Today's Gospel in Lent, plus notices, 5 March
Please scroll down for notes and notices.
Today's gospel reading is Jesus' parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus and has similarities with the parable of the Rich Fool.
Luke 16:19-31
‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.”
But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.”
He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’
Scared Space
You can find a helpful prayer guide here:
Christian Art
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-16-19-31-2026/
The Lenten Collect
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made,
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Notices
- 11am Opening and blessing of the new Coastguard Station, The Quay, Westport. Please come along and join in giving thanks for this wonderful and important facility.
- Sunday at 6.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Westport. Everyone is invited and truly welcome. The gathering will last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Westport Sunday Club dates 8 March, 12 April, 3 May, 7 June
Notice of Easter Vestry Meetings, 2026
· Castlebar 10 March, 7.30pm, in the church
. Westport-Dugort 12 March, 7.30pm in Carrowbeg House
· Turlough 21 March, after 7pm service, in the 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).
All are welcome to the meeting and those whose names are on the General Vestry Register are entitled to vote.
In a Triennial Year the following appointments are also made:
- A Diocesan Synodsperson for each parish or union (- allocations vary from parish to parish), plus a Supplemental; and
- A Parochial Nominator for each parish or union, plus a Supplemental.
(NB Numbers can vary from parish to parish.)
If you wish to nominate someone for Select Vestry membership or for one of the above appointments, the individual must give their consent in advance.
Further information, please contact us: email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org.
Holy Week and Easter
Easter Vestry Meetings (subject to change):
· Castlebar 10 March, 7.30pm
. Westport-Dugort 12 March, 7.30pm in Carrowbeg House
· Turlough 21 March, after 7pm service.
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day, 17 March, will be celebrated with a special service to give thanks for our patron saint, in Holy Trinity Westport at 10am, with tea/coffee to follow.
Fresh opportunities to serve, Holy Trinity Westport: Help needed!
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).
You can also add your name to the lists which will be on display this coming weekend, or speak to Barbara. Thank you!
- 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 Event for St Thomas's Dugort is being planned for the evening of Friday 24 April. Details to follow.
- 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.
- Louisburgh Concert: Wed 27 May, 7.30pm 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.
- 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
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 for your help, 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)
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, their upkeep, ministry and mission can be found here:
Rector: 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
