Newsletter 19th May 2024 Issue 1501

Mass intentions in Blessington

Catherine Fennell Lugnagun, Blessington Raymond McEvoy Valleymount

Saturday: Sharon O’Brien… 6th A. Mick Ball…1st A

Sunday: Noel Kelly…3rd A,, James McHugh…A

At Masses This Weekend,  We Remember the Following Nicholas Dunne…A, Mick Clarke…A, Mary Coffey…RD, William Crampton…RD, Jimmy Devoy…A

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Get Well Mass, Maureen Gallagher…Birthday Rem

Wednesday: Connor Manning…Rem, Padraig O Driscoll…RD

Thursday: Pat Shirran…Rem, Joe McKenna…RD

Friday: Joseph Horan…RD, Jo O’Toole…Rem

Diocesan Appointments for 2024

A warm welcome to Fr. Gerry Kane who has been appointed as the new Parish Priest of Blessington and Valleymount Parishes. His appointment is effective from the weekend of 6th and 7th July. Fr. Richard has been appointed as Parish Priest of the parishes of Ballybrack, Killiney and Loughlinstown.

Feast Days 19th May – Pentecost 22nd May – St Rita 24th May – St Mary Help of Christians May 25th – Padro Pios birthday

Blessington Church Grounds  Volunteers needed Sat May 25th 11-12 noon Can you give 1 hour to help with weeding and tidying the shrub border area in Blessington Church car park? Many hands make the work

Dates for Diary 18th May – Gaelscoil Communion. 20^th May – St. Marys SNS Confirmation. 28^th May – No. 1 School Conformation

The Annual Blessing of the Graves & Cemetery Mass will take place in Burgage Cemetery on Sunday 19th May 2024 at 3pm

Rosary & Holy Hour  on Every Tuesday  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 0833798366

Minister of Eucharist May 2024 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Pat McGrath, Teresa Ball & Colette Fennan SUNDAY 10AM: Fidelma Dunne, Brendan Mahon & George Richardson

Our Lady’s Grotto St. Joseph’s Rd, Rosary every Saturday at 4pm. For the month of May All Welcome

The Family of the late Kathleen Tyrrell, Blessington. Wish to thank all those who sympathized with them on their recent bereavement. Neighbours, friends, and local businesses. Thanks to Tony and Regina Clarke and staff, for their care and assistance. Thanks to the priests of the parish and all who helped out. Kathleen’s months’ mind will be on Saturday 25^th May at 6pm

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 9^th May. 9,14,20,29. €25 Winner: Pat Ryall Next Jackpot €1,550

Pentecost Sunday  Lord Thank you for your wonderful gift All the  beautiful things of the earth, the sea and sky, happiness, joy, inner peace, music, poetry, pain ng and colours. Entertainment, dancing and laughter. Shops, food and clothes. Craftsmanship and hobbies. Faith, unity, prayer and the Eucharist. But most of all your love. Today Pentecost marks the ending of The Easter season. Pentecost promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit which brings newness and life to our Church and World. Amen

CARE OF THE EARTH Use matches instead of plastic lighters opt for wood chopping boards instead of plastic ones

May 20th World Bee Day

Thought for the week Life and time are the world’s two teachers: life teaches us to make good use of time, while time teaches us to value life

Pope’s May prayer intention ‘For faith-filled young people’ Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of May, and urges everyone to pray for young Catholics to be courageous in their response to God’s call.

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

All Ireland Rosary Rally Knock – June 1^st The All Ireland Rosary Rally is back this year on Saturday, June 1st in Knock. The day begins with a Marian Conference at 9.30 am in St John’s Centre. Speakers include: Fr Michael Donnelly, Sr Ana Margarita Lanzas SCTJM, and Fr Joseph Maria Deane CFR. Then there will be an opportunity to meet over 20 apostolates from around Ireland from 11.30am in St John’s Centre. A well-renowned speaker from Miami called Mother Adela Galindo will deliver the keynote Rosary talk at 1pm in the Basilica. Then there will be the Stations of the Cross outside at 2pm, followed by the Rosary Procession. Bishop Phonsie Cullinan will be the Main Celebrant of the 3pm Concelebrated Mass which will include Anointing of the Sick. Confessions are available throughout the day, and there will be rosary and scapular-making workshops in the marquee. For more information and to see a list of buses going from around Ireland please visit www.AllIrelandRosaryRally.com

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.

No Mow May. Don’t mow Let it grow! Calling on all gardeners to join the buzz to save our bees in this month of May.  By mowing less, we will allow our native wildflowers Dandelions and Clover  provide the best source of pollen and nectar for our hungry bees. We need to provide enough food to support them

Blessington Library. Family Workshop with Lego Bricks by Lego Artist Jessica Farrell. Saturday 18th May 2-4 pm
Age 7-13 Booking required Call 045 891740 or blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

West Wicklow Cancer Support  welcomes you to our weekly sound bath meditation with essential oils, hosted by Gemma Deeney. Take that hour to yourself to relax, rewind and rejuvenate. Wednesday Mornings, 11am Primary Care Centre. Open to all, bring your own cushion and blanket. No charge, no need to book. Contact us on 087 4346004 / westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.

