Newsletter 2nd Feb 2025. Issue 1532
Mass intentions in Blessington
Saturday: Margeret Hayden…A, Bridget Cummins… 3rd A, Fr Paddy Byrne SPS…3rd A, Ann O Byrne…A
Sunday: Angela Corley… A, Edward Boylan…A, Liam O Reilly…A Liam & Janette Fennell…Rem
Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital
Tuesday: Bridget & George Richardson…Rem, Micheal Gowran…A
Wednesday: Joanna Douglas…A, Pat Frawley…RD
Thursday: Brenda Hand…RD, Get Well Mass
Friday: 1st Friday of the month, Mass offered for all on the November List of the Dead
Monday 3rd Feb Mass for the Bank Holiday will be at 9.30am In the Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Feb 3rd is also the feast of St Blaise. Blessing of the throats will take place after Mass
Friday 7th Feb The blessing with the relic of Padre Pio will take place after the 9.30 mass in the Church of Our Lady Blessington
Dates for your Diary – Healing Mass, Church of Our Lady Blessington, Saturday 15th February, Saturday May 24th, Saturday September 13th, Saturday December 13th All Masses will take place at 11am All are welcome
Feast Days – 3rd Feb – St. Blaise. Saint Blaise was a bishop in the city of Sebaste, part of modern-day Armenia. Though the year of his birth is unknown, we know that he lived in the fourth century. Saint Blaise left Sebaste to escape persecution. He made his home in a mountain cave and lived there, surrounded by wild animals, until he was found, brought back to Sebaste and arrested. In prison, Saint Blaise was ordered to renounce his faith. He refused so was beaten with wool combs and beheaded. After his death, he was made a saint and has become the patron saint of wool combers, wild animals, candle makers and ailments of the throat. He died in the year 316. An account of his life was written 400 years after his death.
February is the month of the Holy Family. February is the month dedicated to the Holy Family. Though the start of the Lenten season changes within the calendar year, a fair-sized portion of February gives us a space of time between the Christmas celebrations and the increased focus on Jesus’s public life and ministry, which occurs in Lent. It is a transition from the feast of Christmas to the fasting of Lent. Therefore, traditionally, February has become a time to recall the Holy Family. within the Holy Family is where Jesus spent the time between his birth and embarking on his public journey.
Minister of Eucharist – February 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Teresa Ball, Colette Fennan & Sara Ortega SUNDAY 10AM: Aisling Molloy & AnnaNora Hudson …The new rota is now out collect your copy in the sacristy or in the Parish Office.
Rosary & Holy Hour The Holy Hour with Rosary and Adoration will take place every Wed Jan 15th at the new time 10.00am to 11.00 am for the duration of the winter months.
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 086 107 0480
Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 23rd January: 8,1,28,30. €25 Winner: Sheila Kinane. Next Jackpot €3000.
Blessing Of Throats The blessing of St Blaise is a sign of our faith in God’s protection and love for us and for the sick. Using two crossed and unlighted candles, blessed on the memorial of St Blaise or on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the minister touches the throat of each person, saying, ‘Through the intercession of St Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from all ailments of the throat and from every other evil or from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’
POPES INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
Child’s Prayer God in Heaven hear my prayer, Keep me in thy loving care, Be my guide in all I do, Bless all those who love me too Amen
Prayer to the Holy Family Dear Lord, Bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
Saint Joseph, pray for the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he need to support and direct those under his care.
Mother Mary, pray for the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be.
Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and strength and grace before God and man.
Holy Family of Nazareth, by your intercession, love, and holy example, make our family and home more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. Amen.
The Jubilee Prayer Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen
CARE OF THE EARTH Provide water for wildlife Garden ponds are a great water source for wildlife but not everyone has the space. Even using an old washing-up bowl of water or a deep saucer of water on a windowsill can help. If you do have a pond, a prolonged freeze can mean problems for fish and hibernating frogs in ponds. Gently crack the ice with a stick to make a hole, or float a ball in the water to stop it freezing.
Thought of the Week Most of us would be upset to be called ‘Silly’. But the word Silly comes from the old English word ‘Selig’ and its literal definition is ‘to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous’. Zig Ziglar
Escorted Tour to Westport, Knock & Co Mayo, 10th February 2025. €699.00 pps. Price includes return train, 4 nights’ in 4* Castlecourt Hotel, Westport with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Lunch on three days. All entertainment, excursions and transport included. Visit Knock, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre, Quiet Man Museum. Single supplement on Enquiry. Contact 094 900 6426 or 087 1890 236 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
Pope Francis has chosen the motto “Miserando atque eligendo”, meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin ‘by having mercy, by choosing him’.
St Brigid’s N.S. are accepting enrolments for all pupils wishing to start in September 2025. Please contact the school office on 01-4582550 for an enrolment form. St Brigid’s will also be having an open evening for all prospective students and their families on Wednesday 5th February 2025. The school will be open from 6.30pm till 7.30pm. All the staff look forward to seeing you there.
Lacken Naíonra (Preschool) are now accepting ECCE applications for September 2025. Please email naionra@lackenns.com for further information.
