Bhileag (Newsletter) 10th December 2023
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 11th December……… No Mass
Tue 12th December…….10.00am EOLIGARRY
Wed 13th December…..10.00am CRAIGSTON
Thur 14th December…..10.00am NORTHBAY
Fri 15th December………10.00am VATERSAY
Sat 16th December……..10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES:
16th & 17th DECEMBER 2023
3rd 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 a very short Season. In the first reading and the Gospel on the 2nd Sunday of Advent we hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah saying “prepare a way for the Lord”. We have to use these days of Advent to prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord Jesus into our hearts and into our homes. There are Advent prayer books available for Adults and children at the Church entrance.
Prayers: We remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Sylvia McCallum who peacefully passed in her own home in Horve on Friday 8th December aged 76. Sylvia was of course married to John McCallum who was the well known PE Teacher of Castlebay School. Also Sylvia was well known in the local Castlebay Volunteer office and helping to produce the weekly “Guth Bharraidh”. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all Sylvia’s family especially to Nicki, Calum & Liam and their families at this sad time. Sylvia will be laid to rest in Cuithir Cemetery on Tuesday 12th December at 12 Noon where a short service will take place at the graveside with Canon John Paul. All are welcome to attend. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Recent Baptism: we warmly welcome into the family of the Church Edith Morag Campbell who was baptised last Sunday in St. Barr’s in Northbay. We wish Edith every health, joy and blessings and every blessing upon her parents and Godparents.
Craigston Mass this week: please note that the weekday Mass in Craigston Church this week will be at 10.00am. The early time is due to the Cobhair Bharraigh Christmas Party beginning that day at 12 Noon in Northbay Hall.
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. Fr Ross Crichton will be available on Wednesday 20th December as a visiting confessor too.
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.
Church cleaning & Christmas Decorations: The way Christmas day falls this year makes the season of Advent short and so it will be good to try and get our churches ready for Christmas next weekend (16th &17th December -3rd Sunday of Advent). After the 4pm Vigil Mass on Saturday we can get Craigston church ready. After the 11.30am Mass in Castlebay we can begin to get Castlebay Church ready. You will hear by word of mouth about the other Churches. If you can help then please come along.
Vatersay Church fence: over the years the fence around Vatersay church has been deteriorating and more often than not sheep are getting in. Thankfully we have now renewed the whole of the fencing so it will now keep the sheep and cattle out.
Christmas Mass times: will be announced next weekend.