Blessington GAA U14’s

Church Gate Collection this weekend

Saturday 25^th May 2019

► Comhghairdeas le gach buachaill agus cailín i nGaelscoil na Lochanna Congratulations to the Boys & Girls who will receive 1^st Holy Communion today in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Sunday 26^th May 2019

►Annual Pilgrimage to Knock leaving the Square Blessington (outside the Downshire Hotel) at 8am Sharp. Info, Mary: 087 6061 729

►Blessington Tidy Towns and Forum Annual Community Clean Up. Meet at 8.45am outside Credit Union.  We are hoping volunteers will come out in force as we make a big effort to prepare for the annual Tidy Towns judging.  Please text Michael Sargent if you can help 086 244 3640 or email michael@gsw.ie

►Hollywood Mass Rock pilgrimage will start in the Church car park at 7am proceeding to the Mass Rock where Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Eamonn Walsh upon arrival at Corragh at 9am (approx) All are welcome.

►Country Market from 10am to 3pm Valleymount Community Hall.

Monday 27^th May 2019

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

►Children’s Choir 1^st Rehearsal from 3pm to 3.45pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington

Tuesday 28^th May 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 29^th May 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

Thursday 30^th May 2019

►West Wicklow Cancer Support – Drop in Meeting. “Have you been touched by Cancer, Self-care & making time for you” An evening of meditation, stillness & mindfulness into everyday living so as to achieve greater peace of mind & freedom. Hosted by artist & therapist Margot Ussher on Thursday 30^th May at 7.30pm in the Coimin Centre, Blessington. No charge, all are welcome & do feel free to bring a friend. Contact 087 434 6004 or email: westwicklow15@gmail.com

Friday 31^st May 2019

►Blessington Men’s Shed monthly fundraising dance in the Avon Hotel on Friday 31^st May. Music by Brian Mc Dermott. Admission €10. Dancing 9.30pm to 12. Spot prizes on the night

Mass Intentions this Week

Saturday 6pm: Barney Kavanagh (RD) Larry Smith (2^nd A)

Sunday 10am: Molly & Tom Hamilton (A) Nick Dunne (A)

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Eucharistic Service

Wednesday: Mass Bouquet, Mass Bouquet

Thursday: Birthday Rem, Get Well Int

Friday: Paul Lynch (RD) Noel Eustace (RD)

The family of the late Maisie Miley, Baltyboys, would like to thank everyone most sincerely for their kind expression of sympathy on the passing of our mother. Thank you to relatives, neighbours & friends who called to the house & to so many of you laden with cakes & sandwiches; words cannot express how grateful we are. Thank you to all who attended the funeral Mass and sent Mass cards, many thanks to Valleymount GAA for their guard of honour and traffic management. A special thank you to Fr Behan for his many visits. Thank you to Lorraine and Richie Willoughby and to Harry Farrington for their beautiful singing. Thank you to Tony & Regina Clarke and to the staff & management of Tulfarris Hotel. A Mass will be offered for your intentions.

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

Manor Kilbride Graveyard Sunday 16^th June (Please note our new & permanent date)

Sum of Money found on Tues 21^st May (Near Deerpark Close) Contact 087 959 8409

Daffodil Day 2019: with your help we raised €9,109. Thank you so much from Julieann Byrne, Caroline Byrne & Christine Hughes. Looking forward to your help next year.

Helpers needed to help supervise children during Children’s Church.  Only 1 hour every fortnight. Please contact Nuala 085 122 161 if you may be available to help out on occasion.

 Two Children’s Church dates remaining before summer break – June 9th and 30^th at 10am Mass in Church of Our Lady Blessington for children aged 5 to 10 years

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

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.

Lugnaquilla – Eamonn Murray Memorial Charity Walk on Sunday 23^rd June at 2pm Leaving from Fenton’s Bar at 2pm. Donations on the day please for St Brigid’s Hospice, The Curragh

The Coimín Greenway 5k. Register now to secure your place in the Coimín Greenway 5k on Sun 16^th June. Race is chip timed with cash prizes, there’ll be bespoke medals for all race participants. www.popupraces.ie/race/blessington-5k-family-fun-day/ Proudly sponsored by Kenny’s Supervalu Blessington & supported by Wicklow Leader Programme.

