Today's gospel, 10 Oct. Gathering or scattering?

 Please scroll down for notices and information.




Turlough Round Tower
Co Mayo
September 2025


Thought for the day

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

Today's gospel asks us to consider seriously are we gathering or scattering for the kingdom of God? Are we for or against Christ and his work of bringing healing and wholeness, peace and salvation to our communities, to the church, to the world and to individuals? 

The gospel invites us to make God our dwelling and resting place, to make ourselves a resting place and dwelling for the Spirit of God, and to cast out of ourselves and put away from ourselves anything that is contrary to the goodness of God and the light of Christ. It encourages us to give ourselves to God's indwelling and service so that through us the light of Christ will shine into the darkness.   


Luke 11:15-26

But some of them said, ‘He [Jesus] casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 

But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, 

‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe.But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.’


Christian Art

You will find a helpful reflection on the gospel and a work of art here:

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-15-26-2025/


Sacred Space

You will find a helpful prayer guide and reflection here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-10-10/ 




 Study for "Christ Exorcising a Demon"

Salvator Rosa, 1660

Public domain via

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97205274



Notices



  • Friday, 11am - 1pm, Open Church and Drop-in, Christ Church, Castlebar*
  • Sunday Club is on this coming Sunday, 12 Oct, starting at 12 noon in the Holy Trinity service in St Mary's and moving next door to Carrowbeg house.
  • Turlough Select Vestry meeting, Sat 11 October, after the 7pm service.
  • Diocesan Synod, Sat 18 October, at Hotel Woodstock, Ennis, Co Clare. 
  • Inishbiggle Harvest Thanksgiving, Sat 25 October. Gather at Doran's Point, Ballycroy at 9.30am, for 10am departure. Returning around 2.30pm. Everyone is  welcome but please let us know if you wish to book a seat in the currach or if you need more information. Recommended: Bring a packed lunch, water, sturdy footwear, warm weather-appropriate clothes, and 10 euros towards the ferry cost. 


A Special Weekend of Sacred Music, 24-26 October  

The Choir of St Philip's and Sandford, Dublin, led by Mr David O'Shea, will be with us in Westport for a series of musical events including, all in St Mary's Church, Westport:

    - Compline on Friday 24 Oct at 8pm (please note amended time);
    - Fundraising concert for Holy Trinity Westport on Sat 25 Oct at 4pm;
    - Contribution to worship (Holy Communion) on Sunday morning (12 noon);
   -  Sung worship on Sunday 26 Oct at 3.30pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill. (Rehersal from 3pm. You are welcome to come early, observe and enjoy.) 

Please save the dates and spread the word.



Christmas musical event, Friday 5 Dec, 8pm 

- A special evening of Christmas music by the Roscommon Solstice Choir, with guests appearances, in St Mary's Church Westport. 

This is a fundraising event in aid of imminent repairs to Holy Trinity Church, Westport. Details to follow. Please save the date and spread the word.




Regular Service Pattern in the Aughaval Group of Parishes:


Turlough
Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:  
Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
Morning Prayer on 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.

Castlebar *
Sundays Weekly at 10am: 
Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.
Morning Prayer on 2nd and 4th.
Open church every Friday from 11am - 1pm. "Drop in, say hello, say a prayer, have a look around."

*Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity Number  20206867


Westport
Sundays Weekly at 12 noon.
Wednesdays at 10.30am. 
Services are n St Mary's RC Church, South Mall, Westport, until further notice while Holy Trinity Church is closed for safety repairs.

Dugort, Achill: October - April inclusive
2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion



Pastoral care and enquiries:  

Revd Suzanne Cousins
Rector, Aughaval Group of Parishes 
United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland 

Tel. 083 800 3233  
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Aughaval Parishes' Website  aughaval.tlk.ie


Popular posts from this blog

In memoriam: Linda Bourke

Image
  "Safe in the arms of Jesus." It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the death of our friend and sister in Christ, Linda Bourke, faithful Westport parishioner (Holy Trinity Church), on Sunday 9th March, peacefully in Mayo University Hospital.  May she rest in peace and rise in glory.  Notice and arrangements can also be found here:   https://rip.ie/death-notice/linda-bourke-mayo-westport-587759 The death has occurred of Linda Bourke, Riverside, Clogher, Westport – peacefully.   Predeceased by her parents Alex & Frances & infant sister Elizabeth.   Deeply regretted by her sister Iris, extended family, relatives, neighbours, friends & her Westport Country Market Community.   AT REST   Reposing at McGing's Funeral Home (F28 RX58) on Tuesday (Mar 11th) from 11:30am until 12:30pm. THE PUBLIC QUEUE FOR ENTRY INTO THE FUNERAL HOME WILL NOW BE FROM THE SHOP STREET DIRECTION.   Funeral arriving to Holy Trinity Cemeter...
Read more

Return to Inishbiggle, Sat 15 February 2025

Image
  It was especially joyful for a few of us from mainland Mayo to step foot again on Inishbiggle on 15th February, having been prevented by the weather from sailing on our last attempt at the end of November 2024. While on this occasion it was lashing in Limerick, wet in Westport, and raining cats and dogs in Castlebar, the sun was splitting the clouds gloriously on the approach to beautiful Biggle. Also uplifting was to arrive at the church and on entering to find it looking, if not transfigured, transformed - for example, with its newly-stripped and repolished pews, clean floors, doors, harmonica and walls, and a close-to-spotless vestry into the bargain. Hats off and enormous thanks to the church wardens for the hours of painstaking work - truly a labour of love for this precious and important place of gathering and worship, emanating from a sincere love for God and his people, of all faiths and persuasions. Holy Trinity Inishbiggle conveys the message “Come on in! There’s plenty...
Read more

Inishbiggle blessings, on the Eve of St Bartholomew's Day, 23 August

Image
  Return to Inishbiggle  A happy day was enjoyed on Saturday 23rd August when a group of ten people, which included some from Castlebar, Westport, Galway, Kilkenny and Dublin - made the short crossing by currach from Doran’s Point to ‘Biggle’.  As always the passengers were well cared for by ferrymen Michael and Tim, and we were delighted and privileged to have, amongst others, Valerie Raitt, Diocesan Co-ordinator of Spiritual Tourism and Pilgrimages, join us for the trip. Church wardens Chris and Jeremy, outside the old national school, with the wardens' recently acquired wand.  Just disembarked: the 'crew', minus two Tom Smith, a member of the Holy Trinity Westport congregation   Photo by Susie Fry, Castlebar Michael, ferryman Tim, ferryman Valerie Having been welcomed at the pier by islanders and Holy Trinity Inishbiggle church wardens, Christine Gibbs and Jeremy Holt, we took the short stroll to the church. A service of Prayer and Praise (a 'Servic...
Read more