Bhileag (Newsletter) 14th May 2023
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Monday 15th May……10.00am VATERSAY
Tuesday 16th May……10.00am VATERSAY
Wednesday 17th May…10.00am CRAIGSTON & VATERSAY
Ascension Thursday 18th May…..
10.00am NORTHBAY & VATERSAY
7.00pm CASTLEBAY
Friday 19th May…….10.00am VATERSAY
Saturday 20th May.. 10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES:
20th & 21st May 2023
7th Sunday of Easter
Vigil (Saturday)……….6.00pm CRAIGSTON
Sunday Masses..9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
CHURCH NOTICES………..
Ascension Thursday: this coming week on Thursday 18th May we celebrate Ascension Thursday. It is a holyday of obligation. There will be Mass at 10am in Northbay & Vatersay. Then an evening Mass at 7pm in Castlebay.
Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Neil John MacLean (Neilie John a’ Doodle) of Bentangaval who peacefully passed away on Monday 8th May in St. Brendan’s Hospital at the age of 74. As we know Neilie John has not kept well for the last 5 years. Neilie John’s funeral took place on Thursday 11th May in St. Brendan’s, Craigston and he was laid to rest in Cuithir Graveyard. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Margaret 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.
Fr Daniel Chowning: has been staying in the Vatersay Chapel house for the last week and has been enjoying his time there and enjoying his spiritual retreat on the island. Fr Daniel leaves on Thursday 18th May and heads back to America. He will continue to celebrate morning Masses this week over on Vatersay till Thursday. Thankfully the weather has been good and he has enjoyed some great walks along the Vatersay beaches. We hope that he finds the time in the future to come back and visit us all again.
Tour of the Statue of St. Michael the Archangel: The Statue of St. Michael the Archangel is now in St. Barr’s Church in Northbay. Whenever you are passing the church pop in and say a prayer before the statue and pray for the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel. There is a website you can visit which with details of the statue and the reason for the tour–www.thestmichaeltour.org
May Devotions: there will be Rosary & Benediction in St. Barr’s, Northbay today (Sunday) at 4.00pm.
Castlebay Church Clock: as we know the clock in Castlebay Church sadly stopped a good six months ago. It’s amazing how we get used to the bell going off every hour. Canon John Paul is so grateful to Donald MacNeil (Domhnall Mhicheil Bhan) who carefully looks after the clock but whatever the problem is with the clock just now, we will have to ask for a professional firm to come and service the clock and hopefully get it going again. Canon John Paul has been in touch with “Smiths of Derby” who are the famous clock specialists and they will send one of their engineers. The cost for such work is about £3000 which is a lot of money but it has been a long time since a good service was done. If anyone wishes to make any donations to the cost of the maintenance work of the clock please see canon John Paul.
Northbay Grotto safety work: the work has now been completed and there is access to the Grotto now. Canon John Paul wishes to thank those who made the area safe. Moran Taing!
Church Grass-Cutting: Canon John Paul wishes to thank all those who are helping in the grass cutting of the churches. Moran Taing!
First Holy Communion Sunday: will be Sunday 11th June. Let us keep in your prayers the 11 children preparing for their First Communion.
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. All welcome!