Newsletter 21st September. Issue 1561

The Annual Crosscare Collection will take place this weekend,

Sat 20^th and Sun 21^st Sept.

The collection will replace the 2^nd collection

at all Masses

 

 

Community Diary

Saturday 20^th Sept

Women’s Breakfast  Let’s Connect! 9.30am to 11am,  in the Coimin Centre

Social Dancing. Donard Community Hall 9pm -12am.

Mass at 6pm  Church of Our Lady Blessington Confessions: After 6pm Mass

 

Sunday 21^st Sept

Mass at 10am  Family Mass  with family choir and refreshments in Coimin Centre Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Mass at 10am St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount

Mass at 11am  St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

Mass at 11.30am  Church of our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel

 

Monday 22^nd Sept  

Communion 2025/2026 Meeting for all parents at 8pm in the Church of Our Lady, Blessington.

Blessington Bridge Club 7.15pm, Kare Centre. Information on pg. 3

Mass at 9.30am  Church of Our Lady Blessington

Mass at 9am  St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

 

Tuesday 23^rd Sept

Mass at 9.30am  Church of Our Lady Blessington

Mass at 9am  St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

 

Wednesday 24^th Sept

Pray & Play Group 3pm to 4.30pm, The Coimin Centre, Information on pg. 2

Mass at 9.30am  Church of Our Lady Blessington

Mass at 9am  St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

Rosary & Holy Hour The Holy Hour with Rosary and Adoration will be at 7pm

 

Thursday 25^th Sept

West Wicklow Cancer Support  Drop In Evening Info on PG 3

Blessington Indoor Bowls Club 7.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall, Information on pg. 3

Mass at 9am  St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

Mass at 9.30am  Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 

Friday 26^th Sept

Mass at 9.30am  Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Mass at 9am  St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

 

 

Mass Intentions in  Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 Saturday: Rita & Michael Miller…A, John Hallissey…A, Billy Hamilton…A, Remi Belmonte…A

Sunday: Gerry Rawson…A, George Balfe…A, William Doran…A, Rose Balfe…A, Charles Doran…A, Catherine Doran…Rem, Maisie Hopkins…A

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Shay Duffy…Bday Rem,  George O Neill…RD

Wednesday: George Balfe…A, Get Well Mass

Thursday: Bernard Kilbride…A, Special Intentions Mass

Friday: Maura Pierce…RD, Jimmy Connolly…RD

 

 

Dates for your Diary

Sept 21st

Family Mass Caring for Creation

Sept 27th

Mass of Thanksgiving for Tidy Town Volunteers

Oct 4^th

Blessing of Pets

at 2pm in Church of Our Lady carpark

October 13th 8pm.

Information evening for parents of children receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation

Meeting will take place in the Church of Our Lady Blessington

A Conversation about Faith Evening talk, discussion and refreshments with Fr Gerry Kane 7pm Monday 29th Sept, Coimín Centre. All Welcome.

The Annual Diocesan Safeguarding Sunday  will take place on Sunday 28th September.  It’s a time when we reflect on the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in our parishes and communities.

Feast Days, 23^rd Sept – St. Padre Pio St. Padre Pio was born in Pietrelcina, Italy, in 1887 and from a young age,  he was very religious, dedicating his life to God when he was only five years old. He was an Italian priest known for his deep faith, love for the poor, and many spiritual gifts, including the stigmata, which he had for fifty years, the gift of bilocation and receiving  divine visions. He spent many hours in the confessional, heard people’s confessions for up to 15 hours a day. He helped establish a hospital called  the Home for the Relief of Suffering.  In 2002, the Catholic Church formally declared him a saint.  He is known as a patron saint for those suffering, adolescents, and  for spiritual healing.

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio This prayer is attributed to St. Pio Devotions Dear God, you generously blessed Your servant, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit.

You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son. Endowed with the gift of discernment, St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional for the salvation of souls. With reverence and intense devotion in the celebration of Mass, he invited countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, I confidently beseech You to grant me the grace of (here state your petition). Amen.

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” Saint Padre Pio

www.thesower.net Deacon Gerry’s Gospel Reflection: Responding to God’s call. Mark 1:16-20

The Annual Blessing of the Stock  will take place this year Starting 30th September through to the 3rd of October. If you would like a visit, please contact the Parish office to arrange a time.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

CARE OF THE EARTH Save energy at home unplug all electrical devices before bed.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 4^th September: 1,6,14,20. €25 Winner: Aileen Duffy  Next Jackpot €3000.

