The Irish Wheelchair Association are holding a Church Gate Collection next weekend, 24^th and 25^th Aug at all Masses. They are depending on local volunteers to collect on the day. If you are available to help, please contact Jacqui on 086-1284124 or email Jacqui.oconnor@iwa.ie

Sunday 18^th August 2019

►Valleymount Country from 10am to 3pm in Valleymount Hall

►Monthly Envelopes for August are due. We would appreciate it if they are left in the Church at Mass or dropped into the Parish Office any morning. Many thanks contributors & collectors for your continued support.

Tuesday 20^th August 2019

►Citizens Information Centre will be closed for the month of August. Reopening on Tuesday, 3rd September. Queries can be made to 0761 07 4000 Mon-Fri 9am-8pm.

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

Wednesday 21^st August 2019

►Citizens Information Centre will be closed for the month of August. Reopening on Tuesday, 3rd September. Queries can be made to 0761 07 4000 Mon-Fri 9am-8pm.

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

►The Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board’s Mobile Unit will be at the Community College Blessington from 5pm to 8.30pm. 3000 units are needed overall each week & donors are especially needed at this time of the year.

Sunday 25^th August 2019

►Cemetery Mass Baltyboys at 12 noon. PLEASE NOTE: there will be no 11.15am Mass in Valleymount that day.

Mass Intentions this Week

Sheila Zeller (RD)

Saturday 6pm: Hugh Collins (RD) Una Sweeney (RD)

Sunday 10am: Johnny Brown (A) Stephen Lunders (A)

We also Remember the following: Cora Stoodley (A) Christy Dempsey (Rem) Martin & Nora Murphy (A) Gabriel & Seamus Murphy (A) Lillian D’Arcy (A) Sheila Roche (A) Margaret & Bernard Lynch (A)

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Kitty Murphy (RD)  Pat Kavanagh (A)

Wednesday: Noreen Moran (RD Barry O’Donnell (Rem)

Thursday: Cora Stoodley (A) Mick & Teresa Byrne (A) Bill O’Kelly (A) Thomas & Dora Byrne (A) Phyllis Wynne (A)

Friday: Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

The Tea Room at the Coimin Centre will close for staff holidays from Tuesday 20^th August for two weeks. We will re-open on Tuesday 3^rd September. Tea Room Public Opening Hours will then be as follows: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 9am to 12 noon. TEA, COFFEE AND LIGHT REFRESHMENTS. All proceeds towards the running of the Coimin Centre. Thank you for your support.

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

“West Wicklow Cancer Support, Weekly Meditation with essential oils hosted by Gemma Deeney continues Wednesdays 11.30am at the Primary Care Centre Blessington. Info: 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com Just come along & do bring a friend. “The best cure for the body is a quiet mind”

Email your Community Group News to office@blessington.info

A Date for your Diary – A Week of Guided Prayer from 29^th Sept to 5^th October. During this week of Guided Prayer, you will have the opportunity to meet a prayer guide on a daily basis who will help to direct and deepen your prayer life. This week is also time where we will encourage a spirit of prayer in which everyone can participate.

Attention Calling all who have relatives in Rathmore Graveyard. A volunteer clean-up day has been arranged for Saturday 24^th Aug from 11am onwards. This is to coincide with National Heritage Week, bring a strimmer rake or fork, we are hoping for a big turn out on the day. Bernie Phibbs

Local St Vincent de Paul 087 181 1579

Dance in Hollywood Community Centre on Saturday 17^th August. Dancing 9pm to 12 midnight. Music by Jimmy Hynes & the Crusaders. Adm: €10 Students €5. Refreshments included

The Community Pool for West Wicklow Campaign is a year old and we are having a PARTY! Come help us celebrate in the Hippodrome at Russborough House on August 17th from 1pm to 4pm. This is a FREE family event to thank the people of West Wicklow for your support. We’ll have face painting, music with East Coast FM, dancing, games with Wicklow Local Sports Partnership, water safety tips from Water Safety Ireland and of course cake!

“Ceiliuradh a Celtic Miscellany” – an acoustic, candlelit celebration of song & music hosted by Blessington Comhaltas in St. Kevin’s Church, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow on Saturday 24^th August at 8pm. Phil Callery of The Voice Squad – Maca (Anúna & Riverdance) – Ger Fitzgerald, Bean an Sean Nos – Ninette De Valois Ballet, Ruth Shine Dance Troupe, Fear an Tí, Paddy Gleeson. A Heritage Week Celebration, further info: Pat Conlan: 086 075 2072. Free Event….Bigi Linn…..Please Support.

Do you enjoy movement? We are looking for people interested in taking part in a community dance project as part of the Ninette de Valois festival. No dance experience required. All ages (8-80 and beyond!), genders, shapes and sizes are welcome. Email Ruth if you are interested ruthshineschoolofdance1@gmail.com

View photos of recent events in Valleymount parish at www.valleymountparish.ie

Line Dance Classes every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm to 4.15pm and on Thursday night from 7pm to 8.15pm. All welcome €7 per class in Manor Kilbride Hall

West Wicklow Cancer Support in conjunction with our East Coast FM Coffee morning fundraiser have a signed GAA Dublin All Ireland Champions jersey for auction! Possibly the most successful Dublin Team of all time. If you would like to own this splendid piece of memorabilia, please call/email: 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com

Interest in a social cycle in Blessington?  Cycling Ireland community rides are gentle, social bike rides for adults, led by an experienced cyclist, followed by a coffee and chat. Register for free at www.axacommunitybikerides.com

Under 13’s Girls Soccer – Blessington AFC are looking for girls born in 2007/2008 to join a new team for the coming season. Playing season commences in September. If you are interested, please contact David on 086 8574213

Under 16’s Soccer – Blessington AFC are looking for players born in 2004 to join a new team for the coming season. Playing season commences in September. If you are interested, please contact John on 085 7122895

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

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 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.

