Today's gospel, Sunday 16 November

 Please scroll down for notices, including of Christmas service arrangements.


Services today in the Aughaval Parishes:

  • 10am Holy Communion in Christ Church Castlebar
  • 12 noon Holy Communion in St Mary's Westport, for the Holy Trinity congregation and visitors, with Sunday Club




Today's gospel    Luke 21:5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”  

They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”  

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.  

“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.


Sacred Space

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

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-11-16

 


Christian Art




The Wailing Wall/West Wall, Jerusalem



Notices


  • Westport Sunday Club:  Sunday 16 November and Sunday 7 December, starting at 12 noon in the Holy Trinity service in St Mary's, and moving to Carrowbeg House for Bible story, music, snacks and activities.
  • Ecumenical Prayer Service for those Bereaved by Suicide, Friday 21 November , 7.30pm in Holy Rosary Church, Castlebar
  • Sat 29 November, from 12.30, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Dove-making workshop for all.



  • Everyday in Advent - Castlebar. Everyday in 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.


Events in December

Friday 5 December, 8pm in St Mary’s Church, Westport
Christmas Concert with the Roscommon Solstice Choir and guests 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, details on Bella Capella Facebook page. (See https://www.facebook.com/reel/712336474483871 .)



'Crib Services':
  • Saturday 6 Dec, 7pm, Crib Service (All-age Nativity) 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 (All-age Nativity) in Christ Church Castlebar.  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. 



  • 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' (All-age Nativity) 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).


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. With Holy Rosary Choir and Castlebar Commu


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





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

Sundays Weekly at 12 noon, Holy Communion or (occasionally) Morning Prayer

Wednesdays at 10.30am. Holy Communion, followed by coffee

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


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



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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