Parish Letter, September 2025
Rector’s Letter to the Aughaval Grouped Parishes
Westport-Dugort Union, Castlebar, Turlough
September 2025
Dear friends,
I trust you are in good spirits and settling well in to the new term. We are now in the relatively new ‘Season of Creation’. Marked by many churches, like Harvest, the Season of Creation provides an opportunity to reflect on the world’s environmental needs, as well as to thank God the Creator for the beauty of the earth, the bounty of its provision, and to consider the associated questions of justice and food security when it comes to the distribution of the earth's resources. We will do this ‘marking’ again this year in Harvest Thanksgiving services on 14 and 20 September. Locally, the season will conclude on Sat 4 October with the annual Ecumenical Blessing of the Animals at 2pm in Murrisk Carpark. Please do come along if you are able, with or without your pets. And if you would like to join the Westport Eco-Congregation committee to help represent our parishes, please contact me or speak to Brid McAuley.
Over the past months we have been praying specifically for a number of people who have been unwell. We thank God for evident answered prayer and continue to remember all in the parishes. Please don’t forget to let me know if you or your loved one is in hospital, or if their circumstances or location changes and they would like a pastoral visit, with or without the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Internationally, there is much to drive us to continue to pray fervently for “the peace of the world” and the coming of God’s pure and peaceable kingdom of justice, love and mercy. Relatedly, I include at the end of this letter an important update and thank-you letter from the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for your perusal.
Lots went on in the areas of ministry and mission in the parishes over the summer months, and my thanks are to all of you who contribute willingly and joyfully to our shared life of faith and fellowship, as well as to services and events. Many of the latter are written about on our website (aughaval.tlk.ie) and I recommend to you the regular perusal of the website’s content for information and inspiration.
Back to School services took place on 30 and 31 August in each of the churches, with a Blessing of the Backpacks. Let’s commit to pray throughout the year for all our children and young people, especially those navigating significant change — in schools and colleges across the parishes including Holy Trinity N.S. — and for all teachers and administrators, carers and families.
Here are a few other items for your interest and prayers:
Westport
The congregation continues to gather weekly on Sundays at 12 noon in St Mary’s while we await the start and completion of the scheduled repair works to Holy Trinity Church (‘HTW’). We are grateful to our ecumenical friends for their ongoing generous and gracious hospitality.
Prior to the summer, the Select Vestry (‘SV’) received confirmation, finally, of permission from Mayo Co Council to proceed with the planned repairs without Planning Permission and subject to conditions, including that a Grade 1 conservation architect oversee one part of the repairs. The intervening summer holiday season and unavailability of the relevant professionals hindered the project’s progress to some extent. Nevertheless the SV has appointed an architectural firm which has begun its work, and we await now a commencement date from the contractor who is to undertake the repairs to the ceiling where it is destabilised at the two ends of the church. The contractor secured is well renowned for his specialist work on such buildings as St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford. In short, things are moving in the right direction, and we are hopeful that we will be back in the church on time for Christmas.
The Midweek Holy Communion Service in Westport has resumed after the August break, gathering on Wednesdays at 10.30am in the pleasant and intimate space of St Mary’s side chapel. This short said service is followed, for those who are free, by coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel on James Street. Everyone is welcome to both or either part of the gathering - sacramental and social.
Dugort, Achill, and Inishbiggle
This summer saw again a steady trickle of visitors from across Ireland, the UK and Europe to St Thomas’s, Dugort (on Achill). The Mini-pilgrimage on Achill brought added interest and joy, and we are grateful to Valerie Raitt, Diocesan Pioneer Minister and Spiritual Tourism and Pilgrimages Co-ordinator, for her input, leadership and partnership in planning and on the day. St Thomas’s continues to be an important place also for private pilgrimage and devotion, with a steady flow of midweek as well as Sunday visitors. We meet for tea in St Thomas’s Hall after many of the (3pm) Sunday services.
St Thomas’s
A Return to Inishbiggle trip saw a group of ten people from across the parishes take the crossing by currach to this special offshore island, in ideal weather. Repair and renewal works to Holy Trinity Inishbiggle, both inside and out, are progressing well, thanks to the diligence in particular of church wardens Christine and Jeremy, with other helpers and supporters. Much of the practical work is being undertaken on a voluntary basis and we are truly grateful to all concerned. Included below is a photo of Christine (RCW) and Valerie, during the August trip, surveying the Easter Garden rockery which is in-the-making.
Our next event on Biggle is planned provisionally for Sat 25th October, a Harvest Thanksgiving Service, either in the church or in the old school. If you would like to come along please get in touch.
Castlebar
Castlebar Select Vestry was delighted recently to receive at last our registration number from the Charities Regulatory Authority. This was thanks in particular to the perseverance and diligence of Caroline and Trevor, with greatly appreciated background support from the Diocesan Administrator, Heather Pope. We have noted with mixed feelings the recent news of Heather’s impending departure to another job and calling, and take the opportunity here, first, to express sincere thanks for all the help and support she has given to the parishes over her years in office, and second, to wish her every success and happiness in her new role.
