Today's gospel, 27 November. Looking up and looking for redemption
Please scroll down for information and notices.
In today's gospel, Jesus predicts the Fall of Jerusalem (which came about in 70 CE). He urges his followers, even such devastating times, to 'look up', to trust God, hold on to hope, and to look for the Messiah, the Redeemer.
Luke 21:20-28
[Jesus said] ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
Sacred Space
You can find a simple prayer guide and short reflection arising from this gospel reading here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-11-27
Christian Art
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-20-28-2025/
Notices
- Sat 29 November, from 12.30, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Drop-in Family Dove-making Workshop (for people of all ages and stages). The doves (or some of them) will 'take flight' on Sunday 7 Dec (‘Peace Sunday’) in the church during the10am service. All welcome.
- Every day in Advent - Castlebar. Every day through Advent, Christ Church Castlebar will be open from 7.00 - 8.30 am for private prayer and reflection, a meditative space. You can drop in at any time. For more information, contact Kenn McLaughlin - number on request. The First Sunday in Advent 2025 is 30 November.
- Friday 5 December, 8pm in St Mary’s Church, Westport. Christmas Special Concert with the Roscommon Solstice Choir and guests Eriko Hopkinson and Westport Children’s Choir. A fundraising event for Holy Trinity Church repairs. Donations at the door. Please spread the word and plan to come along!
- Sat 6 December, 7.30pm, Christmas Concert with Bella Capella in Christ Church Castlebar. Charity fundraiser for AIRC, details on Bella Capella Facebook page. (See https://www.facebook.com/reel/712336474483871 .)
- Saturday 6 Dec, 7pm, Crib Service in Turlough Church. Children are invited to come along in simple nativity costume (-tea towel headdresses, dressing gown robes, tinsel halos, angel wings, etc.) and to bring their soft toy animals if they would like to.
- Sunday 7 Dec, 10am, Crib Service in Christ Church Castlebar. Children and young people are invited to come along in simple nativity costume (-tea towel headdresses, dressing gown robes, tinsel halos, angel wings, etc.) and to bring their soft toy animals if they would like to.
- Westport (pre-)Christmas Sunday Club: Sunday 7 December, starting at 12 noon in serving ice Holy Trinity Church, Westport.
- Monday 15 December at 7.30pm, Castlebar Community Carol Service (traditional 'Nine Lessons & Carols'), in Christ Church, Castlebar, with Holy Rosary Choir and Castlebar Community Silver Band.
- Sunday 21 Dec, 11.30am, 'Crib Service' in Holy Trinity Westport (subject to change).
- Chapel Street Gospel Choir concerts, Sunday 21 December, at 5pm and 8pm, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Info., Roslyn Potter, Turlough (number on request).
- Turlough - Sat 13 Dec 7pm
- Achill - Sun 14 Dec, 3pm
- Castlebar (‘Community Carol Service’) - Mon 15 Dec, 7.30pm (as above)
- Westport - St Mary's-and-Holy-Trinity-Together - A Shared Celebration - Sunday 21 December, 5pm, in St Mary's Church.
Regular Service Pattern
in the Aughaval Parishes
(subject to change)
Turlough
Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:
- Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
- Evening 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.
*Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No. 20206867
Westport PLEASE NOTE CHANGE from 30 Nov 2025:
- Sundays Weekly at 11.30am, in HOLY TRINITY WESTPORT, Holy Communion or Morning Prayer
- Wednesdays at 10.30am in St Mary's RC Church, Westport,.
Dugort, Achill: October - April inclusive
- 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion
Inishbiggle As announced
Giving towards the upkeep of the churches
The work and upkeep of the churches requires ongoing funding to meet costs.
For one-time donations: You can securely give towards these costs and the upkeep of the churches using your phone or electronic device using the QR codes (below) which will direct you to the parishes’ iDonate pages.
Regular giving can also be by standing order. If you are a tax-payer, a tax refund on your donation can be made to your parish at no additional cost to you.
For help or more information, please contact one of the Hon. Treasurers (contact details on request) or the Rector (details below), or see
https://aughaval.tlk.ie/2025/11/giving-towards-upkeep-of-churches.html .
Thank-you and bless you.
Pastoral care and enquiries:
Revd Suzanne Cousins
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
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes
