Bhileag (Newsletter) Sunday 23rd August 2026
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 24th August ….No Mass
Tue 25th August…….10.00am EOLIGARRY
Wed 26th August…. 12 Noon CRAIGSTON
Thu 27th August……10.00am NORTHBAY
Fri 28th August……..10.00am VATERSAY
& 2.30pm St. Brendan’s Home
Sat 29th August……..10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND: 22nd & 23rd August 2026
(22nd Sunday of Year A)
Vigil Mass (Saturday)….. 6.00pm CRAIGSTON
Sunday Masses….9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
Sacrament of Confession: each Saturday in Castlebay Church from 9.30am- 9.50am and in Northbay Church from 12 Noon -12.30pm
Help Support your parish by bank transfer weekly, monthly or one off donation:-
RC DCESE OF ARGYLL & THE ISLES CASTLEBAY
Account 65627538 Sort Code 83-91-25
RC DCESE OF ARGYLL & THE ISLES NORTHBAY
Account 65628061 Sort Code 83-91-25
Or pick up the leaflets in the Church which have the parish QR Code
Church Notices………..
Bishop Brian’s Pastoral Letter: Bishop Brian has written a Pastoral letter which we are encouraged to read. The letter is regarding the discernment of Mission within the Diocese of Argyll & the Isles. The good work that has already gone on with “Led by the Spirit” has now led the Diocese to look deeper at various important topics for further discussion. Bishop Brian asks that 2 parishioners from every parish throughout the Diocese (along with their parish priest) take part in the online discussions through ZOOM every Monday evening during the months of October and November. There will be 9 online sessions. They begin on Monday 5th October and finish on Monday 30th November. The sessions will last up to 2 hours. In each session there will be talks, time for prayer and reflection and discussion. Therefore Canon John Paul is looking for 2 parishioners from Castlebay parish and 2 from Northbay Parish to take part in this important online discussion. You have to have ZOOM on your ipad, computer, tablet or iphone. The sessions will be for 2 hours every Monday evening for October & November. You have to be available for all 9 sessions. The Bishop knows that it will be a big commitment on behalf of everyone in the Diocese but he hopes that it will bear much fruit. If anyone is interested in being a volunteer in these discussions then please speak with Canon John Paul.
Parish 200 Club Draw: the draw for the month of August will be made after the vigil Mass next Saturday 29th August in Craigston Church.
Sister Gabriel Tannam: some of us will remember well the Notre Dame nuns who helped out in the parish and on the island. One was called Sister Gabriel. Even when she moved away from the island she did come back and visit a few times. Latterly she was not well with dementia and she was in a special Home for religious sisters in Birkdale, Southport in England and last week she peacefully passed away. Sr. Marie Tighe got in touch with Canon John Paul to let him know the news and so we will remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Sister Gabriel and give thanks to God for her religious life ministry especially here on Barra & Vatersay. May she rest forever in God’s eternal love and peace. Amen.
New Statue of St. Barr: we all know the “good news” that we are close to having a new Statue of St. Barr being placed again on the wee island in the bay of Northbay. Things are progressing really well and we hope to have the new Statue in place in September and then have a Mass of Thanksgiving on the Feast of St. Barr which is Friday 25th September in St. Barr’s Church at 4.00pm. After the Mass then we will gather outside the church and a group will go over to the wee island and the new Statue of St. Barr will be unveiled. It will be a historic day for our island and also a truly happy celebration for our island. More details of the celebration will be announced.
Fr Matthias Stepper: will head away from Vatersay Chapel House this coming week and head for Harris & Lewis and then onto the mainland eventually back to Germany. Fr Matthias wishes to thank everyone for making him feel so welcome to the island. We wish him every blessing in his Priesthood.