Masses for Christmas

Will be on 21st and 28th Dec

Names of those being prayed for in the Christmas Remembrance Masses, will be inscribed on an Altar List to be placed on the Altar.

If you would like your loved one remembered, please contact the Parish Office (045 865327)

Before Thursday 20th Dec.

COMMUNITY DIARY

SATURDAY 13^th Dec

11am Healing Mass Church of Our Lady Blessington All are welcome

6pm Communion Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington Sacrament of Confession: After 6pm Mass

7.30pm Mass Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken.

SUNDAY 14^th Dec

10am Family Mass with Children’s choir Church of Our Lady, Blessington, Refreshments after in Coimin Centre

11.30am Mass St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride

11:30am Mass Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel

MONDAY 15^th Dec

 9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Bridge Club 7.15pm, Kare Centre. Information on pg. 3

TUESDAY 16^th Dec

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

WEDNESDAY 17^th Dec

 9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

 Pray & Play Group 3pm–4.30pm, Coimín Centre

Blessington Parish Children’s Choir 4.20pm-5pm. All are welcome

THURSDAY 18^th Dec

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Blessington Indoor Bowls Club 7.30pm in St Kevin’s Hall, Information on pg. 3

FRIDAY 19^th Dec

9.30am Mass Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Mass Intentions in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

Mary Flanagan…RD, Carrig glen

Maria Ilao Macatigbac…RD, Philippines

Saturday Bill Smith…A, Dennis Brereton…A, Thanksgiving Mass

Sunday Brendan & Eva Cummings…A, Tom & Ellen Cummings…A, Chrissie Cummings & Noel Cummings…A, Dan & Margaret Ryan…A

Monday Mass for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday Peter Sheridan…RD, Special Intentions Mass

Wednesday Joseph McDonald…A, Rodger McCarrick…RD

Thursday Blessington Deceased Card List

Friday John Willie…RD, Michael Cody…A

The Annual Vincent de Paul collection will take place this weekend the 13^th & 14^th Dec. This collection will replace the Share collection at all Masses

Feast Days – 18th Dec – St. Flannan, Bishop. Accordingly, Flannan travelled to Rome where Pope John IV consecrated him the first Bishop of Killaloe. He was a wildly popular bishop, and devotion to him seems to have spread to the Hebrides, islands off the coast of Scotland, where he may have preached. Flannan is now the patron saint of Killaloe and of County Clare.

Minister of Eucharist Dec 2025 Church of Our Lady Blessington SAT 6PM: Ann & Frank Hanlon SUNDAY 10AM: Fidelma Dunne & George Richardson

Popes Intentions for December Christians In Areas Of Conflict Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS “Not to share our wealth with the poor is to steal from them.” St John Chrysostom

The Wonder of Creation Penguins can’t fly—but they can swim fast! – Emperor penguins can dive up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) deep.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 4^th Dec 2025. 6, 20, 25, 29. €25 Winner: Sarah Flynn Next Jackpot €3000.

Women’s Breakfast Blessington & Valleymount Parishes. Dates for 2026 Saturday, 10th January, Saturday, 14th March, Summer breakfast TBC Look forward to seeing you there,  The Women’s Community Team

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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SURVEY  – HAVE YOUR SAY. The current Department of Education survey on the future of patronage in the primary sector is important in that it will shape the discussion on primary school divesting for the years to come throughout the Republic of Ireland. The survey is school specific and needs to be responded to by all parents and prospective parents locally. It is important that those who wish for a change in patronage would have their voice heard. It is equally important that those who wish for a Catholic education for their children, and the support for sacramental preparation available in Catholic schools, would have their voice heard also. For those reasons and to ensure that an accurate picture emerges, please participate in this survey if you are a parent or a prospective parent of a Primary school student. The survey can be accessed at www.gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey/.  It closes on Tuesday, December 16.

Deadline for Notices in the Newsletter The deadline to have your notices in the newsletter is Tuesday at 11am  at the very latest.

Church of Our Lady, Blessington & Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Crosschapel St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount & Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lacken Fr. Gerry Kane PP. Tel: 045 865 327

St. Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride Fr. Paraic McDermott C.S.Sp.  Tel: 01 4582154

Parish Office: 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday Tel: 045 865 327 admin@blessington.info

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 27^th Nov 2025. 3,5,15,16. €25 Winner: Fr. Richard Behan Next Jackpot €3000.

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.

