Newsletter 25th February Issue 1491

Mass intentions in Blessington Kevin Ennis Manor Kilbride…RD

Saturday: Noel Carroll … MM. Micheal & Annemary Norton…A, Larry Mary & Matthew Lennon … Rem, Bridie & John Richardson…A, Marie & John Cruise…A, Mairead Hudson & Hudson & Carroll Family

Sunday: Marie Brien 1st …A, Eileen Doyle…Rem, James & Kathleen Murtagh… A

Monday:  Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Joan Kavanagh … Rem, Noel McDonald…Rem

Wednesday: Birthday Mass, Phyllis Jones …Rem

Thursday: Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

Friday:   1st Friday of the month, Mass offered for all on the November List of the Dead

Rosary & Holy Hour on Tuesday 20th Feb, 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington

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

Minister of Eucharist March 2024 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Colette Fennan, Mary McCormack & Geraldine McMulkin SUNDAY 10AM: Aisling Molloy & Margaret Flynn

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday March 1st @10:30. In St Mary’s C.O.I Church, Main Street, Blessington All are welcome. The Liturgy has been prepared by the women of Palestine

Trocaire boxes are available in the Church

Feast Days for February – Tuesday 27th St Gregory of Narek. He is venerated as a saint in the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Churches and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015. March 1st Feast of St David

Friday Fast For Lent Abstain from meat or some other food, Abstain from alcoholic drink or smoking, Make a special effort to participate in mass on Fridays, Make the Stations of the Cross, Spend time praying before the Blessed sacrament, Help the poor, sick or lonely, Pray the Rosary for World Peace.

CARE OF THE EARTH Volunteer to clean up community. Volunteer work has a direct positive impact on your area’s environment. You can volunteer to pick up litter, plant community gardens, or clean up rivers. Find an activity that suits your interests and set aside time to help regularly!  Plus, consider joining an environmental organization like Greenpeace, Tidy towns.

Thought for the week Each day provides its own gifts.

Prayer for peace Lord Jesus, You came that the world might know the peace that You have experienced with the Father eternally. Yet, You taught us that in this life there will be wars and rumours of wars. Nations will rise against nations as violence works itself out in the world. However, through You, the world may be saved.

Start And End Every Day, And In Between Times To, By Thanking God For Everything.

2^nd Week of Lent

Our Prayer Loving God, in this season of Lent you call us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with each other so that we can build your Kingdom of justice and peace, your Kingdom of love and truth, your Kingdom of holiness and grace in our world today. AMEN

SEE, What impact is homelessness having on your family? DISCERN, How can our households and parishes respond practically to the homelessness crisis? ACT, What homelessness projects could you get involved with?

• In the first reading this Sunday we hear about the sacrifice of Abraham.
• When we look at the life of Abraham it is clear he made many sacrifices in his life. He wandered in the desert for many years trying to find a home.
• The Gospel refers to Peter suggesting that three tents are set up.
• Tents are symbolic of God’s permanent presence among us, but today our towns and cities have people sheltering in tents because they are homeless.
• We as a Christian community are challenged to help them find a safe, permanent home, where they can truly feel God’s permanent protecting presence

  There is no social or moral justification for homelessness, but we can find solace and meaning in the Incarnation… The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person… The Son of God knew what it was to start life without a roof over his head.”

  “We can find no social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing. There are many unjust situations, but we know that God is suffering with us, experiencing them at our side. He does not abandon us.”

  2015 visit to Catholic Charities in Washington D.C.

  Pope Francis

Divine Mercy Conference 23rd, 24th & 25th February 2024 Main Hall RDS. Ballsbridge, D4. Speakers Fr. Pat Collins CM,, Sr Mary Keneally OLM, Fr. Sean Kelly and more. Tickets, Sat €35, Sun €25, Weekend €40.

Church of the apostles Ballybrack – Women in the Bible – 28^th Feb at 7.30pm Miriam (Sister of Moses), 20^th March at 7.30pm Naomi (from Ruth story), 17^th April at 7.30pm The Syrophoenician women, 15^th May at 7.30pm Mary Magdalene. Talks given by Dr Jesse Rogers Lecturer/Dean of Theology at St Patricks Pontifical Maynooth

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Monday at 7.30pm in the Kare Centre. All new players welcome.

Valleymount Walking Group Would you like to start walking? This group is open to everyone of all ages and capabilities. Meeting point: Community Shed Valleymount For more information contact Sean 086 250 8230

Friendship Club Every Tuesday 3-5pm Manor Kilbride Hall Starting Tue 6th Feb Tea, Coffee, Chat €2 cover charge Adults only. All 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.

PICKLEBALL FOR OVER 60’s  being held on Fridays from 10-12  in St Kevins Hall. It’s the fastest growing sport for retirees. Come and give it a go or just come & watch. Its lots of fun

Always wanted to sing? All Welcome. No Auditions. Blessington Millennium Choir are looking to recruit new members who love to sing. With mixed ability and experience, we aim to positively impact our community and as such regularly raise funds for organisations and participate in events. So, if you sing in the shower, you are the King or Queen of Karaoke or a keen amateur, Come & Join Us We meet every Tuesday evening 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Kare Centre, Blessington For more details please phone (087) 4352385 or (087) 2431499 www.choirbmc.com

Blessington Library . These are our recurring events. For children and their parents/guardians Tummy Time [0 – 12 months] – Every Thursday, 11.30am Toddler Time [1 – 3 years olds] – Every Friday, 11.30am Story Time [3 – 6 years olds] –  Saturday, 11.30am Children’s Book Club  (Contact the library for more details) Age 8-9 First Thursday of month at 6.30pm Age 10-12 Third Tuesday of month at 7pm. For adults Cuidiú – Breastfeeding group Every second Monday, starting  Monday 15th January. Adult Book Clubs  (Contact the library for more details) Last Thursday of month at 6.30pm Last Friday of month at 11.00am Last Tuesday of month at 6.45pm Writing Group Second Thursday of month at 7pm Poetry Group Third Thursday of month at 6.45pm Crafty Hookers, Knitting Group
Every Wednesday, 11.00am

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.

Naas Flower and Garden Club in the Care of the Aged Centre, Limerick Road, Naas on Thursday 29th February at 7.45pm Garden Talk by: Paul Smith Head Gardener   of RHSI Bellefield House, Shinrone, Co. Offaly. Visitor’s welcome €8

Kilbride GAA Quiz Night in Miley’s Pub on Saturday the 24th of February from 9.30PM. All Welcome. Team of four, tenner a head, just turn up on the night. Teams can be formed on the night and prizes on the night! Please Support and All Very Welcome Any queries email info@kilbridegaa.com

Blessington FETC  Full and part time, day time 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

Seeking Weekend Accommodation  For Quiet, Mature Lady In Blessington – Ideally On/Close To Bus Route. Saturday Morning To Sunday Evening, Occasional Friday Evenings May Be Required. Own Room In Quiet Shared House Suitable.  Payment To Be Agreed. Phone Melanie On 087 9953415 For Details.