Minister of Eucharist  September 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Teresa Ball & Sara Ortega SUNDAY 10AM: Aisling Molloy & Annanora Hudson

Popes Intentions August 2025 For Mutual Coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.

Deadline for Notices in the Newsletter. The deadline to have your notices in the newsletter is Tuesday at 11am at the very latest

Church of Our Lady, Blessington & Church of Our Lady of Mercy,

Crosschapel St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount & Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken Fr. Gerry Kane PP  Tel: 045 865 327

St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride – Fr. Paraic McDermott C.S.Sp. Tel: 01 4582154

Parish Office: 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday Tel: 045 865 327.

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 scheme, initiated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) and supported by the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, aims to help families manage their heating bills by spreading the cost of fuel. The €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps and Savings Card are only available from Hennessy’s Hardware and SVP Shop.

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.

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

Blessington History Society due to popular demand, has moved our Heritage Week Exhibition ” Before the Waters” to Blessington Library. It will be exhibited there until the end of September.

Donard Country Market.  Saturday 20th September, 11am to 4 pm Donard Community Hall W91 YW57 There is a great variety of stalls and live traditional music. The Meeting Place Cafe, also in the hall, is open from 11am till 2.30pm (last orders at 2)

Wicklow County Council Library Service wishes to advise that Blessington Library will have the following amended timetable until further notice: Monday: 10am – 5pm Tuesday: 10am – 8:30pm Wednesday: 10am – 5pm Thursday: 10am – 8:30pm Friday: 10am – 5pm Saturday/Sunday: Closed. We hope to return to our regular opening hours as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Mon at 7.15pm in the Kare Centre. New players welcome.

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to Tommy B. Donard Community Hall, Sat 20^th September, 9pm -12am. All Welcome

Do you have a junior infant starting school this year? Nerves getting to them? Our ballet classes are the perfect place for children to grow their confidence, body awareness and social skills. We are the ONLY Royal Academy of Dance school in Blessington, with 20 years experience teaching. Book your place today! Email ruthshineschoolofdance1@gmail.com

The Healers Dance. Holistic & Giftshop. Tues – Sat, 10am – 5pm. Behind Dunnes Stores, Blessington.

Piano and music  theory lesson in Ballymore-Eustace (CLASSICAL and JAZZ). Experimented teacher (20 years of teaching) Trial lesson (30min) €25 zacharieblin@yahoo.fr 089 483 7341

The Healers Dance. Now offering Low Cost Counselling To Book: Visit Our Website www.healersdance.com

GARDENING SERVICES Grass cutting / Ride on lawnmower Push Lawnmower, Hedge cutting Chainsaw Cutting, Splitting Timber, Spraying, Weeding, Powerwashing Driveway Patios, General Maintenance around your home. Just Call for reasonable Quates/ Price. Call or text 0876640695.

Jennifer Kavanagh Sports & Remedial Therapy: *Muscle Aches and Pains *Chronic Muscle or Joint Pain *Struggling to perform Day-to-Day Tasks *Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation *Increased Mobility. Fully qualified ITEC NCVA, fully insured and local experienced Therapist. Ph: 087 9021099

Blessington Taxi Phone Greg 087 2626 393

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

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.

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

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

Balance Looking to improve strength, flexibility, and stress levels in a supportive space? Balance Reformer Pilates offers low-impact, high-results workouts designed for every body no matter your fitness level, or experience. Located over the SVP shop. Intro offer available. 4 classes €60. www.balancestudios.ie

Niall Kearns Building & Roofing Contractor 086 274 6969 nkbuildandroof@gmail.com Building New Homes, Extensions, Sunrooms Attic Conversions, Renovations, Chimney Repairs Roofing New Roofs, All Roof Repairs Flat Roofs, Gutter Repairs Roof Replacement, PVC Fascia & Soffit All Work Fully Guaranteed

JP&M Doyle What’s Your Property Worth? Talk to us today for your free-Market Appraisal Specializing In Residential Town & Country Homes Development & Agricultural Land Commercial Property Lettings, Valuations. 2025 is your year to make it happen! With high demand and a lack of supply, now is the perfect time to maximise your property’s value. www.jpmdoyle.ie Tel: 045-865568.

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

KILDARA HEATING & PLUMBING Call Dara: 0862356610 Email: Kildaraheating@gmail.com Heating & Plumbing Services Bathroom Renovations Boiler install/service Heat pumps Central Heating Power flushing Fully Insured RGI & Oftec Registered

Trusted Plumbing Services  Call Andre on 0879515066 Fast, reliable & affordable plumbing throughout Wicklow and surrounding areas.

2 large bedrooms to rent  in shared house in Blessington. Phone 0877838316