Sunday 14^th July 2019

► Car Boot Sale (Des Redmond Charities) in St. Kevin’s Hall from 7am to 4pm. €10 per table, Free Car Park, Tea & Coffee. Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

Monday 15^th July 2019

►Holy Hour in Crosschapel every Monday after 10am Mass. (ex Bank Holidays)

►Neighbourhood Collection Envelopes for July are due, we would appreciate it collectors could drop the envelopes into the Parish Office

Tuesday 16^th July 2019

►Citizens Information Centre in Blessington Library from 1pm to 4pm. Legal advice service on 1st & 3rd Tues of month by appointment

►Eucharistic Adoration from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Blessington Church.

Wednesday 17^th July 2019

►The Citizens Information Centre is open in Blessington Library today 10am to 12.30pm.

►The Rosary will be offered at 7.30pm for the intentions of our families in Blessington Church

►Christian Meditation Group meet in the Mass Centre in Brittas from 11am. All welcome

Mass Intentions this Week

Marie Clegg (RD) Edward Conroy (RD)

Margaret Ryall (RD) Rosalie Andrews (RD)

Saturday 6pm:

Mary Brady (Mths Mind)

Tom O’Sullivan (A) John Kennedy (A)

Sean Corr (A) Kevin McGinnity (A)

Nancy Keogh (A) Teresa Ball (A)

Sunday 10am

Catherine Jones (A) Kay Lennon(A)

We also Remember the following:

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Ann Mellin (A) William Schule Curtis

Mary Brady RD) Danny Murphy (RD)

Breda Williams (A)

Wednesday: Peter O’Donovan (RD)

Helen Hayes (RD)

Thursday: Jo Horgan (RD)

William Sheridan (RD)

Friday: Get Well Int. Birthday Int.

Blessington Parish OPEN INVITATION We invite you to a gathering in the Coimín Centre on  Monday 22^nd July at 8pm  The Parish Finance Committee will give a short presentation of 2018 Accounts.

Many Thanks to all who helped with the preparations for the Annual Cemetery Mass in Templeboden, Lacken on Sun 7^th July and to all who arranged the sound system, cleared the grounds, helped with the liturgy. Many thanks to Lacken Community Centre for providing the refreshments after the Mass. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Blessington Parish Finance Committee would like to thank all who are supporting the Parish Neighbourhood Collection & the Parish Development Fund Boxes (PDF boxes) in Church of Our Lady. The money raised through the Neighbourhood Collection & the PDF boxes stays in the parish so, by your contributions you are supporting your local parish & we are most grateful. If you have ANNUAL Envelopes & MONTHLY Envelopes that have not been collected, please drop them into the Parish Office or into one of the collection bags at Mass on Sunday.

Valleymount Country Market. Sun 28^th July from 10am to 3pm.

Cemetery Mass Baltyboys Sun 25^th Aug at 12 noon. Please inform family, neighbours & friends.

National Tidy Towns judging will take place from June 8^th to August 4^th this year. We are judged under several categories & the appearance & upkeep of our main street, approach roads, all our estates & business premises are a major factor in the results & ability to gain extra marks. Everyone can help, by ensuring Blessington is litter free & looking it’s best, as together we can make a difference. Many thanks for all your effort.

Visitation of the Sick: If there are any parishioners ill, at home or in hospital who would like a visit from a priest, please contact the Parish Office to let us know and to make arrangements 045 865 327

Thank you to all who participated in and supported The Eamonn Murray Memorial Walk. Your contributions helped raise €3,000 for St. Brigid’s Hospice & EIST Cancer Support Services. Due to much positive feedback on the day we aim to make this fundraiser an annual event.

Some people make you laugh a little louder, smile a little brighter & live a little better. Try to be one of those people.

Local St Vincent de Paul – 087 181 1579

OPEN DAY Sunday 14^th July at 1pm. Come to our OPEN DAY at Kildare Animal Foundation, South Green Road, Kildare Town to celebrate 25 years of caring for sick & injured animals. Something for all the family; Plants, Antiques, Face-painting, Bottle stall, Kiddies games, Barbeque, Crafts & much more. FREE ADMISSION (NO dogs allowed as we have plenty of animals on site to be seen) A lovely day out in the midst of our beautiful rescue animals.

