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Newsletter 738 21st
December 2008 |
Sunday 21st December 2008 Community Christmas
Carol Service at 5.00pm today in the Town Square. All are
welcome Manor Kilbride
Christmas Fair in the Hall today 2.00pm. Santa arrives at 3.00pm. All the usual
stalls, home baking, wheel of fortune, Christmas
gifts etc. Monday 22nd December 2008 Penance Service tonight at 8.00pm in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. For full details of all Christmas Ceremonies in Blessington, Crosschapel, Manor Kilbride, Valleymount & Lacken Please refer to Home Page of this website. Tuesday 23rd December 2008 Gaelscoil na Lochanna welcomes the whole community to Drama na Nollaig, ceol agus Damhsa i St. Joseph's Halla 10:30 - 11:15, and afterwards join the Gaelscoil children for carol singing as Gaeilge outside Dunnes Stores. Nollaig Shona ó Gaelscoil na Lochanna
Parish Office Holiday Arrangements: The Parish Office will close for Christmas Holidays on Tuesday 23rd Dec at 1.00pm and will re-open on Monday 5th January at 9.00am. First Newsletter of the New Year will be on weekend of 11th Jan 2009 Important
Changes in Parish Mass Times effective from the first
weekend in Jan 09 (3rd
/ 4th January) Please
note: From Friday 26th Dec to Friday 2nd January
inclusive Mass at 11.00am in Church of Our Lady, Blessington.
Plus on
Friday 2nd Jan: (1st Friday of the month) usual 8.00pm. Church of Our Lady READERS ROTA for January will be published on the Notice Board in the Church porches Blessington & District Forum have been advised that the Car Park on the Kilbride Road beside the Health Centre is open to the public for Christmas. Christmas Day Cycle in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. On Christmas morning Colm Martin and friends from Burgage Manor will cycle from Blessington to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (dressed as Santa!) This is to help raise much needed funds for the Our Lady’s Hospital. To sponsor the “Cycling Santas” or to make a donation please call 087 9657120. All support is greatly appreciated Have
a look at the latest feature on our Parish Website www.blessington.info “Your Views” Is
there a local issue that you feel needs to be aired? If
so drop a
line to yourviews@blessington.info Blessington FC ask for your help in their campaign to obtain playing pitches from Wicklow County Council for our community. Please log-on to our website www.blessingtonfc.com – and follow the links on the home page to send an email to W.C.C. This will take less than a minute of your time and every email we can generate is another voice of support for our club & area. Deadline day for submissions to the County Development Plan is December 23rd. Thanks in advance for your support” A.I.B., Blessington are hosting a “New Toys” Appeal for the local St. Vincent de Paul. Toys can be left in A.I.B., Blessington. Blessington & District
Forum have been advised as follows by Wicklow County Council
in relation to our new Water Supply
for Blessington: The
Board of Directors, Manager & Staff of Blessington & District
Credit Union wish all our members a very Happy Christmas & Prosperous
New Year. Anyone interested in CHESS? Lakeside Community Games need members for their Under 12 & U16 Chess Team. Contact Margaret Reid as soon as possible. 045 867456 LOST: Ladies Gold Wishbone Ring (with Sapphire stone) somewhere between St. Mary’s Junior National School and the Old Library. If found please contact the Parish Office 045 865327. Thank you. AMEN: Support Group for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse. Meetings every Tuesday night. *.00pm to 10.00pm. Contact 046 9023718 for further information. www.blessington.info for all the info you need! Full range of Local History Books for sale in the Tourist Office (rear of the Credit Union). Open Monday - Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm. The
Knights of St. Columbanus - Order of Catholic Lay Men
are looking for members to carry out Catholic Work in the
Dublin Area. Join and look to the future with confidence. New Beginnings Parent & Toddler Group every Monday morning from 3rd November in Valleymount Community Hall from 10am to 12.noon. Further info from Trina 045 864993 Blessington GAA Club would like to thank Ivan O’Hora for allowing us to display our Club Gear and Price List in the window of the Rainbow Shop. Club Gear can be purchased by ordering it from Mr. O’Hora or by contacting Breda Brophy 087 225 3892 Blessington AFC Soccer Academy at the Community College at 11.00am. The Academy is open to boys and girls aged 5 to 7 years. Please see our website www.blessingtonfc.com for further information. dCaf Opening Hours - Monday & Wednesday as usual 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Fridays 8.00pm to 9.30pm for First Years ONLY. Looking forward to seeing you all again! Bless Og Opening Hours - Friday night from 6.30pm to 8.00pm for 5th & 6th Class students. Blessington Adult Learning Centre provides the opportunity to take the first steps back into learning and education. All our classes are fully funded by Co. Wicklow VEC. We provide one-to-one or small group tuition and we work at the student’s own pace. We provide help with