Bhileag 3rd October 2021

Recent Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of  Iain MacDougall (Iain Rod) of Glen who passed away on Saturday 25th September in hospital in Glasgow after a very short illness. Iain was aged only 70. Iain’s Requiem Mass took place on Thursday 30th September in Our Lady Star of the Sea and thereafter Iain was laid to rest in Cuithir Cemetery. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Annabel and all the family and relatives and friends at this sad time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Recent death: we pray for the repose of the soul of Marie MacNeil (Marie a doodle of Caol & Barra) who passed away on Saturday 2nd October in a nursing home in Strontian, near Fort William. It is planned that Marie’s funeral will take place on Barra at a later date. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Covid-19 on the island: sadly this weekend of 3rd/4th October we have cancelled our Masses due to the large number of positive Covid-19 cases on the island and many more isolating. Please continue to be careful and follow the guidelines.

Canon John Paul: will be away next weekend- in his role as a Vocations Director. He will be attending an important weekend for those who are discerning their vocation to the Priesthood. Canon John Paul will help lead a weekend of talks and discussions in Schoenstatt retreat centre in Lennoxtown for five men who are discerning their vocation.

Fr. Martin Sylvester: Next weekend we will have Fr. Martin Sylvester looking after the weekend Masses. Fr. Martin has not been to Barra before. He is Parish Priest in Glossop in Derbyshire –the Diocese of Nottingham. Fr. Martin is parish priest of the area where Sr. Mairi comes from and where her sister is still a parishioner. Fr. Martin has been wanting to come to Barra for a long time and so he arrives by plane on Friday 8th October and will stay a week. He will look after the weekend Masses and then when Canon John Paul returns he will spend a couple of days on Vatersay for a few days retreat. We hope Fr. Martin will enjoy his stay.

Attending Mass in the Parish: just turn up at the Church and just sign in at the Church Porch with your name & telephone number (for track & trace purposes) and sit anywhere you want in the church.

Sanitising the Church: after every Mass the pews in Church need to be wiped down with Anti-bacterial spray or wipes. If you can help just remain behind after Mass. Canon John Paul is so grateful to all those who give of their time to help sanitise all our churches on the island. Moran Taing!

Safeguarding Message: this weekend Canon John Paul will read out the Annual Safeguarding message from the Diocese. In the message we will hear Bishop Brian telling us the important news of the New Safeguarding Instruction for the Catholic Church in Scotland- In God’s Image version 2– has now been published and has now become mandatory. We will be reminded in the Bishop’s message “that every human being must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect since all have been created by God in his own image”. Bishop Brian will tell us also that the Catholic Bishops of Scotland are absolutely determined that the terrible errors of the past within the Church are never repeated. Hence the reason to publish In God’s image version 2 to highlight the Church’s new safeguarding procedures. Bishop Brian is very keen to make sure that all Clergy in the Diocese and all who volunteer in our parishes are familiar with all safeguarding procedures and to take part in the various courses available.

Sunday collection: please remember that at the moment we keep the collection baskets at the main door of the church and we are encouraged to put something into the basket as we enter the church. If we forget to do that- then we have the opportunity to put something in on the way out.

If anyone would still like to give to the parish by standing order- the details are as follows;

RCD Argyll & the Isles Castlebay Mission     Account Number  65627538    Sort Code  839125

RCD Argyll & the Isles Northbay Mission     Account Number  65628061     Sort Code  839125

WEEKDAY MASS:  

Mon 4th October……..10.00am CASTLEBAY

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Tues 5th October…….10.00am  EOLIGARRY

Wed 6th October….. No Mass

Thur 7th October……No Mass

Fri 8th October………No Mass

Sat 9th October……….No Mass

NEXT WEEKEND

9th & 10th  October  2021

28th  Sunday of Year B

Vigil Mass………6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses…..9.30am    NORTHBAY

                                 11.30am  CASTLEBAY