Are you interested in allotments in Blessington? The next public meeting to discuss the provision of allotments in the Blessington area will be held on Thursday 1st August, 7pm, in Blessington Library. All welcome. Please contact blessingtonallotments@gmail.com for any additional information.

8th Wicklow Blessington Scout Group APPEAL FOR NEW LEADERS FOR OUR BEAVER SECTION. We are a parent run organization, now is the time to join up, if we don’t get parents to join, we will not be in a position to take on any new children. Benefits of becoming a leader; your number one priority in scouts becomes FUN. You learn new skills. Your children will bypass the waiting list and secure a place. If you are interested, please contact Tristan Geoghegan (086) 780 2938.

Abbey Mass & Family Festival: Wicklow Parish will host their annual outdoor Mass in the Abbey Grounds in Wicklow Town on Sunday 21^st July at 11.30am followed by refreshments. The Family Fun Festival will begin at 1.00pm & finish in the evening time around 6.00pm.    Bring along a family picnic or enjoy the food stalls on the day as well as free activities for every family member to enjoy such as; scavenger hunt, face-painting, garden games, hip-hop dancers, line/set dancing and live music along with local artists.  It’s going to be great – look forward to seeing you there.

Blessington GAA Club Golf Classic on Friday 12^th July in Craddockstown Golf Club. Cost is €300 for a team of 4 including the round of golf, dinner & plenty of prizes!! The day promises lots of fun, during and after!! Book now to ensure your preferred tee time by contacting one of the following: Arthur Hennessy 087 239 6157, Emer McIntyre Reape 087 226 2286, John Williamson 086 825 6556

Happy Faces Community Playgroup are now enrolling for September 2019, we offer ECCE & part time places, at Happy Faces we support & encourage young children through a planned play-based curriculum, to grow into independent little people, who have a love for life & learning, enquires please phone 085 128 1605  alternatively email happyfaces@blessingtonfec.ie  Find us on Facebook.

Blessington AFC have a number of spaces on our squads for new players born in 2007 to join our teams for the coming season. Playing season commences in September. If you are interested, please contact Lar on 086 701 4949

Richard Cowley’s Garden Open Day in aid of Cara Girls Rescue Centre, Kenya on Saturday 13^th July from 11am to 4pm in Horsepasstown, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare W 91 C2P3. €5 entry to include tea/coffee and cake.

All Roads lead to Hollywood for the 49th Annual Sports Day on Sunday 14^th July in the G AA Field. Juvenile Match 12 noon. Athletic Events from Tiny Tots to Veterans. Mile Race (for our fit enthusiasts) Dog Show (all dogs 🐕 on leash) Bottle Stall, Home Produce, White Elephant, Wheel o Fortune, Feed the Clowns 🤡 Pillow Fight, Clock Golf and many more side shows. Refreshments available on Field throughout the Afternoon. See you there!!

Dinner and Dance in Hollywood Centre on Saturday 20th July, 3 Course Meal served at 8pm. Dancing from 9.30pm. Music by The Wicklow Man. Admission €20. A great night is assured. “It’s a great start for The Fair”.

The Old Bog Road. An evening of music, song, tales. Valleymount Community Hall. Fri 19^th July at 8pm. Adm €10. Raffle & refreshments on the night.

Try Sailing at BLSC this Summer. With courses for children aged 6 to 18 years of all abilities, choose Blessington Sailing Club for your child’s Summer adventure. For booking and more info, please email Alex at alextpocock@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.

Blessington Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others Team is looking for new members. Our training sessions are focused on building up fitness with a bit of football thrown in! If you fancy trying something different & meeting some new people, please come along on Tuesday at 7.30pm

Lough Derg 3-Day Pilgrimages 9th to 11th August (dep 8am from Parnell Square, Dublin)

€115 per adult €105 per student & pensioner. Info & booking Miriam (St Oliver Plunkett) after 6pm

086 385 3027 or 01 4941171

Blessington Bingo Every Wednesday at 8.15pm in the Avon (Avon Ri) Great Prizes, Extra Raffle Prizes Shuttle Bus €2 return. Information: Jess: 086 860 2822 or Catherine 087 122 4019

Hollywood Friendship Club every Wed from 2.15pm to 4.15pm. New members always welcome.

