Today's gospel, plus this weekend's services
- 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
Today's gospel reading Matthew 25:14-30
[Jesus said] ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”
And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”
Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”
But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.
For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance;
but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Christian Art
A helpful reflection on the gospel may be found here:
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-25-14-30-2025/
Sacred Space
A gentle prayer guide and this reflection, below, may be found at this link:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-08-30/
"Each of us has been given our own unique talents to be used for the benefit of all. We will have to render an account of how well we have used them. No-one is an island, and our lives make a difference to others, for better or for worse. Fear and laziness willl prove very poor excuses on judgement day. How well do I use my gifts for the benefit of others?
When we meet our Lord at death may we hear the words, Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Master."
Notices
Subject to change.
1) Saturday 30 Aug in Turlough (7pm), and Sunday 31 August in Castlebar (10am), Westport (12 noon, for Holy Trinity in St Mary’s) and Dugort (3pm, with Holy Communion):
- 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 to Sunday Club, please call Steffi (089 941 8165) or the rector (083 800 3233).
3) Castlebar Select Vestry Meeting, Tues 9 September at 7.30pm in the church.
4) Westport-Dugort Select Vestry Meeting, Wed 17 Sept, 8pm in Carrowbeg House.
Turlough SV meeting tbc.
5) Harvest services in Castlebar, Westport and Achill will be on Sunday 14 September:
Guest speaker, Mr Alan Cousins, SAT7, and guest singer, Mr Hubert Francis (in Castlebar and Westport).
- 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
