This weekend in the Aughaval Parishes, plus A Special Note
Services this weekend:
- Turlough Church, Saturday 29 November, Eve of the First Sunday in Advent, 7pm, Evening Prayer.
- Christ Church Castlebar, Sunday 30 November, The First Sunday in Advent, 10am, Holy Communion. Guest preacher, Dr Eamon Smith. Guest soloist, tenor Hubert Francis, accompanied by Organist John Dexter.
- Holy Trinity Westport, Sunday 30 November, The First Sunday in Advent, 11.30am, the Service of Holy Communion, with guest soloist, tenor Hubert Francis, accompanied by Organist John Dexter.
- St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, Sunday 30 November, The First Sunday in Advent, 3pm, the Service of Holy Communion.
Do come along to services this weekend, when we will be celebrating Advent Sunday, The First Sunday in Advent.
In each of the churches we will light the first candle of the Advent Wreath. The candles used are traditionally three purple, one pink and one white, although reds and blues are also sometimes used. More about the symbolism of the wreath and candles over this Advent period, which lasts from The First Sunday in Advent until Christmas Eve.
It will be lovely to have any of the children and young people there to take part in the candle-lighting and to enjoy the service at this special time of year. There will be attractive faith-building Advent books/booklets for each of the young people, provided by the Church of Ireland Youth Department.
Also this weekend, make sure you collect your copy of the new TLK magazine, Dea Scéala. (These magazines come to you free-of-charge, but with each parish making an annual donation towards the cost.)
Advent Sunday marks the beginning of a new liturgical church year. We are at the end of Year C, the year of Saint Luke. This new year is Year A, the year of Matthew, as will be reflected in the readings through the year.
A special note here to emphasis the return this weekend to Holy Trinity Church, Westport, following the completion of Stage One of repairs to the ceiling.
This is a partial, Sunday-only return, with restricted access and seating, as indicated by signage and cordoning, until the completion of Stage Two of the works to make safe the remainder of the ceiling.
This second stage of works is due to be undertaken early in the New Year, thanks to the work and support of a wonderful team of people - professionals and volunteers - who have been working hard to enable the work to take place to the highest of standards and with a minimum of delay. Please see Letter, below, as sent last week to all parishioners, and please look out for further notices.
Our renewed thanks to Fr John Kenny and the wonderful congregation of St Mary's Church, Westport, for their kind and generous hospitality over these last ten months. New and lasting friendships have been forged, our congregation has learned much from our ecumenical friends and partners, the Lord has been with us all, and we are thankful beyond words.
Buíochas le Dia!
Letter concerning the Reopening of Holy Trinity Westport for Worship
25 November 2025
Buíochas le Dia!
Services for the Holy Trinity Westport congregation will return to Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, 30th November, the First Sunday of Advent. This will be with access and seating limitations, indicated by signage and cordoning.
This return comes after a long wait, a period of 10 months of closure due to storm damage and the dangerous condition of the whole of the ceiling over the nave and over the ornately decorated sanctuary. Holy Trinity Westport is a Grade 1 Heritage Building and a place of National Interest. Obtaining permissions from the relevant statutory body to proceed with the proposed works took much longer than expected and desired, but we trust God and God’s timing.
Stage One of works to rectify this state of affairs has now been completed, inspected and reported upon. The second stage of works is due to take place early in the New Year, thanks to an impressive team of professionals and the support of Mayo Co Council Conservation Office, plus a dedicated and motivated Select Vestry and team of parishioners which has pulled together and worked hard to see the plans implemented and to ensure the safety and comfort of parishioners and visitors to the church.
The initial reopening, from 30th November, will be a services-only opening, until Stage Two is completed. This coming Wednesday (26 November) our Midweek Holy Communion service will again be in St Mary's side chapel. Arrangements beyond this week will be announced shortly.
We are grateful beyond words to St Mary’s Church and to Fr John Kenny for their generous hospitality over the last 10 months. The welcome and accommodation in St Mary’s has been well beyond the call of duty and a wonderful demonstration of the love of God. Our thanks to all.
Gratitude to who everyone who helped clean and prepare the church last Saturday, 22nd November, for dear Sue Fabby’s funeral on Sunday afternoon. Our love and prayers continue for Sue’s family.
Revd Suzanne Cousins
Sue Fabby, 15 July 1942 - 20th November 2025
