Mass Intentions this Week

Saturday 6pm: Mary Kennedy (A) Jimmy Keogh (A) Birthday Remembrance, Ann Linnane  (A) Nora Swift (A)

Sunday 10am: Tom McGreal (A) Jimmy Gallagher (1st A) Madlyn & Tom Rolston (A) Mary & Michael O’Halloran (A)

We also remember: Bernard Kilbride, Trish Lynch (1st A)

Monday: Mass offered for all the Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Carmel Long (Mths Mind) James Barrett (RD)

Wednesday: Jimmy Keogh (Birthday Rem) Roseleen Dolan (RD)

Thursday: Pauline McGovern (RD) Thomas Kelly (RD)

Friday: 1st Friday … Mass offered for all those on the November List of the Dead

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We all know of people who promise a lot and do not deliver; maybe each of us is a bit like that. Or the opposite – the grumbler who does the job anyway even if with half-good grace. That is the gospel image today. Jesus prefers the one who does good rather than the one who talks about it. Jesus never looked down on the sinner because many of them believed what he said and did their best to do it. Our prayer moves outwards to give to others, the ‘prayer of the hands’. The sinner is praised for having faith, the prayer of the heart. The test of prayer is in how we love and try to be loving people in our lives.

In this context Pope Francis says: ‘Professing one’s faith in Christ doesn’t stop at words but must be authenticated by concrete choices and gestures, by a life marked by God’s love, a great life, a life with so much love for one’s neighbour’; this is echoing St Ignatius: ‘Love is shown in deeds not words’.

And: “You see that the love John speaks of is not the love of soap operas! No, it is something else. Christian love has a particular quality: concreteness. Christian love is concrete. Jesus Himself, when He speaks of love, speaks to us about concrete things: feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and many concrete things. Love is concrete.’

Donal Neary SJ, Editor Sacred Heart Messenger

►Tuesday 29th October: Eucharistic Adoration & Rosary will take place every Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. If you are unable to come to the Church, you can join us via webcam on blessingtonparish.ie

►Thursday 1^st October: Holy Hour / Benediction with Deacon Gerry in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. (also available via webcam)

►Friday 2^nd October: 1st Friday of the Month. Mass 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 Padre Pio Mass will take place at 8pm in Church of Our Lady Blessington.

►Prayers to Our Lady for the month of October every Wednesday from 11am -12 noon in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Dunlavin GAA & Western Gaels are running a Drive in Bingo  in Blessington Mart on 27^th Sept at 2pm. €3000 in prizes. Gates open at 12 noon. Eircode W91 Y667

Searching for  Spanish-English conversation exchange to improve pronunciation. +34687446322 danixa.montero@gmail.com

COURSES IN YOUR LOCAL ETB THIS AUTUMN

Health Related Fitness Course. Why not try something new this winter? This course will help you to: Develop an awareness of issues around health, fitness and physical activities. Make personal choices about food and physical activity. Understand stress and how to deal with it. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. This course will be run for one morning a week. Learn and have fun in a safe and friendly environment. All Covid-19 guidelines strictly adhered to. We also have courses available in Basic computers, English for speakers of other languages and Basic English. For further information on all the above please contact Annette at 086 846 2771 or 045 851 494.

Blessington Mini-Rugby outdoors for 4 and 5 year olds. Boys & girls welcome. K.O. 11:15am every Saturday at St Kevin’s Hall

Blessington Mini-Rugby on Tuesdays U7, U8 and U9 boys & girls from 6pm to 7pm –  U10 to U13 7pm to 8pm on GAA Astro

Rugby at Russborough for all ages from 10am to 12 noon each Saturday

The Parish Office Opening Hours Monday to Friday from 9am to 12.30pm for Mass Bookings, Mass Cards, & Enquiries Email: office@blessington.info Carol: 045 865 327 – 9am to 12.30pm Jean: 087 235 0835 – 9am to 5pm Please observe social distance, and use hand sanitiser when entering & leaving

St. Marys’ Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto Jackpot next week €2875 sign up for €2 per week on parish website

http://www.blessingtonparish.ie

I may not have everything I want in life but I’m blessed enough to have all that I need! For this …. I am grateful

Email us with your Community Group news: office@blessington.info

St Vincent de Paul local number 087 181 1579

Blessington Tourist Office is holding an Arts & Crafts Mini-Fair  in aid of West Wicklow Cancer Support (WWCS) on Friday 2^nd & Saturday 3^rd October in the Tourist Office from 9am to 5pm each day. Due to the pandemic, the WWCS were not able to organise their usual fundraisers such as coffee mornings, so we have decided to give them a helping hand. Furthermore, with our artists and crafters in mind, we thought that this occasion will increase the footfall into the office or outside (weather permitting) & moreover, wider exposure. The usual 10% that office takes will go to the WWCS & we would also ask for an extra 10% from you as a supporting gesture. There will be a raffle Tickets on sale in the Tourist Office now.

NEWSLETTER ADS

Study and Work Spaces are now available in Blessington Library. Spaces can be booked for two-hour slots. All are physically distanced and separated by screens. Book a space online at www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Libraries/Study-Spacees or call us at 045 891740. Photocopying, scanning & printing services available. Free Wi-Fi access.

Blessington Bookstore Christmas Pop-Up Shop now relocated to Method Physio! Click and Collect, or Book to Browse available. Phone us on 083 848 6745 or visit www.blessingtonbooks.com Great books & great gift ideas for birthdays and Christmas for all ages. We are open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Looking forward to seeing you!

Great News!! Happy Days School of Performing Arts is back on Saturdays! Giving Children & Teenagers the confident edge in a fun safe environment ! Due to the present situation there are some changes. Temporarily we have moved to: St JOSEPH’S HALL, Blessington. There are some changes of CLASS times as well. Class times are as follows:

INTERMEDIATES: 9.30am to 11am – SENIORS: 11.15am to 12.45pm  – JUNIORS: 1pm to 2.30pm

All classes are fully COVID19 compliant All Teachers are Garda Vetted, fully trained & Certified in Covid Safety measures. For further information and booking please email Grainne at happydaysdrama@gmail.com or call us on 087 6795470 or visit our website: www.happydaysdrama.ie

McGreal’s Hearing Centre Our Clinical Audiologist & Rehabilitation Specialist Justine Rae is based at our Main Street Pharmacy in Blessington. To book a hearing test phone 1890 92 92 59 or visit mcgreals.ie

Delighted to announce we have two vacancies available on the Scheme: Caretaker for:

Blessington FC Job Ref CES2152799 Caretaker /Cleaner for

Manor Kilbride Community Hall 1 Job Ref CES2152799

To qualify you must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for the past 12 months. For further info or to apply please phone Martin Cahill on 085 252 356 or 045 891 348 or email martincahill@blessingtonce.ie