Newsletter 23rd Nov 2025. Issue 1570

COMMUNITY DIARY

SATURDAY 22^nd Nov

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

6pm Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington First Holy Communion Mass

Sacrament of Confession: After 6pm Mass

7.30pm Mass Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken.

8pm Quiz Night, Lacken. Information on Pg. 3

SUNDAY 23^rd Nov

8am to 4pm.  Blessington Carboot Sale  St. Kevin’s Community Centre 10am Information on Pg. 3

10am Family Mass with Children’s Choir Church of Our Lady, Blessington, Refreshments in the Coimin Centre

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

11:30am Mass Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel

6pm Ballycane Choir Concert. Information on Pg. 3

MONDAY 24^th Nov

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

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

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

TUESDAY 25^th Nov

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

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

7.30pmTramway Theatre AGM Information on pg. 3

WEDNESDAY 26^th Nov

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

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Rosary & Holy Hour 10am to 11am Church of Our Lady, Blessington for the duration of the winter months

Pray & Play Group 3pm–4.30pm, Coimín Centre

Blessington Parish Children’s Choir 4.20pm-5pm. All are welcome

THURSDAY 27^th Nov

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

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

1.30pm Christmas Fair, St Marys JNS Info on Pg 3

Blessington Indoor Bowls Club7.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall, Information on pg. 3

7.30pm SET DANCING FOR BEGINNERS Kilteel Inn. Information on pg. 3

FRIDAY 28^th Nov

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

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Saturday Rory & Kathleen Hayden…A, Bridie Coughlan…A, Winnie Hayes…A, Jim Crampton…A, Sharon O Brien… Bday Rem, Alicia, Hugh & Billy Hamilton…A

Sunday Lawrence & Mary Phibbs…A, Sorcha Kyne Carroll…A, Patrick, Tommy, Bernard & Michael O Boyle…Rem, Nora Shirran…A, Matthew, Mary & Larry Lennon Bday Rem, Annmary & Michael Norton …Rem

Monday Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday Frances Galvin…A, Special Intention Mass,  Sharon O Brien…Bday Rem

Wednesday Charlie Shepard…RD, Ann Gavin…RD

Thursday Get Well Mass, Eddie Coonan…RD

Friday Maurice O Connell…A, Florence Hannon…RD

The family of the late Mr Tommy O’Dwyerwish to express our sincere gratitude for the kindness, prayers, and support extended to us during this time of loss. Your compassion has been a source of comfort and strength. Thank you to all who attended the wake and the funeral mass and sent mass cards. Thank you to Father Kane for supporting our request for a simple ceremony to celebrate the life of Tommy and to Pamela Mc Loughlin for the wonderful music. To Clarkes, Dr Joyce and team and the staff of St Brigids hospice, please accept our heartfelt thanks. Thank you to all family and friends and wider community, we are deeply thankful for your thoughts, and kind messages and for keeping us in your prayers. The holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

The Crosscare Annual Collection, which was held on 20^th & 21^st Sept raised €2660. This is a wonderful amount raised. Thank you for your kind generosity.

Minister of Eucharist  November 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Mary Fenton & Pat McGrath SUNDAY 10AM: Charmaine Quinn & Catriona Cullen.

Popes Intentions NOV 2025 FOR THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of Life.

Feast Days- 24^th Nov – St. Colman of Cloyne Born around 522 in County Cork, he was a royal bard before converting to Christianity around age 50. He was baptized by St. Brendan the Navigator and later became the first bishop of Cloyne. He founded a monastery at Cloyne, where a round tower stands today.

