Today's gospel, Mon 5 Jan 2026: Come and see!


Please note that this week's and next week's Midweek Holy Communion services will be in St Mary's Church Westport, 7th and 14th January, at 10.30am. 

Please also note that services in Westport on Sundays 11th and 18th January will also be in St Mary's at 12 noon. These arrangements are on account of repair works in Holy Trinity Westport. Our gratitude is extended once again to our friends in St Mary's Church and to Fr John Kenny for the kind hospitality and accommodation. 

Please scroll down for notices and other information.



Philip, Apostle and Martyr
by Peter Paul Rubens, 1611
 Museo del Prado, 
Public domain via 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14822102


Today's gospel   John 1: 43-51

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, 

‘Follow me.’   

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 

‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’  

Nathanael said to him, 

‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ 

Philip said to him, 

‘Come and see.’  

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, 

‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’  

Nathanael asked him, 

‘Where did you come to know me?’ 

Jesus answered, 

‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’  

Nathanael replied, 

‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’  

Jesus answered, 

‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’  

And he said to him, 

‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’


Comment

Sometimes in the church and in our personal lives we can look at our situations, circumstances, restrictions and limitations, and like Nathaniel feel, 'Can any good thing come out of this?' Often, however, the God surprises us, just as Nathaniel was utterly surprised by Jesus and his knowledge of him. 

Knowing our 'beloved-ness' by God, and when we act with integrity, we can trust God with our circumstances, 

A prayer

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Lord, help me to trust you today and for the year ahead. 

In the name of Christ, Amen.



Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-1-43-51-2025/




Francesco D’Andria found this first-century Roman tomb 
that he believes once held the remains of the Philip the Apostle.
Photo by Blcksprt, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78321412

Notes and Notices

Sunday Club dates for 2026  (subject to change) 

11 Jan  - This Sunday Club will be at 12 noon starting in St Mary's Church, Westport, and moving next door to Carrowbeg House for activities, snacks, etc. (Info. 083 8003233.)

08 Feb  - in Holy Trinity Church, Westport, starting at 11.30am

08 Mar

12 Apr

17 May

07 June

20/27 June - to be confirmed - End of Year Event 


Special date for the new year diary

Friday 23rd January at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church: A Public Celebration of the Reopening of Holy Trinity Church, Westport, with the Rt Revd Bishop Michael Burrows. Please save the date and spread the word! 


 

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 of our Confirmation classes will be on Saturday 24 January at 10am in the Rectory, Westport, with Bishop Michael. 
Castlebar - Those who wish to enrol for classes please gather with the rector  immediately after the 10am service on Sunday 11 January


New Year Social and Fundraiser for HTW repairs:

Table Quiz, Friday 20 February 2026, in the Clew Bay Hotel, 7.30 for 8pm start.Info: Babs Strutt or Henry McKinney. Contact details on request. Donation of prizes for raffle will be much appreciated. Please note that sponsorship from local businesses is invited and will be greatly appreciated!




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 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 (except on 11th and 18th Jan 2026, during repair works, when we will be back in St Mary's Church); Holy Communion or Morning Prayer

- Wednesdays at 10.30am, Midweek Holy Communion, followed by coffee in Cornrue. 
Please note there will be no Midweek service on Wed 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. Link:

Please note there will be no Online Prayer and Bible Reading on Wed 31 December.




Giving towards the upkeep of the churches

The work and upkeep of the churches requires ongoing funding to meet costs. Each of our Church of Ireland parishes has charity (CRA) status - please see note below. 

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.




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




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