Bhileag (Newsletter) 3rd December 2023
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 4th December…….No Mass
Tue 5th December…….11.00am NORTHBAY
(Requiem Mass)
Wed 6th December…..12 Noon CRAIGSTON
Thu 7th December……10.00am EOLIGARRY
Fri 8th December…….10.00am VATERSAY
(Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
Sat 9th December…….10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES
9th & 10th DECEMBER 2023
2nd Sunday of Advent B
Vigil (Saturday)….4.00pm CRAIGSTON *****
Sunday Masses..9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
Confessions: every Saturday from 9.30am – 9.50am in Castlebay & 12noon -12.30pm in Northbay.
CHURCH NOTICES
Craigston Vigil Mass at 4pm for Winter: we have now started a 4.00pm Vigil Mass time for Craigston. From Saturday 4th November until at least March 2024 we will celebrate the Vigil Mass at the earlier time of 4.00pm.
The Season of Advent: the Season of Advent is such a short Season. As the Gospel says on the 1st Sunday of Advent “Stay awake”. We have to be alert and always vigilant and that comes from a good prayer life. Let’s embrace this lovely short Season of Advent and make it a time of prayer. There are Advent prayer books available for Adults and children at the Church entrance.
Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Neil MacIntyre from Glasgow who died on Thursday 23rd November aged 64. Neil was the son of the late Donald MacIntyre (Domhnall Aoidh of Brevig) & Peigi MacIntyre (Galbraith) of Ardmhor. Neil’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 4th December at 11.00am in St. Barr’s Northbay and thereafter burial in Eoligarry Graveyard. Neil will be received into Northbay Church on Monday 3rd December-when the boat arrives. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Prayers: We were all very saddened to hear the news of the death of Lydia Wilcox who was the wife of Dr. Mark Wilcox. She died on Sunday 26th November in England after a very short illness. We all knew Dr Mark as he was our local GP here on the island for a good number of years and he was there during the difficult time of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Lydia was a mother to two young children and she was well loved on the island. Lydia and Dr Mark loved living on Barra and we were sad to see them go but knowing they would always hopefully come back and visit. Our prayers of love and sympathy are with Dr Mark and his family at this very difficult and sad time. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Eoligarry Mass: please note that the weekday Mass in Eoligarry this coming week will be on Thursday at 10.00am. Since there is a Funeral in Northbay on Tuesday we will move the Eoligarry Mass to Thursday for this week.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: the lovely Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is on Friday 8th December. This year since it falls on Friday the Mass is over on Vatersay at 10.00am.
Safeguarding message: Canon John Paul will read out at the end of all the weekend Masses the annual safeguarding message from Bishop Brian McGee for our Diocese of Argyll & the Isles. Bishop Brian writes…… “During the recent Synod of Bishops in Rome two consistently expressed themes were the necessity of listening to people and also of accompanying them, including those who have been traumatised by any kind of difficult or confusing experience. When she acts in this way the Church continues the ministry of Jesus who always listened and accompanied”……………..
Sacrament of Confession: a lovely way to prepare for Christmas is to make a good confession. Every Saturday there are the usual Confession times. In the next few weeks there will be more opportunities.
SCIAF “Real Gifts”: if you are struggling this year what to get a loved one for Christmas why not give something really special like the gift of helping feed a village in Africa, or helping buy a water pump for a village, or buying hens, or pigs or bees or goats for a village. SCIAF are doing amazing things to help our brothers and sisters in need. Go online to SCIAF www.sciaf.org.uk/realgifts and see the amazing ideas for REAL GIFTS which may inspire you to do something different this year.