Christ Church Castlebar (‘CCC’) will be the venue for several concerts and fundraisers over the year ahead. The first is on Friday 19th September from 7pm, part of the Margaret Burke Sheridan Trail, sponsored by the Linen Hall and Mayo Co Council. Details are on the MCC website, or see poster in the church.
The parishioners and wardens are diligent in their ongoing care of our historic church building, and we hope soon to embark on the necessary replacement of a window in the porch. Most encouraging is to see the congregation grow a little over the past year, in number and diversity, and to experience the faith, love and energy that the young families in particular bring to our services and gatherings.
Turlough
Turlough is also blessed with a core group of families with children and young people who bring so much to the life of the church and parish, and, as in the other parishes, with able and committed volunteers who teach and lead them and provide a wonderful example of Christian commitment, service, and joy. In the church, the SV plans to install a new electronic bell to restore, after a long interlude without a functioning bell, the rousing sound of the church’s invitation to prayer.
Knappagh
St Thomas’s Church, Knappagh, has been closed for well over 30 years but still holds a special place in the hearts of many local people. It was a great pleasure, therefore, to have the opportunity to welcome to Christ’s Church worldwide and to baptise at Knappagh, in the churchyard and the great outdoors, ten year old Amber Rose McGuire. My thanks to Amber’s family and to all who helped practically in advance and on the day.
Since then there has been the happiness of the birth of a baby, Annie May, to Rebecca Fabby and Mikey. Rebecca was the last person to have been baptised in Knappagh Church, prior to Amber’s baptism. Annie May is great granddaughter to Sue and granddaughter to Tom and Lucy. Warmest congratulations to them all and blessings on this precious child.
Coming Up
Westport Sunday Club (Sunday school) restarts on 7 September, starting at 12 noon in the church service (in St Mary’s) and moving next to Carrowbeg House for activities, music and snacks. Sunday Club is run in accordance with the Church of Ireland's Child Safeguarding regulations. For information, please contact Steffi (+353 89 941 8165).
Castlebar Select Vestry Meeting, Tues 9 September at 7.30pm in the church.
Westport-Dugort Select Vestry Meeting, Wed 17 Sept, 8pm
Harvest services in Castlebar, Westport and Achill will be on Sunday 14 September. Guest speaker, Mr Alan Cousins, SAT 7.
- 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
Harvest service for Turlough - Sat 20 September, 7pm in Turlough Church.
Guest speaker, Ms Valerie Raitt, Pioneer Ministry, Diocese of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe.
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 in the church.
Sat 4 October, Blessing of the Animals, 2pm at Murrisk Carpark
Pastoral care and enquiries:
Revd Suzanne Cousins
083 800 3233
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Aughaval Parishes' Website aughaval.tlk.ie
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal
Bishops’ Appeal is a vehicle for parishes and people within the Church of Ireland to channel donations to support those in greatest need around the world. We do this through supporting projects, emergency appeals at times of natural disaster or catastrophe, and occasional special projects.
There have been two major appeals over the past year: The Middle East Appeal which ran during Advent and Christmas 2024. The funds raised were sent to support the work of the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza and other humanitarian aid carried out by the Diocese of Jerusalem and also work with refugees and displaced people in the Middle East region through Tearfund.
The second was the Pancakes and Prayer Lent appeal with CIYD and Fields of Life, which encouraged youth groups and Sunday schools to pray for schools in Maridi and Ibba Dioceses in South Sudan and to give what they could (perhaps as a result of giving something up for Lent) to support school gardens which will grow food to feed the school children for around 2.50 euros per child per year. It has been so encouraging seeing young people feeling a concern to make a difference through their prayers and their generosity in this way. Almost 3,300 children will be fed next year as a result.
Projects supported by Bishops’ Appeal grants so far this year have included:
- A prison ministry in Cairo
- A school for children with disabilities in Nepal
- Emergency supplies for those caught up in the recent fighting in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- A food security project in the Gitego region of Burundi
- An agricultural project in Uganda
- Support for survivors of sexual abuse in the Philippines
- A project in Malawi through Self Help Africa
- Bee Resilient project in Kenya through Christian Aid
- Support for women in Zimbabwe
- Emergency support for the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar
Sometimes the needs become almost overwhelming so it is important for us to remember that although we cannot do everything, we are planting Seeds of Hope through the many and diverse projects we support. Seeds of Hope was the theme of the Bishops’ Appeal stand at the General Synod, where members of Synod were encouraged to take home sunflower seeds or seeded paper to plant. The flowers when they bloom would serve as a reminder of the impact of planting a seed – as Bishops’ Appeal also makes an impact around the world through the funds we are able to send to those in greatest need.
Over the past year Bishops’ Appeal has also highlighted the importance of making a Fairtrade choice when we go shopping, encouraging every parish to use Fairtrade projects, which guarantee that the farmers producing the tea, coffee, cocoa and other crops we enjoy so much not only receive a fair wage for their crops, but also support and training to help adapt to the challenges of climate change that so many are facing.
Thank you to all the individual parishioners, clergy and members of Select Vestries who have chosen to support the Bishops’ Appeal over the past year. Bishops’ Appeal is only able to support these projects and emergencies thanks to your generosity. It is very much appreciated.
