Aughaval Group of Parishes

  St Brigid’s cross-making and coffee, Sat 1 st  February  in Christ Church Castlebar, 10am – 1pm.  We are most grateful to John Browne of the Christ Church congregation who will ably demonstrate to us how to make one of the varieties of St Brigid's crosses. The crosses can be taken home and some will be given out at our church services over the weekend: ·                  Turlough Parish Church, Saturday at 7pm ·                  Christ Church Castlebar, Sunday at 10am ·                  Due to the recent closure, services in Holy Trinity Westport are moved to St Mary’s Westport, every Sunday at 12 noon (instead of the usual 11.30), until further notice.  Everyone is welcome to drop in to this free event and to enjoy cra...

  Temporary Relocation of Westport Church Services and Change of Time Holy Trinity Westport, with sanctuary temporarily sectioned off St Mary's is situated on the Mall, Westport Due to the present closure of Holy Trinity Church following Storm Eowyn, from Sunday 2nd February, services normally held in Holy Trinity Westport will be held in St Mary’s Church Westport, and at the later time of 12 noon. We are most grateful to the community of St. Mary's Church, Westport and to Fr John Kenny for this expression of ecumenical friendship and solidarity in accommodating us in this way and allowing us to avail of their own consecrated space.  We are also grateful for the offer of tea after our 12 noon service, in Carrowbeg House, beside  St Mary's. There is some parking on the Mall and on James Street, and in the carpark behind St Mary’s. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us, aughaval@tuam.anglican.org or 083 800 3233

  From Church of Ireland News:  Primate attends Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and visits Belfast mosque Church of Ireland representatives, including the Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop John McDowell, attended the Holocaust Memorial Day Northern Ireland event this year on Thursday, 23rd January, in Belfast City Hall.  Time was devoted at this event to hearing the stories of the Mothers of Srebrenica group.  Archbishop McDowell visited Belfast Islamic Centre earlier on the same day, along with the Revd Lynne Gibson and the Revd Suzanne Cousins. “Most striking was their determination to teach the next generation to choose love over bitterness,” Mrs Cousins, the Primate’s Inter–Faith Advisor, reflected on the commemoration.  “Most important for us to understand is that genocide doesn’t just happen. It starts with divisive language and people being targeted on account of their identity – a reality we touched upon in our church services and sermons this past...

  In memoriam: Charles (Charlie) Farr, died 15 Jan 2025, Florida    We extend loving sympathy to Mary Farr, Holy Trinity Westport, and Florida USA, on the passing of her beloved husband, Charlie.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory.  Charlie died peacefully on 15 January 2025, in Florida, following an on-off struggle with leukemia. Mary thanks us, her friends and brothers and sisters in Christ here in Ireland, for our prayers and good wishes. We look forward to having Mary back with us very soon.  Mary, with Charlie’s daughter, Carrie, plans to host a Celebration of Charlie’s Life, on Saturday 24 May, Charlie’s birthday, at their Knockranny home (F28W7W5).   “ And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them.’ ” (Revelation 14:13)

 Wed 29 Jan, 10.30am, ‘Ecumenical Elevenses’ A short service of prayer in St Mary’s Westport, and time of fellowship and friendship over a cup of tea in  Carrowbeg House (beside St Mary’s Church). Go on, go on, go on!  Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) write this in this special week: As we  celebrate 1,700 years  since the  Council of Nicaea , the worship service has at its heart, the Nicene Creed. Reflecting this, the scripture readings for this year focus on belief. We are invited to reflect on the story of Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus as narrated in  John 11:17-27 . Each is called to sit with Jesus’ provocative question to Martha:  “Do you believe this?” Please note this change of venue from HTW to St Mary’s Church Westport due to church closure. We apologise for any inconvenience, and look forward to seeing you! Organised by St Mary's Westport and Holy Trinity Westport.

Please watch this space  Holy Trinity Westport has suffered damage to a small part of the roof and ceiling as a result of Storm Éowyn. The Select Vestry regrets having had to close the building in the meantime but hope to be able to reopen very soon. Please watch this space for information on alternative accommodation arrangements. You can also contact us by email (aughaval@tuam.anglican.org) or phone or message us on 083 800 3233 . Please note that tomorrow’s 'Ecumenical Elevenses’, Wed 29 Jan, 10.30am, will be held in St Mary’s Westport rather than in Holy Trinity. Thank you for your prayers and patience.

  Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place every year on 27 January.  Light a candle The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust states this on its website:   "The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages remembrance in a world scarred by prejudice and systematic, targeted persecution. We promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day – the international day on 27 January. The Holocaust is central to Holocaust Memorial Day and we remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. We also commemorate the millions more people murdered through the  Nazi persecution of other groups  and in the  more recent genocides recognised by the UK government , and the  genocide in Darfur ." Church of Ireland representatives, including Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Prinate, attended the HMD Northern Ireland event this year on 23 January in Belfast  City Hall. Time was devoted at this event to hearing the stories of 'Mothers of Srebrenica'. Most striking was...

  Safety notice: Following the storm and some damage caused, please note that Holy Trinity Westport Church building and carpark will remain closed tomorrow, Monday 27 Jan, on Health and Safety grounds, and for the short term, until advice is taken and we are confident that there is not an increased risk to the public or to ourselves. For those who use the grounds for parking and/or who coordinate parking for others, we would be grateful if you could please take note and pass the word on to those who normally park in the church grounds. And of course, the Select vestry regrets any inconvenience caused.  We hope to be back to normal very soon.

 There will be no service in St Thomas’s Achill today, Sunday 26 Jan, on account of the wind which is getting up and expected to increase as the afternoon proceeds. Please keep safe.   

  The Conversion of St Paul, by Caravaggio, 1600-1601 Services will go ahead as normal, unless indicated, but please take care following the storm, especially  those driving .  If you are in need of help please get in touch. This weekend’s bulletin my be found at this link:  https://www.scribd.com/document/819931340/Bulletin-for-the-Aughaval-COI-Parishes-Epiphany-IIIC-26th-Jan-2025

  Coming Up, January – March 2025     Sunday Club organisers and leaders, Paul and Steffi   Regular service times: Turlough Parish Church, every Saturday at 7pm Christ Church Castlebar, every Sunday at 10am Holy Trinity Westport, every Sunday at 11.30am St Thomas's Dugort, Oct-March inclusive, every other Sunday (2nd and 4th Sundays of the month) at 3pm. Midweek Holy Communion,  every Wednesday at 10.30am in Holy Trinity Church, Westport, followed by coffee.    ·         Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 'Ecumenical Elevenses' Wed 29th Jan, at 10.30am in Holy Trinity Westport. A time of Friendship, Fellowship, Prayer and Reflection, followed by tea . Organised in conjunction with St Mary’s Church, Westport. Information from Revd Suzanne or Fr John Kenny.   ·        The next Online Prayer and Bible Reading  is on Wed 29th Jan, at 7.30pm. All welcome. Link below: Join Zoom Meeting  h...

TLK Diocesan Spiritual Tourism event A Day to Celebrate St Brigid at Connemara National Park, Letterfrack, Co Galway  on 8th February, 2025    https://tlk.ie/spiritualtourism/ “Embark on a day to the Connemara National Park for a celebration of St Brigid. Enjoy a walk along a scenic trail through nature, reflecting on her wisdom and spirit of renewal. Take the opportunity to watch / take part in making a St Brigid’s cross – A cherished symbol of blessing and protection. The centre has a café in which you can avail of a variety of teas, coffees, drinks and scones.  Also available is a varied menu for lunch ( providing soup, sandwiches, salads, lasagne and quiche). You also have the option to bring your own lunch as there are picnic areas (under cover) in which you can avail off. The day includes Round trip transportation from Galway city. (€20 cost of this to be paid in full when  booking ) The day commences in Galway at 8.30am if travelling by bus.  Bus dep...

This week’s gathering for Midweek Holy Communion, Wed 22nd January at 10.30am, will be led by Canon Andrea Wills (Foxford), to whom we are most grateful.  Everyone is invited and welcome to come along, take part or observe if preferred, and to join for coffee afterwards.  https://www.facebook.com/share/1FohKehYtP/?mibextid=wwXIfr