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.

The Féile an Chnocáin committee would like to thank and express their appreciation to everyone for their support over the weekend. This was a celebration of Ballyknockan and its people and it really was! We were delighted to see everyone come out together and enjoy the festivities and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Big thank you also to all the amazing bands and musicians who played throughout the weekend, it was brilliant to showcase the unbelievable talent we have in our area. If you supported us in any way, big or small, THANK YOU!

West Wicklow Cancer Support  would like to thank our local community and businesses for your support or sponsorship at our East Coast FM Coffee morning on Friday the 26th of April in the Coimin Centre Blessington which was a great community morning for which we received some very positive feedback.  At West Wicklow Cancer Support the development of our services is made possible by donors such as yourselves for which we are immensely grateful. We will ensure the funds raised at our coffee morning are put to good use to help local people and their families during their cancer journey. We will reach out to you all individually to extend our thanks, please know without you the running of our charity would not be possible. Our services run weekly and monthly, contact us on 087 4346004, email at westwicklow15@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.

Blessington Car boot  Sunday May 26th. Opening 8am for set up Indoor and outdoor facilities available.  Toilets, Free Car parking, Teas & Coffee provided. €10 per stall. tables supplied if required. Bigi Linn. Bargains Galore. Info & bookings 0860752072 Pat Conlan.

Blessington Community Employment Vacancies These are developmental opportunities, no experience necessary. St Kevin’s, Cemetery, Hollywood Duties inclusive of but not restricted to grass cutting, light maintenance, key holding, and cleaning. Closing Date: 20/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317015. Secretary, St Kevin’s  Community Centre. Duties inclusive of but not restricted to admin, answering calls,  And secretarial work. Closing Date: 02/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317031. Caretaker, Hollywood Community Centre. Duties to include but not restricted to preparing hall for meetings and events, cleaning, light maintenance, and painting. Closing Date: 02/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317081 Caretaker, St. Johns Cemetery, Ballymore. Duties inclusive of but not restricted to grass cutting, light maintenance, key holding, and cleaning. Closing Date: 16/02/2024 Reference: CES: 2317525 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 FETC Full and part time, daytime and evening education courses are available. We are here to help you get back into education, learn at your own pace, reach your potential, have some fun, meet other people and gain confidence. We offer 1 to 1 support in English, maths, and IT.  Courses are free, flexible, and fun. (eligibility criteria will apply). If you are interested in upskilling or learning new skills in: Gardening, Art, Sewing, Beginners Hairdressing, IT – laptop, notebooks, smart phones in 2024 contact u, or drop into the Blessington FETC. We would be delighted to hear from you.  Contact us on 045 891099/ 0868462771. West Wicklow Youthreach offers an education and training programme for early school leavers aged 16-21. We offer QQI level 3 and 4 junior and leaving cert equivalent, and personal development programmes in a small, welcoming, and supportive environment. If you are interested in our full-time programme, why not contact us to find out more! Call the centre at 086-8159593 or 045-851498 or drop into the Blessington Further Education and Training Centre and pick up an enquiry form. Alternatively, you can send an email to carolinemccabe@KWETB.ie For more information about our programme visit www.blessingtonfetc.ie/youthreach

Valleymount Community Shed NEW MEMBERS. If you or someone you know would like to join our Shed, drop in any Monday or Friday from 10.30 to 12.30 at the back of the priest’s house (The old stables) for a chat and to see what we do.

Blessington Tourist Office Presents Their Annual Art and Photography Exhibition 17^th May 2024 7pm to 9pm Light Refreshment Served All Welcome

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to Bernie Heaney In Donard Community Hall Saturday 18th May 9pm -12pm All Welcome

Gardening For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Pruning, etc Phone Mark 085-1337714 (Greenleaf Garden Care)

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

To Let Very nice self-contained private office at Aran Centre, Blessington opposite Aldi.  From €125 per week plus VAT.  Contact Sean on 087 8175227.

Building & Roofing Contractor Available All Roof Repairs, Slates, Tiles, Lead Valleys, Velux Windows, PvC Fascia & Soffit, Extensions, Attic Conversions & Renovations. All Work Guaranteed Niall Kearns 0862746969.

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

The Avon has a number of functions rooms available to hire for your next special occasion. Email us at info@theavon.ie and we can send on our 2024 brochure Mark Hyland Solicitors Main Street, Blessington Phone number: 045-851149 Email: markhylandsolicitors@gmail.com

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