PUPPY RAISERS NEEDED Help to train a future Guide or Assistance Dog by fostering a puppy! This full-time volunteer role involves a pup living in your home from 9 weeks up to 14 months old. To find out more, please email pups@guidedogs.ie or visit www.guidedogs.ie.
Blessington Further Education Centre’s new term starting in January 2025 is open to adults who want to return to education. We provide free classes and work with early school leavers and people who have not been in a learning environment in some time. We work with people who are in employment and also those in receipt of social welfare payments. Classes are offered day, night and afternoon on a part-time basis ranging from 2-6 hours per week. We work at the learner’s pace in a friendly environment We offer classes in: Blow drying hair, – Gardening,- Art, – Food and nutrition – We can help you with your C.V and interview skills. – Computers/ Laptop & Phones for beginners and those who need to improve their skills.- Horticulture QQI Level 4 – Growing Vegetables, – Office Skills QQI Level 4 – customer service and desktop publishing, Information Technology Skills, – Business Administration QQI Level 5 – word processing and desktop publishing, NEW COURSE IN APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES – please phone for more details, SNA Level 5 – day class, FREE Course/Job Guidance service also available We provide 1-1 support to improve English skills of reading and writing as well as numeracy. One of our past students commented that – Leanne said “I was able to talk to my child’s teacher with confidence and express my concerns and listen to advice”. For more information on any of the above please contact us on 045 891099 or email info@blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie
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.
ALZHEIMER CAFÉ NAAS The Alzheimer Café evening takes place on the last Wednesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm in the Convent Tea Rooms at McAuley Place, Sallins Road, Naas (Beside Parish Church). Those living with a dementia, families, carers and professionals with an interest in the area are all welcome to attend. Each month a different speaker will give a perspective on Alzheimer disease and an open discussion takes place with questions and answers.
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
West Wicklow Cancer Support welcomes you to our January Drop In evening. “Menopause and Perimenopause” Let’s have a chat! Join us for an information evening and real-life chat about Menopause and Perimenopause with nurse and hormonal health coach Ashleigh Tobin. This session is suitable for everyone regardless of age or gender. Start your year the right way and arm yourself with the relevant information you need to safeguard your body and mental wellbeing during this transition. Thursday the 30th of January 2025 , 7:30pm The Coimin Centre, Blessington. No booking required, open to all, come with a friend or partner. Contact us on 087 4346004 westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.
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
Manor Kilbride Community Hall Available for hire for Classes, Training Groups Parties & Events. E: kilbridecommunityhall@gmail.com
Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Monday at 7.30pm in the Kare Centre. All new players welcome.
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
Music nights in the Men’s Shed Blessington Music sessions will start again next Monday the 3rd February in the Men’s Shed starting at 7.30. A great night of music and song plus spot prizes, as usual. See you then
Blessington GAA are hosting an Irish conversation circle (Ciorcal Comhrá) commencing Tues 18 Feb in Blessington Library @7.30pm – 8.15pm for 6 weeks. Join us for a “Cupán tae/caife” an d a chat “as Gaeilge.” No registration required. Free to attend.
Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to The Wicklow Man In Donard Community Hall Saturday 15th February 9pm -12am. All Welcome.
Local Service Available with assistance on PAYE refunds. health expenses, Mortgage and rent relief, non-routine dental, flat rate expenses are just an example of refunds that could be applicable. For information, please call Conor on 087 6216897, all calls treated confidential and very reasonable rates charged, no refund no costs.
Professional Tree Care Tree pruning, Tree Removal, Emergency tree works, Hedge Maintenance We are your local tree service, with over 15 years in the tree industry. Fully qualified & insured. Call Shane Keogh 0833846287 Email info@protree.ie
GARDENING SERVICES Grass cutting / Ride on lawnmower Push Lawnmower, Hedge cutting Chainsaw Cutting, Splitting Timber, Spraying, Weeding, Power washing Driveway Patios, General Maintenance around your home. Just Call for reasonable Quates/ Price. Call or text 0876640695
Job Opportunity at VENTAC Blessington Ventac design, manufacture and supply acoustic solutions for the vehicle & industrial sectors. We are recruiting a Marketing Executive on a fixed-term basis for our head our offices at Fitzwilliam House, Blessington, Co Wicklow W91 V972. The successful candidate must be organised, enthusiastic & be able to work on their own initiative with acute attention to detail. For more information & to apply, email your CV and cover letter to hr@ventac.com
Daz Auto Motors Blessington Newly opened a small garage for motor repairs and car valeting Contact 0894564703 Beside Pet Hospital in Blessington Unit 4 Blessington Industrial Estate W91HY32
Ustore @ Hollywood Large storage area available Phone 087-356-7601 €100 Per month
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
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
Driving instructor RSA and ADI approved. Contact Michael 087 459 4258 for bookings.
GF Services Tile Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Carpet Cleaning 0899889861 info@gfservices.ie
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
Paying too much for SKY or Virgin Media? We Install or Repair Free to Air & Saorview! No more Bills! Call Billy 086 868 0053
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
Function Rooms available at the Avon Call 045 900670 for further info.
Tomphibbs.ie Kiln-Dried Firewood Standard bag from €110 Large bag from €180 Larch, birch, hornbeam, or ash available. Call 01-2118469 Delivery charge – €20 per order
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
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!