Today's Gospel in Lent. With or against Jesus, gathering or scattering?

 

Please scroll down for today's gospel, notes and notices.


Peregrinations, with vintage vehicle theme

Bishop Michael will be with us today, 12 March:

1030 in Castlebar and 1300 in Westport at 1pm

Two Bugattis, 
Photo by Liftarn, 
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=178707 



Today's Gospel    Luke 11:14-23 

Now he [Jesus] was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed.  

But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven.  

But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.  

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.


Christian Art

You can find a helpful reflection on the gospel here:

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-14-23-2026/

 


Mindful Christianity
via Facebook

 

Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-03-12



"God rays" or "fingers of God"

Photograph, 2024, capturing a phenomenon known as crepuscular rays, 
often poetically referred to as "God rays" or "fingers of God."

Creative Commons Attribution
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22God_rays%22_or_%22fingers_of_God.%22.jpg 




Easter Vestry Meetings, 2026 

.      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. 





The Bishop is Peregrinating (= 'wandering with intent')! 

Bishop Michael will be with us in Castlebar on Thur 12 March at 10.30am and in Westport at 1pm. 


Bishop Michael's Peregrinations, Feb 2026, Co Kerry, with Revd Mark Blakely


Holy Week and Easter

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
A reading of 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 on the Mall
All are invited and welcome, from any church tradition or none.

- 8pm Tenebrae in Christ Church Castlebar



Eve of Easter (4 April)
Sat, 7pm Turlough 


Easter Day (5 April)
Easter Holy Communion:
Castlebar 10am 
Holy Trinity Westport  11.30 
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.  


Inishbiggle 'Easter Garden' in-the-making
with Rector's Church Warden, Chris Gibbs, 
Spring 2025


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!



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 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. 



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, their upkeep, ministry and mission 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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