Bhileag (Newsletter) 4th May 2025
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 5th May……….No Mass
Tue 6th May………10.00am EOLIGARRY
Wed 7th May……..12 Noon CRAIGSTON
Thu 8th May…….7.00pm NORTHBAY
(Evening Mass with Bishop Brian for election of a new Pope)
Fri 9th May………10.00am VATERSAY
Sat 10th May……..12 Noon CASTLEBAY
(Confirmation Mass)
NEXT WEEKEND: 10th & 11th May 2025
( 4th Sunday of Easter )
Vigil Mass (Saturday)…..6.00pm CRAIGSTON
Sunday Masses…….9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
CHURCH NOTICES
Conclave in Rome: the college of Cardinals have announced that the Conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin this coming Wednesday 7th May in the Vatican. The Church will begin to prepare for choosing its 267th Pope. The Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to elect a new Pope. The College of Cardinals have called on Catholics around the world to pray for them as they prepare to enter the Conclave on Wednesday. So we unite our prayers with the Universal Church at this important time of prayer. We could have a Pope elected with one day or two days or three days or longer. Until we see the famous “white smoke” appear out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel then we wait patiently! Hopefully for next Sunday which is Good Shepherd Sunday we will have a new visible Shepherd to lead the Catholic Church. We look forward to hearing what name the new Pope will choose and we look forward to praying for him.
Rosary & Benediction: today (4th May) there will be Rosary & Benediction in Our Lady Star of the Sea at 4.00pm. Special prayers will be said for the sanctity of all life and for the election of a new Pope.
Pastoral Letter CALLED TO CARE, NOT TO KILL: the Catholic Bishops of Scotland have written a Pastoral letter for us to take home. Last year we were alerted by the Bishops of a Bill in the Scottish Government to introduce assisted suicide for citizens in Scotland aged sixteen and over. Many of you did write to our MSP- Alasdair Allan to encorage him to vote against this Bill which he did. We have to keep our continued prayers going against this Bill and pray for the sancity of all life.
Sacrament of Confirmation: next Saturday (10th May) Bishop Brian McGee will confirm 11 Children during Mass at 12 Noon in Castlebay Church. We pray for:- Olivia MacNeil, Ella Howat, Danieal Wilson, Charlotte Campbell, Eilidh MacLeod, Summer Campbell, Ealasaid Galbraith, Aidan MacNeil-Smyth, Calum MacNeil, Daniel Nicholson & Finlay Paterson. We also pray for the sponsors who will help the children in their journey of faith. Everyone is welcome to the Mass.
Bishop Brian: will arrive on Wednesday 7th May by boat. On Thursday 8th May he will celebrate Mass in the evening at 7.00pm in St. Barr’s Northbay. Of course this week we will be waiting for the election of a new Pope. Therefore Bishop Brian will offer Mass in special prayer for the election of a new Pope. Maybe by the time we celebrate Thursday evening Mass could we have a Pope announced??. On Friday 9th May Bishop Brian will have Mass on Vatersay at 10am. He will speak with the Children preparing for Confirmation. He will also visit some housebound. Then on Saturday 10th May he will the celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation at 12 Noon Mass in Castlebay. Then he leaves for Eriskay.
Recent Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Mary Bell Galbraith who peacefully passed away on Saturday 26th April aged 87. Mary Bell passed away in St. Brendan’s Home where she had been resident for the last year. Mary Bell was well known throughout the island for her strong character and doing all she could for the local community. The Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday 29th April in St. Barr’s Northbay and then Mary Bell was laid to rest in Cille Bharra (Eoligarry) Cemetery. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all the family at this time. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
The month of May: is a special month we dedicate in prayer to Our Lady. The Month of May is the month of Mary. A good time to pray the rosary more often and a special intention we can pray for just now is for the election of a new Pope.
Liturgy Works: The Diocese is planning to start again the Diocesan Liturgy Works weekend-focusing on Liturgical Music. It will be 19th-21st September in the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge. For more information please pick up an information sheet in the church porch.