Bhileag (Newsletter) 19th February 2023

Ash Wednesday: this coming Wednesday (22nd February) is Ash Wednesday and is the important day we mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross in ash and then we enter the 40 days of Lent. It is also a day of fast and abstinence- when we refrain from eating meat. Please note the three Masses for Ash Wednesday are- 10.00am Northbay & 12.15pm Craigston & 7.00pm Castlebay. As well as the three Masses there will be three services which you can also choose to attend…..9.20am   Eoligarry School & 11.30am Castlebay School & 2.30pm   St. Brendan’s Home

SCIAF Wee Boxes: during Lent an important thing we do is “Almsgiving”, giving to Charity and as always we will support SCIAF in Lent. Please pick up your SCIAF Wee Box!

Lenten Prayer Books: there are some Lenten prayer books available for adults and for children in Castlebay & Northbay Church.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal: the 2nd Collection at all Masses this weekend will be given to SCIAF for the Turkey/Syria earthquake disaster appeal. Thank you for your kind donations from last week which were £162.30 in Northbay and £515.00 in Castlebay. Moran Taing!

Day of Prayer for those who suffered abuse: The Catholic Church in Scotland dedicates the first Friday after Ash Wednesday as a day of prayer for those who have suffered from abuse and especially within the Catholic Church. The Mass on Friday will be a Mass for those who have suffered any kind of abuse.

Fr. Emmanuel: we send our prayers and best wishes to Fr. Emmanuel who takes up a new post as Parish Priest of Kingussie. He begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Canon John Paul spent three happy years in his early Priesthood as the parish Priest of Kingussie.

Bishop Brian’s Meetings with the Parish: the date for the parish meetings with Bishop Brian will be Tuesday 28th February. 6pm Castlebay School for Castlebay Parish and 8pm in Northbay Hall for Northbay Parish. Everyone welcome!

Lapaich (Housebound): please get in touch with Canon John Paul if there is anyone you know who would appreciate a visit from the Priest especially with Holy Communion.

Parish 200 Club: We will restart the parish 200 club now. The annual subscription is £12. There are various ways to give the subscription. Please pass the envelope with £12 to Canon John Paul or to leave the envelope in the Sunday Collection basket or to leave at Buth Buidesar/Top Shop or to leave it with Mary Sarah at 20 St. Brendan’s Road. Once we collect all the subscriptions we will then make the first draw for the months of January & February. Sadly over the last couple of years we have lost quite a few names in the Club and we are always looking for new names for the Parish 200 Club. If you wish to join then please see Canon John Paul or contact Mary Sarah (810539). Thanks for all your support.

World Day of Prayer: will take place on Friday 3rd March in St. Barr’s Church, Northbay at 7pm. After the service there will be tea and refreshments in Northbay Hall. This year the Service has been written by the Women of Taiwan. All are welcome to come along.

Lourdes Parish Pilgrimage 2024?: A number of parishioners have approached Canon John Paul to ask about a parish pilgrimage to Lourdes. To give ourselves time and to save up we will look next year to 2024 and look at possible dates and prices. If it is something you might be interested in then let Canon John Paul know and then we can begin to look at all possibilities and especially with numbers who might wish to go.

Tea in Northbay Hall: on the first Sunday of each month there will be tea in Northbay Hall after the 9.30am Northbay Mass. All welcome!

WEEKDAY  MASSES:

Monday 20th Feb……….No Mass

Tuesday 21st  Feb………10.00am EOLIGARRY

Ash Wednesday 22nd Feb

10.00am   NORTHBAY

 12.15pm  CRAIGSTON

  7.00pm   CASTLEBAY

Thursday 23rd Feb……10.00am NORTHBAY

Friday 24th Feb………10.00am VATERSAY

Saturday 25th Feb…..10.00am  CASTLEBAY

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

18th & 19th FEBRUARY  2023

1st Sunday of  LENT

Vigil Mass ……. 6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses..9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am  CASTLEBAY