealth.ie

Driving instructor RSA and ADI approved.  Contact Michael 087 459 4258  for bookings.

GF Services Tile Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Carpet Cleaning 0899889861 info@gfservices.ie

Painter & Decorator Interior & Exterior Call Damien 085 826 0431

HEADSTONES McEvoy Monumental Works Blessington. Headstones, Inscriptions, Renovations. Serving the people of Blessington for over 40 years. Call to our workshop at Millbank Blessington Call: Mick 045 865 487 – 086 843 8832 or Gary 087 933 3487 www.mcevoymonumentalworks.com

Local Builder Available All services under one roof, Windows & Doors, Plumbing, Tiling, Roofing, Plastering, Electrical, Carpentry, Insulation. All levels of construction services available. Fully registered. Call Paul: 086 309 1829

Paying too much for SKY or Virgin Media? We Install or Repair Free to Air & Saorview! No more Bills! Call Billy 086 868 0053

Eagle Cleaning Solutions Chimney Cleaning, Exterior Power Washing, Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning & Repairs. Find us on Facebook! Call for appointment: 087 247 4388. info@eaglecleaningsolutions.com

German Autoworks – Service Specialist VW/Audi, Mercedes, Skoda, Seat, Opel – Call 087 286 3997 www.germanautoworks.ie

Function Rooms available at the Avon Call 045 900670 for further info.