Bhileag 23rd September 2018

Special Collection: this weekend there will be a 2nd collection for the Ecclesiastical students fund of the Diocese. Bishop Brian encourages us to be as generous as we can in our special collections for our seminarians.

Recent Deaths: we pray for the repose of the soul of Dolina MacKinnon (Dolly Dhomhnall Uileam) of Southampton and Barra. It is planned that Dolly’s remains will be brought to Barra to be laid to rest. A possible date of funeral will be Saturday 6th October (still  to be clarified) in Our Lady Star of the Sea. Eternal rest grant unto her O lord and let perpetual light shone upon. May she rest in peace. Amen.

We also pray for the repose of the soul of Antonia MacLean, the mother of Fr. William MacLean (Isle of Skye). Antonia’s funeral will take place in Arisaig on Wednesday 3rd October at 12 Noon. Eternal rest grant unto her O lord and let perpetual light shone upon. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Child Protection Meeting: Thanks to all those who came along to the Child protection meeting in Northbay Hall and Castlebay School last Friday.

Liturgy Works: the Diocesan Music/Liturgy weekend is next weekend- the 28th-30th September in the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge. All welcome.

Congratulations: to Marion MacNeil and Alick MacNeil who were married in Our Lady Star of the Sea on Saturday 22nd September. We wish Mr & Mrs MacNeil every health, happiness and Blessings.

New Vocations Director: Bishop Brian has appointed Fr. John Paul as the new Vocations Director for the Diocese of Argyll & the Isles. The last vocation’s Director was Fr. Michael Hutson. Fr. John Paul will now have the very important role of helping those who feel they have a vocation to the Priesthood for our Diocese- which is a huge task. Fr. John Paul will often have to head away for important meetings in his new role as Vocations Director. Let us always keep in our prayers this special prayer- let us always pray for more vocations especially for our own Diocese.

“Annie Jane” Ecumenical Service: On Sunday 30th September there will be a religious ecumenical service led by Fr. John Paul and Rev. Lindsay at the Annie Jane Memorial on Vatersay. The service will begin at 3pm outside at the memorial. The “Annie Jane” was the name of the famous boat that was wrecked off Vatersay on the 28th September 1853. Over 350 lives of men, women and children were drowned and all buried in a Mass grave on Vatersay. The Annie Jane was the worst maritime disaster in British peacetime History. After the service you are welcome to Vatersay Hall where there will be an exhibition of the “Annie Jane Tragedy” and also Tea and Coffee and refreshments. All Welcome.

Canon Angus MacQueen:The latest news on Canon Angus is that his operation on his hip was successful and he is recuperating in Glasgow. It is planned that he will transferred this week to the Uist & Barra Hospital in Benbecula where he will stay to receive physio. Let us keep Canon Angus and all our sick and housebound in our prayers at this time.