Mass intentions in Blessington

Fr John Jacob…RD, Late of Saggart, Mary Davin…RD Knockieran

Saturday: Kay & Christy Reid…A, Jim Bird…A, Catherine Larkin…RD, James Jamie Clarke…2nd A

Sunday: John Doran…RD, Ciaran Murray…RD

Monday: St Patricks Day, John Magee…A, Paddy Magee…A

Tuesday: Bridie O Rourke…RD, John O Callaghan…RD

Wednesday: Betty Ardiff…RD, Peter O Reilly…RD

Thursday: Blessington Deceased Card List

Friday: Get Well Intention, John Behan …A

17^TH March

St Patricks Day

Mass in the Church of our Lady will be at 9.30am

Feast Days – 17^th March – St Patrick

St Patrick was born very probably in the early years of the fifth century in the Romon colony of Britain.

He was taken captive at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. He tended herds on Slemish mountain

for six years.

His captivity had a very positive effect on his spiritual life. He prayed many times each day, his faith growing stronger and his love and reverence for God increasing.

He escaped back home at the age of twenty-two. It was obvious to him that God was calling him to return to convert the Irish. The voice of the Irish was calling him to come and walk among them once more.

He studied probably in France, returned to Ireland as a bishop c. 457-61 or as early as 432 according to another tradition.

His mission was not immediately greatly successful but eventually he would make a tremendous number of coverts.

Two writings survive: the latter to Coroticus, a protest to the soldiers of a British prince who had killed some converts and sold others as slaves, and his Confession, written near the end of his life, showing him as one living by the faith he preached and allowing Christ to direct

his whole life.

He died in 491,

though again other dates have been suggested, 480 or as early as 461.

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 will take place every Wed Jan 15th at the new time 10.00am to 11.00 am for the duration of the winter months.

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

Many thanks to all who joined us in St Mary’s for the World Day of Prayer and also, to the 6th class girls from St Mary’s Senior School. Your generous donation of €300 will go towards supporting those in need in Ireland and the Middle East.

Blessington Parish Lotto Numbers on 6^th March: 5,6,10,16. €25 Winner: Ann Moran.  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

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 The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth, you’re doing something good. Got a leaky tap? You might be dripping as much as 340 Liters of water down the drain every day, You can have it fixed easily.

Thought of the Week Life isn’t about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself. George Bernad Shaw.

St. Patrick’s Prayer. May the Strength of God pilot us. May the Power of God preserve us. May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us. May the Way of God direct us. May the Shield of God defend us. May the Host of God guard us Against the snares of the evil ones, Against temptations of the world. May Christ be with us! May Christ be before us! May Christ be in us, Christ be over all! May Thy Salvation, Lord, Always be ours, This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.

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’.

Daffodil Day 2025 is on Friday 28th March and we need YOUR help. If you can spare just ONE hour on the day, please phone or text Ann on 087 9141757. Thank you very much in advance, all help is greatly appreciated.

Bus Escort: Bus Escort required in Lacken National School for the academic year September 2025 to June 26. Please forward CV and references to school@lackenns.com or by post to The Chairperson of the Board Of Management, Lacken National School, Lacken, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, W91 CY82 by 9th May 2025.

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.

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

Social Dancing. Enjoy an evening of dancing to Silver Moon In Donard Community Hall Saturday 15^th March 9pm -12am. All Welcome.

Donard Country Market Sunday March 16^th 11am to 4pm, Donard Community Hall, W91 YW57, there’s something for everyone. Light refreshments are available.

Blessington U3A are pleased to announce our next talk Speaker: Larry Breen, PRO &  Journal Editor of National Federation of Local History Societies Title: The Rebel’s Wife – Matilda Tone & Wolfe Tone’s Family” Date: Tuesday 18th March  at 10.30am Venue: Avon Hotel, Blessington.

Blessington Library Transition Year students will come to Blessington Library for a  4-week digital literacy course for the community on 12th March 19th March 26th March and 4th April from 11.30 to 12.30. Book your place blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie or phone (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

Blessington Further Education Centre’s new term starting in January 2025 is open to adults who want to return to education. We provide free classes and work with early school leavers and people who have not been in a learning environment in some time. We work with people who are in employment and also those in receipt of social welfare payments. Classes are offered day, night and afternoon on a part-time basis ranging from 2-6 hours per week. We work at the learner’s pace in a friendly environment We offer classes in: Blow drying hair, – Gardening,-  Art, – Food and nutrition – We can help you with your C.V and interview skills. – Computers/ Laptop & Phones for beginners and those who need to improve their skills.- Horticulture QQI Level 4 – Growing Vegetables, – Office Skills QQI Level 4 – customer service and desktop publishing, Information Technology Skills, – Business Administration QQI Level 5  – word processing and desktop publishing, NEW COURSE IN APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES – please phone for more details, SNA Level 5 – day class,  FREE Course/Job Guidance service also available We provide 1-1 support to improve English skills of reading and writing as well as numeracy. One of our past students commented that – Leanne said “I was able to talk to my child’s teacher with confidence and express my concerns and listen to advice”. For more information on any of the above please contact us on 045 891099 or email info@blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie

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

Gaelscoil na Lochanna are delighted to receive news from the Department of Education on their purchase of their 3.8 acre site at Kilmalum for the purpose of building the new 16 classroom school with 4 ASD classrooms. Wishing everyone a lovely Seachtain na Gaeilge and run into St. Patrick’s Day.

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_blessington

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.

Employment Vacancy: Modeco Ltd are looking to recruit general operatives for our Timber Frame factory, outside Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. We are looking for hard working individuals to join our growing team. Training will be provided. Immediate start. Please send your C.V to jobs@modeco.ie

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

A professional live in carer available. Please call 0879064293.