Newsletter 31st Aug 2025. Issue 1559
Community Diary
Saturday 30th Aug
Pilgrimage to Glendalough. Departing Blessington at 9pm Info on Page 2
Mass at 6pm Church of Our Lady Blessington. Confessions: After 6pm Mass
Sunday 31st Aug
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 1st Sept
Blessington Bridge Club 7.30pm, Kare Centre. Information on pg 3
Sessions in the shed at 7.30. Blessington Men’s Shed
Mass at 9.30am Church of Our Lady Blessington
Mass at 9am St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride
Tuesday 2nd Sept
A talk by Nass local history group At 8pm In Town house hotel, Naas On tales from a drown valley: the flooding of Blessington Lakeby Seamus Cullen
Mass at 9.30am Church of Our Lady Blessington
Mass at 9am St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride
Wednesday 3rd Sept
Blessington Garden Club 8pm, KARE centre, Thursday 4th Sept Information on pg 3
Pray & Play Group 3pm to 4.30pm. In 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 for the duration of the summer months.
Thursday 4th Sept
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 5th 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
Seamus Fisher…Rd. Ballymore
Saturday: Denis Toomey…A, Martha Nolan …RD
Sunday: Tommy McDonald …A, Alfie Zellar…A, Denis Costello…A, Adrian & Carmel Costello…Rem, Davie Ryall…A, Margaret & David Ryall…A
Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital
Tuesday: Get Well Mass, Patricia Marron…RD
Wednesday: Mark Cody…1st A, Vincent Rochford…RD
Thursday: Liam Hudson…RD, Tony O Reilly…RD
Friday: 1st Friday of the month, Mass offered for all on the November List of the Dead A blessing of St Pio’s relic will take place after 9.30 Mass this morning.
www.thesower.net Deacon Gerry has developed a new website. The website has lots of interesting resources, Christian Art, Vatican News and Gospel Reflections to name a few. Log on to www.thesower.net to have a look at this wonderful new website
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 30th August
Pilgrimage to Glendalough. Info on Page 2
Healing Mass
Church of Our Lady Blessington
Sat September 13th & Sat December 13th
All Masses will take place at 11am
All are welcome
Women’s Breakfast
Let’s Connect!
Our next breakfast will be on
Sat 20th Sept & Sat 22nd Nov
9.30am to 11am, in the Coimin Centre
Family Mass
21st September with family choir and refreshments
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.
Feast Days – 3rd Sept – St. Gregory the Great. St. Gregory the Great was a Roman noble who, after serving as the city’s governor, became a monk and then a pope. He is famous for sending missionaries, including St. Augustine of Canterbury, to England to spread Christianity. As pope, he reformed the Church, helped the poor during a famine, and is known for his writings, his efforts to save Rome, and for popularizing the title “Servant of the Servants of God. St. Gregory the Great is the patron saint of musicians, singers, students, and teachers.
A Prayer to St. Gregory the Great Father, you guide your people with kindness and govern us with love. By the prayers of Saint Gregory, give the spirit of wisdom to those you have called to lead your Church. May the growth of your people in holiness be the eternal joy of your shepherds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Congratulation. Leaving certificate results. Congratulations to all who received their learning cert results. Hope they make wise decisions as they embark on the next phase of their lives
CARE OF THE EARTH. Composting is simple. Add food scraps and yard waste to your compost bin. Occasionally turn and water the decomposing materials. Wait several months, and then you’ll have finished compost to use in your garden
The Season of Creation The Season of Creation from Sept1st to Oct 4th, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, is an opportunity in our Liturgical calendar to notice and pray for creation in a special way. It can remind us of our part to play in the interconnected web of life, of the importance of caring for the myriad of life systems on our planet and how we can be part of the restorative care that brings peace and allows for resting places for all our species on this planet. This year’s theme is “Peace with Creation”. Inspired by Isaiah “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places” Ceremonies to mark the season of Creation will be held in the parish in September. Confirmation of dates will be given in early September.
Communion 2025/2026 There will be a meeting in the Church of Our Lady Blessington on Mon Sept 22nd at 8pm for all parents in Blessington and Valleymount parish who wish to enrol their children in the First Holy Communion programme for the coming year.
Minister of Eucharist September 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Teresa Ball & Sara Ortega SUNDAY 10AM: Aisling Molloy & Annanora Hudson
A Summer Prayer Long warm days… The pace of life slows… A time for picnics and rest in the shade… Lord, help me to rest awhile in the cooling shade of your presence. Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all your people. Amen.
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.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING. Every human being has a right to life, to bodily integrity, and to the means which are suitable for the proper development of life… including food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services. Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris
Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 7th August: 4,7,11,15. €25 Winner: Michelle Lenihan Next Jackpot €3000.
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.
Chair Yoga Healers Dance Blessington Mondays 11am-12pm To book a spot Contact Patricia Ph. 086 0717384
Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Mon at 7.15pm in the Kare Centre. New players welcome.
Deirdre Keogh would like to thank everyone who supported her in the Women’s Mini Marathon a total of €5500 was raised.
Blessington Garden Club Welcomes new members Next meeting @ KARE centre, W91YV32 Thursday 4th Sept 8pm Email: blessingtongardenclub.com
Sessions in the shed continue next Monday 1st Sept at 7.30. Blessington Men’s Shed A great night of music and song, guaranteed. See you all there.
Blessington U3A is part of the international University of the Third Age (U3A) movement. Its members are mainly retired people and each U3A group is self-managing and self-financing. Blessington U3A’s activities are monthly talks, a writing sub-group and walks. Our year runs from September to June. Annual membership is €25. Non-members €5 per talk. Our first talk this year is on September 16th – details to be provided nearer the date. Email: sec.u3a.blessingtona@gmail.com
Happy Days. Give your Child the Confident Edge! NEW: PreSchool Theatre Tots Classes – Tramway Theatre, Blessington Saturday mornings: 9:00–9:45am Starting 20th September Where little stars take their first steps onto the stage! Fun theatre games, music, movement, and storytelling build confidence, creativity, and social skills — with a special end-of-year performance. Ages: 3½ years to school-going age And don’t forget! Our exciting Saturday classes for ages 5–18 are back 13th September, 10am–12pm, Tramway Theatre, Blessington Give your child the confidence to shine and memories they’ll treasure!” — with fun Saturday classes in Speech & Drama, Dance, Musical Theatre & Singing
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.
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