Newsletter 22nd November 2023 Issue 1475

Mass intentions in Blessington

Trevor Geoghegan – Burgage, Martin (Bart) Linnane – Mountain View, Susan Tutty- Hollywood

Saturday: Patrick Eustace…A,, Paul Higgins…RD

Sunday: Sheila Melia…1st A, Willie Clarke…Rem

We also Remember: Annie Fennell…A

Monday:  Mass offered for the sick.

Tuesday:  Intentions Mass , John Mahon…RD

Wednesday: Get Well Mass, Aidan McGuinness…RD

Thursday: Get Well Mass, Kathleen Mockler…Rem List

Friday: Mass of the Angels, Jimmy Keogh…RD

Tuesday 24th Oct:  Rosary & Holy Hour 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington

Pray & Play Group In the Coimin Centre every Wed From 2.45pm to 4.30pmFor children of all ages with their parents, grandparents, guardians. Contact Áine 0833798366or Call the office on 045365327

The November Mass for the deceased, will take place on Thursday 2nd November at 7.30pm in the Churchof Our Lady, Blessington. This mass remembers all those who died in the parish over the last year. If you have a family member or friend who died in the last year (from outside the parish) and would like to have them included in this mass, please contact the parish office on 045 865 327 before Tuesday 24th October

I would like to thank you all for your continued support in these challenging times, it is greatly appreciated. Since the closure of Ulster Bank in the town, our standing orders have dropped off significantly. We now have a new Neighbourhood Collection account with AIB if you would like to renew your Standing Order or set up a new one, the account details are:

IBAN   IE10 AIBK 9332 3642 2314 05           BIC      AIBKIE2D

Donations can also be made through the Neighbourhood Collection envelopes which are available from the parish office ,Once again, may I thank all who support the parish through your donations and thank you for your generosity. With every blessing, Fr Richard

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 5^th October:4,19,21,28. €25 Winner: Marian McKeown Next Jackpot €3,600

Registration for First Communion continues, just call into the Parish Office, Deadline is 25^th October

The annual mass of Harvest Thanksgiving will be held on sat Oct 28th where there will be a blessing for our farming community. Donations of home baking, fruit, veg, jam etc. can be left in front of the altar and will be sold after mass.

CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL Looking forward to sharing the kindness of our community and give a child a great Christmas You can take part in the usual way. The envelopes are at the back of the church. Fill the shoebox and drop back to Parish Centre by Friday 11^th November Alternatively, you can drop 25euro into the parish office and the parish team will fill the box for you or fill one virtually. More information www.teamhope.ie

Reflection – Just Think You’re here not by chance but by God’s choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else – you are one of a kind.

You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfil His special purpose for this generation. Amen.

PRAYER FOR PEACE Gracious God, In a world filled with conflicts and unrest, I lift my voice in prayer for peace. I pray for peace to prevail in every corner of the globe. May Your divine presence bring an end to violence, conflicts, and injustice. Lord, ignite a spirit of reconciliation, understanding, and harmony among nations, cultures, and religions. Heal the wounds of division and  replace hatred with love. Grant us the courage to be instruments of peace in our communities, extending grace and forgiveness. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, envelop our world. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Candlelight walk around grounds of Russborough House. Our walk this year is on Saturday 4th November at 6pm. We’ll have over 1200 tealights lighting the walkway so why not gather your friends and family and come join us for what is always a magical night. It’s €5 per person with discount for families. All in aid of St Mary’s Church and The Irish Cancer Society. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Boo for Barretstown  is a family friendly, fun-filled, fancy-dress walk around the gorgeous woodlands of Russborough House on Sunday, 29^th October, featuring goodie bags, birds of prey show, Kildare Sports Partnership course and a performance from Newbridge Gospel Choir. Promises to be a fun-filled day for all the family. Tickets on Eventbrite. More information about Barretstown here: https://barretstown.org/

