Annual Church Gate Collection
for St Mary’s Junior & Senior Schools
will take place at all Masses next weekend.

Sunday 16th June 2019
►Children’s Church at 10am Mass in Church of Our Lady for children aged 5 to 10 years. Helpers needed for Children’s Church. 1 hour every fortnight. Info: Nuala 085 1221561
►Eadestown Cemetery Mass at 12 noon. Blessing of the graves from at 11.30. No Mass in Eadestown Church, Mass in Kilteel at 10am
►Manor Kilbride Graveyard Mass at 2pm

Monday 17th June 2019
►Holy Hour in Crosschapel every Monday after 10am Mass. (ex Bank Holidays)

Tuesday 18th June 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 19th June 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

The Family of the late Mick Fleming, Logstown, Valleymount, would like to express our sincere thanks to the relatives, friends & neighbours who offered sympathy & support during our recent sad loss. Thank you to everyone who visited Mick during his stay in hospital, to all who attended Mick’s funeral, sent Mass cards & messages of condolences. Thanks to Fr. Behan for the funeral Mass, to Lorraine & Paul for the beautiful music, to Lena & Gordan of Clarke’s for their kindness. A special thanks to the Miley family for the use of their field at Baltyboys Cemetery. A mass will be offered for your Intentions.

Mass Intentions this Week
Bernie Lyons (RD)
Saturday 6pm: Paddy Byrne (A)
Frank Clarke (RD)
Sunday 10am: Jimmy Keogh (A)
Patrick Byrne (A)
We also Remember the following:
Peter Nolan Jnr, Gus Hearne, Patrick Kearns, Margaret Glennon, James Nolan
Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick
Tuesday: Barry O’Donnell (Rem), Thanksgiving Mass
Wednesday: Peter Nolan Jnr (A)
Special Living Intentions
Thursday: John & Sarah Magee (A)
Daragh Rowan (A)
Friday: Margaret Glennon (A)
Teresa Murphy (A)

Valleymount Art & Heritage Weekend June 21^st – 8pm in Valleymount Hall Valleymount Theatre Company presents William Shakespeare’s Comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ appropriately on ‘Midsummers Night’!                                                                                                           June 22^nd – 8pm in Valleymount Hall Heritage Exhibition ‘The History of The Parish’ followe by a talk on the history of the parish.                                                                                                                     June 23^rd – Bishop Eamonn Walsh will celebrate 11.15am Mass in St. Joseph’s Church Valleymount. This will be followed by a Blessing of THE MEMORY GARDEN at the front of The Parochial House. The garden is to commemorate the memory of the families who were displaced & affected by the flooding of the Valley 1939 / 1940 Heritage Exhibition & Tea Rooms until 3pm

West Wicklow Cancer Support Essential Oils Mediation hosted by Gemma Deeney of Yogagym. 6-week session commencing Wed 19^th June 11.30am to 12.30pm in Primary Care Centre Blessington. No charge, all welcome, please bring a friend. 087 434 6004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com “The best cure for the body is a quiet mind”, come and join us.

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

Cemetery Sunday Templeboden Sun 7^th July at 3pm. Please inform family & friends.

3 Beautiful Kittens looking for a good home. 6 weeks old.  Call 087 2977678 or 045 265333

Men’s Health Week 10^th to 16^th June Mind Our Men (M.O.M) Blessington are hosting a tailored 12-week fitness / activity programme for males of all ages and capabilities. This is a free programme that you can follow on your own with weekly plans emailed to you. If you can make a little time to try this then please take that time. Email: mindourmen2019@gmail.com to sign up.  Men’s Health Matters. Make the Time….Take the Time

Hollywood Centre Social Night on Sat 15^th June, dancing from 9pm to Midnight. Music by “Done & Dusted” Adm €10.  Students €5 Refreshments served

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

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 Sun 23^rd June at 2pm Leaving from Fenton’s Bar at 2pm. Donations on the day please for St Brigid’s Hospice.

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”

 Paul Carroll will undertake the Lug Challenge, a 53km walk covering 17 peaks this weekend, to raise funds for the renovation of the Lacken Community Centre (old school). Donations can be made through gofundme or through sponsorship cards available in Zellars Lacken or John Cremin Butchers Blessington

Poula Poetry & Blessington Library are delighted to announce the winners of our local school’s poetry competition. We had a magnificent response, there was such a wealth of brilliant poems submitted it was very difficult to choose “winners”. Thank you to EVERYONE who sent in work, to their teachers & schools for encouraging & facilitating the young poets to write so well. All the poems will be on display in the library. Highly commended were Abi Hasson of Lacken NS, Hannah Reilly of Lacken NS, Sophia Gray of Blessington No. 1 School, & Katy May of Gaelscoil na Lochanna. Overall winner: Mercy Biala of Blessington No. 1 School for her poem ‘Russborough’s Complaints’.

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.

RAGGED COMPANY playing live Sat 15^th June from 9pm in Marquee Avon Blessington. Adm €10 at the door, in aid of Blessington Day Care Centre. A night not to be missed!! Bring your dancing shoes, it’s going to be a late night!

FETE & BARBEQUE in St John the Baptist Church Cloughleagh on Sat 15^th June from 12 noon to 4pm. Gourmet Barbeque & Crepes, Cakes, Plants, Books, Crafts, Raffle, Kid’s Corner, Face Painting. Adm €5 (incl tea) Children Free. Come & Join the Fun in this beautiful location & enjoy lovely food, homemade goodies & excellent stalls. Donations most welcome

Congratulations and well done to our wonderful superhero, 5 year old Calum Martin Flynn, on his award from Blessington & District Forum as “Person of the year 2019”. We, your family & friends are so proud of you & love you so much. We know you will be an inspiration for all young people into the future. Well done also to the other nominees.

