Newsletter 4th MAy 2025. Issue 1545

Mass intentions in Blessington Bishop Brendan Comiskey SS CC.

Saturday: Mary, Kevin & Geraldine Sheils…A, Molly & Charlie Keogh…A, Kay Fennell…A, May & Andy Metcalfe…A, Gerry Hayes…A, Teresa McGuire…A, James McGuire…Rem, John McGuire…Rem

Sunday: Mary Keogh…A, Jimmy & Charlie Keogh…Rem, Sean O Brien…A,  Breda Mulry…A, John Mulry…Rem

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Ann Mockler…RD, Breda Heaney…RD, Bridget McDonald…A

Wednesday: Get Well Intention, Evelyn O Donnell …RD

Thursday: Larry Egan …RD, Anna Flood…RD

Friday: Bernadette Peelo…RD, John McConville…RD

Feast Days – 5^th May – Blessed Edmund Rice Blessed Edmund Rice (1762-1844) came from Callan, Co. Kilkenny. After his young wife’s early death, he sold his possessions and dedicated his life to the education of the poor. To advance the work, he gathered other like-minded men who took religious vows together to work for the Catholic education of boys. He is a model of patient and cheerful acceptance of the sufferings God sends, a true lay apostle and a deeply committed religious. 8^th May – Blessed John Sullivan Blessed John Sullivan was born in Eccles Street, Dublin, on 8 May 1861 and baptised in St George’s Church of Ireland, Temple Street, and was brought up in the Christian tradition of his father. He went to Portara Royal School in Enniskillen and then studied classics and law at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Lincoln’s Inn, London. At the age of thirty-five he was received into the Roman Catholic Church and returned to Dublin, living a very simple lifestyle. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1900, was ordained priest in 1907 and then spent the greater part of his life at Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare. His reputation for holiness and as a person of prayer spread rapidly and he was always available to the sick, the poor and anyone in need. He died 19 February 1933. His declaration as blessed on 13^th May 2017 at  St Francis Xavier Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin, was the first ever beatification celebrated in Ireland.

Trócaire Box Collection Please return your Trócaire boxes to the Parish before Thursday 8^th May 2025.

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes Our next Breakfast will be on Saturday May 17th From 9.30-11am All are welcome

Family Mass Followed by Refreshments in the Coimin Centre After 10am Mass on Sunday 18^th May All Are Welcome

Date for your Diary The Annual Blessing of the Graves & Cemetery Mass will take place  in Burgage Cemetery on Sunday 18th May 2025 at 3 pm

Dates for your Diary Healing Mass Church of Our Lady Blessington Saturday May 24^th Saturday September 13^th Saturday December 13^th All Masses will take place at 11am All are welcome

Minister of Eucharist – May 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM:  Ann Hanlon & Frank Hanlon SUNDAY 10AM:  Kay Clarke & Mary McHugh

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

Rosary & Holy Hour  The Holy Hour with Rosary and Adoration will be at 7pm every Wed for the duration of the Summer months.

Blessington Parish Lotto  Numbers on 17^th April:3,8,16,25. €25 Winner: Anna Nagle.   Next Jackpot €3000.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 25^th April: 7,9,13,29. €25 Winner: Bernard Wilcox.   Next Jackpot €3000.

Congratulations to the Winners of the April Valleymount and Lacken Draw. Sean Ascough, Tina & Aidan Cruise, Pat & Marie Mahon, Anne Shirran. Kim & Michael  Nolan, Maureen Phibbs

Thank You We want to say a sincere word of thanks to Tony, Regina and Gordon Clarke for their very generous donation to the parish for Easter. The Cross which we used for solemn veneration on Good Friday was donated was carved at a week’s notice. It is a work of art, the work of craftsmen, ideally suited to lifting our minds and hearts to God. May the Lord continue to bless them.

Popes Intentions  for May 2025 FOR WORKING CONDITIONS Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanised.

Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their own fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are born to help each other, no matter how difficult it is. Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”  Pope Francis

Please Pray for the College of Cardinals as they enter the Conclave to elect Our new Pope.

