Mass intentions in Blessington

Saturday: Teresa Boylan…A, Patrick Ryall…2nd A, Mick Ryan…3rd A

Sunday: Larry, Mary & Matthew Lennon…A, Micheal & Annmary Norton…Rem, Johnny McDonald…A

Monday: Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: Mary Traynor…RD, Kathy Dowling…RD

Wednesday: Get Well Mass, Donal Synnott…RD

Thursday: Nora Collins…RD, Patrick Murphy…RD

Friday: Joan Pearson…RD, John Power…A

Feast Days 25^th March –  The Annunciation of the LordThe Annunciation of the Lord refers to the time when the angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the saviour. Mary was the first to hear and believe that God would do what he promised the world. She also discovered that she would play a special role in God’s plan for salvation. Jesus would be formed in her womb, and she would care for him. Mary agreed to God’s plan because she wanted her will to be God’s will. And she was willing to accept the joy and pain that came along with it to bring Christ to a world that waited for him. On this day, we do not only celebrate the announcement to Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, but also her willing acceptance of the news.

Minister of Eucharist – March 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Geraldine McMulkin & Annmarie Wall SUNDAY 10AM: Margaret Flynn, Charmaine Quinn & Muireann McGuiness

Rosary & Holy Hour  The Holy Hour with Rosary and Adoration every Wednesday Morning at 10.00am to 11.00 am for Consider giving one hour to Jesus for Lent.

Pray & Play Group In the Coimin Centre, Every Wed 2.45pm to 4.30pm. For children of all ages with their parents, grandparents, guardians. Contact Áine 086 107 0480

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 13^th March: 3,20,24,30. €25 Winner: Margaret McDermott.  Next Jackpot €3000.

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes Our next Breakfast will be on Saturday May 17th From 9.30-11am. All are welcome.

Dates for your Diary – Healing Mass, Church of Our Lady Blessington Saturday May 24^th, Saturday September 13^th, Saturday December 13^th All Masses will take place at 11am All are welcome

Prayer on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary O God, Who wast pleased that the eternal Word, according to the declaration of the angel, should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Give to our humble petitions; and grant that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

POPES INTENTION  FOR MARCH FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.

The Jubilee Prayer Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen

Pilgrimage for the Jubilee year 2025 Pilgrimage is an important component of a Jubilee year. Many travel abroad for pilgrimage, but a pilgrimage can also take place with the abundant Christian locations we have within our own Diocese. An exhibition ‘Pockets of Hope’ has been set up in the four Jubilee Churches in our Archdiocese: -St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street. -Our Lady of Lourdes, Sean McDermott Street. -Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, City Quay. -St. Andrew’s Church, Westland Row. There is a further display in St. Kevin’s Parish Church, Glendalough.

CARE OF THE EARTH Spring Gardening. Take care not to disturb nesting birds and always check carefully before pruning hedges or shrubs. When you tidy and cut back winter growth in spring, remember it may be home to insects and amphibians, or even a hibernating hedgehog

Thought of the Week Penance and prayer prepares us for God’s implanting the seed that leads to Eternal life in God

Lenten Prayer Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man And giving His life on the Cross. Help us to bear witness to You By following His example of suffering And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

God never tires of forgiving us;  we are the ones who tire of  seeking his mercy. Pope Francis

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO  KNOCK – APRIL 26 As we begin our Jubilee of Hope, it’s time to launch our 2025 Knock Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024, over 3,000 people from throughout the Archdiocese of Dublin took part.  This year the theme of the pilgrimage will focus on the Jubilee year, and we are inviting partnerships of parishes to join us from throughout the Archdiocese. Partnerships who have not travelled to Knock in recent years are particularly welcome. The pilgrimage will provide us with an opportunity to gather as Diocesan community of faith to celebrate the Jubilee year. The pilgrimage takes place on Saturday, April 26, and will include workshops, outdoor walks, the Sacrament of the Sick and our pilgrimage Mass, which will be celebrated by Archbishop Farrell. We hope to welcome more young people this year and encourage our parish partnerships to invite them to attend. It’s a good time to consider booking your Partnership bus. The Choir of Many Voices from throughout the Archdiocese will be back for a third year under the able direction of Ciaran Coll. If you would like to join the choir (previous members will be contacted separately), or have any queries about the pilgrimage, please email knockpilgrimage@dublindiocese.ie. More details to follow.

