COMMUNITY DIARY

SATURDAY 17^th Jan

2.30pm Blessington Musical and Dramatic Society Presents Cinderella  in The Tramway Theatre. Info on Pg 3

6pm Mass First Holy Communion Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington Sacrament of Confession: After 6pm Mass

7pm Blessington Musical and Dramatic Society Presents Cinderella in The Tramway Theatre. Info on Pg 3

SUNDAY 18^th Jan

10am Mass St. Josephs Church, Valleymount

10am Family Mass with Children’s Choir Church of Our Lady, Blessington, Refreshments in the Coimin Centre

11:30am Mass St Bridgets Manor Kilbride

2.30pm Blessington Musical and Dramatic Society Presents Cinderella  in The Tramway Theatre. Info on Pg 3

MONDAY 19^th Jan

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Bridge Club 7.15pm, Kare Centre. Information on pg. 3

TUESDAY 20^th Jan

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

WEDNESDAY 21^st Jan

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Rosary & Holy Hour

10am to 11am Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Pray & Play Group

3pm–4.30pm, Coimín Centre

Blessington Parish Children’s Choir

4.20pm-5pm. All are welcome

THURSDAY 22^nd Jan

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Indoor Bowls Club

7.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall, Information on pg. 3

FRIDAY 23^rd Jan

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Lorcan Mc Mahon…RD. Santry Hill & Late of Bohernabreena

Saturday

Alice Garry…A, Pat Garry…A, Michael Melia…A, David “Cheelo” Farrell…A, Thomas & Susan Eustace…A, Jerome Biehl…A, Brenda Hand… 1st A

Sunday

Helen Kennedy Lunden…A, Tom Carroll…A, Lily & Jim Cahill…A, Elizabeth & Harry Lee…A

Monday

Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday

Sean Duffy…A, Alice Garry…A, Pat Garry…A

Wednesday

Fr Kevin Lyons…A, Rev Donal O Callaghan…A

Thursday

Mary Flanagan…RD, Special Intentions Mass

Friday

Padraig Fitzgerald…RD, Pat Murray…RD

UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Thursday 5^th February at 7.30pm

Where is Pope Leo leading the Church?

Join us for a cuppa and conversation with Fr Gerry Kane.

All welcome!

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 admin@blessington.info

Deadline for Notices in the Newsletter The deadline to have your notices in  the newsletter is Tuesday at 11am at the very latest

Minister of Eucharist Jan 2026 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Teresa Ball & Sara Ortega SUNDAY 10AM: Kay Clarke & Mary McHugh

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” St Oscar Romero

Popes Intentions for Jan 2026 For prayer with the Word of God Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes. Dates for 2026  14th March Summer breakfast TBC. Look forward to seeing you there.

A Prayer for the New Year As the new year begins, I look to You for our hope, joy, and peace. Give me the courage to do all that You ask of me. Please also make me brave to not do what isn’t from You. Show me how to walk in grace and embrace Your love for me even more. Amen

Feast Days 20^th Jan – St. Sebastian St. Sebastian was born in Gaul (France), he joined the Roman army in Rome and became a captain in the elite Praetorian Guard, secretly serving fellow Christians under Emperor Diocletian. He was also an early Christian martyr (c. 255-288 AD) known for his secret faith, When his Christian activities (encouraging martyrs, converting people) were discovered, Diocletian ordered him tied to a post and shot with arrows, leaving him for dead but surviving, only to be clubbed to death later.  He’s the patron saint of athletes, soldiers, and plague victims. He is often depicted tied to a post with arrows, though he’s more famously associated with surviving the plague due to prayers.

A Prayer for St. Sebastian Glorious St. Sebastian, powerful martyr and saint, Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not destroy you. I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. I ask for your intercession, that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs and my well-being. Protect me from pestilence, illness, and all dangers, visible and invisible. Strengthen my faith, grant me perseverance, and help me to live a simple, orderly life pleasing to God. Through Christ our Lord, 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.

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

The Wonder of Creation Baby birds are called chicks Some baby birds, like ducks, can walk and swim just hours after hatching.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 8^th Jan 2026: 1,12,13,21. €25 Winner:  Carol Murphy Next Jackpot: €3000

Lacken National School Enrolment Now open for 2026-2027 for Lacken National School. Please contact office at 045-865086 or email school@lackenns.com

St Mary’s Junior N.S.  2026/27 school year Currently accepting applications. To apply please contact Bernadette in the school office 045 865501 or visit our website  – www.stmarysjuniorschool.ie – click on Parent Information tab, select Application Forms  in the Policies and Enrolment section.

