Star of the Sea, Castlebay, The Isle of Barra. HS9 5XD.
Phone 01871 810267
Email Addres castlebay@rcdai.org.uk

Bhileag 14th July 2019

Congratulations to Fr. Ronald Campbell:  last Tuesday (9th July) Fr. Ronald Campbell was ordained a Priest in St. Mary’s Church in Benbecula. The first Ordination to take place on Benbecula. It was a wonderful, happy and joyous celebration. Bishop Brian &  Bishop Joe Toal and many of the Priests of the Diocese and many Priests from further afield gathered together with a huge number of  Ronald’s family and parishioners to witness the Ordination. The Ordination was streamed live on the internet. It can be watched on YOUTUBE. If you go onto the website and type in Ordination of Ronald Campbell you can watch the Ordination & First Mass on the computer. Of course Fr. Ronald has Barra connections and many from Barra travelled over for the Ordination. After a month’s holiday Fr. Ronald takes up his appointment of assistant priest in St. Margaret’s in Lochgilphead. We all wish him every blessing in his ministry.

 

Fr. Emmanuel: will travel to Barra this coming Thursday (18th July) and will stay over next weekend till Tuesday 23rd July. Therefore Fr. Emmanuel will be at all the Weekend Masses and he will take the opportunity to say his thanks and good-bye to the parish and to the island before he formally takes up his position as Assistant Priest to the Lochaber parishes with Fr. David Connor. Sadly there are too many functions going on around the island next weekend –therefore there will no “Farewell tea”- instead Fr. Emmanuel will speak at all the weekend Masses.

 

Eucharistic Ministers: Fr. John Paul will be approaching parishioners to ask if they would like to be Eucharistic Ministers in our parishes. Fr. John Paul is happy to be approached with any names too.  A Eucharistic minister helps the Priest give out the precious Body & Blood of our Saviour in Holy Communion at holy Mass.

 

Vatersay Sunday Mass: today (14th July) there will be Sunday Mass on Vatersay at 4pm.

 

Wedding: we congratulate Roddy MacInnes & Lisa Gilmour who were married in Our Lady Star of the Sea on Saturday 13th July.  May God bless Mr & Mrs MacInnes in their marriage with many years of love, joy, peace and happiness.

 

Recent Baptisms: last weekend was a busy weekend for Baptisms- they all took place in St. Barr’s Church. We warmly welcome into the family of the Church Michael Alexander MacNeil Penman;  Iagan MacLeod;

Max Colledge & Rachel Jane Howie. May God bless and protect these Children always in his love and may he bless all parents and Godparents and help them guide their children in the ways of faith.

 

Eoligarry Vigil  Mass: please note next weekend there will be the extra Vigil Mass at 4pm in Eoligarry.

 

Fisherman’s Mass & blessing of Boats:  Last Sunday we had the wonderful celebration of the Fisherman’s Mass and Blessing of boats. It was a wonderful day of sunny weather and a great turnout of people and fishing boats. Fr. John Paul wishes to thank everyone who helped in the setting up of the Mass and for tidying up afterwards. Thanks to all who helped in any way in the Mass.  A collection was taken up-£735 for RNLI, £735  for Fisherman’s Mission and £735 for the Apostleship of the Sea. Thanks to those who fried the fresh Herring. Congratulations to the “Chloe J” for best dressed boat this year. May God bless all our Fishermen and all our Seafarers and all their boats.