Today's Gospel, "so many other things....", and What's On in the Parishes
Please scroll down for today's gospel reading, notes and notices.
This weekend in the Parishes:
Sat 23 May
- Confirmation preparation, 10 - 11am in the Rectory, Westport
- The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, 1.30pm in Christ Church Castlebar
- Turlough Church, 7pm, Holy Communion/The Eucharist
Sunday 24 May
- Christ Church Castlebar, Morning Prayer, 10am, followed by tea
- Holy Trinity Westport, Holy Communion, 11.30am, followed by tea
- St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, 'Be Still & Know', 3pm. Contemplative Prayer and a Time to Heal, with tea in St Thomas's Hall
John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’
So the rumour spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Sacred Space
You can find a short prayer guide with a helpful reflection here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-05-23/
Christian Art
You can find a helpful reflection on today's gospel here:
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-21-20-25-2026/
Today's gospel cautions against envy and mean-mindedness and encourages us rather towards kindness and generosity of spirit.
You Better Quit Your Meanness
by Rev Sam P Jones, 1887
Sheet music published by E. O. Excell, Chicago
Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93055809
Notes and Notices
Subject to change
Subject to change
Sun 24 May, 'Be Still and Know', 3pm in St Thomas's Dugort, with tea in St Thomas's Hall. This event is free-of-charge.
Wed 27 May, 8pm, Louisburgh Voices in Concert in Holy Trinity, Westport.
A fundraising concert for Holy Trinity Westport, in Holy Trinity Westport.
Please spread the word and plan to come along!
A note from Louisburgh Voices: "We will be performing Vivaldi's uplifting Gloria in D with the fabulous ConTempo Quartet in Holy Trinity Westport on Wed 27 May, 8pm. Music by J.S. Bach - including his famous 'Air' - is also on the programme. Vivaldi worked for several years at this church in Venice - the Ospedale della Pietà - where many of his sacred works were first heard, including his Gloria in D. Vivaldi's works were often performed by young musicians, and we'll be featuring some young soloists from Louisburgh Music School in our concert."
Thurs 28 May, Thanksgiving Service for Westport Country Market, 11am in HTW. A Service for the Community to give thanks for 40 years of Westport Country Market: Thurs 28 May at 11am in Holy Trinity Church, Westpoort. Jointly organised by the Church of Ireland and St Mary's Church.
Carra Singers, in concert, Thur 4 June at 7.30pm,
in Christ Church Castlebar, in aid of Mayo Pink Ribbon.
Bella Capella, Sat 6 June, A Summer Serenade
8pm in Christ Church, Castlebar.
In aid of Meals on Wheels, by Castlebar Social Services
Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival,
'Gospel Hour' Service, Sun 7 June, 11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport.
Bring your family and friends along for this uplifting time.
Westport Children’s Choir End-of-Year Concert Friday 12 June, 7.30pm in HTW.. Come along, enjoy the music, and encourage Eriko and the children at the close of a very special year which included the choir performing in Carnegie Hall, New York. Congratulations to all!
Goethe Choir concert, 13 June at 3pm. Conductor John Dexter.
Concert in Holy Trinity Westport. Not to be missed!
Pray for Matilda, Ethan, Christopher, Matthew, Miya, Eli, Kelly
Sun 14 June, Confirmation Service, 3pm in HTW, for all the parishes of the Aughaval Group. Bishop Michael Burrows will confirm and preside at the Holy Communion. Our final two preparation sessions will be on Sat 23 May and Sat 6 June at 10am in the Rectory, Westport.
Tues 16 June
are all warmly invited.
Sat 20 June, 12 noon - 2pm, Super Heroes Holiday Club
- End-of-Year Children and Families' event, beginning and ending in HTW.
For all the children and young people of the Aughaval Parishes, their families and friends.
Please save the date and spread the word.Parents are welcome to stay for the event.
Westport Comhaltas Concert, Sat 20 June
in Holy Trinity Westport at 7pm.
Car Boot Sale, Sat 18 July, a fundraiser and social
in HTW churchyard and Holy Trinity NS playground.
If you are able to help with planning and organising, please contact
George Keegan, or Orla Brickenden or Ann Bourke
- numbers on request via +353 83 800 3233.
REEK Sunday, 26 July
REEK Sunday On the Mountain
Service at the Oratory, time to be announced
REEK Sunday at the Foot of the Mountain
Prayers at the St Patrick statue, time to be announced
REEK Sunday Not on the Mountain
Holy Trinity Westport: After-Church Picnic
in the Garden of Philip and Kathleen Murphy, Kilmeena.
