Today's gospel, Wed 7 Jan 2026

 

Please scroll down for notices and information, including concerning today's services.





Christ Healing the Blind
Philippe de Champaigne, 1655
Public domain via
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19042290


Today's gospel    Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
   have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
   light has dawned.’
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.


Sacred Space

You can find a helpful prayer guide and reflection here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-01-07


Christian Art

You c an find a reflection on the gospel and a painting here:

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-4-12-17-23-25-2026-2/





Go raibh maith agaibh go léir!  

An expression of thanks st the end of 2025 and 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



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! 





Work is underway again in HTW.


 

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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