Today's gospel, Christmas Eve: Filled with the Spirit and breaking the silence!

Please scroll down for notes and notices.


Today's gospel    Luke 1:67-79

Then his [John's] father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty saviour for us
   in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’


Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide and short reflection of this gospel here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-12-24


Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-67-79-2025/



Celebrating Christmas 

Please join us for the Celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, on Christmas Eve and/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. 



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



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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