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.

“TOUCH” Supporting Vulnerable children in “Our World”  are holding a Church Gate Collection next weekend 10^th and 11^th August at all Masses All the money raised will go towards the building of a new hospital for children with mental health problems in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please Support.

Monday 5^th August 2019

►Bank Holiday Mass at 11am in Blessington

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

Tuesday 6^th August 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 7^th August 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

Mass Intentions this Week

Margaret Higgin (RD) Maureen Kenny (RD)

Saturday 6pm: John McNamara (Mths Mind) and his parents Joseph & Josephine McNamara (A) Peter Cummins (A), Charlie & Molly Keogh (A)

Sunday 10am: Edward Conroy (Mths Mind) Marie Clegg (Mths Mind)

We also Remember the following:

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Barry O’Donnell (Rem) Teresa Dunne (RD)

Wednesday: Frank O’Neill (1^st A) Maureen Kenny (RD)

Thursday: Get Well, Get Well

Friday: Thanksgiving Mass, Birthday Rem

Local St Vincent de Paul  087 181 1579

Newsletter Advertising Rates For just 50c per word per week you can reach a large, local audience. Final cut-off for receiving adverts is Wednesday 10am You can email the copy to office@blessington.info and pay in the Parish Office or by bank transfer. Office open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday and from 3pm to 4pm Monday to Thursday (subject to availability of volunteers)

Many thanks to Deirdre Keogh for her very generous donation to the Coimin Centre Blessington, from her fundraising for the Women’s Mini-Marathon recently. It is greatly appreciated and will be put to very good use in the running of the Coimin Centre.

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

“West Wicklow Cancer Support, Blessington & District Forum’s Community Group of the Year 2019” Weekly Meditation with essential oils hosted by Gemma Deeney continues Wednesdays 11.30am at the Primary Care Centre Blessington. Contact us on 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com should you wish to book a place or just come along and do bring a friend. “The best cure for the body is a quiet mind”

Lough Derg: Final dates for this summer’s pilgrimages to Lough Derg takes place from the  9 – 11 August (season ends on 15 august) – direct from Dublin cost is €115 pensioners and students €105.  To book please phone: 086 3853027 or 01 4941171.

View photos of recent events in Valleymount parish at www.valleymountparish.ie Email your Community Group News to office@blessington.info

The winners of the July Draw in aid of Valleymount Church Renovation fund are Ita & Jim Hill, Jenny & Glen Cullen, Fr Richard Behan, Ann Mc Donald, Fiona Shannon. Each received €100

Cemetery Mass Baltyboys Sun 25^th August at 12 noon.

Interest in a social cycle in Blessington?  Cycling Ireland community rides are gentle, social bike rides for adults, led by an experienced cyclist, followed by a coffee and chat.  Register for free at www.axacommunitybikerides.com

Under 13’s Girls Soccer – Blessington AFC are looking for girls born in 2007/2008 to join a new team for the coming season. Playing season commences in September. If you are interested, please contact David on 086 8574213

Under 16’s Soccer – Blessington AFC are looking for players born in 2004 to join a new team for the coming season. Playing season commences in September. If you are interested, please contact John on 085 7122895

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.

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

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 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.

Do you enjoy movement? We are looking for people interested in taking part in a community dance project as part of the Ninette de Valois festival. No dance experience required. All ages (8-80 and beyond!), genders, shapes and sizes are welcome. Email Ruth if you are interested ruthshineschoolofdance1@gmail.com

View photos of recent events in Valleymount parish at www.valleymountparish.ie

Car Boot Sale (Des Redmond Charities) in St. Kevin’s Hall Sunday 11^th August from 7am to 4pm. €10 per table, Free Car Park, Tea & Coffee. Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

The Community Pool for West Wicklow Campaign is a year old and we are having a PARTY! Come help us celebrate in the Hippodrome at Russborough House on August 17th from 1pm to 4pm. This is a FREE family event to thank the people of West Wicklow for your support. We’ll have face painting, music with East Coast FM, dancing, games with Wicklow Local Sports Partnership, water safety tips from Water Safety Ireland and of course cake!

Computers for the Terrified! 1 to 1 training for over 55’s Are you frustrated by your lack of computer skills?Do you feel that the digital age has passed you by? Are you confused by well-meaning family instruction (i.e. no patience with you!) LEARN HOW TO: Search the Internet Send & Receive Emails Shop and Book Flights Use your own device or use computers available at some venues Age Action runs beginner courses in Computers, iPads and Tablets for older people who have little or no experience or for the absolutely terrified! Courses run once a week for 5 or 6 weeks ALL COURSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE Classes will be held in Blessington Library For more information about the course or if you would like to become a volunteer phone (01) 475 6989

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

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.

MAKE SOMEONE LAUGH

Is there a better sound in the world?

Tell a joke or a funny story … whatever it takes…

You’ve brightened someone’s day for just a minute, and in doing so have brightened your own!!