The church in Arisaig was full to capacity when the parish celebrated its 160th anniversary and welcomed two new Catholics into the community.



Entrance Procession




Welcome and opening prayer


When St. Mary's opened in 1849 the celebrations ended with the Bishop giving the Sacrament of Confirmation so it was with great delight and a sense of the continuity of the Faith that the parish welcomed Jill Lee and Michael Baker who were received into the Faith and confirmed during the Mass. They have been preparing with Fr. Barratt since Easter.






"All-powerful God,  Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ,by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them a new life.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence."

from the Rite of Confirmation

















"Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit"



















The anniversary year has included other small renovations to the church, graveyard and grounds. Along with the Anniversary Mass a spiritual highlight will be the pilgrimage to Spain in September. Forty seven parishioners, mainly from Arisaig but joined by friends from Morar & Mallaig, Ballachulish, Bute and Uist will visit Salamanca, and Avila and Segovia, in the footsteps of the Carmelite saints.

Jill and Michael with Bishop Joseph
after the service.


photos: Anthony MacMillan