Today's gospel, Tues 6 January, Epiphany

Please scroll down for notices and information on midweek services. 



‘Poor George’ 
surveying the last of the outdoor Christmas decorations, 
Eve of Epiphany, 
at Christ Church Castlebar


Today's gospel     Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 

 

When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

 

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 

 

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.




The Three Wise Men
by the "Master of Sant'Apollinare", completed 526 AD 
Photo by Nina Aldin Thune 
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.5 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2176501



Sacred Space


You can find a gentle prayer guide and reflect n here:


https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-01-06



Christian Art


You can find a reflection on the gospel and a piece of art of interest here:


https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-2-1-12-2026/



                                                    

                                                        Notes and Notices

Wed 7 January

Midweek Holy Communion on Wed 7 and 14 January will be in St Mary's Church Westport at 10.30am. 

Midweek Online Prayer and Bible Study, Wed at 8pm, via Zoom.

Link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83306729968?pwd=mVKnDXWs7Npn3aCnRPykJbJK7THANM.1


Please also note that services in Westport on Sundays 11 and 18 January will also be in St Mary's at 12 noon. 

These arrangements are short term and temporary and 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. 



Preparations for stage two of repair works 
to the ceiling of Holy Trinity Church, Westport
5 January 2026

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:






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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