Today's gospel, Wed 15 October

 Please scroll down for notes and notices, and for a link to this evening's Online Prayer and Bible Reading. 



On Inishiggle, 23 August 2025, 
on the way to the outdoor service 
in the churchyard and at the shore.
Next visit and service:  
Sat 25 October. 


Today's gospel reading    Luke 11:42-46

‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practised, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market-places. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realising it.’

One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.’ And he said, ‘Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them.


Background 

Jesus did a fair amount of his teaching over meals. In this gospel Jesus has been invited to dine with one of the religious leaders and is at table with them (hence his earlier drawing on analogies of tableware and here herbs to make his point) when he pronounces this "woe", condemning those - especially leaders - who have all the right appearances on the outside but make life and faith observance difficult for others. 

 

Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors

by Alexandre Bida, Public domain, via

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121008582


Scared Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide with a short reflection here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-10-15/



This week's Collect

Almighty God, 

you have made us for yourself, 

and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: 

Teach us to offer ourselves to your service,

 that here we may have your peace, 

and in the world to come may see you face to face; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.                                        Attributed to Saint Augustine





Notices 

(Subject to change)

  • Wed 15 October, 10.30am, Midweek Holy Communion in Westport, in St Mary's side chapel. Presiding, Revd Canon Andrea Wills. Service followed by coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel from 11am.  
St Mary's RC Church continues kindly to accommodate Holy Trinity Westport services while HTW is closed for safety repairs.   
  • Wed 15 October, 8pm, Online Prayer and Bible reading (Late Evening Office from the BCP). Link below. ID and Passcodes on request.

  • Diocesan Synod, Sat 18 October, at Hotel Woodstock, Ennis, Co Clare. 
  • Inishbiggle Harvest Thanksgiving, Sat 25 October, followed by tea in the old school. Please let us know if you wish to book a place in the currach. Gather at Doran's Point, Ballycroy, at 9.30 for 10am departure. Returning around 2.30pm. Recommended to bring: A packed lunch, water, sturdy footwear, weather-proof clothes, and 10 euros towards ferry cost. 
        This will be an extra-special occasion, as, (1), we plan to welcome Christine Gibbs as a newly-licensed LLLM (= Parish Reader), and (2), we will celebrate (belatedly) our good friend Jeremy Holt's 80th birthday (with cake!).  



A Special Weekend of Sacred Music

24-26 October, in Westport and on Achill  

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

    - Compline on Friday 24 Oct at 8pm, in St Mary's Church, South Mall, Westport

    - Faure's Requiem, Sat 25 Oct at 4pm in St Mary's Church, a fundraising concert towards repairs to Holy Trinity Church. Entry free. Donations welcome. 

    - Service of Holy Communion, Sunday 26 Oct, 12 noon in St Mary's Church, 

   -  Compline, Sunday 26 Oct at 3.30pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill.  Rehearsal from 3pm. You are welcome to come early, observe and enjoy. 

Please save the dates and spread the word. Thank you!


Faure's Requiem, Sat 25 Oct at 4pm in St Mary's Church, listen here for a taster.... https://www.facebook.com/reel/606799709092837


Also.... Advent and Christmas are coming!

Christmas musical event, Friday 5 Dec, 8pm - A special evening of Christmas music by the Roscommon Solstice Choir, with guests appearances including Eriko Hopkinson and the Westport Children's Choir, in St Mary's Church Westport. 

This is another wonderful fundraising event in aid of repairs to Holy Trinity Church, Westport. Please save the date and spread the word. Thank you!


 

Regular Service Pattern in the Aughaval Group of Parishes:

Turlough    

Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:  

Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Saturday (/Sunday) 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 month. Morning Prayer on 2nd and 4th.

Open church in Castlebar 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 in St Mary's RC Church, South Mall, Westport, 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


Inishbiggle:

As announced and advertised. 


 

Pastoral care and enquiries:  

Revd Suzanne Cousins, Rector  

Tel. 083 800 3233  

Email: aughaval@tuam.anglican.org

Aughaval Parishes' Website  aughaval.tlk.ie

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes  




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