Today's Gospel in Lent, 24 March, plus notices.

 

Please scroll down for today's gospel reading, devotional resources and parish notices.



The Gospel Reading    John 8:21-30

Again he [Jesus] said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father.  

So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

 


Brazen Serpent sculpture, 
Mount Nebo, Nov 2017. Photo, SC

'And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, 
will draw all people to myself.’
John 12:32

Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide at the link below:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-03-24


Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-8-21-30-2026/



Notes and Notices


 Today, Tuesday 24 March at 9.30am: 

Lenten Service for Holy Trinity National School, in Holy Trinity Church, Westport. Parents, family members and parishioners are invited and welcome. 


Wed weekly at 10.30 am  Holy Communion in Holy Trinity Westport, followed by coffee in Cornrue Bakery 

Wed weekly online prayer 8pm. Please note, there will be no online meeting on 25 March, due to Adult Safeguarding training.


Castlebar: Reconvening of the Annual Meeting of the General Vestry

Thurs 26 March, 7.30pm in Christ Church. 


The purpose of the Easter Vestry meeting (the Annual Meeting of the General Vestry) is twofold:

1. The presentation of the previous year's accounts (2025); and

2. The election of a new Select Vestry for the year ahead (2026 - 2027).


In a Triennial Year the following appointments are also made:

- Diocesan Synodspersons plus Supplementals; and

- Parochial Nominators, plus Supplementals.


Reconvening is on account of a procedural error, wherein more than the permitted number of members were elected by the Meeting (on 10 March) to be Trustees and members of the Select Vestry for 2026-2027. Nominations are therefore invited again of any registered members of the General Vestry who meet the criteria for Trustee membership and are willing to serve in this capacity. Service on the Select Vestry is for one year at a time. Meetings take place four-to-six times per year and members must be able to attend. The purpose of the SV is to oversee the parish’s Finances, Fabrics, Furnishings and Compliance with law (- both State and Church law). For further information contact the Parish Governance Officer or the Rector at: email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org. 


We look forward to another good year in church and parish life in Christ Church, Castlebar, place of warmth and welcome. “In the name of Christ, we welcome you!”


Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No. 20206867  

 

See https://www.churchofireland.org/parish-resources/select-vestry#section-88. 



Holy Week and Easter


Eve of Palm Sunday, Sat 28 March, Turlough 7pm. All children and young people are in invited to be part of a Palm Sunday procession at the beginning of the service. 

Palm Sunday, 29 March: Castlebar at 10am and Holy Trinity Westport at 11.30am. All children and young people are in invited to be part of the Palm Sunday procession.


Monday in Holy Week, 30 March

- 11am, Monday on the Mountain, 'Patrick, Prayer and Pebbles'.  Meet in Murrisk carpark for a gentle walk to the St Patrick statue, and prayers. Suitable for all ages. 

- 8pm  Compline in Christ Church Castlebar

Wed in Holy Week (‘Spy Wednesday’), 1 April

    - The Eucharist, 10.30am in Holy Trinity Westport

    - Wed Online Prayer, 8pm. Link below

Maundy Thursday (2 April)

    - Last Holy Communion until Easter Day, with Washing of Feet and Stripping of the Altar. 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Westport

 Good Friday (3 April): 

- 12 noon in HTW    The Last Hours     A reading of the Passion Narrative

- 3pm in Christ church Castlebar    The Last Hours  The Passion Narrative 

- 6pm Good Friday Ecumenical Walk of Witness, starting from Holy Trinity Church, Newport Road, Westport at 6pm and concluding at St Mary’s Church, South Mall. All are invited and welcome, from any church tradition or none.

- 8pm  Good Friday Tenebrae in Christ Church Castlebar


Holy Week and Easter,
at HTW


Easter Day (5 April), Easter Holy Communion:

- Castlebar 10am        

- Holy Trinity Westport  11.30am  (Please be aware that the start of this service may be delayed by a few minutes.)