There is a new domestic violence outreach service in West Wicklow provided by Saoirse Women’s refuge in Tallaght. We can offer confidential appointments providing support to women suffering from domestic violence in the community, including Court Accompaniment. The drop in clinics take place every Monday 9:30am-11:30am Blessington Library, every Wednesday afternoon 2:30pm-4:30pm Seomra Imaal Hall Dunlavin and every Friday 9:30-11:30am The equestrian/The Lawlor centre Baltinglass. Call 085 271 0378 for an Appointment.

Sunday 26th May (+ every Last Sunday) SONGS & TUNES session, set up by local music lovers in 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!

Date For your Diary: Supper/Dance (Ballroom Of Romance) in Hollywood Centre on Saturday 20^th July. Food Served at 8pm. Dancing until Midnight, music by THE WICKLOW MAN.  Adm €20. Great night assured!!!

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

Cruthú Art Group has now reopened at Russborough for the Summer Season from 11am to 5pm on weekends & Bank Holidays.  We will also open Fridays & selected days later in Summer.  If you have any enquiries about our work, please email cruthuart@gmail.com Drop in anytime to view unique locally produced art & crafts. www.cruthu.ie

Blessington ‘Tots’ mini-rugby for boys & girls is at St Kevin’s Community Centre 11am outdoors each Saturday

A Beautiful Celebration of Music featuring emerging classical artists on Thursday 27^th June at 7.30pm in the Moat Theatre Naas 045 883 030. Tickets €10. Proudly supporting “Make a Wish” and “The Irish Cancer Society”

The 2019 Poetry Bus Tour … On Saturday June 8^th the Poetry Bus will depart Blessington Library at 10am with PoulaPoets & guest musician aboard for another magical mystery tour of poetic proportions, stopping at various top-secret locations around West Wicklow for readings & songs & chat & lunch (not provided), before returning to the library at 4pm for a cuppa. Bring your favourite poems for the open mic. Tickets (€5) available from Blessington library. Book now blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie or by phone on (045) 891 740

ECUMENICAL BIBLE WEEK Coimín Centre Blessington

“Always Be Ready to give an answer…… for the Hope that you Possess” (1 Peter 3:15)

Monday 10^th June 7.30pm to 9pm

Beatitudes: A Way of Life, a Way of Looking – Speaker: Seán Goan

Tuesday 11^th June 7.30pm to 9pm

Accounting for the Hope that is in us – Speaker: Nick Park

Wednesday 12^th June 7.30pm to 9pm

Luke’s Teaching on Prayer & the Lord’s Prayer – Speaker: Kieran O’Mahony

www.bibleweek.ie facebook.com/bibleweek Further Info from Blessington Parish Office 045 865 327

Animal Farm Family Fun Day – Monday 3^rd June from 2pm to 5pm. St Kevin’s Community Centre, Blessington. Fun for all the family. Meet the animals, Novelty Dog Show (enter on the day) FREE Pony Rides. Fresh Produce Refreshments. €10 per Family includes Tea/Coffee. The animal farm event is an important fundraiser for St. Mary’s Church. The team organising the event would be grateful for donations of any items that could be sold on a Bric-a-Brac Stall (nearly new items in good condition) items for the lucky dip and donations of cakes, tray bakes, jams, chutneys, plants etc for the Fresh Produce Stall. These items could be dropped to the hall during the morning of June 3^rd where they will be gratefully received in aid of St Mary’s Parish, Blessington.

St John the Baptist Church Cloughleagh Saturday 15^th June from 12 noon to 4pm

FETE & BARBEQUE – Gourmet Barbeque & Crepes, Cakes, Plants, Books, Crafts, Raffle, Kid’s Corner, Face Painting. Admission €5 including tea. Children Free. Come & Join the Fun in this beautiful location & enjoy lovely food, homemade goodies & excellent stalls. Contributions for the stalls will be gratefully received

Know the true value of time; seize and enjoy every minute.

