Star of the Sea, Castlebay, The Isle of Barra. HS9 5XD.
Phone 01871 810267
Email Addres castlebay@rcdai.org.uk

Bhileag (Newsletter) 8th May 2022

Recent funeral: we pray for the repose of the soul of  Iain MacKinnon (Iain a’ Noon of Glen) who peacefully passed away last Sunday 1st May in St. Brendan’s Hospital at the age of 87. Sadly for the last few years Iain has had Dementia which has been so hard for Iain and for all his family. Iain was a faithful parishioner to Our Lady Star of the Sea. Iain was always there to help in any way in the Church- from his role as a passkeeper at every Sunday Mass- to painting and changing light bulbs in the Church- he was always there to help. Iain’s Requiem Mass took place on Wednesday 4th May in Our Lady Star of the Sea and afterwards Iain was laid to rest in Vatersay Cemetery. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Mairi Floraidh and 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.

 

Good Shepherd Sunday: today is the 4th Sunday of Easter and it is called Good Shepherd Sunday and on this Sunday the Church asks us in a particular way to pray for more vocations to the Priesthood. We pray that more men may listen to voice of the Good Shepherd calling on them to follow him. We pray for our own Diocese of Argyll & the Isles to be blessed with more vocations.

 

May Devotions: Rosary & Benediction today (Sunday 8th May) in St. Barr’s in Northbay at 4.00pm. Prayers being offered for more Vocations to the Priesthood.

 

Gift Aid Envelopes: are available in the Church for collection for those who have signed up for Gift Aid. Please remember if you pay tax you are welcome to sign up for Gift Aid. Please think seriously about it!

 

Synod Questionnaire: As we know Pope Francis is keen to hear from all corners of the church throughout the world about what they think of the Church in these times and what they feel could be good changes in the church. There is a questionnaire with 8 questions for parishioners to take home which are at the church entrance. Take home the questionnaire and return back to the Church as soon as you can. Please pass on the questionnaire to other family members especially those who do not attend Mass regularly. Pope Francis is keen to hear from all people so please fill in a questionnaire and return back to the church. All information gathered will be sent to Fr. Danny Convery who is the Priest in charge of pulling together all the Synod information.

 

Synod Meeting: there will be an informal meeting in St. Barr’s Hall on Wednesday 11th May at 7.00pm.  Everyone is welcome and we will hear a bit more about the Synod process. There will be a time for prayer and reflection and time for Tea/Coffee too. As well as Canon John Paul being there –also Katie MacNeil (Castlebay parish) & Christine Galbraith (Northbay parish) will help at the meeting. Katie & Christine are the two parish helpers with the Synod.

 

Canon John Paul & Lourdes: sadly the passport did not arrive in time (just 2 days late) so Canon John Paul was unable to travel to Lourdes. There will be other opportunities for him to go and now he does have a brand new passport.

 

Castlebay Church Cleaning: we are going to return back to weekly Rata for church cleaning in Castlebay Church. If you can help in church cleaning please let Canon John Paul know and a rota will be organised.

 

Children’s Sacraments: Let us continue to remember the children in our parishes who are preparing for the sacraments. Hopefully in the next week the children will make their 1st Confession. Then they will prepare for their first Holy Communion which will be Sunday 19th June. We also remember the children who are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Brian will be here on the island on Saturday 21st May and the Children will be confirmed then. Let us keep the children in our prayers.

 

WEEKDAY  MASSES:   

Mon 9th May ………No Mass

Tue 10th May…….10.00am EOLIGARRY

Wed 11th May ……12 Noon CRAIGSTON

Thur 12th May……10.00am NORTHBAY

Fri 13th May……..10.00am VATERSAY

(Feast of Our Lady of Fatima)

Sat 14th May …..10.00am CASTLEBAY

 

NEXT WEEKEND SUNDAY MASSES

14th & 15th May

5th Sunday of Easter

Vigil Mass:  6.00pm  CRAIGSTON

Sunday Masses: 9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY

 

Sacrament of Confession

Every Saturday in Castlebay from 9.30am – 9.50am.

 Every Saturday in Northbay from 12 Noon – 12.30pm.