Today's gospel, Sunday 7 December: The Proclamation of John the Baptist
Please scroll down for notices and a word of thanks.
Today's gospel
Matthew 3: 1-12 The Proclamation of John the Baptist
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them,
‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
‘I baptise you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
Sacred Space
You can find a helpful prayer guide and reflection here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-12-07
Christian Art
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-3-1-12-2025/
A note of thanks
Sincere thanks to everyone who supported the Christmas Special Concert by Roscommon Solstice Choir with guest contributors, Westport Children's Choir on Friday 5 December.
Included in this note of thanks are the performers themselves, St Mary's Church, Westport for hosting this fundraiser event, and the Clew Bay Hotel for their very generous support.
This truly beautiful event was to raise funds towards the repairs of the ceiling of Holy Trinity Church, Westport. What a fantastic evening it was.
The amount raised will be publicised shortly, once gifts have ceased to come in. If you were unable to attend the event and would like to donate, it is never too late. Please see the information below on Giving.
Notices
- Castlebar: Every day in Advent - Castlebar. Every day through Advent, Christ Church Castlebar will be open from 7.30 - 9.00 am for quiet private prayer and reflection, a meditative space. You can drop in at any time. For more information, contact Kenn McLaughlin - number on request.
- Sat 6 December, 7.30pm, Christmas Concert with Bella Capella in Christ Church Castlebar. Charity fundraiser for AIRC, details on Bella Capella Facebook page. (See https://www.facebook.com/reel/712336474483871.)
- Westport Sunday Club: The Sunday scheduled for 7 December is being rescheduled to combine with the special service in HTW on Sunday 21 December (12 noon). Info: Steffi or Shirley (numbers on request), or the rector, (details below).
- Saturday 6 Dec, 7pm, Crib Service in Turlough Church. Organist, Mr Sean Tunney
- Sunday 7 Dec, 10am, Crib Service in Christ Church Castlebar.
- Sunday 21 Dec, 11.30am, 'Crib Service' in Holy Trinity Westport
- Monday 15 December at 7.30pm, Castlebar Community Carol Service in Christ Church, Castlebar, with Holy Rosary Choir and Castlebar Concert Band.
- Chapel Street Gospel Choir concerts, Sunday 21 December, at 5pm and 8pm, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Info., Roslyn Potter, Turlough (number on request).
- Turlough - Sat 13 Dec 7pm
- Achill - Sun 14 Dec, 3pm
- Castlebar (‘Community Carol Service’) - Mon 15 Dec, 7.30pm (as above)
- Westport - St Mary's-and-Holy-Trinity-Together - A Shared Celebration - Sunday 21 December, 5pm, in St Mary's Church.
- 7pm, Turlough
- 10am, Christ Church, Castlebar
- 11.30am, Holy Trinity, Westport
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 PLEASE NOTE CHANGE from 30 Nov 2025:
- Sundays Weekly at 11.30am, in HOLY TRINITY WESTPORT, Holy Communion or Morning Prayer
- Wednesdays at 10.30am in St Mary's RC Church, Westport,
Dugort, Achill: October - April inclusive
- 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion
Inishbiggle As announced
Giving towards the upkeep of the churches
The work and upkeep of the churches requires ongoing funding to meet costs.
For 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 can also be by standing order. 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 and bless you.
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 by the diocese, below:
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 Mrs Lorna Sharpe at limerickdiocsec@gmail.com, or Mr Damian Shorten at admin@tka.ie.
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