BLESSINGTON UNION of PARISHES St Mary’s Church Blessington, Co. Wicklow. 24th April 2025

Dear Fr. Gerry

          On behalf of the Church of Ireland parishioners of St. Mary’s, Blessington, we wish to offer our sincere condolences to you and your congregation on the death of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis will be remembered as a man of deep humility and devotion. He was particularly empathic towards the poor and marginalised. His concern for the environment has been inspirational to many, not least through his Encyclical,

Laudato Si.

There is great sadness across the world as the loss of such an understanding and compassionate leader.

We join you in your grief.

Rev’d Niall Stafford & Joan Griffith

Prayer for the Conclave. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, we pray in union with the whole Church for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Cardinals. May the Princes of the Church listen attentively to Your Spirit during the conclave.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for the Month of May O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me, That you are my Mother and my protector. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart To aid me in my need. Amen

Thought of the Week Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Joshua J. Marine.

CARE OF THE EARTH Use matches instead of plastic lighters Opt for wood chopping boards instead of plastic ones.

Ballymore Eustace & Hollywood Lourdes 4 Nights Pilgrimage. 12th August – 16th August 2025, €795 per person sharing (Full Board – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) 12th August 2025 Dublin –Lourdes, 07:45 – 10:55. 16th August 2025 Lourdes – Dublin, 09:25 – 10:35 Your Lourdes package includes: Transport & Accommodation ✓ Return flights Dublin to Lourdes ✓ 10kg Baggage allowance to be checked in. ✓ Transfer on arrival from Lourdes airport to your hotel with guided assistance ✓ 4 nights in the 4* Hotel Astrid ✓ Free Wi-Fi in the hotel ✓ Breakfast, Lunch and Evening meal served each day at hotel – as per pricing above. 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. ✓ Services of Marian Pilgrimages Tours representative and professional English-speaking guide throughout the pilgrimage ✓ Luxury air-conditioned coach throughout the itinerary ✓ All airport & local City taxes Tours & Religious Programme ✓ Full religious programme organised by Marian Pilgrimages with a complete programme of sightseeing and visits to sites of interest. ✓ Mass daily & Spiritual activities Not Included Single Room Supplement €40 per night Comprehensive Travel Insurance €30. Extra €30 for pilgrims over 85 years Optional excursions Please contact Ballymore Eustace Parish Office Secretary Frances, 045 864114 Email, ballymoreeustaceparish@gmail.com Hollywood Parish Secretary Tina,  045 864528 Email,hwparishoffice@gmail.com

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

Pilgrimage for the Jubilee year 2025 Pilgrimage is an important component of a Jubilee year. Many travel abroad for pilgrimage, but a pilgrimage can also take place with the abundant Christian locations we have within our own Diocese. An exhibition ‘Pockets of Hope’ has been set up in the four Jubilee Churches in our Archdiocese: -St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street. -Our Lady of Lourdes, Sean McDermott Street. -Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, City Quay. -St. Andrew’s Church, Westland Row. There is a further display in St. Kevin’s Parish Church, Glendalough.

We are having FREE gardening classes in the Stables, Valleymount every Tuesday from the 8th of April till the end of  May from 14.45 until 16.45 (except for Easter holidays). They will be run by a very experienced teacher from Kildare and Wicklow Education Board. All seeds, compost and top soil will be provided free of charge and all plants grown can be taken home. The course will cover flower and vegetable growing as well as lawn care. Hope to see you there.

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

Féile an Chnocáin Programme of Events: Thursday 1st May: 7:30pm – Ballymore Connect Choir  (Doors open @ 6:45pm) St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount. Friday 2nd May: 7:30pm – Tales of a Drowned Valley: The Flooding of the Blessington Lake Talk and Slideshow St. Joseph’s Community Hall Valleymount 8:30pm – Live Music in Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge, Ballyknockan Saturday 3rd May: 11am – “Top O’ The Hill” –  Guided Hike up Silséan Meet at Cullen’s Car Park 10:45am 3pm – Stonecutting & Heritage Museum – McEvoy’s Quarry, Ballyknockan 8pm – Live Music in Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge, Ballyknockan. Sunday 4th May: 1pm – Family Fun Day, Picnic area, Ballyknockan. 7:30pm – Live Music in Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge. Monday 5th May: 2pm –  Open Trad Session – Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge 4pm Live Music – Cullen’s Lakeview Lounge.

