Newsletter 3rd March 2024 Issue 1492

Mass intentions in Blessington Micheal Mullen RD Dublin

Saturday: Billy Horan… A, Shay Mills…7th A, Mary Breen …20th A, Mairead Hudson & Hudson & Carroll Family…Rem

Sunday: Hannah Jones…1st A, Jimmy Jones…A, Alice Ryall…MM, Trevor Kinsella…A, Kathleen Kinsella…A, Elizabeth & Christopher Cullen…A

Monday:  Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Sean Murray…Rem , Chris McNeilly…Rem

Wednesday: Josie Clarke…A  , Paddy Ryall…Birthday Rem

Thursday: Mark White…Rem, Carmel Fitzgerald…Rem

Friday: Patrick Cassidy…A, Get Well Mass

Rosary & Holy Hour: Every Tuesday, 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 February 2024 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Ann Hanlon, Frank Hanlon & Theresa Ball SUNDAY 10AM: Brendan Mahon, George Richardson & Kay Clarke

Dates for 2024 –  Easter Sunday falls on the 31st March.

Communion Preparation Masses – Sat 2^nd March Lacken School 7.30pm Lacken Church. Sun 3^rd March Valleymount School 10am Valleymount Church, Gaelscoil 10am Blessington Church, Parish Candidates 11.30am Crosschapel. Sat 9^th March St Mary’s School 6pm Blessington Church.

Women’s world day of prayer. Women’s world day of prayer provides an opportunity for women to learn about each other and pray for one another. It is a time to reunite with God and one another and strengthen bonds. the prayer service 2024 is prepared by the women of Palestine Prayer service in St Marys COI @10.30am on Friday 2^nd march. Light refreshments afterwards.

MARCH 8^th – INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY. This year’s UN theme is “Invest in women. Accelerate progress.

The Family of the late Paddy and Alice Ryall Knockieran Blessington  would like to thank our neighbours, friends and relatives who shared in our grief following the passing of both our parents with only 10 months between them. Your kindness and generosity at a time of great sadness brought great comfort to us all and will never be forgotten

3rd 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 are you noticing about the cost of living? DISCERN, How can you live more simply so that others can simply live? ACT, what lifestyle changes can you make this Lent?

• We know this Sunday’s Gospel story well and often ask ourselves ‘Why did Jesus get so angry?’
• The animals in the story were sold so that those on pilgrimage could make their symbolic sacrificial offerings to God.
• Jesus realised that the poor were being manipulated by the money changers.

• He replaced all of this by the sacrifice of his own body, given for others.
• Many believed in him because he was on the side of the poor, the lost, the disadvantaged, the downtrodden and wanted to set them free from oppression. Followers of Jesus are called to do likewise; to be on the side of the poor.

The needy generally “practise the special solidarity that exists among those who are poor and suffering, and which our civilization seems to have forgotten or would prefer in fact to forget… Solidarity means much more than engaging in sporadic acts of generosity. It means thinking and acting in terms of community. It means that the lives of all are prior to the appropriation of goods by a few. It also means combatting the structural causes of poverty, inequality, the lack of work, land and housing, the denial of social and labour rights. It means confronting the destructive effects of the empire of money”.

116 Fratelli Tutti Pope Francis

Church of the apostles Ballybrack – Women in the Bible – 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

CARE OF THE EARTH Use eco-friendly shopping bags Take a break from paper or plastic bags when you shop for groceries. Paper and plastic bags need more than 400 years to decompose. Opt for eco-friendly jute bags when you need to go shopping.

Thought for the week Keep going, everything you need will come to you at the perfect time

Popes’ intention for March For the new martyrs We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

KNOCK PILGRIMAGE Archbishop Dermot Farrell will lead our annual pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday, April 27.  This year we are celebrating 145 years since the apparition in 1879. We are glad to say that the Choir of Many Voices from throughout the Archdiocese will be back this year. A series of workshops with interesting and thought-provoking speakers and being planned, more details to follow. As in previous years, parishes should plan to arrive in Knock for 11.45am. If you would like to take part in the choir or have any other queries, please email knockpilgrimage@dublindiocese.ie

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.

A new boiler for the central heating has been installed in Lacken church in the past week. We are grateful for the support of parishioners and all who contribute to the Parish Draw to help us meet this unexpected expense.

West Wicklow Cancer Support  welcomes you to our weekly sound bath meditation with essential oils, hosted by Gemma Deeney. Take that hour to yourself to relax, rewind and rejuvenate. Wednesday Mornings, 11am Primary Care Centre. Open to all, bring your own cushion and blanket. No charge, no need to book. Contact us on 087 4346004 / westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.

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

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 – Children’s Music Hour by Members of Kilbride & Lakeside Music school Tuesday 27th at 4.30 pm All welcome. Mindfulness with Sian Monday 4th March   at 11.30 am Booking essential. Workshop on Emotional Mastery & Self-Leadership for Women changemakers by Aliz Merlics. Thursday  7th March, 6 pm Booking essential. Seachtain na Gaeilge  with Carmel Stephens. A bilingual, (Irish/English) storytelling and crafting session for children aged 5-9 and their families)Saturday 9th March 2.30 pm. Children 5-9 and their families Booking essential. St Patrick’s Day Arts and Craft Wednesday 13th March at 3.30 pm Booking essential. Supporting a person with an eating disorder by Bodywhys. Thursday 14th March at 7 pm (no Booking required).

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.

Blessington FETC Full and part time, daytime 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

Next Monday night, the 5th of March is music night  in the Men’s Shed  Come along and enjoy the music and tall tales, with spot prize tickets for sale at the door. Session starts at 7.30 and light refreshments afterwards.

DATE FOR DIARY Blessington GAA Development Fundraiser- Jungle Challenge Saturday 23 Mar @ 8pm Lawlor’s Hotel Naas For tickets call 083 075 7844

DAFFODIL DAY 2024 is on Friday 22nd March Daffodil Day started in 1988 and is a major fundraising event for the Irish Cancer Society and your support helps to provide FREE services and support to cancer patients and their families throughout the country. After a break of a couple of years, it is back in Blessington this year and we need YOUR help. If you can spare just ONE hour on the day, please phone or text Ann on 087 9141757 and select a time that suits you. Thank you very much in advance, all help greatly appreciated.

West Wicklow Cancer Support welcomes you to our weekly sound bath meditation with essential oils, hosted by Gemma Deeney. Take that hour to yourself to relax, rewind and rejuvenate. Wednesday Mornings, 11am Primary Care Centre. Open to all, bring your own cushion and blanket. No charge, no need to book. Contact us on 087 4346004 / westwicklow15@gmail.com with any enquiries.

A new boiler for the central heating has been installed in Lacken church in the past week. We are grateful for the support of parishioners and all who contribute to the Parish Draw to help us meet this unexpected expense.

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.