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

The Wonder of Creation Giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans Even with their long necks, giraffes have 7 neck vertebrae just like us! Each one is just much longer.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SURVEY  – HAVE YOUR SAY. The current Department of Education survey on the future of patronage in the primary sector is important in that it will shape the discussion on primary school divesting for the years to come throughout the Republic of Ireland. The survey is school specific and needs to be responded to by all parents and prospective parents locally. It is important that those who wish for a change in patronage would have their voice heard. It is equally important that those who wish for a Catholic education for their children, and the support for sacramental preparation available in Catholic schools, would have their voice heard also. For those reasons and to ensure that an accurate picture emerges, please participate in this survey if you are a parent or a prospective parent of a Primary school student. The survey can be accessed at www.gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey/.  It closes on Tuesday, December 16.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 13^th Nov 2025. 1,10,15,19. €25 Winner: Irene Murray Next Jackpot €3000. €25 Winner on 6^th Nov 2025  Charlotte O’Connor.

Prayer for November Lord God, whose days are without end and whose mercies beyond counting, keep us mindful that life is short and the hour of death unknown. Let your Spirit guide our days on earth in the ways of holiness and justice, that we may serve you in union with the whole Church, sure in faith, strong in hope, perfect in love. And when our earthly journey is ended, lead us rejoicing into your kingdom, where you live forever and ever. Amen

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

Holy Communion Dates 2026

Lacken National School – Sat 2^nd May 2026 at 11am

St Josephs School Valleymount – Sun 10^th May 2026 at 10am Mass

St Marys School Blessington Sat – 9^th May 2026 at 11am

No.1 School – Sun 17^th May at 10am

Gaelscoil Na Lochanna – TBC

Confirmations Dates 2026

St Josephs School Valleymount – Thurs 4^th June 2026 at 11am

No.1 School – Tues 9^th June at 11am

St Marys School Blessington Thurs 11^th June 2026 – Times TBC

Gaelscoil Na Lochanna – TBC

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 admin@blessington.info

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

Blessington Library Leadership Workshop by Jenny Milton (Suitable for entry level to senior management) Friday 21st Nov 1 – 4.45 pm Chess club for children every Friday at 3 pm Spanish Conversation every second Monday, Italian Conversation every 2nd and 4th Thursday Parent of all neurodivergent children group support, Tuesday 18th Nov at 6.30 pm and Friday 21s Nov at 10 am

St Mary’s Junior N.S.  2026/27 school year Currently accepting applications. To apply please contact Bernadette in the school office 045 865501 or visit our website  –

Blessington History society 20^th Nov, in Coimin Centre at 7.30pm Curragh Artist/Historian Michael Rowley will give an outline of the history of the Curragh Camp from its foundation, field monuments British army rifle ranges, WW1 & 2 trenches, escapes by the R. A. F and Braveheart, filmed on the Curragh. www.stmarysjuniorschool.ie – click on Parent Information tab, select Application Forms in the Policies and Enrolment section.

Local and trusted Homecare assistant for the elderly.  Compassionate, reliable support for elderly residents in our community. Help with daily tasks, companionship, and maintaining independence at home. Call/Text: Aoife Mescall: 0872120149 Email: mescallaoife@hotmail.com

PART-TIME CARER  wanted for companionship and gentle support at home, assistance with cooking and appointments. Requirements: Experience/quals. in elder care, female, driver, non-smoker.

Ballycane Choir Concert Today: Ballycane Church Choir will hold our annual Concert today Sunday 24th Nov from 6.30pm to 8pm in Ballycane Church, Naas. We will perform songs and hymns we love to sing throughout the year. Admission free. Donations welcomeContact: 086 8551238

Hennessy’s Hardware Season’s Greetings and thanks to all our customers for their support during the year. Pay a visit to our wonderful hardware for that unique gift. Christmas decorations, lights, and all essential items for Christmas.

SET DANCING FOR BEGINNERS Thursdays 6th, 13th, 20th November 7.30-8.30pm in The Kilteel Inn €7.50 per class, free for unwaged. Contact Patricia 087 2388487

Blessington Carboot Sale  Sunday 23rd November 8am to 4pm.  St. Kevin’s Community Centre beside Aldi Store on Main Street.  Free Carparking. Stalls indoors and outdoors available Teas / Coffee. Toilets.  Stalls €10 This is our last Carboot Sale of 2025 Next is February 2026.  Please Support. Bigi Linn. Info / Booking   0860752072…Pat Conlan.