The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival- returns for its flagship festival from 8th-18th May 2025 with its most ambitious and exciting programme to date! Over the course of two long weekends, the festival will deliver an inspired and varied selection of concerts at Russborough House, St Mary’s Church and the Tramway Theatre, Blessington, Co Wicklow. The festival also continues its extensive education and outreach programme in local West Wicklow schools in the build-up to the festival, this year built around a new family-friendly festival commission entitled  “Farmyard Carnival.” Thursday 8th May 8pm Ruth Gibson (viola) & Fiachra Garvey (piano). Friday 9th May 8pm Trio Isimsiz. Saturday 10th May 1pm  Robert Finegan trio (saxophone, soprano & piano). Saturday 10th May 8pm – United Strings of Europe & Gandini Juggling. Sunday 11th May 3:30pm Sean Shibe (acoustic & electric guitar). Thursday 15th May 8pm Cassiopeia Wind Quintet. Friday 16th May 8pm  Van Kuijk String Quartet. Saturday 17th May 8pm Julian Bliss Septet Music in Film – Jazz in Hollywood. Sunday 18th May 11am & 1pm Farmyard Carnival Family Concerts. For full details see westwicklowfestival.com

Volunteer Opportunity  Join our Monthly Social Club! Hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. The Coimin Centre, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Last Friday of every month Starting 30 May  Just 2 hours of your time We’re looking for warm, friendly volunteers to help create a welcoming space for people living with dementia. Interested? Contact Teresa Nagle at  085 870 6852 or email teresa.glover@alzheimer.ie

Blessington GAA are hosting an Irish Conversation Circle (Ciorcal Comhrá) commencing Tues 13 May – 17 June in Blessington Library @7.30pm – 8.15pm for 6 weeks. Join us for a chat  “as Gaeilge.” No registration required. Free to attend. For information call Noreen 0872858375.

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to Unity In Donard Community Hall Saturday 17^th May 9pm -12am. All Welcome

Blessington Library (045) 891 740 Chess Club for children Every Friday from 3 pm No booking required. English Conversation Group Tuesdays 12 – 2 pm Thursdays 5 -7 pm No booking required.

Blessington Community Employment Vacancies These are developmental opportunities, no experience necessary. 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. 

St Mary’s Church Caretaker: This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Ref Number: 2381875 Valleymount GAA Caretaker: Duties will include but not limited to: Grass cutting and pitch maintenance, Some cleaning duties.  Ref Number: 2381878 Blessington Greenway Caretaker: Duties to include but not restricted to grass cutting, verge and tree maintenance. Ref Number: 2386069 Hollywood Community Center Caretaker: Duties to include but not limited to: General light maintenance. Some cleaning duties. Ref Number: 2386070

Learning Support Extra Help For Students Dyslexia / Dyscalculia– all ages English / Irish / Maths 1st –  6th Class Irish / English to Leaving Cert Assumpta 0872068176

BLESSINGTON LIBRARY WRITERS’ GROUP. Have you ever fancied putting pen to paper, perhaps a memoir of times past, a Scandi noir set in West Wicklow, maybe a sonnet or a Limerick? Then we’ve got you. Meet a like-minded bunch of scribblers on the second Thursday of every month in Blessington Library, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Just bring a pen, a notebook and an open mind. No experience necessary, we all started somewhere. Contact Blessington Library at 045 891 740 or email Ray at mako.enmity.1d@icloud.com for further information. NEXT DATE –TUESDAY 10TH APRIL 2025 Blesssingtonlib@wicklowcoco.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.