St Brigid’s N.S. are accepting enrolments for all pupils wishing to start in September. 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 Wednesday 11th February.  The school will be open from  6.30pm till 7.30pm.  This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the school, meet our staff, and get a feel for life at St Brigid’s. We look forward to seeing you there.

Blessington U3A  are pleased to announce our next talk Speaker: Angela Rolfe Title: “The War Memorial at Islandbridge” Date: Tuesday 20th January at 10.30am Venue: The Hollywood Centre (Eircode W91 NWK5) All are welcome to attend, Non-members €5 per person.

Blessington History Society  will hold its AGM and monthly talk on Thursday 15th Jan 2026 at 7.30pm in the Coimin Centre Blessington. Nomination and election of officers and renewal of membership and subscription payment will take place. Presentation of video;  A Journey Through West Wicklow 8.15 – 9.15pm, detailing the history and development of Blessington and West Wicklow region and presents an interesting and valuable picture of West Wicklow before large scale development commenced.

Accommodation Available  Blessington Studio suit 1 person 085-1370986

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.

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Mon at 7.15pm in the Kare Centre. New players welcome.

Blessington Musical and Dramatic Society Presents Our Annual Panto Cinderella in The Tramway Theatre! Promises to be a great show for all the family!  Tickets available via Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/BMDS-Panto or in the Office shop or Hennessy’s Next Door. Show times: Jan 15th & 16th at 7pm, Jan 17th at 2:30pm & 7pm, Sun 18th at 2:30pm. Great Christmas stocking filler!

Gaelscoil na Lochanna seek to employ a Bus Escort to assist children with additional needs getting to and from school. Initially 1 hour of work in morning before school time and 1 hour after school time. Candidates should have experience in working with children, have an understanding of additional needs in children, and be able to deal with parents and school staff in a professional manner. Irish ability is an advantage. This position is subject to satisfactory references and Garda Vetting. The hourly rate of pay is in line with the Department of Education guidelines for School Bus Escorts (€15.20 per hour), processed weekly during school term time. Escorts are not paid over school holidays but receive holiday pay instead. Application by CV /queries should be emailed to priomhoide@gaelscoilnalochanna.com

Helix Motorcycles repair shop just opened in Stratford, if you need a simple service, complex repair or just a touch up on the paintwork call or text on 087 373 5709

Christmas Greeting

May the Holy Family bring Peace,

Joy & Happiness

To you and your family this Christmas

We invite you to join with us in celebrating the birth of Jesus

Fr. Paraic McDermott, Fr. Micheál Comer,

Fr. Noel Campbell, Rev. Deacon Gerry Malone,

Fr. Gerry Kane P.P. Rev. Niall Stafford

COMMUNITY DIARY

SATURDAY 20^th Dec

6pm Communion Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Sacrament of Confession: After 6pm Mass

9pm -12am. Social Dancing,

Donard Community Hall. All Welcome

SUNDAY 21^st Dec

11.30am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

MONDAY 22^nd Dec

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Bridge Club

7.15pm, Kare Centre. Information on pg. 3

TUESDAY 23^rd Dec

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

WEDNESDAY 24^th Dec Christmas Eve

5.00pm Children’s Mass, Church of Our Lady, Blessington

6.30pm Mass Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken

7.00pm Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

7.30pm Eucharistic & Carol Service,

St. Josephs Church, Valleymount

8pm Mass  Church of Our Lady, Blessington

THURSDAY 25^th Dec Christmas Day

10am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

10am Mass St Josephs Church, Valleymount

11.30am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

11.30am Mass Crosschapel, Blessington

FRIDAY 26^th Dec St Stephens Day

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Saturday  Eddie Conroy…Rem, Mary, Tom & Matty Tivnan …Rem, Kitty & John Nolan…A, May Breen…A Jim Breen & Mary Breen Rem, Michael, Kathleen, Bridget & Tom Tobin…A  Joan Sheridan…Rem, Kathleen Allen…A, Mary Pollard…A, Frances Sheridan…A

Sunday Margaret Roche…A, Sheila Kavanagh…A, Bridget Norton…A, Kathleen Smith…A, John & Bridget Tipper…A, Sheila & Seamus Zellar…A, Christopher & Winnifred Mahon…A Nicola Sheehy…A

Monday Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday Special Intentions, Anne McCaul…RD

Christmas Eve Mass will be offered for the people of the parish and surrounding areas

Christmas day Mass will be offered for the people of the parish and surrounding areas

St. Stephens day Francis & Olwyn Langan, Milicent Jones, Dave & Lisa Chau, Carmel & Louis Walsh.  Peter Murphy, Adge & Eugene Heffernan… Rem

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Saturday 27^th Dec Marcella Butler…A, Tom Clarke…RD

Sunday 28^th Dec PJ Watson…RD, Sean Power…RD

Monday 29^th Dec Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday 30^th Dec Rose Lennon…A, Harry Murphy…A

Wednesday 31^st Dec Bill Kinsella…A, Brendan McCartan…A

New Year’s Day Day of Prayer for World Peace

Friday 2^nd Dec 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

Mass Intentions for Christmas.  Church of Our Lady, Blessington Will be on Sat 20^th, Sun 21^st and Sat 27^th, Sun 28^th Dec. Names of those being prayed for in the Christmas remembrance Masses Will be inscribed on an altar list which will be placed on the Altar.

