Aughaval Group of Parishes

  By the river, Westport, June 2025 Today’s gospel      Matthew 5:38-42 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.“ Sacred Space  You can find a gentle prayer guide and reflection here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-06-16/ "The human race has made slow progress in its understanding of the ways of God. In the primitive understanding of God's people, it was okay for God to get angry and vengeful. But God, who never changes, did not do that. Here, Jesus clearly reveals to us that our God is a God of mercy and love for all;. And Jesus calls us to 'be merci...

  Be Still by Bethany Knipe, June 2023 The gospel      John 16: 12-15 ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Sacred Space https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-06-15/ Christian Art https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-16-12-15-2025-2/ The Collect   Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith, that we may evermore be defended from all adver...

Today's Gospel      Matthew 5:33-37 [Jesus said] ‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one. Christian Art You can find a helpful reflection here: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-33-37-2025/ Sacred Space You can find a short prayer guide and reflection here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-06-14/ Pioneer Ministry Info Day Today some of those of us from this side of the diocese are meeting in Claremorris for a Pioneer Ministry Info Day. Rev. Alistair Doyle (Galway) says about this day and a simi...

  From the Church of Ireland  13th June 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18wnd9rN5c/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18wnd9rN5c/?mibextid=wwXIfr A statement from Archbishop John McDowell: ‘The scenes of violence which have taken place over this week in some of our towns are a source of great shame for Northern Ireland.  Hiding behind the figment of “legitimate concerns” but in fact motivated by crude racism, groups of young men (and the shadowy and unaccountable people who control them) planned and carried out attacks on civil society and on democracy. The damage they have caused is not just material; it cannot be simply swept away. ‘As disciples of Jesus Christ, called to respect the dignity of every person made in the image and likeness of God, we should put ourselves in the shoes of someone trapped inside a house or a hostel while an angry mob gathers outside. It must be utterly terrifying. Imagine the lasting impact of such terror on a child. ‘Th...

  Lighthouse  Violet Carmichael, 2025 Gospel     M atthew 5:13-16 [Jesus said] ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Thought for the day In this gospel Jesus, 'the Light of the World', teaches his disciples, and by extension us who follow him today, that they have the privilege and responsibility of bearing his light and sharing in illuminating the world and society's darkness. Christian Art You can find a reflection on this gospel here: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-13-...

  Thursday 12th June 2025 From Sacred Space: "Jesus came among us with a teaching that was new, the new wine of the kingdom of God, and taught with authority, an authority from God the Father who sent him. He called us to honour and respect the dignity of every human person, for we are all the children of God. Our world would be a very different place if this were practised by all. What are our own attitudes to those who are different from us in gender, race, or religion?" You can find a gentle prayer guide and this devotional and reflection on today's gospel here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-06-13/ Matthew 5:27-32 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into h...

  This evening, Thursday 12 June      Gentle Friendship Walk, starting at Christ Church, Castlebar at 7pm. This will be an easy walk by the lake and e veryone is welcome.  Services this weekend, 14-15 June This weekend coming (14 - 15 June) we will be marking the end of the school and academic year and praying for all our children and young people, their parents, supporters, teachers and staff. We will also pray and give thanks for fathers and those who are and have been good-fatherly influences in our lives, for Father's Day (15 June). Please spread the word and come along, and if you or your child or young person would like to take part in the service through readings or prayers, please let us know (083 800 3233). Thank you! - Sat 14 June, 7pm in Turlough Church of Ireland - Sun 15 June, 10am in Christ Church Castlebar - Sun 12 noon in St Mary's Church Westport (for Holy Trinity Westport) - Sun 3pm in St Thomas's, Dugort, Achill You're welcome!

