Bhileag 28th November 2021

Sunday Obligation returns: over the last 20 months there has been no Sunday obligation to attend Sunday Mass due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 has certainly turned our world and our lives upside down especially in attending Mass over the last 20 months. So many people had to go “on-line” to watch Mass but now there is no need to go digital for Mass. It has been good over the months seeing parishioners returning back to Mass even when there was no obligation. Many people now feel safe in Church as we follow the guidelines of wearing our face coverings and sanitising our hands as we enter and leave the Church. The Church has been one of the safest places to be when there are large gatherings of people.

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have written a Pastoral letter entitled “The Season of Christmas and the Restoration of the Mass Obligation in the Diocese of Scotland”. The main thing to highlight from the letter is that from Sunday 2nd January 2022 the Sunday Obligation returns for Sunday Mass and Holyday’s of obligation. It will take a little time to get used to this once again but it is important that we return back to Mass and back to the Lord Jesus who is waiting for us at the Holy Mass. Please pick up a Pastoral letter and please pass it on to anyone else who would appreciate the information. Therefore Sunday 2nd January 2022 (the Feast of the Epiphany) we will be obligated to go to Sunday Mass.

The Season of Advent: now begins and so we prepare over the next 4 weeks for the great Feast of Christmas. A new Church year begins today. So let us embrace this new Church year by entering fully into Advent by making every effort to come along to Sunday Mass (or even Mass through the week) and meditate ourselves on the lovely scripture readings for Advent. Advent is such a short season in the Church and yet a very beautiful season as we light a candle each week on the Advent Wreath and let the light of Christ penetrate deep into our churches, our homes and each of our hearts.

Final Graveyard Rosary: for the month of November will be today Sunday 28th November at Borve Cemetery at 3pm.  If the weather is poor then we will say the Rosary in Craigston Church!

Parish Dues: about this time of the year parishioners can hand in their “Parish Dues” to the church.

Visiting Confessor: Canon John Paul has organised Fr David Stewart to come to the islands for the weekend of 3rd Sunday of Advent (11th & 12th December) and be available for Confessions.

WEEKDAY MASS:

Mon 29th November…..No Mass

Tues 30th November…10.00am  EOLIGARRY

(Feast of St. Andrew)

Wed 1st December…… 12 Noon  CRAIGSTON

Thur 2nd December… 10.00am  NORTHBAY

Fri 3rd December……..10.00am VATERSAY

Sat 4th December……10.00am CASTLEBAY

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

4th & 5th DECEMBER 2021

2nd Sunday of Advent Year C

Vigil Mass………  6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses….9.30am    NORTHBAY

                             11.30am  CASTLEBAY