Bhileag(Newsletter) 27th April 2025
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 28th April………….No Mass
Tue 29th April…………..11.00am NORTHBAY
(Requiem Mass of Marybell Galbraith)
Wed 30th April……..12 Noon CRAIGSTON
Thu 1st May…………10.00am NORTHBAY
Fri 2nd May………….10.00am VATERSAY
Sat 3rd May…………10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND: 3rd & 4th May 2025
( 3rd Sunday of Easter )
Vigil Mass (Saturday)…..6.00pm CRAIGSTON
Sunday Masses……9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
Sacrament of Confession: Every Saturday from 9.30am – 9.50am in Castlebay and 12 Noon-12.30pm in Northbay
CHURCH NOTICES
Death of Pope Francis: it came as a shock to us all to hear the sad news last Monday (21st April) that our Holy Father Pope Francis had passed away aged 88. He had been Pope for the last 12 years. As we could see on Easter Sunday he was not well but he was determined to give his Easter Blessing and to go among the pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square in the “Pope mobile”. The Requiem Mass of Pope Francis took place on Saturday 26th April. Now there are days of mourning in the Church and then there will be a Conclave –when the Cardinals of the Church will come together and elect a new Pope. Therefore these are important days of prayer to the Holy Spirit for the new Successor of St. Peter.
Diocesan Mass for Pope Francis: Bishop Brian will celebrate a Mass for Pope Francis in St. Columba’s Cathedral in Oban on Monday 28th April at 1pm. Everyone is welcome.
Funerals: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Sandy MacNeil (Sandy Peigi Ellie of Horve) who peacefully passed away on Wednesday 23rd April in St. Brendan’s Hospital aged 91. The Requiem Mass took place on Friday 25th April in Our Lady Star of the Sea and then Sandy was laid to rest in Vatersay Graveyard. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to all family and friends of Sandy at this time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
We also remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of John MacLean (Iain Aonghais Mhoir of Tangusdale) who passed away in hospital in Glasgow on Wednesday 23rd April. Iain was 87 when he died. Iain’s Requiem Mass took place on Saturday 26th April in St. Brendan’s Craigston and then he was laid to rest in Cuithir Graveyard. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Annag and all the family at this time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Recent Baptism: We warmly welcome into the family of the church John MacInnes who was baptised in Our Lady Star of the Sea in Castlebay on Saturday 26th April. May the Risen Lord Jesus bless John with health, joy, peace and happiness. May the Risen Lord bless his parents and Godparents and help them be the first teachers in the ways of faith of their child John.
Divine Mercy Sunday: today is the 2nd Sunday of Easter and also is known as Divine Mercy Sunday. At 3.00pm in St. Barrs, Northbay there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by the Divine Mercy chaplet and then Benediction.
SCIAF Wee Boxes: if you can please bring your SCIAF Wee Boxes to the Church as soon as you can.
Visitors: This week we have some Priests visiting the island this week. Fr Philip Wrigley from Lancaster Diocese is coming Monday to Friday and will stay in the Vatersay Chapel House. Fr Philip has already visited the island before. We also welcome Fr Liam McMahon from Glasgow who is bringing two Ukranian Priests to the Island for a short break. They will come Monday to Friday too. So we look forward to welcoming our visiting Priests to the island. Let’s pray they have some good weather!
Sacrament of Confirmation: just around the corner we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Brian. There are 11 children preparing for Confirmation. The Mass will be at 12 Noon on Saturday 10th May in Castlebay Church. Everyone is welcome to the Mass.
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.