The Wise Men Come to Valleymount! Sunday 4^th Jan 2026 at 3pm

This is the last newsletter of 2025 Our next newsletter will be Sun 11^th Jan 2026

The Parish Office will close for Christmas on Tuesday 23^rd Dec at 1pm and will reopen on Friday 2^nd Jan 2026

Minister of Eucharist Jan 2026 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Teresa Ball & Sara Ortega SUNDAY 10AM: Kay Clarke & Mary McHugh.

CHRISTMAS TIME After the annual celebration of the paschal mystery, the Church has no more ancient custom than celebrating the memorial of the Nativity of the Lord and of his first manifestations, and this takes place in Christmas Time. Christmas Time runs from First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of the Nativity of the Lord up to and including the Sunday after Epiphany or after 6 January. The Vigil Mass of the Nativity is used on the evening of 24 December, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer I). On the day of the Nativity of the Lord, following ancient Roman tradition, Mass may be celebrated three times, that is, in the night, at dawn and during the day. UNLYC,32-4

The Wonder of Creation Robins are one of the few birds that sing nearly all year round, and they are sometimes known to sing at night near streetlights.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS “There is a violence that the poor endure: the violence of structural injustice, the violence of social sin.” St Oscar Romero

Popes Intentions for December Christians In Areas Of Conflict Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes. Dates for 2026 Saturday, 10th January, Saturday, 14th March, Summer breakfast TBC Look forward to seeing you there,  The Women’s Community Team

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

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 admin@blessington.info

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 11^th Dec 2025. 4,10,23,28. €25 Winner: Garrette Martin Next Jackpot €3000.

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.

Lacken Naíonra Enrolment Now open for 2026-2027 for Lacken Naíonra pre-school. Please contact office at 045-865086 or email naionra@lackenns.com

St Mary’s Junior N.S.  2026/27 school year Currently accepting applications. To apply please contact Bernadette in the school office 045 865501 or visit our website – www.stmarysjuniorschool.ie – click on Parent Information tab, select Application Forms  in the Policies and Enrolment section.

Candlelight Walk in Russborough  has been rescheduled to Sun 28th Dec at 6pm. Have a catch up with friends and family for a post Christmas Walk. Fundraising for St Mary’s Church and The Irish Cancer Society. The walk has run for over 10 years now and is an enjoyable evening. So don your Santa hats and come along.  €5 per person. Keep an eye on social media for updates and fingers crossed it stays dry.

Blessington Further Education & Training Centre New courses beginning in January 2026. Early Learning and Care Stage 1 and Stage 2 (Childcare Level 5 and 6) Includes compulsory Professional Practice Placement, Special Needs Assistant Level 5 (30 hours compulsory Work Experience), Spreadsheets Methods (Excel) Level 4, Workplace Safety Level 4, Database Methods Level 4, Business with Tourism Level 5, Contact number 086 8503833

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to the Gamblers In Donard Community Hall Sat 20^th Dec, 9pm -12am. All Welcome.

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.

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Mon at 7.15pm in the Kare Centre. New players welcome.

Blessington Musical and Dramatic Society Presents Our Annual Panto Cinderella in The Tramway Theatre! Promises to be a great show for all the family!  Tickets available via Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/BMDS-Panto or in the Office shop or Hennessy’s Next Door. Show times: Jan 15th & 16th at 7pm, Jan 17th at 2:30pm & 7pm, Sun 18th at 2:30pm. Great Christmas stocking filler!

Lakeshore Striders Athletics Club We will be beginning our annual 10 Week Couch to 5k Program On Tuesday, the 6th of Jan @7pm behind the Community College. A registration session will be held Monday 5th Jan from 7pm-8pm in the Coimin Centre For info, please see the Lakeshore Striders social media or contact registrar@lakeshorestriders.ie

Christmas Trees Direct form the Farm Slade Valley Brittas, Eircode D24TEP6, Ph. 087 925 0064

Helix Motorcycles repair shop just opened in Stratford, if you need a simple service, complex repair or just a touch up on the paintwork call or text on 087 373 5709