Lacken Naíonra Enrolment Now open for 2026-2027 for Lacken Naíonra pre-school. Please contact office at 045-865086 or email naionra@lackenns.com

St Mary’s Junior N.S.  2026/27 school year Currently accepting applications. To apply please contact Bernadette in the school office 045 865501 or visit our website – www.stmarysjuniorschool.ie – click on Parent Information tab, select Application Forms  in the Policies and Enrolment section.

Candlelight Walk in Russborough  has been rescheduled to Sun 28th Dec at 6pm. Have a catch up with friends and family for a post Christmas Walk. Fundraising for St Mary’s Church and The Irish Cancer Society. The walk has run for over 10 years now and is an enjoyable evening. So don your Santa hats and come along.  €5 per person. Keep an eye on social media for updates and fingers crossed it stays dry.

Congratulations to the Winners of the Valleymount & Lacken Draw Ann & Jimmy Flynn, Tommy Mooney Liz Dignam, Seamus Doyle Kathleen & Philip Leonard, Michael Farrington Sylvia & Liam Kavanagh, Betty & Edward Miley Janet & Henry Ward, Breda & John O’Keefe Alan Ridge, Aislinn & Liam Reid Ann Farrington’s Grandchildren Dorrie Byrne, Maria Gallagher Martina & Ger Traynor, Caitriona Cullen Barry Brophy, Jackie O Neill Mary & Sean Brennan, May Farrington Sadie & Seamus Miley, Margaret Eustace AnneMarie Clarke, Hilary Miley Tanya & John Cullen, Angela & John Richardson, Rosaleen Byrne Anita & Myles Fitzpatyrick, Joan & Sean Farrington,  Sheila Kinane, Mary Norton Ger Conway & Oisin Scally Maureen Phibbs, John Balfe Jimmy Byrne, Cathy Pattan Bernie Fitzpatrick, Tom Guing Fiona Shannon, Eileen Miley Jacinta Shannon, Marie & Johnny Brophy.

Community Carol Service Saturday 13th December at 4pm in St Mary’s Church. Come along and join us for what has become our annual service where we journey with Mary, Joseph and their 2 donkeys telling the Christmas story. We will start in St Mary’s at 4 pm and finish in Church of our Lady. There will be refreshments afterwards in Comin Centre. Great event for all ages.

Blessington Further Education & Training Centre New courses beginning in January 2026. Early Learning and Care Stage 1 and Stage 2 (Childcare Level 5 and 6) Includes compulsory Professional Practice Placement, Special Needs Assistant Level 5 (30 hours compulsory Work Experience), Spreadsheets Methods (Excel) Level 4, Workplace Safety Level 4, Database Methods Level 4, Business with Tourism Level 5, Contact number 086 8503833

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to the Gamblers In Donard Community Hall Sat 20^th Dec, 9pm -12am. All Welcome.

Santa arrives in  Manor Kilbride on Sunday the 14th of Dec at 1pm! All Welcome! Also on the 14th in Manor Kilbride Hall we are holding our annual Christmas Fair including; Cake Sale, Games, local stalls and exhibitors, barista coffee and hot chocolates galore! Venue: Kilbride GAA Clubhouse and Playground from 12pm to 2.30pm or so. Proceeds go towards finishing the Club House which we hope to open in March 2026 Buy a ticket for our raffle and support our new Club House…1 ticket €10, 6 for €50 or buy even more! Buy a ticket online today from €10 @ www.KilbrideGAA.com/shop or use the QR code here Please contact Diarmuid on 0863113443 or email: info@KilbrideGAA.com if you would like to exhibit and have a stand on the day.

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

Blessington Bridge Club Meets every Mon at 7.15pm in the Kare Centre. New players welcome.

Blessington Musical and Dramatic Society Presents Our Annual Panto Cinderella in The Tramway Theatre! Promises to be a great show for all the family!  Tickets available via Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/BMDS-Panto or in the Office shop or Hennessy’s Next Door. Show times: Jan 15th & 16th at 7pm, Jan 17th at 2:30pm & 7pm, Sun 18th at 2:30pm. Great Christmas stocking filler!

The Valleymount  Community Shed Sessions Have cancelled their session as a mark of respect on the recent passing of Mary Flanagan RIP

Christmas Trees Direct form the Farm Slade Valley Brittas, Eircode D24TEP6, Ph. 087 925 0064

Helix Motorcycles repair shop just opened in Stratford, if you need a simple service, complex repair or just a touch up on the paintwork call or text on 087 373 5709