Bhileag 10th October 2021

Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of  Marie MacNeil of Caol & Barra who died on Saturday 2nd October at the age of 77. Marie had not been well for a while and she was being looked after in a nursing Home in Strontian near Fort William. Marie’s Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday 13th October at 11.00am in St. Brendan’s, Craigston.  We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all the family and relatives at this time. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Covid-19: sadly last weekend (3rd/4th October) we cancelled our Masses due to the large number of positive Covid-19 cases on the island and many more isolating. Please continue to be careful and follow the guidelines.

Canon John Paul: is away this weekend- in his role as a Vocations Director. He is attending an important weekend for those who are discerning their vocation to the Priesthood. Canon John Paul will help lead a weekend of talks and discussions at the Schoenstatt retreat centre in Lennoxtown for five men who are discerning their vocation.

Welcome Fr. Martin Sylvester:  we warmly welcome Fr. Martin Sylvester to the island . Fr. Martin has not been to Barra before. He is Parish Priest in Glossop in Derbyshire –the Diocese of Nottingham. Fr. Martin is parish priest of the area where Sr. Mairi comes from and where her sister Christine is a parishioner. Fr. Martin has been wanting to come to Barra for a while. He will look after the weekend Masses and then when Canon John Paul returns he will spend a couple of days on Vatersay for a few days retreat. We hope Fr. Martin will enjoy his stay and that the weather will be kind to him.

Weddings: this week we have two weddings on the island. We pray for Lorna Campbell  & Martin MacNeil who will be married in Our Lady of the Waves & St. John on Vatersay on Thursday 14th October. Then on Friday 15th October we have the wedding of Jennifer Campbell & Donnie MacLean in Our Lady Star of the Sea in Castlebay. We wish both couples every love and blessing as they prepare for their important day. Let us all pray for good weather for the two weddings and to pray that Covid stays away!

Mission Sunday: the Month of October is also a month when we pray for the work of those who work in the Missions of the Church. We have many different religious Missionary groups who do so much good work in spreading the Gospel message to the far ends of our World. We normally take up a special collection for the Missions. Therefore next Sunday 17th October we will take up a special collection at all Masses.

Attending Mass in the Parish: just turn up at the Church and just sign in at the Church Porch with your name & telephone number (for track & trace purposes) and sit anywhere you want in the church.

Sanitising the Church: after every Mass the pews in Church need to be wiped down with Anti-bacterial spray or wipes. If you can help just remain behind after Mass. Canon John Paul is so grateful to all those who give of their time to help sanitise all our churches on the island. Moran Taing!

Sunday collection: please remember that at the moment we keep the collection baskets at the main door of the church and we are encouraged to put something into the basket as we enter the church. If we forget to do that- then we have the opportunity to put something in on the way out.

If anyone would still like to give to the parish by standing order- the details are as follows;

RCD Argyll & the Isles Castlebay Mission     Account Number  65627538    Sort Code  839125

RCD Argyll & the Isles Northbay Mission     Account Number  65628061     Sort Code  839125

WEEKDAY MASS:  

Mon 11th October………… No Mass

Tues 12th October……10.00am  EOLIGARRY

Wed 13th October….. 11.00am CRAIGSTON

(Requiem Mass)

Thur 14th October…….. 10.00am  NORTHBAY

Fri 15th October…………..10.00am VATERSAY

Sat 6th October………….10.00am CASTLEBAY

NEXT WEEKEND

16th & 17th  October  2021

29th  Sunday of Year B

Vigil Mass……..6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses……..9.30am    NORTHBAY

                                  11.30am  CASTLEBAY