Bhileag (Newsletter) 26th January 2025
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Mon 27th January………No Mass
Tue 28th January………No Mass
Wed 29th January…… No Mass
Thu 30th January……..No Mass
Fri 31st January…………No Mass
Sat 1st February……… 10.00am CASTLEBAY
NEXT WEEKEND: 1st & 2nd February 2025
( Presentation of the Lord Year C)
Vigil Mass (Saturday)…..4.00pm 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
Recent Funeral: we remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of MARY MacLEAN (Mairi a Jen) of Eoligarry who peacefully passed away on Monday 20th January in St. Brendan’s Home. Mairi was 86. Mairi and her sister Eoina had moved into St. Brendan’s Home a couple of weeks ago. But Mairi was very poorly and she needed that peace in the end. The Requiem Mass took place on Thursday 23rd January in St. Vincent’s in Eoligarry. Thereafter Mairi was laid to rest in Cille Bharra Cemetery in Eoligarry. We extend our prayers of love and sympathy to Mairi’s sister Eoina and to all the family, relatives and friends. Mairi was a woman of great faith and a very clever lady and she will be missed. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Canon John Paul: will be away from Monday to Friday this week attending a Funeral of a lovely lady he knew when he was the Parish Priest in St. Mun’s in Ballachulish. Peggy MacRae was a housekeeper in Ballachulish with Canon Roddy MacDonald for many years and before that she looked after Canon Roddy when he was Parish Priest in Dunoon. All her life she looked after Priests. Most of the priests (& Bishops) of our Diocese knew Peggy well- she was a kind hearted soul. If anyone needs to contact Canon John Paul then to phone his mobile 07951128475.
Candlemas: Next Sunday is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) and on this day we bless candles because Jesus is “the light of the world”. Candles will be blessed at all Mass next weekend and you are welcome to take a candle home with you.
Northbay Tea: next Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and there will be tea & Coffee & homemaking in the Hall after the 9.30am Mass.
Jubilee Year Deanery Masses: It is hoped that within the Diocese there will be “Deanery Masses of Hope” celebrated at different points in the year. We have three Deaneries in the Diocese. Therefore three Masses will be organised. It is hoped that between May – September a Deanery Mass will be organised somewhere within our islands along with Bishop Brian. More details will be announced over time.
Diocesan Jubilee Cross: In the Cathedral in Oban Bishop Brian has blessed a special Jubilee Cross for the Diocese. It is planned that this Cross will do a tour of the Diocese over the coming Jubilee year and it will be welcomed into many of our churches throughout the Diocese.
Deanery Meeting: The local island priests plan to meet on Thursday 6th February over on South Uist to look at plans for Jubilee Year celebrations for our Deanery.
Deanery Pilgrimages & Iona Pilgrimage: over this Jubilee year as well as a pilgrimage to Rome it will be nice to have places within the Diocese for “closer to home” pilgrimages. There is planned a Pilgrimage to Iona around the feast of St. Columba (9th June). More announcements will be made of when and where these local pilgrimage will take place.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome: for those interested Fr Stan in Morar Parish is looking into a Diocesan pilgrimage to Rome in September of this year. Possible dates are 22nd-26th September. More details will be announced by Fr Stan.
Grief to Grace Retreat: a healing retreat for victims of abuse will take place from 29th April -4th May 2025 in Perth. Grief to Grace is a specialised 5 day programme of spiritual and psychological healing for anyone who has suffered from sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, including those abused by a religious or member of the clergy. If you are interested in this confidential healing retreat, please contact Grief to Grace Scotland at margaret.clarke@grieftograce.org