Today's Gospel, Prayers and Notices, Mothering Sunday, 30 March 2025, Aughaval Group of Parishes Westport-Dugort, Castlebar, Turlough

  

God says, 

'As a mother comforts her child,

so I will comfort you.'

(Isaiah 66:13)

The Gospel Reading     Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable:

Then Jesus said, 

‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 

But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’

You can find a reflection on this gospel here:

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-15-1-3-11-32-2025-2/

 

A Prayer for Mothering Sunday from the CoE

The Collect

God of compassion,

whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,

shared the life of a home in Nazareth,

and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:

strengthen us in our daily living

that in joy and in sorrow

we may know the power of your presence

to bind together and to heal;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

 

Collect in Lent

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

 

"How often have I longed to gather your children together 

as a hen gathers her brood under her wings." 

(Luke 13:34)

 

Notices (subject to change)

Please also check the website: aughaval.tlk.ie

Easter Vestry Meetings 2025 (‘Annual Meeting of the General Vestry’)

·      Westport-Dugort Union  Mon 31 March, 7pm in St Mary’s (Carrowbeg House) 

·      Castlebar Parish   Tues 8 April, 7.30pm in the church

 

Confirmation Prep Session 4,  Friday 14 March, 7.45pm in the Rectory.

Wed 2 April 10.30 am  Holy Communion and Reflection, in St Mary’s Westport.

Please note: No evening online prayer on 2 April

 

Lent, Holy Week and Easter dates (subject to change)

 

Palm Sunday, 13 April: The Liturgy of the Passion, with The Mark Drama which is being organised by Kenn McLaughlin, Castlebar Parish, with others from across the parishes. If you are interested in getting involved in this ‘low key’ production, please get in touch with Kenn on +353 85 715 4139. 

 

Monday in Holy Week,14 April:

- 11am, Monday on the Mountain.  Meet in Murrisk carpark for a gentle walk to the St Patrick statue, and prayers. Suitable for all ages. 

- 8pm  Compline in Christ Church Castlebar

 

Tuesday in Holy Week, 15 April  8pm Compline in the Rectory

Wed in Holy Week (‘Spy Wednesday’) The Eucharist, 10.30am, St Mary’s Westport

Maundy Thursday, 17 April - Last Holy Communion before Easter, 6.30pm in St Mary’s, with Washing of Feet. Bishop Michael presiding.

- Tenebrae, 8pm in Christ Church Castlebar

 

Good Friday, 18 April

-       The Hours – 12 noon in St Mary’s

-       Ecumenical Good Friday Walk of Witness, Westport, 6pm     

Holy Saturday, 19 April

-       7pm in Turlough, early All-age Easter Vigil and Easter Communion

Easter Day, 20 April

-       10am   Christ Church Castlebar

-       12 noon   for Holy Trinity Westport, in St Mary’s 

-       3pm  St Thomas’s Dugort

Easter Monday, 21 April

-       ‘Return to Inishbiggle’ Gather at Dorian’s Point, Ballycroy at 9.45am for 10am departure. Please contact the rector if you wish to come along.

 

Confirmation, Sunday 27 April, 10am in Christ Church, Castlebar. Please come along and support the Confirmands as they are presented to the Bishop and take up their baptismal promises to follow Christ.

Pastoral care and enquiries: Revd Suzanne Cousins, 0838003233   Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org

For urgent pastoral care from 1 – 7 April, please contact Canon Andrea Wills, 086 261 7572. Thank you.