Blessington Parish CHRISTMAS CRIB EXHIBITION in the Coimín Centre Blessington on

December 14th 1pm to 8pm

December 15th 11am to 8pm

December 16th 10am to 4pm

Over 100 exhibits of “Cribs from around the World”

 Saturday 14^th December 2019

► Sacrament of the Sick & Healing Mass at 12 noon in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. There will be tea & coffee served in the Coimín Centre after Mass.

Sunday 15^th December 2019

►First Communion & Confirmation preparation Mass at 11.15am in Valleymount

►Blessington Ecumenical Carol Service at 5pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington.

► Valleymount & Lacken Parish Concert in St Joseph’s Church Valleymount at 7pm.  Tickets €10 or 2 for €15.

Monday 16^th December 2019

►St. Mary’s Junior School Christmas Mass.

at 9:30am in Church of Our Lady. All welcome.

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

►Blessington Children’s Choir practice 2:45pm to 3.30pm in the Church.

►Neighbourhood Collection Envelopes for December now due Envelopes may be left into the Parish Office or in collection bags at Mass.

Tuesday 17^th December 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 18^th December 2019

►The Citizens Information Centre is open in Blessington Library today 10am to 12.30pm.

► The Holy Face of Jesus Prayer Group in Church of Our Lady, Blessington “Crying Room” from 11am to 11.45am. All welcome.

Mass Intentions this Week

Mary Brennan (RD) Edward (Ned) Slattery

Saturday 6pm: Bill Smith (A) Denis Brereton (A)

Sunday 10am: Cathal Gallagher (1^st A) Bridget Norton (1^st A) Laurence & Gertrude Kehoe (A)

We also Remember the following: Jimmy, Maisie & May Nolan. Christy, Kathleen, Goo & Pete Nolan. Julia Hunt (A) Sean & Elizabeth O’Donnell, Sidney & Maureen Humbley. Michael & Irene O’Donnell

Monday: Mass for those on the list for Sick

Tuesday: Mary Harney (Mths Mind) Nellie Carroll (Mths Mind) Annie & Patrick Carroll (A) Teresa & Leo Sheridan (A)

Wednesday: Jenny & Mary Robinson (A) Barry O’Donnell (Rem)

Thursday: Sean & Elizabeth O’Donnell, Sidney & Maureen Humbley. Michael & Irene O’Donnell Jimmy, Maisie & May Nolan. Christy, Kathleen, Goo & Pete Nolan.

Friday: Blessington Deceased Mass Card List

The family of the late Dicky (Richard) Reid, Crosscoolharbour, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, wish to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy & gestures of kindness shown to us during Dicky’s long illness & at the time of his sad passing on 7^th November 2018. We offer sincere thanks to family, friends, neighbours & all those who called to the house, attended the funeral mass & burial & also those who sent cards & messages of condolences. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. The holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offer for your intentions.

The Winter Fair at St Brigid’s Manor Kilbride was a great success and a special gathering of all ages across our community.    The organising team and the wider school community would like to sincerely thank all those who supported our event

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: – Would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas & a healthy & happy New Year.  There will be no monthly drop in on the last Thurs of Dec. Our next Drop will be on Thurs 23rd Jan. We are available on 087 434 6004 or by email westwicklow15@gmail.com over the holiday season. Thanks for your ongoing support.

St. Vincent De Paul would like to offer our sincere gratitude for all the donations we received last weekend. If anyone still wishes to donate, can you please drop it into the Parish Office marked for SVP. All donations dropped in here remain in Blessington & the surrounding areas & 100% of donations are distributed to those in need. Any donations left in the SVP Shop are sent to Dublin.

Blessington Allotments public meeting on Sat 14^th Dec at 12:30 in Blessington Library Would you be interested in allotments in Blessington? Our group is continuing to campaign for the provision of allotments in the Blessington area. – come & show your support for allotments at this meeting! For more details, contact Dónal at blessingtonallotments@gmail.com

Valleymount Parish Calendar 2020 on sale now, €6 each or 2 for €10 from the Parish Office, Valleymount & Lacken Churches & shops locally. All funds to support Valleymount & Lacken Parish, many thanks to our many sponsors & advertisers for your generous funding.

Christmas Collection for the Homeless at Method Physiotherapy. Accepting unused toys, clothes, toiletries etc. For more info call 045 857 444

 ♫ Sunday 29th December 2019 (+ every Last Sunday). Free session of SONGS & TUNES. Zellers, Lacken; 6pm to 9+. Used to sing or play? A ‘novice’? ‘Just a listener’? ALL welcome. ALL ages ANY song, tune, acoustic self-accompaniment. No mic. Just for fun!

Lacken Community Centre Calendar 2020 on sale now from Supervalu, Blessington Bookstore, The Office Shop, Blessington Tourist Office, West Wicklow House, Flowers by Enda, Zellers Lacken & Cullens Bar Ballyknocken

Happy Christmas to all our Mini-Rugby Players from Blessington RFC!!

Many thanks to all who supported ‘An Evening with Oscar Wilde’ at Russborough House recently. Great night had by all! Happy Christmas! Richard Lynch.

