Bhileag 20th February 2022

Funerals: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Johan Campbell -originally from St. Brendan’s Road who lived in Benbecula. Johan peacefully passed away last Thursday in her own home on Benbecula at the age of 61. Johan’s funeral will be in St. Mary’s Church in Griminish, Benbecula on Monday 21st February at 12 Noon and thereafter burial in Nunton Cemetery on Benbecula. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all Johan’s family especially those here on Barra. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

 We also remember the repose of the soul of Nan MacDonald (Nan a Noon) originally from Barra who passed away on Benbecula last week and was laid to rest on Friday 18th February on Benbecula. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all Nan’s family and especially to her brother Iain a Noon in Glen and to all Iain’s family. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Special collection: next Sunday we will take up a special collection for the “Diocesan Pastoral fund”. A fund to help support pastoral projects in the Diocese.

Restoring the Sunday Mass Obligation: The Scottish Catholic Bishops have announced that the obligation for Sunday Mass will be restored from the First Sunday of Lent (6th March). With the easing of restrictions the Scottish Bishops feel that the beginning of Lent is a good time for the Sunday obligation to return.

No more need for “Track & Trace”  in Church: the Scottish Bishops have advised parishes that there is NO need to “sign in” at the church door for Mass any more. The Churches have been safe places for a long time and they follow good safety guidelines. The Bishops feel with restrictions easing that we can stop “Track & Trace”. However if someone tests positive for Covid and has been to Church – they are to contact Canon John Paul and he will make a decision on whether parishioners need to be informed which is a more common sense approach.

Holy Water is back in Church: The Bishops have also said that we are able to return to blessing ourselves with Holy Water from the holy Water Stoups (fonts) as we enter and leave the church. Just continue to sanitise your hands as you enter and leave the church and you can then bless yourself with Holy water. Slowly but surely we feel we are returning to some kind of normality!

Installation of New Archbishop of Glasgow: we offer our prayers of support to Bishop William Nolan who has been appointed the new Archbishop of Glasgow. He will be installed as the new the Archbishop of Glasgow on Saturday 26th February in St. Andrews’s Cathedral in Glasgow.

The Synod of Synodality in the Life of the Church: Canon John Paul wishes to thank Christine Galbraith of Northbay Parish and Katie MacNeil of Castlebay parish for putting forward their names to be co-ordinators with the Diocesan Synod team of Fr. Danny Convery and his parishioner Marianne. Christine & Katie will work with Canon John Paul and we will pass on any information to the parishes about the Synod. For more information on the synod please go online- www.synod.va/en.html

The Season of Lent: will begin on Wednesday 2nd  March (Ash Wednesday).

The SCIAF “Wee Boxes”: have arrived and will be handed out soon in preparation for  Lent.

WEEKDAY MASS:     

Mon 21st February……No Mass

Tue 22nd February……10.00am EOLIGARRY

Wed 23rd February…… 12 Noon CRAIGSTON

Thur 24th February…..10.00am  NORTHBAY

Fri 25th February……..10.00am  VATERSAY

Sat 26th February …….10.00am  CASTLEBAY

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

26th & 27th February 2022

8th Sunday of Year C

Vigil Mass……. 6.00pm  CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses…..9.30am  NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY