Mass intentions this week

Saturday 6pm: Patrick Eustace (A), Pat Dignam (A)

Sunday 10am: Philip & Mary Creighton (A), Ann O’Reilly (A)

We also Remember:

Monday: Mass offered for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Mick Horan (A), Sean O’Connell (RD)

Wednesday: Patrick Nolan (1^st A), Vincent Murphy (RD)

Thursday: Mass offered for all on the deceased Mass Card List

Friday: Eric Wilson (RD), Michael Callanan (RD)

This week in the Parish:

Saturday 22^nd October: Mass times: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm

Sunday 23^rd October: Mass Times: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 11.15am Crosschapel: 11.30am.

Tuesday 25^th October: Holy Hour & Adoration 10am to 11am in Church of Our Lady.

Thursday 27^th October: the Rosary will be prayed at 12 noon in Church of Our Lady

Sunday 23rd October is World Mission Sunday, the day of the Holy Father’s annual appeal to support overseas mission & missionaries. It takes place in every single parish worldwide where the Church is present. There is a special collection for this cause at all masses this weekend, replacing the SHARE collection

November Mass of Remembrance for all our parishioners who died during the past year, will be held on Wed 2^nd November at 7.30pm. If you have a relative or friend who has died outside our parish & would like their name called out on the night, please call the parish office with details: 045 865 327

Blessing of the Stock – Deacon Gerry will bless the stock in Lacken & Valleymount beginning in the week October 17^th If you would like your stock blessed contact the Parish Office – 045 865 327

Harvest Thanksgiving – Mass will take place in Lacken on Sat 29^th October at 7.30pm & Valleymount on Sun 30^th October at 11.15am. Donations of home baking, veg, fruit, jam chutney etc can be left before the altar & will be sold after mass.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 20^th Sept: 13, 16, 20, 22. €25 Winner: Lisa Harrington.  Next Jackpot is €1950

Team Hope Christmas Shoe Box Appeal – Build your shoe box at home by covering a shoebox with Christmas paper. Fill with the 4 W’s Decide if it is for a boy or girl   Age: 2 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to14. Wash: toothpaste/brush, soap Write: pens/copies/colours Wear: Hat/Socks/gloves Wow: Toys/sweets €5 Transport Fee  Info leaflets in the Church. Return filled box to Parish Office by end of October

Fighting Words are running two Spooky creative writing workshops on Saturday, 22^nd October for Halloween. For 7 to 9-year-olds at 10.30am & for 10 to12-year-olds at 12pm in Blessington Library. To book a spot contact blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

Blessington Car Boot Sale – St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 23^rd October 7am to 4pm Tea/Coffee. Indoor & Outdoor Spaces. Free Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Bargains Galore! Info: Pat Conlan 086 075 2072

Blessington Educate Together National School are now accepting enrolments for the next school year 2023- 2024. Please enrol on our school website www.betns.ie

West Wicklow Cancer Support welcomes you to our October Drop-in Evening hosted by Wicklow Psychotherapist & Holistic Counsellor Margot Ussher with a theme focussing on The Rustle of Autumn Leaves, Looking to the future & brighter days in the current climate. Uplift your spirits and find inspiration, hope & comfort in your surroundings.  Come along and join us, Thursday 27th October 7.30pm, Coimin Centre Blessington. Bring, yourself and a friend. Open to all, no charge. 087 434 6004 westwicklow15@gmail.com

Community Pool for West Wicklow want to remind you to visit the Swim Ireland Pop-Up Pool while it is here in Blessington! The pool is located in a heated marquee in St Kevin’s car park & will be here until Christmas. Public Swim Slots are available on Saturdays & Sundays. Early morning public swim slots are available throughout the week as well as swim lessons for all ages. To book please visit https://tinyurl.com/BlessingtonPopUpPool   Thank you for your continued support for a permanent pool  for West Wicklow.