reading, writing, spelling, maths and basic computing. As well as Blessington we also work with groups in Valleymount, Donard and Dunlavin. For details: phone Annette Mangan or Caroline Boyle 045 891512 / 086 8462771 or Email: Blessington@wicklowlearners.ie Blessington Adult Learning Centre - Adult Literacy Tutors WANTED - Would you like to help an adult improve their English (Spelling, Reading, Writing) and Numeracy skills? Are you free for 2 hours per week? Do you have patience, a good sense of humour and confidence in your own standard of English? Can you make a commitment for 18 months? Full Training will be provided, beginning in September at Blessington Adult Learning Centre. Full back up and support provided during the year for tutors by way of quality in-service training. If you are interested please call Annette or Caroline at 045 891512 or 086 846 2771. Blessington GAA Academy has resumed on Saturdays from 9.30am to 10.30am at Blessington GAA Pitches. Training is for boys and girls from 4 to 8 years of age. All new members will be very welcome. Recovery
International - non-profit, self help organisation that has offered
a valuable community service since 1937. If you are struggling
with Stress & Tension, Anxiety or Fatigue, Sleep Problems or Worry,
Anger or Fears, Other emotional fears. Recovery can help you to help
yourself! Call 01 626 0775 or email: info@recovery-inc-ireland.ie Blessington Education Centre - Full Time Courses at the Centre - V.T.O.S. (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) is a full time programme available to Adults who wish to return to education and is free of charge to interested Adults who are over 21 years of age and are receiving a Social Welfare Payment. Candidates will continue to receive their Social Welfare Payment from Co. Wicklow V.E.C. while attending a V.T.O.S. course. If applicants have been receiving Social Welfare Payments for one year immediately prior to joining V.T.O.S. they will receive an extra Training Allowance of €31.80 per week. V.T.O.S. Meal & Travel Allowances and some funding towards Childcare. ENROLLING NOW. Tel: 045 891099 - Email: blessingtoncec@eircom.net Blessington GAA have just launched their new website www.blessington.wicklow.gaa.ie. Lots of information and photographs. Have a look today. Blessington KARE Centre requires Adult volunteers to accompany some people who attend the Centre with interests in Hill Walking, Art and Popular Music. If you have some time to spare and would like further information, please contact KARE, Blessington 045 891414 Adult Educational Guidance Service - The service is located at Blessington Community Education Centre, providing professional guidance counselling, information and support to adults who wish to return to education. The Guidance Service is free and confidential giving you the time and space to look at the educational options that suit you. Come and see us at Blessington Community Education Centre. 045 891 117 or 086 806 1569 DUMPERS BEWARE: Blessington & District Forum has been in touch with Wicklow Co. Council and Kildare Co. Council about the problem of illegal dumping of domestic rubbish at various locations around the area including the entrance to Glending Forest Walk. Both Councils have Litter Wardens on duty throughout the area and are stepping up their surveillance activities including the use of all available methods including CCTV. When they find identification details, prosecutions will follow. You have been warned. Residents should have pride in their area and preparations are underway for a renewed effort in this year’s Tidy Towns Competition. The local committee and volunteers will be out and about on Tuesday & Thursday evenings in their efforts to maintain the high standards required. All residents are asked to assist in any way they can. Wicklow County Enterprise Board hold a Monthly Small Business Clinic on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in Blessington Credit Union from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Contact 0404 67100 or email enterprise@wicklowceb.ie and set up an appointment. Youthreach West Wicklow are looking for new trainees to join our Centre. We have been up and running since September 2007 with 12 trainees from the area completing FETAC Modules. We offer a wide range of modules including: Sporting Activities - Computers & Information Technology - Art, Design & Crafts and other FETAC modules. Our additional support services include counselling, advocacy, career planning, work experience & guidance. Youthreach provide you with full time education and training, work experience, the opportunity to gain qualifications and an allowance for training/meal/travel. If you are interested in discovering your strengths, building up your self confidence and help yourself to create a brighter future and are aged between 15 and 21 years and have left school, call Lorraine on 086 815 9593 between 9am & 4pm Blessington Valley Athletics Club train every Monday and Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 8.00pm at Blessington Community College, Naas Road. Details from 087 9140980 National Children’s Hospital are seeking outdoor enthusiasts and walkers to participate in a fundraising walk in aid of the