West Wicklow Cancer Support “Blessington & District Forum’s Community Group of the Year 2019” we are absolutely delighted to have won this accolade & would like to thank everyone for voting for us. To the Coimín Centre, the Primary Care Centre & all the volunteers who have helped us along the way, your ongoing support is hugely appreciated. Local community support means we can keep developing our services, mindful that our service users find some value in visiting us. Thank you so much!!

Blessington Library Summer Stars Reading Adventure for children during the summer from 15^th of June to the end of August. Summer Stars is an exciting reading-based programme which is available free of charge to all children. We are very happy to work with teachers and families to encourage children to continue reading and also to participate in our range of storytelling and other fun activities during the summer. Each child is invited to register for the adventure at the library. All participants will be given a Summer Stars Reading Card to record and track their own progress, and there will be rewards and incentives along the way. At the end of the adventure, all children who participate are invited to attend the Grand Finale. Children and families will also have access to fun reading activities on the Summer Stars website, www.summerstars.ie The site has lots of online activities as well as a range of animated ebooks. You will find a children’s books discussion board and interviews with well-known people about their favourite books. There are also helpful tips for reading and recommended titles by age group for children to read. The books can then be borrowed from the library service, and it’s all free.

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

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 is pleased to announce a Golf Classic as one of the big 2019 fundraisers, taking place 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 early to ensure your preferred tee time by contacting one of the following: Arthur Hennessy 087 239 6157, Emer McIntyre Reape 087 226 2286, Lenny Gilligan 085 804 1731, 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

St. Vincent De Paul Annual Church Gate Collection  next weekend 8th & 9th June in all Churches. Many thanks for your continued support.

Monday 3^rd June 2019

►Bank Holiday Mass at 11am in Blessington

►Animal Farm Family Fun Day from 2pm to 5pm in St Kevin’s Community Centre. Fun for all the family. Meet the animals, Novelty Dog Show (enter on the day) FREE Pony Rides. Bric-a-Brac, Fresh Produce Stall and many more. €10 per Family includes Tea/Coffee.

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

Tuesday 4^th June 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 5^th June 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

Friday 7^th June 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.

Mass Intentions this Week

Mairead Hudson (RD)

Saturday 6pm:

 Bill Garry (A) John, Ann & Liam Craul (A)

Sunday 10am

Bridie Murphy (A) Christine Foley (RD)

We also Remember the following:

Desmond Kenny (1^st A) Jim Toomey (A)

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Special Intention, Special Intention

Wednesday: Desmond Kenny (1^st A)

Lorraine Chute RD)

Thursday: Theresa Harbourne (RD)

Tom Miley (RD)

Friday:  1^st Friday Altar List of the Dead

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

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

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

Official Announcement – Opening of Blessington Tourist Office Blessing and District CE Ltd are delighted to announce the opening of the Blessington Tourist Office located at Unit 7 Blessington Town Centre (across from Dunnes) on Friday 31^st May at 4pm. This has been a huge community effort to get our new location and office up and running in time for the busy holiday season. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Blessington Community Awards 2019

The Avon, Blessington

Friday 7th June at 7:30pm

Free Admission

Finger Food & Entertainment

Celebrity MC

Shortlisted Nominees (in alphabetical order)

Young Person of the Year

Kevin Russell, Philip Byrne,

Sheila Naughton.

Carer of the Year

Breda O’Brien, Brid Murphy, Maggie Ryan, Maria Bohan.

Community Group of the Year

Blessington AFC,

Blessington Men’s Shed,

Blessington Tidy Towns,

Blessington Youth Theatre,

Citizens Information Centre,

Community Pool for West Wicklow,

West Wicklow Cancer Support Group.

Person of the Year

Callum Martin-Flynn, Catherine Behan, Paul Tyrrell, Siobhan Flockton

The Cancer Society Collection which took place in Manor Kilbride recently, raised €305. Many thanks to all who donated.

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

Blessington History Society Summer Outing on Thursday 6^th June. We will visit the Mansion House, The Royal Irish automobile Club and The Little Museum. The cost of €35 will include lunch. Meeting at the Downshire Monument, Blessington at 10.15am. To book, contact Tom at 045 891 261 or 086 874 6831 Non-Members Welcome

The 2019 Poetry Bus Tour … on Sat 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 call (045) 891 740

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.

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

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.

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.

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”

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

FETE & BARBEQUE in St John the Baptist Church Cloughleagh on Sat 15^th June from 12 noon to 4pm. Gourmet Barbeque & Crepes, Cakes, Plants, Books, Crafts, Raffle, Kid’s Corner, Face Painting. Adm €5 (incl tea) Children Free. Come & Join the Fun in this beautiful location & enjoy lovely food, homemade goodies & excellent stalls. Donations most welcome

Blessington GAA Club is pleased to announce a Golf Classic as one of the big 2019 fundraisers, taking place 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 early to ensure your preferred tee time by contacting one of the following: Arthur Hennessy 087 239 6157, Emer McIntyre Reape 087 226 2286, Lenny Gilligan 085 804 1731, John Williamson 086 825 6556

Car Boot Sale (Des Redmond Charities) in St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 9^th June from 7am to 4pm. €10 per table, Free Car Park, Tea & Coffee.

Anam Cara South Dublin, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Parent Evening on Monday 10^th June at 7:20pm in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght. Please note there are no Events in July or August. Please contact us on info@anamcara.ie or 085 288 8888.