St Mary’s Schools Fundraising – Hallowe’en Walk takes place on the morning of Friday 27^th October. This annual event is one of the highlights of the school year and the children go to great lengths to dress up and embrace the traditional festival of Samhain. Please support us by coming out on the street to clap, cheer and encourage the children as they do their sponsored walk about the town. Donations can be dropped into either school, and we thank the Parent’s Association and the people of Blessington for always making this such a memorable occasion for the children. Míle Buíochas, Carmel Dillon, Principal

Congratulations to Lacken Tidy Village who secured an Endeavour award in the 2023 Tidy Town Competition. Lacken Tidy Village volunteers are committed to enhancing the beauty of the area through bee friendly pollinating planting projects. The village continues to attract many visitors to the area through the restoration of the original Mass path linking Lugnagun to Lacken Volunteers are always welcome to help continue the good work.

The Avon and the Blessington St Patrick’s day Parade Committee would like to invite you along to our Halloween event. The event will take place at The Avon on Sunday 29^th October from 12-4pm. The Spooky Spectacle will feature FREE face painting, treasure hunts, a guided fancy dress charity walk along the greenway, a spooky story telling corner and a charity raffle. Everyone that donates will receive a raffle ticket with great chances to win fantastic prizes donated by local businesses. All donations will be given to St Patrick’s day parade committee. Walker’s cafe will be open from 9am and The Avon Food Court will be open from 12pm.

Naas Flower and Garden Club in the Care of the Aged Centre, Limerick Road, Naas on Thursday 26th October at 7.45 pm. Demonstration by: Betty Holden AOIFA. Title “Halloween Fun”. Visitors welcome €8 per night.

“YOU DON’T NEED IRISH TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO THE GAELSCOIL! Gaelscoil na Lochanna is accepting places for the school year 2024-2025 from October 2nd. The enrolment window is open between October and the November 24th. We will notify parents before Christmas of the places. The ANNUAL ADMISSIONS NOTICE is now available to view on the school website www.gaelscoilnalochanna.com, along with enrolment forms. For those considering the Gaelscoil over the next few years we will host an Open/ Enrolment Evening on WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 25th, 7:30pm to give everyone a chance to see how it all works in a Gaelscoil. Fáilte gach duine!!!! Follow us on Instagram #gsnalochanna You don’t need Irish to send your child to the Gaelscoil!

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

Happy Faces Pre-school St Marys JNS Contact 0877658420 Email: happyfaces.blessington@gmail.com ECCE places available

Ігрова група Valleymount Parent & Baby/toddler працює щочетверга протягом шкільного семестру з 09.30 до 12.00 у Valleymount Hall.  Щиро вітаються нові батьки.  Заходьте випити чашечку чаю та побалакати Valleymount Parent & Baby/Toddler Playgroup meets every Thursday during school term from 9.30am to 12 in Valleymount Hall. New parents most welcome. Pop in for a cuppa & a chat.

Tuesday Rural Bus Service to Naas & Newbridge. Your support is needed to keep this service open. This is ideal as a “shopping bus”. Adult return journey €3.50 & €1 for students. (a free service for many qualifying adults) Departs Blessington Bus Shelter at 10am via Naas to Newbridge (Whitewater Shopping Centre) Departs Whitewater at 1.45pm. Further info: Jane Auld 087 266 0616 or Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

Blessington Bridge Club meets every Monday 18th September at 7.30pm in the Kare Centre. All new players welcome.

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

Looking to upskill or do a new course? Blessington Further Education and Training Centre are now enrolling for Part Time courses in September:

• Digital Marketing
• Database Methods
• Early Leaning & Care
• Stage 1 – Childcare
• Care Skills & Care
• of the Older Person
• Horticulture Science
• Word Processing
• Tourism
• Spreadsheet Methods
• Business Administration
• Social Studies
• & many more… All courses are QQI certified in either Level 4 or 5 Contact: 045 891 099 – 086 850 3833 – 086 806 1569 or email karentownsend@kwetb.ie irenehayden@kwetb.ie

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

Do You Want A Helping Hand! Call West Wicklow Cleaning Services 0851018792

Ashling Frames are delighted to now offer a full photo printing service in Blessington, including passport photos, in partnership with Fujifilm, in addition to our custom and standard framing. ashlingframes@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram