Bhileag (Newsletter) 29th January 2023

Candlemas: this coming Thursday (2nd February) is the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus and during the morning Mass candles will be blessed. Hence the name Candlemas. Therefore during the 10am Mass in Northbay different sizes of candles will be blessed and you are welcome to take candles home. If you take a candle- it will be nice to leave a donation.

Blessing of throats: Friday 3rd February is the Feast of St. Blaise who is the patron saint of throats. During the 10am Mass on Vatersay there will be an opportunity during the Mass to have the special blessing of St. Blaise on your throat.

The Scottish Catholic Magazine: ever since the Scottish Catholic Observer paper stopped being printed over 3 years ago there was a real need for something else to take over and share Catholic news and stories around Scotland. Over the last year it has been good to receive every 2 weeks  the colourful Scottish Catholic Magazine which has kept us all with up to date with Catholic news in Scotland and from all over the World. Sadly the team behind the Magazine are really struggling to publish a hard copy of the Magazine because of the rising costs of everything. Sadly the decision has been made to stop publishing the magazine. The last publication with the image of the late Pope Benedict on the front cover will be last magazine to be published. Instead from the month of February things will go digital which means you will have to go online and go to the Scottish Catholic website or  social media channels and news and articles will be available on line. Of course that doesn’t suit everyone but sadly it’s the way things now go. Hopefully if they send a monthly newsletter then it can be printed and given out at Church.

Tea in Northbay Hall: on the first Sunday of each month there will be tea in the Hall after the 9.30am Mass. Next one will be Sunday 5th February. All welcome!

Sacrament Classes: the children preparing for the sacraments of First Confession & First Holy Communion  have started their classes. The Children for the Sacrament of Confirmation will soon start their classes. Let’s keep the children in our prayers who are preparing for the sacraments. The Sacrament of Confirmation date is Saturday 22nd April. Bishop Brian will come and Confirm the Children. The First Holy Communion date is Sunday 11th June. As always one of the important things for all the children preparing for the Sacraments is to come along each Sunday for Mass.

Ash Wednesday: is Wednesday 22nd February and therefore the holy season of Lent will begin.

Parish 200 Club: for the last couple of years we suspended the Parish 200 club because of the various Covid restrictions but all that is done now so we will start again the 200 club for the New Year of 2023. More information will follow!

Bishop Brian’s Meetings: the date for the new meetings with Bishop Brian will be Tuesday 28th February.

Led by the Spirit Prayer Card: please pick up the lovely prayer card which Bishop Brian brought. The front cover picture was designed by Fr Roddy McAuley. Let us take the time to pray the prayer on the card which is called “Led by the Spirit”.

Sacrament of Confession: Every Saturday from 9.30am-9.50am in Castlebay Church & 12noon -12.30pm Northbay Church.

Visit of Architect to Castlebay Church: over the last 5 years Canon John Paul has been in talks with an Architect in Glasgow in regard to work that needs to be done in Castlebay Church especially with the Church Tower. Castlebay Church is a “Listed building” and therefore we have to follow various guidelines for historic buildings which can slow everything down. The Architect plans to come over to Barra during January or early February along with a Stone mason form Ardnamurchan and also an expert on lime mortar. They will visit Castlebay Church and will hopefully outline a plan of how best to move forward.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:      

Mon 30th January…………..No Mass

Tue 31st January……10.00am EOLIGARRY

(Feast of St. John Bosco)

Wed 1st February…12 Noon  CRAIGSTON

(Feast of St. Brigid)

Thurs 2nd February………10.00am NORTHBAY

(Feast of the Presentation of the Lord- Candlemas)

Fri 3rd February…………10.00am VATERSAY

(Feast of St. Blaise & Blessing of throats)

Sat 4th February……..10.00am  CASTLEBAY

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

4th & 5th FEBRUARY  2023

5th  Sunday of Year A

Vigil Mass ……. 6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses..9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am  CASTLEBAY