- Achill   3pm  

 

Easter Monday (6 April):  Easter Communion on Inishbiggle 

Meeting at Doran's Point Ballycroy at 9.30am for 10am departure by curragh to the island. If you wish to reserve a place, please contact Revd Suzanne (0838003233). Details to follow and on request.  


Fresh opportunities to serve, Holy Trinity Westport: Clean Team, Flower Team, Welcome Team, and Hospitality Team

If you are willing to help on the Clean Team or on the Flower Team, please contact Barbara Shepphard (number on request). Flowers are next needed on Easter Day.

If you are willing to help on the Welcome and Hospitality Team, please contact Shirley Kitterick or Mary Farr (number on request). 


Cost of Living

In light of the rise in fuel costs due to conflict in the Middle East, the Church of Ireland’s Church and Society Commission wishes to highlight the cost-of-living hub on the Church’s website:


The hub can be found at https://www.churchofireland.org/resources/659/responding-to-the-cost-of, and includes details of helplines, price comparison websites and helpful information. 


Fr John Kenny with parishioners of St Mary's Church, Westport
on St Patrick's Day. The vestment (chasuble) worn by Fr Kenny was recently gifted to St Mary's by the Westport-Dugort Parish and the COI Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe, as a token of appreciation for the warm and generous hospitality the 
congregation of Holy Trinity Westport was shown throughout 2025 
when HTW was closed for repairs. Go raibh míle maith agat!


Spring, Summer and Late Summer Concerts 
(Subject to change)
  • Cór Mhaigh Eo and a visiting choir from Competa (near Malaga), Spain, in Holy Trinity Westport, on the afternoon of Saturday 18 April. (Time tbc.)
  • A Social and Fundraising Concert for St Thomas's Dugort, Friday evening, 24 April. Details to follow. 
  • Louisburgh Concert: Wed 27 May, 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Westport
  • Bella Capella, in Christ Church, Castlebar, Saturday 6 June. Details to follow.
  • Blue Jazz Festival 'Gospel Hour' Service: Sunday 7 June, 11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport. 
  • Goethe Choir, Concert in Holy Trinity Westport, afternoon of 13 June at 3pm.
  • Westport Comhaltas Concert, Sat 20 June, in Holy Trinity Westport 
  • Scoil Acla Recital Concert: evening of Wed 29 July, in St Thomas's Dugort. Details to follow.
  • Westport Festival of Chamber Music: Concerts on Friday (evening) 11 Sept, Saturday (afternoon) 12 Sept, and Sunday (afternoon) 13 September, in Holy Trinity Westport. Details to follow from WFoCM. 



Regular Service Pattern 
in the Aughaval Parishes
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; 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 on Easter Monday, 6 April. Contact us for details. 


Online Prayer and Bible Reading every Wed at 8pm, via Zoom. Link:

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





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 link or 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 and bless you +



Westport-Dugort Parishes: includes Holy Trinity Church Westport, St Thomas's Dugort, and Holy Trinity Inishbiggle


Westport-Dugort Parishes 
(Info. Babs Strutt, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request) 

If you are able and willing to contribute to the fundraising efforts towards the next stage of repair works to 'HTW', please contact the Rector (aughaval@tuam.anglican.org) or the Hon Treasurer (bstrutty@gmail.com), or use the link or Westport-Dugort QR code (above). All help is gratefully received. 
Thank you for all donations and support received to date. 



Christ Church, Castlebar  


Christ Church, Castlebar  
(Info. Trevor Ardill, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)

Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No. 20206867  




Turlough Church of Ireland Parish Church

https://www.idonate.ie/cause/TurloughChurchofIreland

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, 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 for financial support in 2025 towards the churches and their upkeep can be found here:

Pastoral care and enquiries:  

Rector: Revd Suzanne Cousins 
Aughaval Group of Parishes, 
United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland 
Tel. +353 83 800 3233 
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org

Aughaval Parishes' website  aughaval.tlk.ie

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes

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