Today's gospel, 29 August: John the Baptist, plus notices

 



Landscape with St. John the Baptist preaching 
Pieter Brueghel the Younger, 1601
Public domain, via
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4817012


In many parts of the church, the beheading of John the Baptist is remembered on this date. Over the centuries a great many paintings on this sad and gruesome subject have been executed. Today we honour John, not with an image of his execution, but with this vibrant painting of John preaching to the crowds which followed him. 


Today's gospel    Mark 6:17-29

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ 

She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 

Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.



Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide and reflection on today's gospel here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-08-29/


Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-6-17-29-2025/




This weekend in the Aughaval Group of Parishes:

Back to School Sunday, with Blessing of the Backpacks
  • Sat, 7pm in Turlough Church
  • Sunday, 10am in Christ Church Castlebar
  • Sunday, 12 noon in St Mary's Westport (for Holy Trinity Westport and friends)
  • Sunday, 3pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, with Holy Communion



Notices

1) Saturday 30 Aug in Turlough, and Sunday 31 August in Castlebar, Westport (in St Mary’s) and Dugort:

  • Back to School Services, with Blessing of the Schoolbags and Backpacks


2) Westport Sunday Club (Sunday school) restarts on 7 September, 

kicking off at 12 noon in the church service (in St Mary's which continues to host the Holy Trinity Westport congregation temporarily) and moving next to Carrowbeg House for activities, a Bible story and lesson, music and song, and snacks. 

    

Sunday Club is run in accordance with the Church of Ireland's Child Safeguarding regulations. For information on how to introduce your child please call the rector on 083 800 3233. 



3) Castlebar Select Vestry Meeting, Tues 9 September at 7.30pm


4) Westport-Dugort Select Vestry Meeting, Wed 17 Sept, 8pm 



5) Harvest services in Castlebar, Westport and Achill will be on Sunday 14 September:


Guest speaker, Mr Alan Cousins, SAT7

  • 10am in Christ Church Castlebar 
  • 12 noon, for Holy Trinity Westport, in St Mary's Church, South Mall, Westport
  • 3pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill

6) Harvest service for Turlough - Sat 20 September.


Guest speaker, Ms Valerie Raitt, Pioneer Ministry, Diocese of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe 


  • 7pm in Turlough Parish Church



7) Community event, Castlebar:


Friday 19 September, from 7pm

Christ Church will be one of several the venues for the Margaret Burke Sheridan Trail, sponsored by the Linen Hall and Mayo Co Council. Details online or on request. 




8) Also for the diary: Sat 4 October, Blessing of the Animals, Murrisk Carpark



Correction:

Friday 6 December (not Sept)

An Evening with Bella Capella Charity Fundraiser Concert in Christ Church Castlebar. Details to follow. 






Pastoral care and enquiries:  


Revd Suzanne Cousins  083 800 3233    

Email  aughaval@tuam.anglican.org

Aughaval Parishes' Website   aughaval.tlk.ie

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