Newsletter 21st April 2024 Issue 1498

Mass intentions in Blessington Stella Cooke…RD, England

Saturday: Peter, Batt & Jack Finegan…Rem,  John & Helena Meade…Rem, Lena & Tony Doyle…Rem, Lil & Billy Clarke…Rem, Kevin & Lar Meade… Rem,  Tom O’Hara..A, Anne Foster… 90th Bday Rem

Sunday: Kathleen & James Murtagh…A, William Brady…A, Sheila & Arthur McMahon A

At Masses This Weekend, We Remember The Following John Murphy…A, Kay Clarke…Rd, Sorcha Carroll Kyne…Bday Rem, Teresa Szabo…1^st A, Bridgie McEvoy… Birthday Rem, Katie McEvoy…A, John Hunt…A

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Ken McSweeney…Rem, Joseph Nixon…A

Wednesday: Brendan Mooney…Rd , Ann McBride…Rem

Thursday: Get Well Mass, Ciaran Finn…Rd

Friday: Kathleen O’Brien…Rem Majella Kearns…Rem

Lay Ministry Collection, will take place on the weekend of Sat 27^th & Sun 28^th April in all Churches and will replace the Share Collection

Sr Anna Byrne of Eco Congregation Ireland will speak at the 6pm mass on Sat May 4th on the role parishes can play in addressing the problems caused by climate change. All Green School members, Tidy Town volunteers and those committed to sustainable living are invited to attend.

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 Tuesday 23rd April 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

Popes’ Intention for April For the role of women We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.

Minister of Eucharist April 2024 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Mary Fenton, Margaret Keogh & Annmarie Wall SUNDAY 10AM: Mary McHugh, Charmaine Quinn & Geraldine McMulkin

First Holy Communion We Remember in prayer   the parish candidates celebrating their First Holy Communion on the 27th April in Blessington. May they have a blessed and peaceful day

The Family of the late Kevin Ennis wish to give their sincere thanks & appreciation for all the kind, comforting messages received. We also wish to express our wholehearted thanks for the kindness & generosity from many neighbours, family, carers & friends. For all who sent mass cards please accept our thanks.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 11^th April: 12,20,24,25. €25 Winner: Janet Ryan Next Jackpot €1,400

Church of the Apostles Ballybrack Women in the Bible 15^th May at 7.30pm Mary Magdalene Talks given by Dr Jesse Rogers Lecturer/Dean of Theology at St Patricks Pontifical Maynooth

CARE OF THE EARTH SHOP SMART Avoid souvenirs or other items made from animal parts like scales, teeth, feathers, tortoise shells, seashells, coral, and especially ivory. Animals might have been harmed or disturbed to make them. April 22 – Earth day

Thought for the week Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them

Womens world day of prayer  Thanks to all who attended and donated on the day. €124 was forwarded for charities supporting families in Ireland

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

Have you ever dreamed of walking the Camino.  Join the MSC Missions as we walk the shaded lanes and valleys of the Camino Ingles. Walking from Ferrol to Santiago in Northern Spain. The temperature in this part of northern Spain in July is perfect for walking, like a balmy summer day in Ireland. For more details of this fundraising pilgrimage ring Mary at 021 454 6691 or email mary,morrish@mscmissions.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

Prayer for vocations God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Local family wanted to host a 15 year old male French student for 3 weeks in July with a view to developing English as a second language. For further details contact 086 1609293

Spring Fete Come Along And Join The Fun In St Kevin’s Hall On Saturday 27th April 1pm – 5pm Fun For All The Family, Tea & Cake, Bottle Stall, Books & Toys, Pre-Loved Clothes, Bric A Brac, Home Made Cakes, Plant Stall, Pony Rides, Children’s Games, Monster Raffle Something For Everyone In aid of St Mary’s church Your support is greatly appreciated

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matt 18:20 Our First Women’s Breakfast will be in Coimin Centre  Sat April 20th 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. Looking forward to seeing you there.

June Blakes Garden. As our garden re-opens for the Spring/Summer, we have a part-time position available to help with tours, serving refreshments and engaging with customers to the garden. An interest in gardening a plus, but not essential! For more details email fiona@juneblake.ie

Blessington History Society  are hosting a talk on Thursday 18th April 2024 at 8pm in the Coimin Centre. The speaker is Muireann O’Callaghan from IAC Archaeology, and the talk is based on further archaeological developments connected to the Cairn Homes housing site, formerly O’Leary’s farm, rear of the shopping centre Blessington.  The original talk was held on 17th November 2022

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 Walking Club Community support for mental emotional and physical health Morning walks during weekdays  at 9.30am Sunday walks at 11am Meeting point Blessington further ed centre WhatsApp 087 223 4005 insta@blessingtonwalkingclub

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.

Plant Swap – Blessington Library,  Saturday April 20th! The Blessington Allotments Campaign are organising another seed and plant swap on Saturday April 20th from 1pm to 3pm in Blessington Library. If you have any plants or seeds to swap, simply drop down to the library between 1pm and 3pm and swap them for other seeds or plants. Even if you don’t have any to swap, drop by to see what seeds or plants are available. All welcome! For more details on this, email blessingtonallotments@gmail.com

Feile an Feile an Chnocain is a festival of music and heritage in Ballyknockan’s Granite City running from the 2nd to the 6th of May 2024. Below are some of the other events being held as part of the festival. Thursday 2nd May 8:30pm Set Dancing Ceilí in Valleymount hall. Friday 3rd May 8pm Music by various musicians in Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge Ballyknockan. Saturday 4th May  11am Guided Hike up Silsean (Meet at Cullen’s Car Park). 3pm – 6pm  Opening of Stonecutting museum in Ballyknockan Quarries including an introduction to the Quarries, display of stonework, history talk, poetry by Ger Devine, and live music. 8pm Live Music in Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge by various musicians. Sunday 5th May 1pm – 5pm Family Festival at the picnic area Ballyknockan (Craft Fair, family activities, live music by Ballymore Concert Band and The Whole Hog, pond building and wildlife workshop, face painting and more) 6.30pm Live music in Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge. Monday 6th May 3pm Open Music Session followed by music from After Dark. We are on both Facebook and Instagram @FeileanChnocain if you wish to follow us for updates!

West Wicklow Cancer Support will be taking part in the East Coast FM Annual Wicklow Wide Coffee Morning  on Friday 26th April, with all funds raised going to your Local Cancer Support Service. Come and join us from 10am at the Coimin Centre Blessington to enjoy some great music featuring Blessington Community Choira monster raffle and some delicious cakes and refreshments! Raffle and cake donations accepted or you could run your own event to raise funds for us at your local school or business including sponsored sports events or jersey days! This promises to be a great community morning, come along with your family and friends to support our charity. Contact us on 087 4346004 westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.

St Brigid’s NS in Manor Kilbride still have spaces available in Junior Infants for September 2024. If you would like further information please contact the school office on 01-4582550.