Hollywood Walking Trail, meet every Tuesday at 6.45pm outside Tutty’s Pub. Great walks for the experienced walker & brief walks for those not the best “on their feet”. Please come along & join in.

People will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but they will never forget

how you made them feel……

Peter’s Pence Collection

for the Pope’s Charities will take place at all Masses this weekendThis will replace the Share Collection

Community Games Church Gate Collection at all Masses next Weekend 6^th & 7^th July

Sunday 30^th 2019

►Children’s Church at 10am Mass in Church of Our Lady for children aged 5 to 10 years.

►Valleymount Country Market from 10am in Valleymount Hall

Monday 1^st July 2019

►Holy Hour in Crosschapel every Monday after 10am Mass. (ex Bank Holidays)

►Guided Prayer, Benediction & Music at 8pm in Lacken Church. All are welcome.

Tuesday 2^nd July 2019

►Citizens Information Centre in Blessington Library from 1pm to 4pm. Legal advice service on 1st & 3rd Tues of month by appointment

►Eucharistic Adoration from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Blessington Church.

Wednesday 3^rd July 2019

►The Citizens Information Centre is open in Blessington Library today 10am to 12.30pm.

►The Rosary will be offered at 7.30pm for the intentions of our families in Blessington Church

►Christian Meditation Group meet in the Mass Centre in Brittas from 11am. All welcome

Friday 5^th July 2019

►Bethany Bereavement Support Group are available in the Coimín Centre Blessington for caring confidential support from 10am to 11am

►1st Friday of the Month. The Masses will be offered for all those whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead. The priests will visit the sick & housebound. If you would like a visit please contact the Parish Office, 045 865 327

►1^st Friday Mass in Manor Kilbride at 9am.

►1^st Friday Mass in Valleymount at 11.15am

►Coffee Morning in Lacken Community Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm

►Padre Pio Mass at 8pm in Blessington.

Sunday 7^th July 2019

►Cemetery Sunday Templeboden at 3pm.

PLEASE NOTE: there will be no evening Mass in Lacken Church on Saturday 6^th July

Mass Intentions this Week

Jo Horgan (RD)

Saturday 6pm Vincent Bohan (A) Kay McGrath (1^st A) Fiona Ashe (A) Clodagh & Sean Ashe (A)

Sunday 10am Mary O’Donnell (A) Jim Breen (A)

We also Remember the following:

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Barry O’Donnell (Rem) Jenny Tabel (RD)

Wednesday: Get Well, Get Well

Thursday: Eileen McGovern, Daphne Burke (RD)

Friday: 1^st Friday Altar List of the Dead

Memory Garden Valleymount. On Sunday 23^rd June, Bishop Eamonn Walsh blessed the Memory Garden in Valleymount after the 11.15 Mass.

The garden is dedicated to the memory of all those who were displaced or affected by the creation of the Poulaphouca Reservoir. I would like to thank Bishop Eamonn for his encouraging and supportive homily & also to all those who participated in the ceremony.

Special thanks to Kevin Byrne and his family along with many members of the community who created the garden and donated materials, time and energy to make it possible. If you would like to contribute a donation towards the expense of creating the garden, please leave it in an envelope for the sacristan in Valleymount Church.

With every blessing. Fr Richard

Local St Vincent de Paul 087 181 1579

National Tidy Towns judging will take place from June 8^th to August 4^th this year. We are judged under several categories & the appearance & upkeep of our main street, approach roads, all our estates & business premises are a major factor in the results & ability to gain extra marks. Everyone can help, by ensuring Blessington is litter free & looking it’s best, as together we can make a difference. Many thanks for all your effort.

Visitation of the Sick: If there are any parishioners ill, at home or in hospital who would like a visit from a priest, please contact the Parish Office to let us know and to make arrangements 045 865 327

Blessington Parish OPEN INVITATION We invite you to a gathering in the Coimín Centre on Monday 22^nd July at 8pm  The Parish Finance Committee will give a short presentation of 2018 Accounts.

