Bhileag (Newsletter) 15th February 2026
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Monday 16th Feb………No Mass
Tuesday 17th Feb…….10.00am EOLIGARRY
Ash Wednesday 18th February
10.00am NORTHBAY
12 Noon CRAIGSTON
7.00pm CASTLEBAY
Thursday 19th Feb…….12 Noon NORTHBAY
Friday 20th Feb………..10.00am VATERSAY (+ Stations of Cross)
Saturday 21st Feb…….10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND: 21st & 22nd February 2026
(1st Sunday of Lent A )
Vigil Mass (Saturday)…..4.00pm CRAIGSTON
Sunday Masses….9.30am NORTHBAY & 11.30am CASTLEBAY
Sacrament of Confession: each Saturday in Castlebay from 9.30am- 9.50am and in Northbay from 12 Noon -12.30pm
Help Support your parish by bank transfer weekly, monthly or one off donation:-
RC Diocese Argyll & the Isles Castlebay
Account 65627538 Sort Code 83-91-25
RC Diocese Argyll & the Isles Northbay
Account 65628061 Sort Code 83-91-25
Church Notices………..
Ash Wednesday: this coming Wednesday (18th Feb) is ASH WEDNESDAY and therefore the beginning of Lent. Please note the three Masses. 10.00am NORTHBAY; 12 Noon CRAIGSTON; 7.00pm CASTLEBAY. Also at 2.30pm there will distribution of Ashes at St. Brendan’s Home (all welcome). Ash Wednesday is a day of Fast & Abstinence. A day we do not eat meat and we cut back on our meals. Let’s embrace this holy time of Lent and make the sacrifices to come closer to the Lord Jesus during Lent.
Lent Prayer books: there are some prayer books for Lent available in the church. They are priced £1.
Thursday Mass: please note the Mass on Thursday (19th Feb) in Northbay this week will be at 12 Noon. Canon John Paul is visting Castlebay & Eoligarry Primary Schools on Thursday morning (since they are not in on Ash Wednesday due to the February break and Teachers In-service day). When he has finished he will celebrate Mass at 12 Noon in Northbay.
Day of Prayer for all those who suffered abuse: the Catholic Church in Scotland invites us on the First Friday after Ash Wednesday to offer prayers for those who have suffered abuse; especially those who suffered abuse in the Church, at the hands of Priests & religious. During Mass on Vatersay we will remember in a special way this special prayer intention at Mass in praying for all survivors of abuse and pray for God’s healing.
Stations of the Cross: a lovely prayerful devotion during Lent is the Stations of the Cross. Either with the parish or on our own.
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary: an important meditation when praying the Rosary during Lent is to focus more on the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary.
Chrism Mass: The Chrism Mass is on Wednesday 25th March at 12.30pm in St. Columba’s Cathedral in Oban. Please note the early Mass time.
SCIAF Wee Boxes: in preparation for Lent we take home a “Wee Box” and help support the good work of SCIAF. This year SCIAF is supporting families and communities in ETHIOPIA. SCIAF tells us “This Lent, our appeal focuses on Ethiopia, where decades of progress is being undone by conflict, droughts, floods and cuts to International aid. Millions are being pushed back into poverty, essential services are collapsing, children are going hungry and clean water is becoming harder to access. Yet there is hope, through SCIAF and our local Church Partners”. Please pick up a Wee Box!!
Bishop Brian McGee: This week on Wednesday (18th Feb) our own Bishop Brian celebrates his 10th Anniversary as Bishop of Argyll & The Isles. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with Bishop Brian as he celebrates his Episcopal Ordination anniversary. God Bless!
Parish 200 Club: we will start again the parish 200 club this year. To renew your subscription which is £12 (for the year) you can place the money into an envelope and put your details on the envelope and pass the envelope onto Mary Sarah Campbell (810539) or Canon John Paul or to hand into Castlebay Post Office or to hand into A & C MacLean (Buth Bhuidsear) or The Top Shop.
If you prefer to do a bank transfer then the details are:- Account name is BARRA 200 CLUB Account No: 00132789 Sort Code: 83-17-03
We are always looking for new members to join the Parish 200 Club. So if you have not joined- then why not?? Easy way to support your parish.