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

Bhileag 19th July 2020

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

 

Mon 20th July…… No Mass

Tues 21st July……10.00am  EOLIGARRY

Wed 22nd July….. No Mass

Thurs 23rd July….  10.00am NORTHBAY

Fri 24th July………10.00am  VATERSAY

Sat 25th July……No Mass

 

NEXT WEEKEND

25th & 26th JULY  2020 

( 17th Sunday A)

 

Vigil Masses

4pm & 6pm CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses

9.30am   NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY

 

 

Sunday Masses begin: after 4 months we now have our Sunday Masses back. Of course we are happy that our Masses can begin again but then again we know that there will be restrictions with numbers able to attend, with having to wear face coverings, having to always use hand sanitiser and keep 2m social distance. Over these last 4 months it has been good to watch Sunday Mass on the TV or on the internet but it sadly it is not the same as actually being in the church for Mass which we have all missed. Canon John Paul is pleased with the numbers that have put their name forward for attending Mass just now. For this reason Canon John Paul will now celebrate 2 vigil Masses in Craigston church- at 4pm & 6pm until further notice. As well as the two Vigil Masses he will celebrate Mass on Sunday morning at 9.30am in Northbay and then at 11.30am in Castlebay. For those who put their names down on the list or have telephoned or sent emails your names have been allocated seats at the various times .

Canon John Paul asks that you keep to your time and church each weekend. If you still wish to attend a Sunday Mass please get in touch with Canon John Paul. There are not many spaces left but if you make contact he will guide you on possibilities-…..please get in touch.  Of course if the weekend is full you may wish to go through the week. For this coming week there will be mass in Eoligarry on Tuesday at 10am and on Thursday in Northbay  at 10am and on Friday on Vatersay at 10am.

Even for weekday Mass please get in contact with Canon John Paul to see if there are spaces available. We are slowly moving forward and as the weeks go by Canon John Paul will see what need there is for any extra Masses. If you feel uncomfortable in any way about going back to Church 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 suspended the Sunday Obligation.

 

Recent Funeral: we pray for the repose of the soul of Michael Iain MacLean ( Skit)  who passed away peacefully in his own home in Leanish at the age of only 61. Michael Iain’s requiem Mass took place on Thursday 16th July in Our Lady Star of the Sea and then Michael Iain was laid to rest in Cuithir Cemetery. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.

 

Recent deaths: we pray for the repose of the soul of Iain MacKinnon (Iain Sheorais of Barra & Oban) who died in Oban on Wednesday 15th July. It is planned that Iain  will be brought back to Barra to be laid to rest soon.We pray for the repose of the soul of Penny Morrison who had been in St. Brendan’s Home for 9 years. Penny was from Daliburgh and she passed away aged 79 on Monday 13th July and was laid to rest in Daliburgh Cemetery  on Friday 17th July. We also remember to pray for the repose of the soul of  Brian MacDonald of Glasgow who died of MND recently and he was a son of Annag Chon of Barra. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. May they rest in peace. Amen.

 

Face coverings: one of the new things we have to get used to is wearing face coverings at Mass. We now have to wear one if we go to the shop or post office etc. The same with going to church  just now. Of course if you have a  health condition that prevents you from wearing one, that’s fine.

 

Fr. Philip Conner: at the end of this week Fr. Philip from the Diocese of Lancaster in England will be staying in the Chapel house of Vatersay for a week’s holiday. Fr Philip stayed last year for a week in Castlebay  and enjoyed his break so much that he was keen to get back with his dog and enjoy the beauty of our islands. Fr. Philip  will be available to hear Confessions- which is great. During these  4 months we missed Holy week and Easter which is a time we normally make a good confession. Next weekend there will be an announcement of what days and times when Fr. Philip will be available.