Today's gospel, 28 November: Parable of the fig tree

 Please scroll down for information and notices.




Today's gospel    Luke 21:29-33

Then he [Jesus] told them a parable: 

‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.



Sacred Space

You can find a prayer guide and short reflection on the gospel here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-11-28 


Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-29-33-2025/


Notices

  • This Saturday, 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 .)


'Crib Services' 
(All-age Nativity services)

Children are invited to come along in simple nativity costume 
and to bring a soft toy animal if they would like to. 

  • Saturday 6 Dec, 7pm, Crib Service in Turlough Church. 
  • Sunday 7 Dec, 10am, Crib Service in Christ Church Castlebar. 
  • Sunday 21 Dec, 11.30am, 'Crib Service' in Holy Trinity Westport (subject to change). 



  • 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.
  • Chapel Street Gospel Choir concerts, Sunday 21 December, at 5pm and 8pm, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Info., Roslyn Potter, Turlough (number on request).

'Nine Lessons and Carols'
Traditional Carol Services
  • 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. 


Christmas Communion Services
'The First Communion of Christmas'
(Subject to change)


St Thomas's, Dugort: Christmas Eve at 12 noon

Turlough Church: Christmas Eve at 6.30pm

Christ Church, Castlebar: Christmas Day at 9am
                    
Holy Trinity Church, Westport: Christmas Day at 11am




New Year Social and Fundraiser for HTW repairs:

Table Quiz, Friday 20 February 2026, in Clew Bay Hotel, 7.30 for 8pm start.

Info: Babs Strutt or Henry McKinney. Contact details on request. 
Donation of prizes for raffle will be much appreciated.




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,. Holy Communion, followed by coffee in Clew Bay. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE



Dugort, Achill: October - April inclusive

- 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion


Inishbiggle    As announced


Online Prayer and Bible Reading every Wed at 8pm, via Zoom.  Link:




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.


Westport-Dugort Parishes
(Info. Babs Strutt, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request) 



     Christ Church, Castlebar    
(Info. Trevor Ardill, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)
Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No.  20206867     



Turlough Parish Church

(Info. Karin Shaw, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)



Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) 

CRA status of the Aughaval Group of Parishes, United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland: 

    Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No.  20206867

    Westport-Dugort Union of Parishes and Turlough Parish are in process of applying for their own CRA registration numbers. In the interim the parishes are included in the CRA registration of the TLK Diocese, as outlined by the diocese, below:

The United Dioceses of Tuam, Killala and Achonry is registered as a charity with the Charities Regulatory Authority under No. 20015237 and the Revenue Commissioners No. CHY 7241.  

The United Dioceses of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert is registered as a charity with the Charities Regulatory Authority under No. 20015688 and the Revenue Commissioners No. CHY 7327.  

On 1st November 2021, the dioceses amalgamated to become the Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe. The Diocesan Councils remain separate.


For further information on the above, please contact Mrs Lorna Sharpe at  limerickdiocsec@gmail.com, or Mr Damian Shorten at admin@tka.ie. 




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 



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