Bhileag 20th September 2020

Sunday & Weekday Masses: to attend any Mass you must contact Canon John Paul to see if there is availability at Mass. Please phone, text or email Canon John Paul.  If the weekend Masses are busy you could try and attend Mass through the week. Please try and get in touch with Canon John Paul sooner rather than later about attending Mass.  It makes things easier if there are “household bubbles” who can sit together on a pew. So think about if you can sit with someone and use that space in the church.  As always if you feel uncomfortable about going back to Church just now 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 of going to Mass for the time being.

Face Coverings must also be worn at each Mass now. If you have a health condition that prevents you from wearing one, that’s fine. Also those under 5 do not need to wear a covering.

If you feel you have any symptoms of COVID-19– like a new continuous cough; a high fever; loss or change in sense of smell or taste then please DO NOT go to Church- instead stay home & isolate.

SCIAF: Next weekend- 26th/27th September we will take up a special collection for SCIAF.

First Holy Communions: this week Canon John Paul will make a decision about how to proceed with the Children who should have made their First Holy Communion before the Summer. The Coronavirus pandemic cancelled all First Holy Communions throughout the whole of Scotland and beyond. Last week Canon John Paul was in a parish in Glasgow and saw for himself that many parishes are now celebrating “First Communions” on a much smaller scale. For example to have a group of 10 children at one mass (Saturday Mass) with only the parents of the child and some teachers and the Priest. Then another 10 children the following weekend with again just the parents & teachers & Priest. Normally we have all the children make their First Holy Communion on one Sunday along with their families and friends and fellow parishioners but sadly not this year because of the Coronavirus. We are restricted with numbers being able to attend Mass and so we have to find a safe way to celebrate  (with restrictions) the First Communions of the island. Hopefully during this week a decision will be made.

Gift Aid Envelopes: please note that Gift Aid envelopes are available. They can be collected in Northbay Church or from Castlebay Church.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

Mon 21st Sep…No Mass

Tues 22nd Sep….10am  EOLIGARRY

Wed 23rd Sep..12 Noon CRAIGSTON

Thur 24th Sept…10am  NORTHBAY

Fri 25th Sep….10.00am  VATERSAY

Sat 26th Sep…No Mass

NEXT WEEKEND

26th & 27th September  2020

26th Sunday of Year A

Saturday Vigil Masses

4pm & 6pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses

9.30am   NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY