Aughaval Group of Parishes

Today's gospel John 6:52-59 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. Sacred Space You find a gentle prayer guide here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-05-09/ A Commentary on John 6:51-58 by Susan Hylen, Associate Professor o...

Bread of Life 'I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ (John 6: 51) Early Christian depiction of an Agape feast Fresco from the Catacomb of Priscilla 2nd century, Public domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agape_feast_07.jpg Today's gospel      John 6:44-51 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living b...

Good Shepherd Sunday The Fourth Sunday of Easter  The Fourth Sunday of Easter is fondly known as 'Good Shepherd Sunday' on account of the lectionary readings which include the Good Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23) and shepherd references in the gospel reading (- see below). Services this weekend: Sat 10 May:  - Evening Prayer, Turlough, led by Fiona Kelly, Parish Reader Sunday 11 May: - 10am, Morning Prayer, Christ Church Castlebar, followed by tea in the church - 12 noon, Holy Communion, Westport congregation (in St Mary's Church, S Mall), followed by tea in Carrowbeg House - 3pm, Evening Prayer, St Thomas's Dugort, Achill Good Shepherd icon,  in the Rectory, Westport Psalm 23 (NRSV) A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your ...

  Today's gospel: Wed 7 May 2025 The Gospel    John 6:35-40 Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’ Sacred Space You can find a gentle guide to prayer and a short reflection on the gospel here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-05-07/ Christian Art https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-6-35-40-2025/ A s...

  10.30am, Midweek ( said ) Service of Holy Communion , in St Mary’s Church, Westport, followed by coffee in Clew Bay Hotel (from 11.10am).   You are welcome to come join either or both parts of the gathering - worship or social.  8pm, Online Evening Prayer/Compline. Link as below.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82781900766?pwd=b2YEVeJHqhnprNxoLHjd5sqg492wbn.1   You're welcome!

Jesus: Bread from heaven, bread of life Bread of Life (the miracle of the Five loaves) by Andrei Mironov, 2022 http://artmiro.ru/blog/creative_commons/2015-07-04-244 Today's gospel      John 6:30-35 So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Christian Art You can find a reflection on the gospel and a painting on its theme, here: https://christia...

  May Bank Holiday, 2025 Posted specially for those who have been office-bound, housebound or hospital-bound on a sunny bank holiday Monday: "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork."  (Psalm 19:1) Doolough Valley and Famine Memorial, and Aasleagh Falls, Errif, on the Mayo-Galway border

  Today's gospel, on May bank holiday Monday John 6: 22-29 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.    Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.  So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his s...

  Saturday 3 May was a special day in Castlebar, not just because of Mayo Day (Friday 2 May) and Weekend, nor because of Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle, but on account of a wedding in Christ Church on the Mall. The Marriage of Graham Potterton and Jayne Tuthill of Carbury, Kildare, took place in the church which was tastefully decorated and wonderfully full to the brim with happy people - family and friends of the bride and groom. The bride’s mother, Mrs Hazel Tuthill, played the organ, backed by the string quartet which welcomed the truly beautiful bride and enriched the service also at later points. The service was led by the couple’s own rector, the Revd Alan Melbourne (pictured with Esther), officiating, who with the bridal party, family and guests, was welcomed warmly.  The church and churchyard looked pristine in the sunshine, overlooking the Mall, a fitting venue to receive the bridal party and guests and to offer refreshments after the service.   We wish Graham and Jayne...

  The Denial of Saint Peter, Caravaggio, 1610 Public domain  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15216569 Today's Gospel Reading    John 21: 1-19 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.   Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.   Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.   Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.   Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.”   He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”  So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in b...

  Friday 2nd May took a number of us, thanks to Mayo County Council, to beautiful Inishturk for the official opening of the Inishturk helipad, by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD. We took the ferry from Roonagh Pier in perfect weather conditions and were welcomed warmly some 30-40 minutes later by the wonderful islanders who led the way to the Community Centre for introductions and inspiring speeches, some traditional music, and refreshments. Congratulations to the dedicated team who saw the project through to its completion and this memorable celebration.  Here are a few photos of the event, below. Irish Coastguard crew with Minister Dara Calleary TD   Speeches in the Community Centre   Minister Dara Calleary TD Fr John Kenny, St Mary's Church, Westport Revd Suzanne was delighted to meet another Co. Down woman! St Columba's Church Fr John, Keira Keogh TD, Revd Suzanne See also...

 Today is the  Feast of Saints Philip and James. "What's in a name?" In today's gospel Jesus tells Philip and the other disciples that belief in him and in his name will enable the believer to do the kind of works that Jesus himself did, that bring healing and wholeness, hope and life to others.  John 14:6-14 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ 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 Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and t...

  The Third Sunday of Easter 4 May 2025 Resurrection: Jesus on the beach Free Bible images   Hymns, or as announced 196 - O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!  693 - Glory in the highest to the God of heaven! 597 - Take my life, and let it be  195 - Lord, the light of your love is shining   Collect Two Almighty Father,  who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord:  Give us such knowledge of his presence with us,  that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life  and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.   The First Reading        Acts 9: 1-6, (7-20)    A reading from Acts chapter 9, beginning at verse 1: Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if ...