Bhileag 15th November 2020

Sunday & Weekday Masses: to attend any Mass you must contact Canon John Paul to see if there is availability at Mass. Please phone, text or email Canon John Paul.  If the weekend Masses are busy you could try and attend Mass through the week. Please try and get in touch with Canon John Paul sooner rather than later about attending Mass.  It makes things easier if there are “household bubbles” who can sit together on a pew. So think about if you can sit with someone and use that space in the church.  As always if you feel uncomfortable about going back to Church just now during this Coronavirus pandemic -then please don’t go. If you have any hesitation the simple answer is to stay at home and continue to watch Mass online. There is no pressure to go.

The Bishops of Scotland have still suspended the Sunday Obligation of going to Mass for the time being.

Face Coverings must be worn at every Mass now. If you have a health condition that prevents you from wearing one, that’s fine. Also those under 5 do not need to wear a covering.

If you feel you have any symptoms of COVID-19– like a new continuous cough; a high fever; loss or change in sense of smell or taste then please DO NOT go to Church- instead stay home & isolate & book a test.

The Month of the Holy Souls: The Month of November is the month we offer important prayers for the Holy Souls- praying for all our deceased family, relatives and friends. November is a very important month in which the Church encourages us all to offer special prayers to lead all souls to heaven. If you wish to remember any deceased family during the month of November, please write their names down on the “November Dead List” and to place the list in the “Holy Souls envelopes” and to also place an offering. Those names you write down will be remembered at all the Masses in November.

In a Special way this year the church wishes to remember those who have died during this pandemic. Remembering those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic, remembering those who could not say their final good bye because of the various restrictions. This Pandemic has been a very difficult and painful time for many grieving families. Let us pray during the month of November to the risen Lord to help us pray for those souls close to us so that they may forever enjoy the paradise of heaven.

Graveyard Rosary: during the month of November we normally have the custom of praying the Rosary in each of our Graveyards. Sadly this November because of the Pandemic we will not be able to do that. Instead Canon John Paul encourages you to go yourself (or with your family)  on a Sunday ( or anytime…weather permitting)  during November and to pray the Rosary (or any prayers for the faithful departed)  in one of our graveyards for the holy souls.

Mission Sunday Collections: Missio Scotland wish to thank the parishes for their Collections taken on Mission Sunday (18th October). Northbay Parish Collection was £143.50 and Castlebay Parish Collection was £318.90. Moran Taing!

Lapaich & Housebound Visits: In these strange and difficult times of the Coronavirus Pandemic we are surrounded by various restrictions. The Scottish Government has put the various councils of Scotland into various Tiers and the whole of the Western Isles has been placed into Tier 1 and in this Tier 1 the Scottish Government have announced “that in the Western Isles people can meet another household indoors, in a private home or in a public place such as a bar, pub, café or restaurant. The maximum number of people who can meet indoors is 6 which can be from up to 2 separate households”.  In line with this Canon John Paul would like to take the opportunity to visit any housebound or anyone who would like a visit from the priest with the Sacraments.  Please just get in touch with Canon John Paul if you would like a visit.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

Mon 16th Nov… No Mass                          

Tues 17th Nov… 10.00am  EOLIGARRY      

Wed 18th Nov… 12 Noon  CRAIGSTON    

Thur 19th Nov..10.00am   NORTHBAY    

Fri 20th Nov….10.00am  VATERSAY       

Sat 21st Nov…No Mass                            

NEXT WEEKEND

21st & 22nd  NOVEMBER  2020

CHRIST THE KING

Saturday Vigil Masses

4.00pm  &  6.00pm  CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses

9.30am   NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY