Bhileag 20th June 2021

Reserve a seat for Mass: If you wish to go to Sunday Mass please phone /text /email Canon John Paul and let him know which Mass you would like to go to. Please note that there is no Sunday Obligation at the moment.

Housebound visits: Canon John Paul is happy to visit any housebound with the Sacraments. Please just get in touch with him and a day and time can be organised.

Rev. Philip Bua: recently the Diocese celebrated the lovely news that Philip Bua had been ordained a Deacon for the Diocese on the 10th June in Rome. Philip is studying for the Priesthood for our Diocese of Argyll & the Isles. Philip is from Nigeria and has been studying in the Beda College in Rome for our diocese for the last 4 years. Philip is now coming to his last year of studies in Rome and hopefully in the Summer of 2022 he will be ordained a Priest for our Diocese- which is lovely news. Bishop Brian has asked Rev. Philip to work as a Deacon in two parishes in the Diocese during this Summer. Firstly in our own parishes of Castlebay & Northbay and then in Stornoway. Philip will arrive on the island this weekend (19th June) and he will stay in the Chapel house on Vatersay. For the first 10 days Philip will isolate in the Vatersay Chapel house (following the Government Guidelines when you fly from Italy) and then after 10 days he will have his Covid test and hopefully then in 2 weeks time he will be able to help Canon John Paul  in the parishes. Philip also has had his Vaccine jab too. After the isolation period we look forward to welcoming Rev. Philip properly to the parishes.

First Holy Communion: let us remember the boys and girls who will make their First Holy Communion today. In Castlebay Church it will be- Caralisa MacDougall, Sophie Walker, Ava Walker, Ross Galbraith, Calum MacNeil, Jamie MacNeil,  and then in Northbay Church it will be Rachel MacNeil, Owen MacNeil, Mairi MacNeil and Seonaidh MacLean. Let us remember all the boys and girls in our prayers.

St. Columba Novena book: to mark the 1500th Anniversary of the birth of St. Columba there has been a lovely Novena booklet produced. The Novena has been done by Fr. Ross Crichton on Eriskay. The prayers in the Novena booklet are English, Gaidhlig and Irish Gaelic. The booklet costs £3.95. They are available at the back of Northbay and Castlebay Church.  St. Columba…….pray for us.

Prayers for the Faithful departed: We remember also those whose anniversaries which occur about now:-Ma MacNeil (Vatersay), Angus MacNeil (Upper Borve).  Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon. May they rest in peace. Amen..

Church Grass- Cutting: Canon John Paul wishes to thank all those who give their time and energy to cutting the  grass in our various church grounds around the island. The Church grounds all look so lovely. Thank You.

Recent Baptism: we warmly welcome into the family of the Church Kieran Neil Campbell who was baptised last Saturday 12th June in Our Lady Star of the Sea in Castlebay. We wish Kieran and his family and Godparents every blessing.

Fisherman’s Mass: sadly this year there will be NO Fisherman’s Mass due to the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. We are in level zero on the island and we are moving in the right direction but we still have to be very cautious and therefore Canon John Paul has decided for this year again that there will be NO Fisherman’s Mass on the Pier.

Instead on Sunday 11th July (Sea Sunday) afternoon Canon John Paul will visit Ardveenish Pier, Northbay pier, Castlebay Marina and Vatersay Pier and he will bless the boats that are there. Times will be announced later when Canon John Paul will visit the various piers for the blessing.

WEEKDAY MASS:   

Mon 21st June….. No Mass

Tue 22nd June…. 10.00am  EOLIGARRY

Wed 23rd  June….. 12 Noon  CRAIGSTON

Thur 24th  June… 10.00am   NORTHBAY

Fri25th June….. 10.00am  VATERSAY

Sat 26th June……No Mass

NEXT WEEKEND

26th & 27th June 2021

13th Sunday of Year B

Vigil Mass……4pm & 6pm CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses….  9.30am    NORTHBAY

                                  11.30am  CASTLEBAY