hospital. Trek ‘Little Tibet’ (4th to 14th October) affords the opportunity to experience the beauty of the bamboo forests, streams and villages of the Indian Himalaya. If you are interested in participating please email: trek@thenationalchildrenshospital.ie or call the fundraising office on 01 414 2375Wicklow Rural Transport Service - Bus to Naas & Newbridge every Tuesday. Bus leaves Blessington at 10.30am (outside Downshire Hotel) to arrive Naas at 10.50am. Bus will continue to Newbridge to Whitewater Centre. Leaves Newbridge at 2.00pm and returns to pick up in Naas at 2.30pm and due back in Blessington at 2.45pm. Fare €5 for adults, €3 for children. Book by calling Des 087 992 3861 or local contact is Pat Conlon 086 075 2072 Study Theology from Home - Spend time learning more about the faith, take up the study of theology through distance learning, either for its own sake or for a degree. The Priory Institute, under the care of the Dominicans, is offering a programme of theology especially for lay people, with a network of student support services spread all around the country. If you would like to know further, send for details to: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24. Tel: 01 404 8127 or 01 404 8126 Valleymount Ladies GAA always welcome new members. Come along for FUN, FITNESS or FOOTBALL! Beginners or advanced players - all are welcome. If interested please contact Gillian 087958 6054 www.blessington.info for all the info you need! Thinking of taking up running? Senior Running Club now established in Blessington. We meet every Tuesday & Thursday at 7.00pm outside Blessington Community College, Naas Road. New members very welcome. Check out www.lakeshorestriders.com If you are a teenager and your Mum or Dad has a drinking problem, you can see what it is doing to them, but can you see what it is doing to you? For information and help, contact ALATEEN. For details of your local meeting, call Jacinta 087 292 9315 or 057 866 3013 Our Website www.blessington.info
has been re-designed with a totally new home page making it more attractive
than ever and easier to navigate. Have a look today, you will be surprised
at all the information you will find! The Rota for
Church of Our Lady Eucharist Ministers, Readers & Collectors
for each month is published in the Newsletter on the last weekend of every
month and also on the Parish Website for the entire month. If you miss the
Newsletter, you can always check on the Website - Homepage - Drop down arrow
on Churches - select Blessington - select the Rota you wish to check.
First Steps Parent, Baby & Toddler
Group in St. Kevin’s Hall from 10.00am to
12.00noon. Open every Monday and Wednesday. Come along and make new
friends for you and your children! Anyone
interested in playing Camogie? Senior & Under Age
Training in Donard/The Glen. Full details from Brian McDonald 086 852 6192 Wicklow
Rural Transport Service - Bus to Naas & Newbridge every Tuesday. Bus leaves Blessington at Bus will continue to Newbridge for those wishing to travel to the Whitewater Centre. Bus leaves from the Whitewater Centre at The
Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a voluntary parish
based ministry which aims to help the bereaved and grieving. The name
Baptisms in Study
Theology from Home - You can now study theology, either for its own sake or
for a degree, fro the comfort of your home! The Dominicans in Tallaght are offering a full programme through distance
learning - following the method of Open University - consisting of fifteen
week modules
and supported by a network of centres around the country. For
further information, contact The Priory Institute, Tallaght
Village, Dublin 24 or call 01 404 8127 or 01 404 8124. email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com
Adult
Educational Guidance Service located at Blessington Community Education
Centre, Blessington. Provides Professional Guidance Counselling, Information
and Support to Adults who wish to return to education. The Guidance Service
is free and confidential, giving you the time and space to look at the
educational options that suits you. Come and see us at Blessington Community
Education Centre (045 891099) or phone Irene 045 857758 Give your
child the priceless gift of music. Button Accordion & Concertina
Classes in Hollywood Parish Hall every Saturday morning from The Parish Website www.blessington.info is growing and changing
all the time and the Website Committee (who monitor the statistics for the
site on a monthly basis) are pleased to inform parishioners that the site has
now reached an average of 82 hits per
day, which is really very high. If you are new to the area, click on
today to find all the information you need. Please Note: Bookings for Would you like to hear more about
the proposed Blessington Community Concert Band? All instruments catered for: Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Saxophone,
Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium, Strings,
Percussion/Drums, Tuba. Various
ensembles may be formed within the B.C.C.B.,
but that will be determined by the nature of the response we receive. This
community band is open to all who wish to play music, regardless of age. The
one and only requirement is enthusiasm.
