Today’s gospel , Christmas Day: Welcoming the Prince of Peace

 


Christmas Day, The First Communion of Christmas

    - Christ Church, Castlebar, 9am

    - Holy Trinity Church, Westport, 11am



The Nativity of Our Lord



Nativity
Artist unknown, 1380 
Formerly attributed to Antonio Veneziano. 
More recently attributed to Spinello Aretino
Public domain, via 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7368927



Today's gospel    John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.




"The light shines in the darkness 
and the darkness has not extinguished it." 


Scared Space

You can find a prayer guide and uplifting devotional thought on this gospel here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-12-25




Westport Nativity



"To us a child is born, to us a son is given: 
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: 
and his name shall be called 
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 
the Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6)


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

Saturday 27 December: Please note, there will be no service in Turlough. Turlough friends and parishioners are warmly invited instead to join the Castlebar service on this occasion. (See below.)

Sunday 28 December: 
    - 10am, Christ Church Castlebar, led by LLLM (/Parish Readers) Susie Fry and Jennifer McCormack
    - 11.30am, Holy Trinity, Westport, led by LLLM (/Parish Reader) Benita Stoney
    
    Please note that there is no service in St Thomas's Dugort on this date.



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.





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 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. 
Please note that there will be no service on Wed 24 and 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. 

Please note that there will be no online meeting on Wed 24 December.




Christmas Eve on Achill,
at St Thomas's Dugort






 Mayo Yearbook, 2025


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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