Bhileag 12th December 2021

Covid-19:  we are all aware that Covid-19 is not going away any time soon and that we all have to keep looking after ourselves and looking after others. For a while we had the “Delta Variant” going about Scotland but now we have the “Omicron Variant” which seems to pass more quickly between people. Let us all continue to carry on our good work of keeping on top of Covid-19 by wearing our face masks- keep sanitising our hands-go for our vaccinations. We all have to play our important part especially now in the lead up to Christmas.

Recent Death: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Chrissie MacIntyre (Chrissie a’ bhacky) of Bruernish who peacefully passed away in her own home in the early hours of Sunday 11th December. Since early June this year Chrissie has not been well but she kept going with the help, love and support of family, friends and neighbours. Chrissie was a very faithful parishioner to Northbay parish and she was a huge help and supporter of Garadh Bagh a Tuath & Cobhair Bharraigh. Chrissie will be sorely missed within the island community but she is at peace now. The Requiem Mass for Chrissie is planned for Wednesday 15th December in St. Barr’s, Northbay. We extend our prayers of love & sympathy to Chrissie’s family especially Fiona & Iain and their families and to Madee & Kay and all who loved and cared for Chrissie. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Recent Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of  DONALD MacNEIL (Domhnall Bhinnie) who suddenly passed away on Tuesday 7th December at his home in Eoligarry at the age of 67. Donald’s Funeral took place on Saturday 11th December in St. Brendan’s in Craigston and thereafter Donald was laid to rest in Cuithir Cemetery. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all Donald’s family. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Warm welcome to Fr. David Stewart: Fr. David will be here just for weekend. He will head away on Monday 13th December. He will celebrate the weekend Masses and will be available to hear any confessions.

Confession Dates & Times with Fr. David Stewart

One of the lovely gifts we can give ourselves for Christmas is the mercy and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus through the Sacrament of Confession. As St. John the Baptist tells us during the season of Advent “prepare a way for the Lord”. What better way to prepare a way for the Lord than to receive his forgiveness through the lovely Sacrament of Confession.

Saturday 11th Dec……9.30am -9.50am Castlebay   (before the 10am Mass)

Saturday 11th Dec….. 12 Noon- 1.00pm Northbay

Saturday 11th Dec…..5.30pm-6.00pm Craigston      (before the 6pm Vigil Mass)

Sunday 12th Dec……  2.00pm-3.00pm Castlebay

Sunday 12th Dec……. 3.30pm-4.30pm Northbay

Choir practice: there will be a choir practice in St. Brendan’s Craigston on Saturday 18th December at 12Noon and also on Wednesday 23rd December at 6.30pm. John Joe will be there to help us. These 2 practises will be for Craigston and Castlebay church.

Northbay Church will be also organising its own practice and details will be announced.

Castlebay Church Christmas decorations: on Sunday 12th December we will begin to get the Christmas decorations out of the boxes and start to prepare the church. If you have some time to help then please  come along at 3.15pm. We will wait till next weekend to give the Church a good clean for Christmas.

Sunday Obligation returns: The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have announced that from Sunday 2nd January 2022 the Sunday Obligation returns for Sunday Mass and Holyday’s of obligation.

Christmas Masses: At the moment many parishes are preparing for Christmas and announcing their Masses. We are unsure if there are going to be any further Government  restrictions about Christmas celebrations- we have to wait and see. However  we have to be prepared that anything could happen.  But at the moment Canon John Paul plans the following schedule;-

Christmas Eve:

7pm Northbay

9pm Vatersay

11pm Craigston

Christmas Day:

9.30am Eoligarry

11.30am Castlebay

WEEKDAY MASS:

Monday 13th December……….  No Mass

Tuesday 14th December……….. 10.00am  EOLIGARRY

Wednesday 15th December…… 12 Noon NORTHBAY

(Requiem Mass of Chrissie MacIntyre)

Thursday 16th December……..  10.00am  NORTHBAY

Friday 17th December………….. 10.00am VATERSAY

Saturday 18th December……….10.00am CASTLEBAY

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

18th & 19th DECEMBER 2021

4th Sunday of Advent Year C

Vigil Mass……… 6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses….9.30am    NORTHBAY

                               11.30am  CASTLEBAY