LOOKING FOR A GREAT NIGHT OUT? Blessington Bowls meet every Thurs at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington, guests welcome, come along & bring a friend.

Valleymount Parish Private Members Draw

We wish to thank you all for your generous support for the draw which has been a great success. One of the reasons for its success has been the tireless work of the committee & its collectors over the years. They have given their time & energy to running this draw & we thank them very much for this service. The Committee are now taking a well-deserved break from fund-raising & are passing on the task. Their dedication & diligence have paved the way for the next group to take up this important work for our parish. All the money from this draw has funded the roof repairs, the repairs to the back wall & some painting in the Church. As there are further works needed to keep our beautiful Church maintained & to keep the parish running, we are appealing for volunteers to take up this task & join those who will continue to make the draw a success. If you are available to help, please leave your name & contact details in the sacristy after Mass & we will call you. Again, we want to thank the outgoing committee for al l their work & ask God to bless them for their generosity. The next draw will be in February 2020 & we hope for your continuous support. Good luck to all in the final draw for 2019 this Sunday.

Valleymount Theatre Company have cancelled Scrooge. Refunds from the Office Shop, Blessington.

Blessington Christmas Bingo Bonanza Nights in the Avon on 4^th, 11^th & 18^th December at 8.15pm. Single Books inc. Flyer Sheets €10. Double Books inc Flyer Sheets €20. Jackpot €1500 in 45 calls or less. Bonus Prizes of Turkeys, Hams & lots more.

Community Pool for West Wicklow Christmas Monster Raffle! Prizes include a family pass for Kaleidoscope, Afternoon Tea at Ballymaloe, dinner for two at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort & much, much more! Tickets €5 each & 4 for €20 at www.tinyurl.com/CPWWMonsterRaffle All monies raised go towards a pool for West Wicklow. Draw in Murphy’s Bar on Sun Dec 22^nd. For more information email poolforWestWicklow@gmail.com.

GOAL MILE: The annual Goal Mile will take place on Christmas Day at 12:30pm. It happens on the running track at the rear of the Community College, Naas Road. Everyone is welcome to run/walk this event, so come along and support this great cause!

Blessington Comhaltas Classes in Bodhran, Concertina, Accordion, Whistle, Flute, Beginner Fiddle, Intermediate Fiddle, Tune Classes, Guitar Lessons, Singing Classes, Ceili Band. Classes on Sundays from 5pm in St. Mary’s SNS Info Pat 086 075 2072 or Rebecca 087 228 2012 www.blessingtoncomhaltascoislocha@gmail.com

Interested in a social cycle in the Blessington area?  Led by an experienced volunteer, Cycling Ireland/Axa Community Bike Rides are gentle, social bike rides for adults, usually followed by coffee & chat.  New series for beginners added for Wednesdays at 10:30am. Join for FREE at www.AxaCommunityBikeRides.com

Adults Beginners Fencing Classes on Tuesdays from 8pm to 9.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall

Community Pool for West Wicklow would like to thank everyone who came & supported our Christmas Market at Russborough House on Saturday. It was a wonderful day & was only possible because of our amazing volunteers, stall holders, sponsors, musicians, the team at Russborough House, Clare & all at East Coast FM, Philip & Leo from Water Safety Ireland & of course Santa! We’re already looking forward to next year’s Christmas Market!

Christmas Storytime for 3 to 6-year olds on Monday 16^th December at 2pm in Blessington Library

Happy Faces Play School Blessington Education Centre is a fun, stimulating & welcoming environment with a curriculum focusing on the best care & education for your child. Our staff are highly trained in up to date childcare & Montessori methods of learning and development. Places available, full & part time. Enrolling now for Sept 2020.

Hollywood Friendship Club will return on 8^th Jan. Wishing all our friends a Happy Christmas & New Year.  Hope to see new members in 2020.

Events this Weekend in Blessington

►Cruthú West Wicklow Art Group Christmas Exhibition in Blessington Tourist Office from 11am to 6pm daily until Sun 15^th Dec.  Late opening Friday to 8pm.  There will be original locally produced Art, Craft, Photography on display, all available to buy.   Find a perfect Christmas gift, or simply drop in to enjoy the art & be inspired.  Like us on Facebook & Instagram or visit www.cruthu.ie

►Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee Concert on Saturday 14^th December in Manor Kilbride Community Hall at 6.30pm. Featuring KILBRIDE & LAKESIDE YOUTH MUSIC With guest artist one of Ireland’s most revered musicians DONAL LUNNY along with rising star SIOBHÁN HARTE (granddaughter of singer & song collector, the late great Frank Harte) also the amazing Manor Kilbride native, KELAN WALSH baritone sax. Admission €10 Adults

►Valleymount & Lacken Parish Concert St Joseph’s National School Present ‘The Nativity’ according to The Gospel of St Luke. Concert featuring St John’s Gospel Choir, Ballinteer & Blessington Folk Group in St Joseph’s Church Valleymount on Sunday 15^th December at 7pm. Tickets €10 each or 2 for €15, available from St Joseph’s School or Valleymount Church (after Sunday Mass) and from Blessington Parish Office