The Community Pool for West Wicklow AGM will be on Tuesday July 2nd at 7pm in Blessington Library. We will be electing a fundraising subcommittee on the night as well as giving an update on how the campaign has been going and discussing what’s planned next. Everyone is welcome and it’s a great way to get involved in the campaign to get a Pool for West Wicklow! For more information email us at poolforWestWicklow@gmail.com

38th Annual Knockadoon Music & Liturgy Course is now open for booking! A place for choirs & young people to experience a week of music, faith and community from 11^th to the 17^th August! More info available on Facebook, Instragram & Twitter @KnockadoonML or www.knockadoonml.com

Sunday 30th MAY 2019 (+ every Last Sunday); SONGS & TUNES session, set up by local music lovers; Zellers, Lacken – a welcoming venue; 6pm to 9 or later. Free and just for fun – a friendly, inclusive gathering. Everyone invited. LISTENERS especially. All ages. ANY song or acoustic tune or self-accompaniment. Pop in and check it out?  Join in IF you feel the urge

8th Wicklow Blessington Scout Group APPEAL FOR NEW LEADERS FOR OUR BEAVER SECTION. We are a parent run organization, now is the time to join up, if we don’t get parents to join, we will not be in a position to take on any new children. Benefits of becoming a leader; your number one priority in scouts becomes FUN. You learn new skills. Your children will bypass the waiting list and secure a place. If you are interested, please contact Tristan Geoghegan (086) 780 2938.

Blessington Bingo Every Wednesday at 8.15 in the Avon (Avon Ri) Great Prizes, Extra Raffle Prizes Shuttle Bus €2 return. Jess: 086 860 2822 or Catherine 087 122 4019

Blessington GAA Club Golf Classic on Friday 12^th July in Craddockstown Golf Club. Cost is €300 for a team of 4 including the round of golf, dinner & plenty of prizes!! The day promises lots of fun, during and after!! Book now to ensure your preferred tee time by contacting one of the following: Arthur Hennessy 087 239 6157, Emer McIntyre Reape 087 226 2286, John Williamson 086 825 6556

Tai Chi Classes (in aid of the Coimin Centre) every Tuesday from 3pm to 4pm in HD Fitness (under the Lemon Tree). Suitable for all ages & levels of fitness, this is a gentle form of exercise which improves coordination, balance, joint mobility & core strength. We ask participants to make a €3 contribution for the Centre.

Blessington Triathlon Sun 30^th June. Over 400 competitors will enjoy swimming, cycling & running around Poulaphouca Reservoir & the Blessington area in this triathlon, now in its 5^th year. A mixed field of all ages & levels of experience will complete the 1,500m swim in the reservoir, cycle 40km around a loop to Hollywood & complete a 10km road run. This race is organised by Belpark Triathlon Club & Blessington Sailing Club & supports members of both clubs, as well as the chosen charity partner Down Syndrome Ireland. Find out more at www.blessingtontri.ie. Race starts at 9.40am.

Try Sailing at BLSC this Summer. With courses for children aged 6 to 18 years of all abilities, choose Blessington Sailing Club for your child’s Summer adventure. For booking and more info, please email Alex at alextpocock@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.

Blessington Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others Team is looking for new members. Our training sessions are focused on building up fitness with a bit of football thrown in! If you fancy trying something different & meeting some new people, please come along on Tuesday at 7.30pm

Hollywood Annual Sports Day on Sunday 14th July in GAA Field, Athletic Events, Dog Show, Side Shows, Produce Stall, Raffle, Fun & Games for all. Refreshments served. More details nearer the date.

Car Boot Sale (Des Redmond Charities) in St. Kevin’s Hall Sunday 14^th July from 7am to 4pm. €10 per table, Free Car Park, Tea & Coffee. Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

Holiday Camp with Blessington Fencing Club from Monday 8^th July to Friday 12^th July 9am to 1pm. Cost is €100 for Club members and €120 for non-members. Call to book 087 676 4183

Summer Bridge at Blessington Lakes Golf Club, Baltyboys, Valleymount at 7.30pm sharp. All Welcome

Date For your Diary – Supper/Dance in Hollywood Centre on Saturday 20^th July. Food Served at 8pm. Dancing until Midnight, music by THE WICKLOW MAN.  Adm €20. This is the Senior Citizens/ Friendship Clubs contribution to The Fair. Great night assured

Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take this moment and make it perfect