Bhileag 6th December 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.

Lapaich & Housebound Visits: The Scottish Government has announced “that in the Western Isles people can meet another household indoors, in a private home. The maximum number of people who can meet indoors is 6 which can be from up to 2 separate households”.  Please just get in touch with Canon John Paul if you would like a visit.

Recent Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Neil MacInnes (Niall Stuit of Ardmhor)  who peacefully passed away last Sunday 29th November at the age of 71. Neil’s Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday 1st December in St. Barr’s Northbay and then he was laid to rest in the graveyard in Cuithir. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all the family at this sad time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

We also pray for the repose of the soul of Cathy McAuley of  Barra and Oban. Cathy was the mother of Fr Roddy McAuley and of course Cathy was from Barra, a sister of Ruaraidh & Nanny Pheter. Cathy’s Requiem Mass took place on Friday 4th December in St. Columba’s Cathedral in Oban. We extend our prayers of love and Sympathy to Fr Roddy and all the family and relatives at this time. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Fr. John Paul: will return on Monday by boat and even though he will be back he will be isolating for a few days after being on the mainland. Therefore there will be no weekday Mass on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday- until the Saturday Vigil Masses.

Fr. David Stewart: we warmly welcome Fr David back to the parish for the weekend. It is a short visit but we are always happy to see Fr. David back.  For the last couple of weeks Fr. David has been helping in the parish of Dunoon. Helping and supporting Fr. Roddy McAuley so that he could spend precious time with his mum before she passed away.  Fr. David will head away from Barra on Tuesday’s plane.

Sacrament of Confession: Fr David will be available on Monday for the Sacrament of confession-after the Mass in Castlebay –about 12.30pm. Then he will then be available later on Monday in Northbay Church from 2pm-2.45pm

Christmas cards and Calendars: In the Church porch of Castlebay & Northbay Church there are a variety of Christmas cards and Calendars for sale.

Advent prayer books: in the church porch are some Advent prayer books for adults and children. They are priced £1.

Christmas Masses: Fr. John Paul is working out a timetable for Christmas Masses  this year. Of course numbers being able to attend will be restricted. As we know the limit is 50 people for each  Mass. Times and places of the Christmas Masses will be announced soon and then you can work out which Mass you might wish to attend.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

Mon 7th Dec…..  12 Noon CASTLEBAY                     

Tue 8th Dec….. 12 Noon NORTHBAY

(Feast of the Immaculate Conception)

Wed 9th Dec……. No Mass

Thur10th Dec…….No Mass  

Fri 11th Dec……… No Mass  

Sat 12th Dec…….. No Mass                            

NEXT WEEKEND

12th & 13th December  2020

3rd Sunday of Advent B

Saturday Vigil Masses

4.00pm  &  6.00pm  CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses

9.30am   NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY