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

Bhileag 19th August 2018

Fr. Peter Banyard: it was with great sadness that we heard of the  sad death of our dear Fr. Peter Banyard. Fr. Peter passed away on Tuesday 7th August in the Jesuit Residence in Garnethill in Glasgow at the age of 87. As we know these last few years Fr Peter has been getting very tired and quite breathless but he was always determined to come up to Vatersay. For over 50 years Fr Peter was faithful in coming up to Vatersay three times a year- for Christmas /New Year, for Holy week/Easter and for the Summer. Fr Peter would look after the spiritual needs of Vatersay and also of Barra. Fr Peter was very much a household name especially over on Vatersay- everyone knew him and he was very much a part of everyone’s family on Vatersay. He will be sorely missed! Fr Peter did make one final visit to Vatersay in the early days of June this year- when the weather was lovely and warm-lovely memories for him. Sadly it was to be his last visit to the island.

Fr. Peter’s requiem Mass will take place on Monday 20th August in St. Aloysius Church in Garnethill in Glasgow at 1pm which Fr. John Paul will attend. Fr. Peter’s remains will be received into the church the evening before at 6.30pm. Fr. Peter will be laid to rest in Glasgow. The question was asked could he be buried on Vatersay but sadly the Jesuit order had made their decision for him to be laid to rest in St. Kentigern’s Cemetery in Glasgow. We unite as an island parish to remember with love and kindness Fr. Peter and everything he did for us on our islands. For so long he was a part of the family of the island. We pray for his soul that God may be gracious and merciful upon him and grant him the fullness of eternal life and we extend our prayers and sympathy to all family and friends of Fr. Peter. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Please note that on Monday morning a special Mass will be celebrated in Vatersay Church at 11am in remembrance of Fr. Peter. All Welcome

 Lapaich: please note Fr. John Paul will now delay the housebound visits till next week-the week beginning 27th August- the last week of August. Sorry for the delay!

Funeral: we pray for the repose of the soul of Iain MacLean (Iain a doodle) of Borve and Caol who died recently. Iain’s Funeral will be in St. Brendan’s Craigston on Friday 24th August at 11am.

Pastoral letter in regard Sacrament of Confirmation: please pick up a letter from Bishop Brian in regard the sacrament of Confirmation for children in the Diocese. From now on Confirmation will now be give to the children in P7. The children will still receive Holy Communion & First Confession in P4. Therefore there will be a 3 year gap till the next Confirmations. Please pick up a letter!

Fr. Tom Stone: we warmly welcome Fr. Tom who is a Carmelite Priest from Dublin. Fr. Tom is on retreat over in Vatersay and will celebrate daily Mass over there till Thursday.