Bhileag (Newsletter) 5th February 2023

Candlemas Candles: Last Thursday in Northbay we had candles blessed during the morning Mass to celebrate Candlemas. There will be some candles available in the church porch of Craigston, Northbay & Castlebay Churches this weekend. You are welcome to take a candle home with you. Also it will be nice to leave a donation.

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.

The Scottish Catholic Magazine: 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. 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. Therefore TODAY- 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 one of the prayer cards entitled “Led by the Spirit”. Bishop Brian left the prayer card to encourage us all throughout the diocese to pray to the Holy Spirit for our Diocese. The picture on the front of the prayer card was designed by Fr Roddy McAuley and the prayer was written by a parishioner on the Isle of Skye.

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

Visit of Architect to Castlebay Church: An Architect in Glasgow plans to come over to Barra 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 with work that needs to be done.

WEEKDAY  MASSES:   

Mon 6th February………. No Mass

Tue 7th February………. 10.00am EOLIGARRY

Wed 8th February…….. 12 Noon  CRAIGSTON

Thur 9th February………10.00am NORTHBAY

Fri 10th February………….10.00am VATERSAY

Sat 11th February…………10.00am  CASTLEBAY

(Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes)

NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES

11th & 12th FEBRUARY  2023

6th  Sunday of Year A

Vigil Mass ……. 6.00pm   CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses..9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am  CASTLEBAY