Happy and Peaceful New Year. Today's gospel, 1st Jan 2026

 

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and peace-filled new year. 





Today's gospel    Luke 2:16-21

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.


Sacred Space

A gentle prayer guide and reflection can be found here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-01-01



Notes and Notices

Special date for the new year diary

Friday 23rd January at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church: A Public Celebration of the Reopening of Holy Trinity Church, Westport, with the Rt Revd Bishop Michael Burrows. Please save the date and spread the word! 


 

Exploring Confirmation

If you or young person is interested in exploring Confirmation with a view to Confirmation in 2026, please contact the Rector (083 800 3233/ email augahaval@tuam.anglican.org). The first of our Confirmation classes will be on Saturday 24 January at 10am in the Rectory, Westport, with Bishop Michael. 


New Year Social and Fundraiser for HTW repairs:

Table Quiz, Friday 20 February 2026, in the 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. Please note that sponsorship from local businesses is invited and will be greatly 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 Sundays of the month.

Open church every Friday from 11am - 1pm.

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


Westport  

- Sundays Weekly at 11.30am, in Holy Trinity Westport (except on 11th and 18th Jan 2026, during repair works, when we will be back in St Mary's Church); Holy Communion or Morning Prayer

- Wednesdays at 10.30am, Midweek Holy Communion, followed by coffee in Cornrue. 
Please note there will be no Midweek service on Wed 31 December.


Dugort, Achill 

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

May-September inclusive
- Services weekly at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion


Inishbiggle 

As announced. The next service in Holy Trinity Church, Inishbiggle, will be in the New Year (2026). 




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

Please note there will be no Online Prayer and Bible Reading on Wed 31 December.




Giving towards the upkeep of the churches

The work and upkeep of the churches requires ongoing funding to meet costs. Each of our Church of Ireland parishes has charity (CRA) status - please see note below. 

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 
Regular giving can be by means of the weekly envelope system (-information on request), or by standing order. 

Tax refund on donations
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 for your help, and bless 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 below by the Diocese: 

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 Diocesan Secretary, Mrs Lorna Sharpe at limerickdiocsec@gmail.com, or Assistant Diocesan Secretary, Mr Damian Shorten at admin@tka.ie. They will be happy to help you and to answer your questions.




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

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