Bhileag 8th November 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.

Recent Burial: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of  JAMES MacKINNON ( Sonny MacKinnon of Ardveenish)  who peacefully passed away  last week in Aberdeen at the age of 90.  James’ Requiem Mass took place in his own home parish in Aberdeen on Thursday 5th November . It was his final wish to return to Barra and to be laid to rest on the island.  On Friday 6th November the Coffin was brought to Barra and then James was laid to rest in Eoligarry graveyard on Saturday 7th November.  We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all the family at this time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

The Month of the Holy Souls: The Month of November is the month we offer important prayers for the Holy Souls- praying for all our deceased family, relatives and friends. November is a very important month in which the Church encourages us all to offer special prayers to lead all souls to heaven. If you wish to remember any deceased family during the month of November, please write their names down on the “November Dead List” and to place the list in the “Holy Souls envelopes” and to also place an offering. Those names you write down will be remembered at all the Masses in November.

In a Special way this year the church wishes to remember those who have died during this pandemic. Remembering those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic, remembering those who could not say their final good bye because of the various restrictions. This Pandemic has been a very difficult and painful time for many grieving families. Let us pray during the month of November to the risen Lord to help us pray for those souls close to us so that they may forever enjoy the paradise of heaven.

Graveyard Rosary: during the month of November we normally have the custom of praying the Rosary in each of our Graveyards. Sadly this November because of the Pandemic we will not be able to do that. Instead Canon John Paul encourages you to go yourself (or with your family)  on a Sunday ( or anytime…weather permitting)  during November and to pray the Rosary in one of our graveyards for the holy souls.

Remembrance Sunday Service: this year because of COVID-19 the usual service at the War memorial is cancelled. Instead there will be a short service for a small group of people on Sunday 8th November who will lay their wreaths at the War memorial at 10.55am and then at 11am there will be a 2 minute silence.

Bishop Brian’s Letter: please pick up Bishop Brian’s Annual Safeguarding message. Bishop Brian thanks every parish for all their good work to keep our Churches open so that Masses can be celebrated. He also highlights the importance of following safeguarding procedures for children & vulnerable adults within the Diocese in these difficult times. Bishop Brian writes….“The fact that during lockdown our Diocesan Safeguarding personnel, Our Diocesan Groups, Parish Co-ordinators and clergy all continued to work, that our Safeguarding Training has been overhauled and put online demonstrates that our commitment to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe is part of who we are as Argyll and the Isles”.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

Mon 9th Nov…..  No Mass                          

Tue 10th Nov… 10.00am   EOLIGARRY      

Wed 11th Nov… 12 Noon  CRAIGSTON    

Thur 12th Nov….10.00am   NORTHBAY    

Fri 13th Nov…….10.00am  VATERSAY       

Sat 14th Nov…….No Mass                            

NEXT WEEKEND

14th & 15th  NOVEMBER  2020

33rd Sunday of Year A

Saturday Vigil Masses

4pm  &  6pm  CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses

9.30am   NORTHBAY

11.30am  CASTLEBAY