A Prayer for our Parish Heavenly Father, Bless our Church and our parish, And all the good work that goes on in them. May all who are Christians live and work together for the good of each other and the glory of your Name. May those who do not know you be brought by our example to a loving knowledge and peace with you. Amen

Pope Francis has chosen the motto “Miserando atque eligendo”, meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin ‘by having mercy, by choosing him’.

Prayer for March Lord, as we step into March, grant us the courage to embrace new beginnings. Help us to let go of the past and trust in Your plan for our future. Fill our hearts with hope and determination. Amen.

POPES INTENTION FOR MARCH FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences

Blessington Carboot Sunday 23rd March St. Kevin’s Community Centre beside Aldi Store 8am – 4pm. Free Customer Parking,Toilet Facilities. Tea / Coffee. Stalls indoor / outdoor facilities. €10 per stall.  Bigi Linn –  info. 0860752072 Pat Conlan.

Daffodil Day 2025 Daffodil Day 2025 is on Friday 28th March and we need YOUR help. We still have a few slots not covered, if you can spare just ONE hour on the day, please phone or text Ann on 087 9141757. Thank you very much in advance, your help is greatly appreciated.

Féile an Chnocáin 2025, Bank Holiday Weekend 1st – 5th May. Ballyknockan’s Music and Heritage Festival is back after a roaring success last year. We are delighted to announce some of our events for the weekend include; Ballymore Connect Choir Performance in St. Joseph’s Church Valleymount, Stonecutting and heritage museum talk and demonstration at McEvoy’s Quarry, Guided Hike, Family Fun Day, Craft Market, Live music all weekend in Cullens Lakeview Lounge and lots more! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Feileanchnocain for details!  Bigí linn!”

West Wicklow Cancer Support  welcomes you to our March Drop In Evening when we will enjoy a creative evening making cards with a local crafter. This promises to be a wonderful l community evening. Thursday 27th March 7.30pm Coimin Centre, open to all, no charge, no need to book. Contact us 087 4346004 / westwicklow15@gmail.com  if you would like more information.

Family wanted  in the Blessington area to host a 16 yr old male French student for two weeks in July, who desires to improve his English language skills. For further details, contact 086 1609293

BLESSINGTON LIBRARY WRITERS’ GROUP. Have you ever fancied putting pen to paper, perhaps a memoir of times past, a Scandi noir set in West Wicklow, maybe a sonnet or a Limerick? Then we’ve got you. Meet a like-minded bunch of scribblers on the second Thursday of every month in Blessington Library, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Just bring a pen, a notebook and an open mind. No experience necessary, we all started somewhere. Contact Blessington Library at 045 891 740 or email Ray at mako.enmity.1d@icloud.com for further information. NEXT DATE –TUESDAY 10TH APRIL 2025 Blesssingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie

Blessington Library (045) 891 740 Irish Group Conversation meet every Tuesday at 7.30 pm. All welcome, no booking required. Spanish Conversation,  every second Monday at 10.30, next meeting 3rd March English Conversation every Tuesday from 12 to 2 pm and Thursdays from 5 to 7 pm.

AWARE SUPPORT & SELF CARE GROUPS If you or those with whom you work wish to connect with people in relation to your mental wellbeing, consider using Aware’s phone-in and Zoom support and self-care groups, support line or support mail. For more information, visit www.aware.ie.

Accord Prayer for Marriage & Family Life God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love. Give to us the gift of respect, empathy and understanding. Bless and strengthen our love for each other. Help us to appreciate the value of family life and to live in harmony with all whom we come in contact with. Encourage us, we pray, to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with the Lord. Praise be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT The Irish Hospice Foundation provides a free Bereavement Support Line. This National Freephone Service is available from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, by calling 1800 807077. Visit www.hospicefoundation.ie for more information.

Always wanted to sing. All Welcome. No Auditions. Blessington Millennium Choir are looking to recruit new members who love to sing. With mixed ability and experience, we aim to positively impact our community and as such regularly raise funds for organisations and participate in events So, if you sing in the shower, you are the King or Queen of Karaoke or a keen amateur Come & Join Us We meet every Tuesday evening 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Kare Centre, Blessington For more details please phone (087) 4352385 or (087) 2431499 www.choirbmc.com

Manor Kilbride Community Hall Available for hire for Classes, Training Groups Parties & Events. E: kilbridecommunityhall@gmail.com

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Monday at 7.30pm in the Kare Centre. All new players welcome.