Reminder to Parishioners: our Ulster Bank accounts will be closing shortly.  If you donate to the Parish by Standing Order, we would be very appreciative if you could transfer it to our new AIB account. Please use your Surname & your 4-digit parish code when you set up the new Standing Order. Call the Parish Office for details: 045 865 327 or to set up a new SO. The Standing Order Donations are a vital help in the running of our Parish, and we depend so much on these donations. Many thanks if you have already made this change. Fr Richard 

Are you a Bridge Player? If so, you are welcome to join Blessington Bridge Club. Resuming on Monday 17^th October & subsequent Mondays other than Holiday Mondays  at the KARE Centre which is located off the Blessington By-Pass. Ample car parking. Play begins at 7.30pm

Parent & Toddler Group in St Kevin’s Hall every Tuesday & Wednesday from 10am to12pm €4 per family per day

Blessington Community Choir is looking for new members. We learn & perform all sorts of song (soul, rock, pop) in a no pressure community setting. There are no auditions, & no previous experience is required. Just come over, sing in harmony & keep your mind & body joyously stimulated. To join – please fill out this form https://forms.gle/3CFSWAy7KssP4Tyr9 or just come on Thursdays, 8:15pm in Ruth Shine School of Dance studio (above Dunnes).

Blessington AFC – As part of the Club’s ‘Always Away from Home’ Campaign to highlight the lack of playing facilities for the club in the town of Blessington, we have decided to have a walk around the town on Saturday October 22^nd at 3pm starting from the Community College. We will walk the ring road, a 4km walk, the distance our members have to travel to play football. We would appreciate if all members could get involved along with family & friends to make as much noise as possible, it’s been 54 years with Blessington AFC  “Always Away from Home”. Let’s wear the green of Blessington AFC & let’s make some noise. We need football pitches in Blessington, our home, 54 years is too far too long to wait to play a home game.

Blessington Bowls Club – Thursday at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Guests are most welcome, why not come along and bring a friend.

The Blessington Fencing Club Spaces available in the 8-11yrs Beginners Class in St Kevin’s Hall – Fridays 5pm. Only comfortable clothing & runners are needed. Pop in & watch or participate in a free trial lesson. We have a great mixed group of children. Some children don’t enjoy traditional team sports or battle in some way. Every child can be taught to fence. Adult Beginner Classes  starting on Tuesday evenings. Give us a call if you would like to try. Call Lee: 087 676 4183

West Wicklow Cancer Support Our group hosts a weekly Mindful soundbath Meditation with Gemma Deeney on Wednesdays at 11am in the Primary Care Centre Blessington. No cost, open to all. Do bring your own cushion, blanket & a friend. If your life has been impacted by cancer through a diagnosis, a family member, friend, or carer we are here for you. Call: 087 4346004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com

Current Blessington Community Employment Vacancies

 West Wicklow Cancer Support: Project Worker. Job Reference: 2245584. Ideal Candidate will have experience in administration. Full training provided. Duties to include, but not limited to: Development of the project. Administration. Advertising & Promotion. Event Planning and Organisation. Typing Letters & Minutes. Work Closely with the Committee. Respond to Calls & Emails. Attend Weekly Meeting. Social Media. (Closing Date: 01/11/2022)

Building Caretaker: St Kevin’s Community Centre. Job Reference: 2245593. This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: General light maintenance. Some cleaning duties. Painting. Assisting in general operations of the centre to include key holding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health and safety. Hall duties. (Closing Date: 08/11/2022)

Building Caretaker: Hollywood Community Centre. Job Reference: 2245591.  This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: Light maintenance. Admin duties. Cleaning. Painting. Assisting with general operations of the centre & this could include key holding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health & safety. Flexible hours required due to the nature of the role to include after hours. Report to reception & or assigned committee member. (Closing Date: 08/11/2022)

Please contact us on 085 252 3563 or martincahill@blessingtonce.ie Please note *You must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for the last 12 months to qualify for these positions *  CE Rates Apply.