Today's gospel, 30 Jan
Please scroll down for notes and notices, plus photos from 23 January.
This weekend: St Brigid's cross-making fun workshop
Today's gospel Mark 4:26-34
He [Jesus] also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
Sacred Space
You can find a gentle prayer guide and thought-for-the-day here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-01-30
'KidSpace': Children’s spaces in Westport and Castlebar
Holy Trinity Westport KidSpace
Since reopening we have been pleased to put in place an area, a ‘Kids’ Corner’ (- a suitable name is to be settled upon!), recognising the children’s needs for a comfortable and equipped space to enjoy during services and to call their own. (Please see photo.) A similar setting up of a space for the children has been brought about in Christ Church Castlebar, thanks in part to a generous grant received in 2025 by the COI Priorities’ Fund.
Photo Gallery, Friday 23 January 2026
Photos taken in Carrowbeg House, Westport, following the Service of Thanksgiving for the Reopening of Holy Trinity Church, Friday 23 January 2026. By Jessica Priddy. Our thanks to Jessica.
Order of Malta representatives
Shirley and Elma who with Barbara, worked so hard
making and serving the teas and in the kitchen. Thank you all!
St Mary's friends and supporters
Sat 31 January 2026, 11am - 1pm, in Christ Church Castlebar. This is a free all-age event. All welcome. Contact: John Browne or Jen McCormack - numbers on request.
Last year in Castlebar
Inter Faith Learning through Scriptural Reasoning
Tues 3 Feb, 7.30- 9.00pm, online.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scriptural-reasoning-perspectives-on-fasting-tickets-1979860140978?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
This event is organised by the Church of Ireland's Inter Faith Working Group
and is highly recommended.
New Year Social and Fundraiser for HTW repairs:
Table Quiz
CONCERTS to look forward to (subject to change):
- A partnered concert by Cór Mhaigh Eo and a visiting choir from Competa (near Malaga), Spain, in Holy Trinity Westport, on the afternoon of Saturday 18 April.
- A Social and Fundraising Event for St Thomas's Dugort is being planned for Friday 24 April, details to follow.
- Christ Church, Castlebar: Bella Capella, on Saturday 6 June. Details to follow.
- Blue Jazz Festival Service: Sunday 7 June, 11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport
- Louisburgh Concert: Wed 27 May, 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Westport
Scriptural Reasoning - Fasting
An opportunity to learn about Fasting in three traditions: Jewish, Christian and Muslim.
Tues 3 Feb, 7.30- 9.00pm, online.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scriptural-reasoning-perspectives-on-fasting-tickets-1979860140978?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
This event is organised by the Church of Ireland's Inter Faith Working Group
and is highly recommended.
- 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; 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
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.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir!
A sincere expression of thanks at the start of 2026 for financial support and generosity, plus information - please see here:
https://aughaval.tlk.ie/2026/01/expression-of-thanks-go-raibh-maith.html
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
