Today's gospel, 7 June

 

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

Today, Sunday 7 June:

    - Christ Church Castlebar, Holy Communion/The Eucharist, 10am  

    - Holy Trinity Westport, Blue Grass Gospel Hour, 11.30am, part of this year's Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival (See poster, below)

    - St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, Evening Prayer, 3pm

Healing of a bleeding woman

Unknown author, 4th century CE

from Marcellinus-Peter-Catacomb

Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

The Gospel Reading             Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 

Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. 

When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.

 

Notices and notes

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. 

There is no charge for entry but any donations towards the church repair fund 

will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Westport Children’s Choir in HTW

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 the Carnegie Hall, New York (pictured). 

Goethe Choir in HTW

Goethe Choir concert, 13 June at 3pm. Conductor John Dexter.

Concert in Holy Trinity Westport. Not to be missed!

See, 

Confirmation

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. 

Please note that there will be services as usual in Turlough Church (7pm Sat) and Castlebar (10am Sun) on this weekend, for those who do not wish to attend the Confirmation service, but there will be no service in Dugort, Achill.

Our final Confirmation preparation session is on Sat 6 June at 10am in the Rectory, Westport.

 

End-of-School-Year Service in HTW

Tues 16 June, End-of-School-Year Service for Holy Trinity NS, 9.30am in HTW. Family, friends, neighbours and members of the school's Board of Management 

are all warmly invited.

Super Heroes Holiday Club

for all children and families in the grouped parishes

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. 

Parents are welcome to stay for the event.

Westport Comhaltas Concert

Westport Comhaltas Concert, Sat 20 June 

in Holy Trinity Westport at 7pm.

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

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, 26 July, 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 generosity and hospitality.

N.B. Please bring your own picnic.

More info. on request. 

Scoil Acla Summer Recital - 

change of venue

Scoil Acla Annual Recital Concert: evening of Wed 29 July.

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. 

Return to Inishbiggle

Sat 8 August, Return to Inishbiggle (weather-permitting), 

a Mini-Pilgrimage with Bishop Michael Burrows, 

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

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 plan to introduce 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's

A prayer for those sitting exams

For those who are taking exams at this time - you have the love and prayers of many friends in the parishes and across the COI and the whole community. 

The Lord be with you, energise, strengthen, comfort, reassure, equip and bless you +

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17oo7K9Gp2/

Recorded in HTW, following the Service for Westport Country Market

Personal memories of some of the stalwarts of Westport Country Market, recorded by Dr Oliver Whyte following the Thanksgiving Service on 28 May. Thanks to Oliver and the ladies. 

A few familiar faces feature here:

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

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

The sermon:

https://youtu.be/tsFZxZClCLw?si=w1yoKuuFDjNkb8-4

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 for Holy Trinity Church, Westport, will be announced soon!

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!

   

Video on the COI's Pioneer Ministry

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17ocm1XpXL/

Thank-you from Bishop Michael

Thank-you letter from Bishop Michael, as referred to or read in church services on 24 May, for support for his recent Peregrinations, and for the contribution from Westport and Castlebar parishes, of 574 euros.

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 Church Westport, St Thomas's Dugort, and Holy Trinity Inishbiggle

https://www.idonate.ie/donate/cause/WestportDugortParishes

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  

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

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)

*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, 

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