Bhileag (Newsletter) 30th April 2023
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 1st May………..No Mass
Tue 2nd May………10.00am EOLIGARRY
Wed 3rd May…..12 Noon CRAIGSTON
Thur 4th May……..10.00am NORTHBAY
Fri 5th May…………10.00am VATERSAY
Sat 6th May……. 10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES
6th & 7th May 2023
5th Sunday of Easter
Vigil (Saturday)……….6.00pm CRAIGSTON
Sunday Masses..9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
CHURCH NOTICES
Vocations Sunday: today on the 4th Sunday of Easter we call this Sunday “Good Shepherd Sunday” and it is also “World day of Prayer for Vocations”. It is an important day of prayer for more Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious life & to the permanent Diaconate. Let us pray on this day for this particular special intention and especially for more Vocations for our own Diocese of Argyll & the Isles.
Bishop’s Letter for Vocations Sunday: please pick up the letter from Bishop Brian to be read on this Good Shepherd Sunday.
The Month of May: is the month of Mary and an important time to pray the holy Rosary.
SCIAF Wee Boxes: “final call” for any SCIAF Wee Boxes!
Recent Baptism: we warmly welcome into the family of the Church Archie Anthony MacNeil who was baptised last Sunday 23rd April in Our Lady Star of the Sea. We wish Archie Anthony every health, joy and blessing and every blessing upon Archie’s parents and Godparents.
Northbay Grotto safety work: please note that we are having to make safe a section of the Grotto in Northbay. Some rocks have become loose and we have to attend to this. There is safety tape blocking of the area. Therefore no access beyond the safety tape until we make the area safe.
Tour of Statue of St. Michael the Archangel: Canon John Paul is in the middle of organising a Statue of St. Michael the Archangel to come to the island for a short visit to Castlebay & Northbay Church. The Statue is presently “on tour” from parish to parish around Scotland and it is hoped the Statue will come to the islands during the month of May. There is a website you can visit which with details of the statue and the reason for the tour–www.thestmichaeltour.org – more details will follow!
Castlebay Church visit of Architect & Stone Mason: recently we had an architect, a stone mason and a lime mortar expert all investigating the various problems with the walls and tower of Castlebay Church. They will all write up their reports of what they have found and hopefully bring it all to the attention of Historic Environment Scotland and hopefully a “plan of action” will start in how we move forward in looking after Castlebay Church. Sadly we still have to be a little more patient as its going to take a while to investigate fully the issues with Castlebay Church.
Eoligarry Church Cross: At the moment everyone seems to be in favour of replacing the Celtic Cross above the altar with the new Cross of the Risen Lord. Therefore during this Easter season will be the perfect time to put up the cross with the Risen Christ figure and we will place the Celtic Cross either in the Church porch or above the back wall in the Church.
New Gift Aid Envelopes: the new envelopes are available to collect in the church. If anyone would like to sign up for gift aid please speak with Canon John Paul. If you pay tax then you can give your Sunday collection as gift Aid. Just a quick signature and you can take an envelope home with you or you may wish to set up a standing order through your bank account with the parish.
Lourdes Parish Pilgrimage 2024: we are looking at dates for next year of 2024. We are waiting for possible dates and prices. If it is something you might be interested in then let Canon John Paul know.
Tea in Northbay Hall: on the first Sunday of each month there will be tea in Northbay Hall after the 9.30am Northbay Mass. Therefore next Sunday- 7th May!! All welcome!