Bhileag 1st April 2018

Fr. Peter Banyard: sadly Fr. Peter was unable to make it to the islands this Easter. We keep him in our thoughts and prayers and hope that one day soon he will be able to make a “wee visit” to see us all.

 Recent Deaths: we pray for the repose of the soul of MURACHADH MacNEIL (Murachadh Phop) who peacefully passed away in Oban last Wednesday aged 81. Murachadh’s remains will come back to Barra and there will be a requiem Mass- an announcement will be made over the next few days of funeral arrangements. Eternal rest grant unto him O’ lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

SCIAF wee Boxes: should be handed in now.

Fr. Paul Hackett: when Fr. Paul retired from the parish in Stornoway about 10 years ago he went to live in the Cathedral in Oban and helped there in the Cathedral parish. He then moved up to the parish of Kingussie where he has been Parish Priest for the last few years. Fr. Paul has now decided it is time to retire from parish life and he will now move to a home for Priests down in the south of England. Fr. Paul spent 20 years in our Diocese and Bishop Brian thanks him for his faithfulness in serving as a priest in the Diocese. Bishop Brian will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with Fr. Paul in Kingussie on Tuesday 3rd April at 6pm.

Thanks: to all who cleaned and prepared our churches for Easter. Thank you to everyone who has helped in the Masses over the Easter Triduum. Fr. John Paul wishes everyone a Happy and Holy Easter! Moran Taing!

First Saturday Devotion: Next Saturday (7th April) the first Saturday of April there will be Rosary (9.40am), Mass (10am) and Exposition (10.30am) for the Our Lady of Fatima First Saturday devotion.

Lapaich: Fr. John Paul will visit the housebound next week, the week beginning 9th April.

Divine Mercy Sunday: next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday and there will be Rosary & Exposition/ Benediction in Our Lady Star of the Sea, Castlebay at 4.00pm.

Easter prayer Books: there are some small Easter prayers books for Adults and children at the church entrance. They are priced £1.00

Gift Aid: the new envelopes for the new Tax year are available in Castlebay and Northbay church. Anyone interested in wanting to sign up for Parish gift Aid please speak with Fr. John Paul.

Rosary on the Coast: As you will have seen in our Catholic Sunday Papers there will be a special prayer of “Rosary on the coast” on Sunday 29th April at 3pm for “Faith, Life and peace in the British Isles”. Thousands of Catholics will gather all over the coast line of the UK and pray the Rosary. We will do the same here on the island. Anyone interested in helping is welcome to a short meeting on Tuesday 3rd April in Northbay Hall at 7.30pm.