Irish Cancer Society Church Gate Collection – Crosschapel & Manor Kilbride

Saturday 11^th May 2019

►IN AID OF PIETA HOUSE – Blessington’s 1^st Darkness into Light. contact Greg at blessington@darknessintolight.ie

►Congratulations to the Boys & Girls who will receive 1^st Holy Communion at 11am Mass in Lacken Church.

►A night for Peadar Moran ESB Lake Warden on his retirement Mileys at 8.30pm, Trad Musicians welcome. Sean 086 108 5879

Sunday 12^th May 2019

►Congratulations to the Boys & Girls who will receive 1^st Holy Communion at 11.15am Mass in Valleymount Church.

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

Monday 13^th May 2019

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

►Children’s Choir 1^st Rehearsal from 3pm to 3.45pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington

►Blessington & District Forum are hosting a Meet the Candidates evening for the forthcoming Council elections in Tramway Theatre at 8pm, all welcome.

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

Tuesday 14^th May 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 15^th May 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

Sunday 19^th May 2019

► Burgage Cemetery Mass at 3pm

Congratulations to the Boys & Girls who will receive 1^st Holy Communion next weekend 18^th & 19^th May in Blessington and Manor Kilbride

St Vincent de Paul local no: 087 181 1579

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

A message from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin

This weekend of 11^th & 12^th May, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday

an occasion to reflect on the importance of the ministerial priesthood & on prayer for vocations to the priesthood.  This is an urgent call for the future of our diocese. There will no longer be special collection today as with smaller numbers of seminarians, there are now sufficient funds for the near future. In his message for the World day of Prayer for Vocations Pope Francis says that there can be no greater joy than to risk one’s life for the Lord! He encourages us, especially the young, not to be deaf to the Lord’s call.   ‘If he calls you to follow his path, do not pull your oars into the boat, but trust him.  Do not yield to fear, which paralyses us before the great heights to which the Lord points us.

Next weekend, 18^th & 19^th May, we will for the first time hold a new collection which will be called the Ministry Sunday Collection.

This new annual collection will replace the Share Collection & will be devoted to support the building up of new forms of lay ministry in our parishes.  The work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus in our changing religious culture will require more lay men and women working in various ways alongside our priests at the heart of parish communities. This collection is about ensuring that we will have the people we need – men & women who will be to the fore in making our parishes vibrant faith communities into the future. While many of those involved will be volunteers, we will have to equip & train leaders & provide facilities for formation. We want to work towards a situation where all parishes in this Archdiocese benefit from their gifts & expertise. The new collection is one-step in that process.

Mass Intentions this Week

Noel Eustace (RD) & Michael Ryan (RD)

Saturday 6pm: Jane & Jim Flynn (A)

Robert Hennessy (A), Amelia Lily Phillips (A) Mary & Roger Keogh (A)

Sunday 10am: Pat Duffy (A) Jessie Clarke (A) Billy Ball (A) Edward Carroll (A)

Ann Carroll-Brophy (A) Amanda Brophy(A) Michael O’Connor (A)

We also Remember the following:

Peter & Mary Murphy Jack Boothman,

Jimmy Devoy, Lelia & Malachy Slevin,

Mary Clarke, Rose McLoughlin, James Finglas

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Thanksgiving Mass, Billy Ball (A)

Wed: Three Birthday Remembrance Masses

Thurs: James Finglas (RD) Damien O’Keefe

Friday: Tracey Foley (RD) Maisie Miley (RD)

West Wicklow Festival Tickets are now on sale for the third edition of the West Wicklow Festival which takes place from 15^th to 19^th May. Building on the success of previous festivals, the 2019 West Wicklow Festival boasts an incredible line-up of musicians & artists from all over the world with concerts being held at Russborough House and St. Mary’s Church, Blessington. Having doubled in size last year, the Festival has once again expanded its programme & this year will feature 15 incredible artists over 5 days. You can book tickets in person from Russborough House, McGreal’s Pharmacy or the National Concert Hall, Dublin. You can also book online at www.westwicklowfestival.com or by calling (01) 417 0000

Manor Kilbride Graveyard Sunday 16^th June (Please note our new & permanent date)

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

 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.

