Today's gospel, 23 December, plus Bishop Michael's Christmas message

 

Please scroll down for notes and notices.



Zechariah writes down the name of his son
Cappella Tornabuoni, 
Fresco, Santa Maria Novella, Florence
between 1486 and 1490
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10615291



Today's gospel  Luke 1:57-66

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.  

Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.


Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide and brief reflection on this gospel reading here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-12-23


Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-57-66-2025/



Bishop Michael's 2025 Christmas message:

You can watch and listen to Bishop Michael's Christmas message here:


Celebrating Christmas 

Please join us for the Celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Service times and locations below. Visitors are especially welcome, and all our services are child-friendly!


Christmas Communion Services 
'The First Communion of Christmas'
  • St Thomas's, Dugort: Christmas Eve (Wed 24 Dec), 12 noon
  • Turlough Church: Christmas Eve (Wed 24 Dec), 6.30pm
  • Christ Church, Castlebar: Christmas Day (Thurs 25 Dec), 9am
  • Holy Trinity Church, Westport: Christmas Day (Thurs 25 Dec), 11am


All our services are child-friendly. 


A prayer for those alone this Christmas

Loving God,
whatever happens,
be with me this Christmas,
especially when I find myself alone.
Be with those whom I hold in my heart,
whether they are near or far away.
Help us all to hear the good news of the angels,
and to reflect on the light that shines in the darkness.
May the world you came to heal
know your peace this day,
for the sake of Jesus Christ. 
Amen.



St John Altarpiece, c. 1479
Oil on oak panel, Memling museum, Bruges
Public domain, via
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John_Altarpiece_(Memling)



Services on the weekend of 27-28 December (subject to change)

Saturday 27 December: PLEASE NOTE that there will be no service on this date in Turlough. However, other services are as below. 

Sunday 28 December:
    - 10am, Christ Church Castlebar, led by LLLM (/Parish Readers) Susie Fry and Jen McCormack
    - 11.30am, Holy Trinity, Westport, led by LLLM (/Parish Reader) Benita Stoney

(No service in St Thomas's Dugort on this date.)



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 Confirmation class will be on Saturday 24 January at 10am in the Rectory, Westport, with Bishop Michael.  


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 11.30am, in HOLY TRINITY WESTPORT (except on 11th and 18th Jan 2026, during repair works); Holy Communion or Morning Prayer

- Wednesdays at 10.30am, Midweek Holy Communion, followed by coffee in Cornrue. 



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:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83306729968?pwd=mVKnDXWs7Npn3aCnRPykJbJK7THANM.1





Pastoral care and enquiries:  

Revd Suzanne Cousins 
Aughaval Group of Parishes, 
United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland 
Tel. +353 83 800 3233 
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org

Aughaval Parishes' Website  aughaval.tlk.ie





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