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

Blessington Taxi Phone Greg 087 2626 393

Catriona Byrne & Co Solicitors BESIDE AIB – OVER 20 YEARS ESTABLISHED FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS 3 Mill Bank, Blessington County Wicklow Tel: 045 857 537 www.catrionsbyrne.ie

Septic Tanks Emptied & Digger Hire Call Dermot or Adam Phibbs 087 799 5320 – 083 037 4750 lizmphibbs6@gmail.com      License no: NWCPO-21-12619-01

Blessington Counselling & Psychotherapy – Mandy Downes MAPCP 085 134 9813 Specialist in CBT & Solution focused Therapy

Wicklow & Kildare Mental Health Services  Counselling & Psychotherapy. Aran Centre, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. For Bookings please contact, by phone: 089 274 4920 or e-mail: info@wicklowandkildarementalhealth.ie

Driving instructor RSA and ADI approved.  Contact Michael 087 459 4258  for bookings.

GF Services Tile Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Carpet Cleaning 0899889861 info@gfservices.ie

Painter & Decorator Interior & Exterior Call Damien 085 826 0431

HEADSTONES McEvoy Monumental Works Blessington. Headstones, Inscriptions, Renovations. Serving the people of Blessington for over 40 years. Call to our workshop at Millbank Blessington Call: Mick 045 865 487 – 086 843 8832 or Gary 087 933 3487 www.mcevoymonumentalworks.com

Local Builder Available All services under one roof, Windows & Doors, Plumbing, Tiling, Roofing, Plastering, Electrical, Carpentry, Insulation. All levels of construction services available. Fully registered. Call Paul: 086 309 1829

Paying too much for SKY or Virgin Media? We Install or Repair Free to Air & Saorview! No more Bills! Call Billy 086 868 0053

Eagle Cleaning Solutions Chimney Cleaning, Exterior Power Washing, Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning & Repairs. Find us on Facebook! Call for appointment: 087 247 4388. info@eaglecleaningsolutions.com

German Autoworks – Service Specialist VW/Audi, Mercedes, Skoda, Seat, Opel – Call 087 286 3997 www.germanautoworks.ie

Tomphibbs.ie Kiln-Dried Firewood Standard bag from €110 Large bag from €180 Larch, birch, hornbeam, or ash available. Call 01-2118469 Delivery charge – €20 per order

Niall Kearns Building & Roofing Contractor 086 274 6969 nkbuildandroof@gmail.com Building New Homes, Extensions, Sunrooms Attic Conversions, Renovations, Chimney Repairs Roofing New Roofs, All Roof Repairs Flat Roofs, Gutter Repairs Roof Replacement, PVC Fascia & Soffit All Work Fully Guaranteed

JP&M Doyle What’s Your Property Worth? Talk to us today for your free-Market Appraisal Specializing In Residential Town & Country Homes Development & Agricultural Land Commercial Property Lettings, Valuations. 2025 is your year to make it happen! With high demand and a lack of supply, now is the perfect time to maximise your property’s value. www.jpmdoyle.ie Tel: 045-865568

Local Professional Painting Services Also can do all other projects in your garden or house. Contact 087 1046654 paintnbuild10@gmail.com

Piano And Music Theory Lesson in Ballymore-Eustace (CLASSICAL and JAZZ). Experimented teacher (20 years of teaching)  Trial lesson (30min) €25   zacharieblin@yahoo.fr 089 483 7341

Patricias Nails Blessington Now Re-Open New Clients Welcome BIAB Removal & Redo Including Colour €45, Including French €50

WhatsApp 087-2234005 Find me on Instagram @patricias_nails_blessin

GARDENING SERVICES Grass cutting / Ride on lawnmower Push Lawnmower, Hedge cutting Chainsaw Cutting, Splitting Timber, Spraying, Weeding,  Power washing Driveway Patios,  General Maintenance around your home. Just Call for reasonable Quates/ Price. Call or text 0876640695

Professional Tree Care Tree pruning, Tree Removal, Emergency tree works, Hedge Maintenance We are your local tree service, with over 15 years in the tree industry. Fully qualified  & insured. Call Shane Keogh 0833846287 Email info@protree.ie

Paragon Bathrooms We design, supply & fit your dream bathroom in just 5 days! Wicklow Co.Co approved for grant work on mobility bathrooms Call Aidan 085 137 8770 for an appointment at our showroom on Blessington Main St

R Noone Groundworks LTD Groundworks, Mulching, sawing, tree shears, Site Clearance, Concrete Works 087-6234977 Robbie7550@gmail.

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