The Easter Vigil begins in darkness as a reminder of Christ lying in the darkness of the tomb, and it also reminds us of the years of darkness caused by the sin of Adam, which separated man from God.
The Easter fire is lit to dispel the darkness, and from this is lit the great
Easter Candle, which represents the risen Christ, the Light of the world.
From the Easter candle,  the candles of the congregations are lit, symbolising the new life of the Blessed Trinity in our soul through baptism.

The Exultet, a hymn of rejoicing, is sung by the celebrant, proclaiming the brightness and joy of this sacred night. This is followed by readings from the Old Testament reminding us of our salvation history
The Easter water is blessed, and we renew our baptismal vows, and the Easter mass is offered.

St. Joseph’s
Reader: Liz Campbell
Prayers: Margaret Muncie
Euch. Mins: David MacFarlane  Betty Porter
Cleaning: Private rota

St. Margaret’s
Readers: Richard Sidgewick Deirdre MacDonald
Prayers: Helen MacDonald
Euch. Mins: Ian MacDonald Catrina MacDonald

Cleaning: Liz MacDonald

Tom MacKintosh
Tom would like say “thank you” to all the parish and local community for their prayers, visits and get well cards during his recent illness. He has greatly appreciated everybody’s kindness and good will, and the support of all his friends who have been looking after his cattle and sheep.

Tom is making excellent progress and is now able to walk with the minimum of assistance, and is looking so much better. He has been wonderfully brave despite the initial slowness of any improvement in the early stages of his illness. But this is all behind him now.

I am sure Tom was not aware how well respected and popular he is in the community, for there is a constant stream of visitors to see him in hospital, and so many continue to inquire about his progress.
Please God, it will not be long until he is declared fit and well and able to return home to Spean Bridge  - in good time for the lambing!
In the meantime, he will be remembered daily in our prayers and masses that his good progress will continue—and that the physios will have mercy on him!                



 

Baby Robbie Fraser from Invergarry is also making excellent progress after his operation in Yorkhill Children’s Hospital. He was in Raigmore special care unit with digestive problems since he was born six months ago, and his parents made daily trips from Invergarry to be with him. The consultants at Yorkhill had to wait until he was strong enough for last Friday’s operation, which, thank God, has been a great success. He will return to Raigmore next week for observation before being allowed home - and that indeed will be a great day for his parents, family and Invergarry!

We also remember in our prayers Jimmy Smith, Corpach, father of Violet and Teresa, who is in the Belhaven convalescing from his hip replacement operation. Violet is head teacher at St. Columba’s Lochyside School, and is a great supporter of our Burns Supper. Jimmy obtains a copy of our Bulletin every week to keep up with all that is going on in the parish. He and his late wife, Morag, a relation of Donnie Kennedy, were frequent visitors to Bohuntin. Jimmy is just across the corridor from Tom MacKintosh, so they keep in close touch with one another.  
Congratulations to Helena Rose. winner of the junior musician of the year at the music festival.
    (More about Helena in next week’s Bulletin)