For further information regarding any
of the above, please phone 087 697 0334 Are you unemployed due to illness,
injury or disability? Interested in learning computers from home and receive
a FAS Training Allowance? For further details please contact Ailis on 045 437 571 Girls
Gaelic Training Under 12, Under 14 & Under 16 every Thurs night from
7.00pm to 8.00pm in Community College grounds. Phone Martin 087 6444 677 for details Blessington
GAA LOTTO Tickets are available from most businesses in the town. If you
would like to sign up to have tickets in every draw, we have Standing Order
Forms that you can sign for the amount to be debited on a monthly basis. For
information regarding the Standing Order Form, please call Helen 087 225 8794
- Note for
new Residents: There is a Crying Room facility in www.blessington.info for all the info you need! Opening
Hours of the New Library at Blessington Town Centre (directly over Dunnes Stores) are as follows: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Blessington
Voluntary Cardiac Response Unit regrets that we cannot be contacted directly in
an emergency. Please call 999/112
with a cardiac or breathing related incident and the ambulance service will
ask us to respond to your emergency call as because we are local we can
usually reach you within a few minutes. If you suspect that someone is in
respiratory or cardiac distress do not delay as minutes do count in an
emergency situation. Remember call
999/112 and they will contact us. Anyone interested in the
Priesthood or Religious Life, please contact Fr. Eamonn
Bourke, Archbishop’s House, Drumcondra, Tel:
01 837 3732 Ext 253 or email: vocations@dublindiocese.ie
Do you have 3 hours or more to
spare each week? ●Like
working for a good cause? ●Like
helping others? ●Like
to meet new people? ●Would
you like to make new friends? ●Learn
a few new skills? ●Share
the skills you already have? ●Help
your community in a big way? If
the answer to the above questions is YES,
then why not become a volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Shop? We are currently in need of volunteers for our Blessington Shop. We
would love to hear from you, please feel free to call into the shop and pick
up a Volunteer Form or phone 045 8917666. Thank you. The
Parish Office stocks a range of Cards for all occasions. Individual Mass Cards and Shared Mass
Cards. Also Rosary Beads, Prayer
Books, Picture Frames, Gift Items. New
Rosary Beads Repaired - missing beads
replaced. Send to Rosary Beads Repairs, Crosschapel,
Blessington, Co. Wicklow. (Parishioners free of charge) all others €3 fee. Glendalough
Hermitage - Five modern self-catering “Cillins” situated
in a secluded area. St. Kevin’s church is 50 metres away. Direction or prayer
guidance available on request. Prayer Room and small Library. Plenty of
opportunities for walking. For further information and booking contact Fr.
