Bhileag 22nd November 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 still suspended the Sunday Obligation of going to Mass for the time being.

Face Coverings must be worn at every 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 & book a test.

Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Mary Margaret Nicholson of Upper Borve who peacefully passed away on Sunday 22nd November at the age of 65. Over this past year Mary Margaret has faithfully carried her cross of illness and in the end she very much needed that peace. Mary Margaret’s Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 25th November in St. Brendan’s in Craigston at 11am and then afterwards to Cuithir Cemetery for 12 Noon. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Patrick and all the family at this sad time. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

The Month of the Holy Souls: The Month of November is the month we offer important prayers for the Holy Souls- praying for all our deceased family, relatives and friends. November is a very important month in which the Church encourages us all to offer special prayers to lead all souls to heaven. If you wish to remember any deceased family during the month of November, please write their names down on the “November Lists” and to place the list in the “Holy Souls envelopes” and to also place an offering. Those names you write down will be remembered at all the Masses in November.

Graveyard Rosary: during the month of November we normally have the custom of praying the Rosary in each of our Graveyards. Sadly this November because of the Pandemic we will not be able to do that. Instead Canon John Paul encourages you to go yourself (or with your family) to go to one of our Graveyards and offer prayers for the faithful departed- the Holy souls. Every prayer you say is important to help lead all souls to heaven.

Lapaich & Housebound Visits: The Scottish Government has placed the various Councils of Scotland into various Tiers and the whole of the Western Isles has been placed into Tier 1 and in this Tier 1 the Scottish Government have announced “that in the Western Isles people can meet another household indoors, in a private home or in a public place such as a bar, pub, café or restaurant. The maximum number of people who can meet indoors is 6 which can be from up to 2 separate households”.  In line with this Canon John Paul would like to take the opportunity to visit any housebound or anyone who would like a visit from the priest with the Sacraments.  Please just get in touch with Canon John Paul if you would like a visit.

Next Sunday: is the 1st Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a New Church Year. Next weekend there will be some Advent Prayer books available at Mass.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

Mon 23rd Nov…… No Mass                          

Tue 24th Nov… 10.00am  EOLIGARRY      

Wed 25th Nov.. 11.00am  CRAIGSTON

(Requiem Mass- Private)   

Thur 26th Nov…..10.00am  NORTHBAY    

Fri 27th Nov…..10.00am  VATERSAY       

Sat 28th Nov…No Mass                            

NEXT WEEKEND

28th & 29th NOVEMBER  2020

1st Sunday of Advent B

Saturday Vigil Masses

4.00pm  &  6.00pm  CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses

9.30am   NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY