Bhileag (Newsletter) Sunday 20th September 2026
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 21st September ……..No Mass
Tue 22nd September……10.00am EOLIGARRY
Wed 23rd September…. 12 Noon CRAIGSTON
Thu 24th September…….. 10.00am VATERSAY
Fri 25th September…..4.00pm NORTHBAY
(Blessing of Statue of St. Barr)
Sat 26th September…… 10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND: 26th & 27th September 2026
(26th 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 regarding The discernment of Mission within the Diocese of Argyll & the Isles. Bishop Brian asks that 2 parishioners from every parish throughout the Diocese (along with their parish priest) take part in 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.
Canon John Paul has a couple of names but if anyone is interested in being a volunteer in these discussions then please speak with Canon John Paul so that you can sign up for registration.
Thursday Mass: please note that Mass on Thursday (24th Sept) this week will be on Vatersay at 10.00am. Since on Friday we have the celebration in Northbay.
Choir practice: on Wednesday 23rd September at 5.30pm in St. Barr’s Church we will look at the music for the Mass on Friday for the blessing of the statue of St. Barr. All welcome.
Blessing of the new Statue of St. Barr: Everything is now falling into place for the lovely historic celebration of the blessing of the new statue of St. Barr which will take place next Friday 25th September on the feast of St. Finbarr of Cork. There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving at 4.00pm in St. Barr’s Church and then after the Mass we will gather outside the church for the unveiling and blessing of the statue of St. Barr. After the blessing there will be a reception of food and refreshments and ceilidh in St. Barr’s Hall.
At the celebration we will have Mr Jerry O Donovan from the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh present. Also the Very Rev Cliff Jeffers of the Church of Ireland who ministers in St. Fin barre’s Cathedral in Cork will also be present. The sculptor of the Statue is Stephen Tinney and he will also be present at the celebration. We have the Children of our schools also heavily involved in the celebration. It’s going to be a very historic day for our island. All welcome!
Calmac have tweeked their timetable that day and a boat departs Eriskay at 14.20 and arrives at 15.00 in Ardmhor. Then later there is a boat that departs Ardmhor at 20.30 and arrives at 21.10 in Eriskay. So gives plenty time for anyone who wishes to travel from the neighbouring islands.
There will be a bus to meet anyone who comes over on the 3pm boat and will return people to the 8.30pm Boat.
Please keep in your prayers for good day of weather!
200 Club Draw: the draw for September will be made after the Craigston Vigil Mass next Saturday 26th September.
Church Heating in Eoligarry Church: Canon John Paul has been looking into getting new “air to air” source heating for Eoligarry Church. Canon John Paul has been now given a quote of £8400 on new 2 air to air source heating units. Also these units will be sprayed with a Northsea coating to prevent rust and corrosion. If anyone wishes to help with any donations toward the costs they can do a bank transfer to Northbay parish. RC DCESE OF ARGYLL & THE ISLES NORTHBAY Account No: 65628061 Sort Code: 83-91-25