Bhileag 26th December 2021

New Year’s Day: Next Saturday is the 1st January 2022-the beginning of a New Year. There will be two Masses that day -10am in Castlebay and 11.30am in Northbay. The first day of the year is the lovely Feast of “Mary, the Mother of God”. What better way to start a new year than seeking God’s blessing at holy Mass.

Justice & Peace Collection & Letter: next Sunday is the Feast of the Epiphany and is the day we pray for Justice and peace. There will be a letter read out by Canon John Paul on behalf of Bishop William Nolan who is the Bishop in charge of Justice & Peace in Scotland. There will also be a second collection for the work of Justice and peace in Scotland.

Next Weekend’s Vigil Mass: please note that the Saturday evening Vigil Mass at 6.00pm  next weekend will be cancelled because it is New Year’s day. After that we will go back to the normal 6pm Vigil.

Recent Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of  Christina MacLeod (Kirsty Tilda of Earsary) who peacefully passed away in Earsary at the age of 87. Kirsty had lived in Glasgow most of her life but it was her final wish to return back to Barra in her final days which she did and she passed away peacefully on Saturday18th December. Kirsty’s Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday 21st December in St. Barr’s in Northbay and thereafter Kirsty was laid to rest in Eoligarry graveyard.  We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Hughie and all the family at this time. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Covid-19 guidelines:  The Scottish Government remind us to keep looking after ourselves and looking after others in this pandemic. Let us all continue to carry on our good work of keeping on top of Covid-19 by wearing our face masks- keep sanitising our hands-go for our vaccinations. We all have to play our important part especially now in the lead up to Christmas.

Church Christmas decorations: Canon John Paul is very grateful to all who have helped prepare our Churches for Christmas. The decorations, the Christmas Trees, Christmas lights, and flower arrangements are wonderful to see. Thank you to all who cleaned the churches too! Many thanks for your time and help in looking after the churches for Christmas. All the Churches look beautiful! Moran Taing!

Scottish Bishops postpone restoration of Sunday Mass obligation: The plan was that Sunday obligation would begin on Sunday 2nd January 2022 but the Catholic Bishops of Scotland announced on Thursday 23rd December “sadly there has been a serious worsening of the Covid situation and the restoration of the Sunday obligation will be postponed until a more favourable time. We ask everyone to continue to pray for a speedy end to the pandemic and for the good health of you and your loved ones in 2022”.

Canon John Paul wishes everyone a Happy & Holy Christmas. May the Lord Jesus bless all our families at this holy time and may the love & peace of God be in all our hearts this Christmas. Nollaig Chridheil uile!!!

WEEKDAY MASS:    

Mon 27th December………No Mass

Tue28th December……..12 Noon  EOLIGARRY

(Feast of the Holy Innocents)

Wed 29th December……12 Noon  CRAIGSTON

Thur 30th December…….10.00am  NORTHBAY

Fri 31st December…………10.00am  VATERSAY

Sat1st January …………..10.00am  CASTLEBAY

11.30am  NORTHBAY

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

1st & 2nd January 2022

The Epiphany of the Lord

Vigil Mass………  No Vigil Mass

Sunday Masses…….9.30am    NORTHBAY

                                   11.30am  CASTLEBAY