 BYT BLESSINGTON YOUTH THEATRE – A number of Blessington Youth Theatre Leaders are retiring this year after 11 years with the group.   It is now time for parents, past members & all those who may be interested within the Community of Blessington & district, to volunteer & ensure the continuation of this vibrant, wonderful Community Youth Group.In this regard we invite those interested in continuing BYT to please attend an important meeting to discuss the future of Blessington Youth Theatre at the TRAMWAY THEATRE, BLESSINGTON, ON THURSDAY 16^th MAY AT 8 PM.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE.

Cruthú Art Group has now reopened at Russborough for the Summer Season from 11am to 5pm on weekends & Bank Holidays.  We will also open Fridays & selected days later in Summer.  If you have any enquiries about our work, please email cruthuart@gmail.com Drop in anytime to view unique locally produced art & crafts. www.cruthu.ie

 The Coimín Greenway 5k. Register now to secure your place in the Coimín Greenway 5k on Sun 16^th June. Race is chip timed with cash prizes, there’ll be bespoke medals for all race participants. www.popupraces.ie/race/blessington-5k-family-fun-day/ Proudly sponsored by Kenny’s Supervalu Blessington & supported by Wicklow Leader Programme.

Blessington ‘Tots’ mini-rugby for boys & girls is at St Kevin’s Community Centre 11am outdoors each Saturday

Annual Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 26^th May. Leaving the Square Blessington (outside the Downshire Hotel) at 8am Sharp. Mary: 087 6061 729

Michael Dwyers U14 Feile Team Fundraiser – Fun quiz, will be held in Hennessy’s on Fri May 17^th at 9.30pm.  Blessington GAA is represented by – Finn Behan, Brian Richardson & Thomas Walsh. The boys will be travelling to Cork on June 7^th Please support.

Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee & Glen Heste Pure Mile Group wish to thank everybody who came to the Big Hello event last Sunday in Manor Kilbride. We really appreciated all the home baking, cakes, delph, flowers etc Many thanks to all the singers. Go mbeirimíd beo ar an am seo arís!

West Wicklow Cancer Support would like to thank all of those who offered their help & support with our East Coast FM Coffee Morning. The Musicians, community volunteers, local businesses & the Coimin Centre & staff some of who were exceptionally kind & went above & beyond to help make it a great success!  There are too many to mention & we are very grateful for your ongoing support. All funds raised go towards providing much needed support to the community & developing our services. A big thank also to East Coast FM for their amazing support & guidance along the way, we hope to have our final figure in from them very soon!

 Hands for Life/Community CPR Training Every day in Ireland 13 people die from a cardiac arrest. By starting CPR immediately, you double the person’s chances of surviving. HANDS FOR LIFE is a community CPR training programme run by the Irish Heart Foundation. It is free & is coming to Blessington Library on Tuesday 14^th May for 3 sessions at 5 pm, 6.30pm & 8pm. This is a 1-hour course for adults & includes a practical element of performing CPR on a manikin. To take part, phone the library at 89 1740 or email blesslib@wicklowcoco.ie

‘Magic Table’ or ToverTafel. Blessington Library has recently acquired a Tovertafel or when translated from Dutch – a ‘Magic Table’. The equipment got its name after a dementia patient who was trying it out, said “this is a magic table”. The Tovertafel is a projector on the ceiling that can project light onto a table below. It allows patients to take part in various games that help to stimulate their brains & lead to social interaction. The emphasis is on relaxation & fun, the games are not competitive & every participant is a winner in that they can get so much in terms of interaction & sociability.  Blessington Librarians are very excited to demonstrate this to members of our community & their loved ones who are dementia patients. There are three open days planned in May – Friday 10^th from 12 noon to 4.30pm, Saturday 11^th from 12 to 4.30pm and Monday 13^th 12 to 4.30pm. Please phone the library at 891740 for further information & to arrange a booking