Kevin Doran 0404 45777 or email: glendalough2000@eircom.net Website: www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie
Unexpected
Pregnancy is hard to face. For help or support contact CURA. All services are free and confidential. Telephone 01
6710598. Phone for appointment or Drop-In Service at Alcoholism is a devastating
illness, with huge impact on everyone close to the sufferer, especially
partners and children. Thankfully, there is help!! Al-Anon is a worldwide sister fellowship of AA, dedicated to
anyone affected by another person’s drinking. It provides support and
understanding to relatives and friends who feel confused and helpless by the
drinking of a person close to them. It is a confidential, non profit
organization, and all you need to do to become a member is to go to a
meeting. Alcoholism affects more than just the drinker; the whole family
suffers. Help is available in Al-Anon
family groups right here in our community. There are local meetings in Naas - Monday, Newbridge -
Wednesday, Celbridge - Wednesday, Kildare - Friday,
Athy - Thursday and Rathcoole
- Sunday. Al-Anon, 5 Capel Street, Important
Message from Blessington Voluntary Cardiac Response Unit - At present our response time to a 999 call is
approx 5 minutes but we are having
great difficulty in some areas where estates or streets have no name signs or
houses have no numbers. When you ring 999 the Ambulance Service ask us to
respond to your emergency call. The
person on duty will reach your area in a matter of minutes so please watch out
for us. We will be driving our own cars and will be wearing a highly visible
Ambulance Jacket. If someone could be at your door or gate waiting for us,
it would save considerable time when time really counts. Please help us to help you! Bethany
Bereavement Support Group in For
Home Baking, Jams, Savouries, Free Range Eggs & Crafts. Also Plants &
Vegetables in Season, the place to
go is Blessington Country Market every Saturday in St. Kevin’s Community
Centre from Teen-Line
Ireland
was founded in 2004 to provide a specific Help-Line for troubled young adults who may feel depressed or
suicidal. Research has shown that
teenagers think the Samaritans
and Aware Help Lines are for adults only and that Childline
is for children. Teen-Line Ireland
is built on the belief that young people need to be heard. Teen-Line Ireland will be developed
to provide a confidential, secure and professional listening service based
upon compassion, understanding, trust, respect, and empathy. We are committed
in helping to improve the social and emotional health and well being of all
young people by offering them a professional and caring service. All of this of course, costs money, ●
providing a premises, where young people can drop in
if they are feeling low and need to talk to someone, ● training for our
volunteers who will be at the end of the phone line. Mobile numbers at present until we get our free phone number. 085
7417934 or 085 7416019 Gluten-Free Hosts are now available in Baptisms in Church of Our Lady, Blessington are on the 1st
Sunday of every month at 12.00noon) and the 2nd Saturday of every
month at 5.30pm. Booking through Parish Office 045 865327 Parish
Website www.blessington.info
for all the info you need Access details on Mass
Times, Newsletter, Parish Office details etc. PLUS
Round-Up of Local News, History, Blessington Overseas, The Forum, The 9.30am Mass in Church of Our
Lady,
Blessington every Monday morning
is offered for the sick and those in
hospital. A Prayer Card is available free of charge at the Parish Office. Thinking of Advertising in the
Parish Newsletter? Page 2 - Small Adverts 50c per word If
you wish to have your advert included on the Parish Website Commercial
Section, €2 extra for the small ad. The Commercial
Section of the Parish Website is up and running and if you would like
to advertise and promote your business, service etc. – a basic page consisting
of a logo, up to 4 photographs and text (max 200 words) will cost a once off
payment of €100 for design and uploading with an annual hosting fee of €50
(first three months free) Support Group for people recovering
from Depression – Recovery – Every
Monday night in Social Services Centre 2/3 Main Street, Tallaght
(beside Molloys Pub, opposite The Priory) or Every
Tuesday night at 8.00pm in Dominican College, Newbridge.
For further details call 01 6260775 Note for
new residents – A “Crying Room” facility for families with young children
exists in Church of Our Lady, Blessington. Access is from the porch nearest
to street The Parish Candle with Parish Logo is available from the
Parish Office at €5.00. Can be used for any occasion, Baptism, Confirmation,
Wedding, Anniversary etc. Also available are Rosary Beads, Prayer Books, gifts etc. Monday
to Friday Notice
from East Coast Area Health Board. Ms. Louise Nugent will provide registration
services in The Blessington Health Centre on the last Wednesday of each month
from Glendalough Hermitage Retreat Centre, is the ideal
place to find spiritual refreshment, peace and renewal. It provides excellent
facilities in the tranquillity of Glendalough’s
mystic valleys. For further details, contact: St. Kevin’s Parish, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 0404 45777. Fax 0404
45140. Email: glendalough2000@eircom.net
website: www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie
Some useful Contact
Numbers THE
SAMARITANS 1850 60 90 90 CHILDLINE
1800 666 666 TEEN-LINE
085 741 7934 or 085 741 6019 AWARE 1890 30 33 02 (Support for people with Depression) RECOVERY 01 626 0775 (Support for people
recovering from Depression) BODYWHYS
1890 200 444 (Support for people with Anorexia & Bullimia) CONSOLE 1800 201 890 (Support for those bereaved by Suicide) RAPE CRISIS CENTRE 1800 77 88 88 (Support for those affected by Sexual Abuse, Sexual Violence/Rape) AL-ATEEN 01 8732699 (Support for teens affected by Alcohol Abuse) CURA 1850 622 626 (Pregnancy Counselling
Service) Births
- Deaths -
Marriages Our Sympathy is
extended to the families, relatives and friends of those who have died recently
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