Details to follow.
Scoil Acla Annual Recital Concert: evening of Wed 29 July, in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill. Details to follow.
a Mini-Pilgrimage with Bishop Michael Burrows, including A Service of Holy Communion in the church (Holy Trinity Innishbiggle).
Meet at Doran's Point, Ballycroy at 9.45am for 10am departure to the island.
Bring a packed lunch and water, and wear weatherproof clothing and sturdy footwear. To book your place on the currach, email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org,
or call/ message Suzanne on +353 83 800 3233
Sat 5 Sept, 3.30pm, 'Indian Summer' Outdoor Service
at St Thomas's Knappagh, with Bishop Michael
Westport Festival of Chamber Music, 2026, in HTW:
Friday (evening) 11 Sept
Saturday (afternoon) 12 Sept
Sunday (afternoon) 13 Sept
All in Holy Trinity Westport. Details to follow.
Bringing faith to life through Muddy Church
‘Muddy Church’, ‘Messy Church’ and 'Forest Church' are fun yet serious all-age faith-building innovations, tried-and-tested in other parishes and places over many years. With the help of our Youth and Children's Ministry team, we are introducing variations and aspects of these expressions in the parishes, as occasional and supplemental to traditional services in these summer months, for the benefit especially of our children and young families.
Please continue to pray for our young people, and, 'Watch this (outdoor) space!'
Thank you!
Thank you to Cór Mhaigh Eo and Coro de Cómpeta (Spain) and to all who supported the Voices of Iberia & Eire concert on 18 April. The cushion rentals on the day raised €206.40 towards Holy Trinity repair funds, and the concert raised an impressive €400. Sincere thanks to Cór Mhaigh Eo and Coro de Cómpeta and to all who supported!
Regular Service Pattern in the Aughaval Parishes
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, followed by tea/coffee.
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, followed by tea/coffee.
- 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, followed by tea/coffee.
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, followed by tea/coffee.
- Wednesdays at 10.30am, Midweek Holy Communion, followed by coffee (from 11.05am) in the Clew Bay Hotel. These gatherings are valuable and uplifting times of fellowship and friendship. You're welcome to drop in!
Dugort, Achill
April - September inclusive:
- Services weekly at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion
October - March inclusive:
- 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion
Services are followed by tea/coffee occasionally.
Online Prayer and Bible Reading
- 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion
Services are followed by tea/coffee occasionally.
Online Prayer and Bible Reading
Every Wed at 8pm, via Zoom. Link:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83306729968?pwd=mVKnDXWs7Npn3aCnRPykJbJK7THANM.1
The work and upkeep of the churches requires ongoing funding to meet costs. Each of our Church of Ireland parishes has charity (CRA) status - their own or that of the Diocese (of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe) - 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 +
Westport-Dugort Union of 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)
https://www.idonate.ie/cause/TurloughChurchofIreland
Turlough Parish Church*
(Info. Karin Shaw, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)
*Turlough Parish Church is registered as a charity with the Charities Regulatory Authority under the Tuam, Killala and Achonry charity No. 20015237 and the Revenue Commissioners No. CHY 7241.
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.
Tel. +353 83 800 3233 / +44 77 1303 7447
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83306729968?pwd=mVKnDXWs7Npn3aCnRPykJbJK7THANM.1
Giving towards the upkeep and restoration of the churches
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 +
QR codes and links
Westport-Dugort Union of 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)
*Westport-Dugort Union of COI Parishes are registered as a charity with the Charities Regulatory Authority under the Tuam, Killala and Achonry charity No. 20015237 and the Revenue Commissioners No. CHY 7241.
Sponsorship invited:
If you are able to contribute to the fundraising efforts towards the next stage of repair works to 'HTW', or if you would like information on the project, 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).
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
Turlough Church of Ireland Parish Church
https://www.idonate.ie/cause/TurloughChurchofIreland
Turlough Parish Church*
(Info. Karin Shaw, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)
*Turlough Parish Church is registered as a charity with the Charities Regulatory Authority under the Tuam, Killala and Achonry charity No. 20015237 and the Revenue Commissioners No. CHY 7241.
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.
Pastoral care and enquiries
Revd Suzanne Cousins
Rector, Aughaval Group of Parishes, Revd Suzanne Cousins
United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland
Tel. +353 83 800 3233 / +44 77 1303 7447
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Aughaval Parishes' website aughaval.tlk.ieFacebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes
Aughaval Parishes' website aughaval.tlk.ieFacebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes
