Today's Gospel, 19 June. 'Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'

 

Please scroll down for today's reading, plus notes, notices, and expressions of gratitude.


This Saturday, 20 June: 

  •     Super Heroes Holiday Club. See poster and details, below.
  •     Westport Comhaltas Traditional Music Concert, Sat 20 June, 7pm in Holy Trinity Westport.



Sunday 14 June in Holy Trinity Church, Westport.
One of the seven of the Confirmees from the Westport and Castlebar Parishes,
with her family and Bishop Michael.
(Shared with permission.)



Today's Gospel     Matthew 6:19-23

[Jesus said] ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!



Sacred Space

A helpful prayer guide and reflection can be found here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-06-19/


Christian Art


https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-6-19-23-2026/





Notices and notes


Refugee Week 2026: Theme, Courage

This week is Refugee Week and 21st June is Sanctuary Sunday, when we are invited to pray for the people who have made Ireland home after leaving everything behind, just as myriads of Irish people in other countries have done over many years. We are invited to reflect with compassion on what it means to challenge hostility with hospitality.


You can read more here:



https://refugeeweek.ie/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSgdF5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBzU1M2aDR4bDJ0VWp3dTk1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt2ONbEgIvnAqtJ5gPkExxPPqS99p4UkLKptymy1L-bd3lEgDk7zkSeIxkiu_aem_QY1p15JhLWsHgGwn2CXH7w




Request for voluntary help in Westport and at Knappagh


After many years of faithful service, Mr Thomas Bourke (Westport) has decided it is time for him to give up the considerably demanding job of keeping the grass and grounds tidy at St Thomas's Knappagh and Holy Trinity Church and Graveyard, Westport. As a parish we are truly grateful to Thomas for the innumerable hours invested in caring for the church in this way and for hard manual work dutifully executed, in all kinds of weather conditions. Sincere thanks also to members of his family who no doubt on occasion rolled up their sleeves and helped. Thank you! 


Consequently, the Church Wardens and Rector are putting out the call to members of the parish for help with tidying and gardening (mainly grass cutting) over these summer weeks at all three sites - St Thomas's Graveyard, Knappagh, and Holy Trinity Church and Graveyard, Westport. If you are able to give a few hours of your time to volunteer, please contact Shirley Larkin (+353 87 638 8503) or Babs Strutt (+353 86 841 7303) or the Rector. Thank you. 


First sessions: Monday 22 June and Tuesday 23 June, from 7pm at Holy Trinity Graveyard, Newport Road, Westport. 



Saturday coming, 20 June



Sat 20 June, Super Heroes Holiday Club, 12 noon - 2pm,
beginning and ending in HTW.
For all children and young people of the Parishes, their families and friends. 

Please bring your children for registration from 11.45am. (No unsupervised drop-offs.) All children must be registered. Parents and families are welcome to stay for the event which, weather-permitting, will include a walk to the nearby play park, a fun lesson and lunch in Holy Trinity National School, and a final send-off from the church (HTW). Children should bring a packed lunch. Drinks and treats will be provided. More information on request.

Run according to COI Safeguarding and Children First Policy. 




Saturday evening, 20 June


Westport Comhaltas Concert, Sat 20 June 
in Holy Trinity Westport at 7pm.



Sat 18 July
at Holy Trinity Westport





REEK Sunday, 26 July


REEK Sunday On the Mountain
Service at the Oratory, 10.30am, led by Canon Alex Morahan

REEK Sunday at the Foot of the Mountain
Prayers at the St Patrick statue, time 'tbc'

REEK Sunday Not on the Mountain
Friends and congregation of Holy Trinity Westport are kindly invited to 
an After-Church Picnic (after the 11.30am service in HT Church) 
from 1pm onwards, in the Garden of Philip and Kathleen Murphy,
The Old Schoolhouse, Moyna, Kilmeena, Westport, F28YA30.
Sincere thanks in advance to Philip and Kathleen for their generous hospitality.
N.B. Please bring your own picnic.




Scoil Acla Summer Recital - 
change of venue


This year the recital will not be in St Thomas's as after much consideration, and in light of growth in the event's popularity over recent years, the organisers have decided that a venue is required which can better accommodate a sizeable number of people and their needs, including car parking and access needs.
We wish Scoil Acla every ongoing success
and thank them for many years of happy association. 




Sat 8 August, Return to Inishbiggle (weather-permitting), 
a Mini-Pilgrimage with Bishop Michael, 
including The 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. 
Please bring a packed lunch and water, 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



St Thomas's Knappagh
For the diary:

Sat 5 Sept, 3.30pm, 'Indian Summer' Outdoor Service 
at St Thomas's Knappagh, with Bishop Michael Burrows
and music and singing led by our good friend James Kilbane. 



Westport Festival of Chamber Music, 2026, in HTW:
Friday (evening) 11 Sept, 8pm
Saturday (afternoon) 12 Sept, 2pm
Sunday (afternoon) 13 Sept, 3.30pm
All in Holy Trinity Westport. Details to follow. 


September: Save the date(s)!  


Sat 19 Sept

Turlough Harvest Flower Festival. Details to follow.


Sunday 20 Sept

Bishop Michael will be commissioning new Diocesan Readers on 20 Sept at 5pm in St Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe. Amongst those to be commissioned is Alan Cousins (LLLM - Lay Local Liturgical Minister). 

This will also be the occasion for the Certificate in Christian Studies Graduation. This course has recently been completed by Barbara Sheppard and Alan Cousins, both LLLMs. Congratulations to them both and well done on all the hard work!



Expressions of gratitude


Thanks to everyone who supported the Confirmees on Sunday (14 June) and in the weeks and months of preparation, and to Michael our Bishop who confirmed them and blessed us all. Please pray for the newly confirmed young people:
Aradhana, Matilda, Christopher, Matthew, Miya, Eli, Kelly. 


Thank you to the Goethe Choir for a remarkable concert, on 13 June in Holy Trinity Westport, Conductor John Dexter. Combining classical Elizabethan choral music with traditional Irish pieces, plus choral works by Shaun Davey and others, the concert lived up to expectations.
This was a free concert with donations towards church repairs.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LoPiMPK8x/


Thank you to Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, and to the Alex Leach Band and members for the uplifting 'Gospel Hour' Service, on 7 June in Holy Trinity Westport. 
Sincere thanks for the very generous donations made by attendees towards the church repair fund. Cash donations towards the church restoration and repairs came to an incredible 1,745.88 euros.

Most important, is that there was a spirit of joy and genuine worship, and of quiet thankfulness for God's faithfulness to us, God's friendship towards us and God's forgiveness of us (human beings), with all our foolishness and foibles!


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!

Thank you!  Thank you to Louisburgh Voices and ConTempo String Quartet for the stunning concert on 27 May.  The amount raised after costs was a greatly appreciated 940 euros, plus online donations.  

Thanks also to all in the community who came along to HTW on 28 May to give thanks for 40 years of Westport Country Market, and to everyone who contributed to the ecumenical service, including Fr John Kenny and St Mary's parishioners. We were well blessed!





Recorded in HTW, following the Service for Westport Country Market

Personal memories of some of the stalwarts of Westport Country Market, recorded in interviews by Dr Oliver Whyte following the Thanksgiving Service on 28 May in Holy Trinity Westport:

https://youtu.be/c5-P6VBNen4?si=jf6ukAB8yciN_GXi     

https://youtu.be/_MsDk7G_Qhc?si=i8Wr8P58I1SwVB2I




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, 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         

Every Wed at 8pm, via Zoom. Link:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83306729968?pwd=mVKnDXWs7Npn3aCnRPykJbJK7THANM.1





Giving towards the upkeep and restoration 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 - 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 +


QR codes and links

Westport-Dugort Union of Parishes
- includes Holy Trinity 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 Parish Church*
(Info. Karin Shaw, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)

*Turlough COI Parish is a registered charity: Registered Charity No. 20207056.

Congratulations, thank you, and well done to the Turlough CRA team who succeeded in obtaining this important status for the parish. 




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 is in process of applying for its own CRA registration number. In the interim the parish is 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, 
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.ie