Today, Wed 11 June 2025 Morning - 10.30 am - Holy Communion in St Mary's Church, Westport (in the side chapel), followed by coffee in Clew Bay Hotel (from approx. 11am) - 1.00 pm - Funeral and Service of Thanksgiving for the life of David Fabby; also in St Mary's Westport. Committal in St Thomas's Knappagh.  Evening - 8.00pm - Online Prayer and Bible Reading Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83203164246?pwd=hbRJDJ5X4hqrZAnP7ohlInGL5ggQPo.1 Meeting ID and Passcode on request. Please message 0838003233 or email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org. Saint Barnabas by Sandro Botticelli, c 1490 Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159760904 Acts 11: 19-30 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenistsalso, proclaimin...

Today's gospel        Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 'A Measure of Salt' NASA Earth Observatory Creative Commons License "The map above shows salinity near the ocean surface as measured by the Aquarius instrument on the Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas (SAC)-D satellite [....] from May 27 to June 2, 2012..." See:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Measure_of_Salt_-_NASA_Earth_Observatory.jpg Sacred Space You can find a prayer and devotion aid here: https://sacredspace.co...

  In memoriam: David Fabby It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mr David Fabby of Knappagh, Westport.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory, and may David’s beloved wife Sue and sons Simon, Rupert and Tom and their families know the help and comfort of the Lord, the Good Shepherd in their loss. Funeral in St Mary's Church, Westport on Wednesday 11 June at 1pm. Please see RIP link for other details. https://rip.ie/death-notice/david-fabby-mrcvs-mayo-westport-596491?fbclid=IwY2xjawK0TvxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBoVFFaemZIWkRadHJFRXV0AR7UIvjS4MduDFL_39g5jy7oEU7J8OCDuq77FLws0zPUHvuFznBSpMtNcNUsgA_aem_wBaqo2T9EbLLvMVnqgYMRw

Saint Columba/ Collumcille Today is the Feast Day of St Columba/ Collumcille, Irish abbot, missionary and one of Ireland's three patron saints, with Patrick and Brigid. In Irish his name means 'dove'. Columba was born in Gartan, Donegal, on 7 December 521 and died on the island of Iona on 9 June 597 AD. The gospel for the Saint Columba's Day Luke 5:1-11 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will ...

Pentecost Sunday, 8 June Services today in the Aughaval Parishes: 10am in Christ Church, Castlebar 12 noon in St Mary's Church, Westport (for Holy Trinity, Westport) 3pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill In the Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe - 7.30pm in St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, Ordination of Mr Scott Elliot  Historic monument in Județul Arad Romania Țetcu Mircea Rareș, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>,  via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RO_AR_Buceava-Soimus_26.jpg The Gospel Reading      John 14: 8-17, (25-27) Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Fathe...

The Quay, Westport, Co Mayo  John 21:20-25 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ So the rumour spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’ This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Sacred Space You can find a gentle guide to prayer and today's gospel here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer...

  Do you love me? Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. Follow me.  Christ's Charge to Peter   Raphael, 1515  Victoria and Albert Museum Public Domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1718074 John 21:15-19 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’   Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But wh...

  This weekend in the Parishes Movie Night at the Rectory, Westport:   Friday 6 June , 7pm.  Please let us know if you plan to come along. Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org . The Rectory is between the Maxol Station and Holy Trinity National School, on the Newport Road, Westport, and opposite Holy Trinity Church. Reek Rescue Blessing for the Emergency Services, Saturday 7 June , 1pm at Croagh Patrick (Murrisk carpark) https://fb.watch/A1nBI8R_Ym/?mibextid=wwXIfr Turlough Summer Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving: Sat 7 June,  7pm in Turlough Parish Church, F23 XN53. Everyone is warmly invited and welcome. Services on Sunday 8 June, Pentecost Sunday 10am Christ Church Castlebar, Morning Prayer, followed by tea/coffee  12 noon  Holy Communion, in St Mary's Church, for the Holy Trinity Westport congregation plus visitors. Followed by tea in Carrowbeg House. 3pm   Holy Communion, in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill.  Blue Grass Festival Also, for y...

John 17:20-26 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,  so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ Thought for the day Today's gospel r...