Today’s gospel, 13 June. Sent!

 

Please scroll down for today's readings, notes and notices, and expressions of gratitude. Thank you.





This weekend: 
  • Today, Sat, 3pm, Goethe Choir concert in HTW, 'An Elegy of Two Queens''
  • Sat, 7pm, Turlough Church, The Service of Holy Communion
  • Sun, 10am, Christ Church Castlebar, Morning Prayer
  • Sun, Confirmation, 3pm in HTW. The Rt Revd Michael Burrows will confirm, preach and preside at the Eucharist. Followed by tea.
  • Sun, 3pm, St Thomas's, Achill, Holy Communion





Wolf sneaking up to the sheepfold
from 
Aberdeen Bestiary*
12th century
Author unknown
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolf_sneak.jpg

*A bestiary is a compendium of beasts. Originating in the ancient world, bestiaries were made popular in the Middle Ages in illustrated volumes that described various animals and even rocks. The natural history and illustration of each beast was usually accompanied by a moral lesson.



Today's Gospel      Luke 10:1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’"



Sacred Space

A helpful prayer guide and reflection can be found here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-06-13/


Christian Art

The story of St Anthony of Padua

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-10-1-9-2026-4/



Notices and notes


Today, Sat 13 June
Goethe Choir concert, 13 June at 3pm in Holy Trinity Westport. Conductor John Dexter. Combining classical Elizabethan choral music with traditional Irish pieces, plus choral works by Shaun Davey and others. Not to be missed!
Free concert but donations towards church repairs are much appreciated.


Sunday

Sun 14 June, Confirmation Service, 3pm in HTW
for all the parishes of the Aughaval Group. 
Bishop Michael will confirm and preside at the Holy Communion. 

Pray for the Confirmation candidates: 
Aradhana, Matilda, Christopher, Matthew, Miya, Eli, Kelly
Candidates and their sponsors to be at the church by 2.30pm.

Please note that there will be services as usual this weekend, in Turlough (7pm Sat), Castlebar (10am Sun), and Dugort (3pm Sun), for those who are not able to attend the Confirmation service. 



 Next Tuesday

Tues 16 June, End-of-School-Year Service for Holy Trinity National School, 9.30am in Holy Trinity Church, Westport. 
Family, friends, neighbours and Board of Management members,
are all warmly invited.



Next Saturday


Sat 20 June, Super Heroes Holiday Club, 12 noon - 2pm,
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.



Next Saturday evening

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.




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

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 for Holy Trinity Church to 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!





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

The sermon:

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




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
This 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

 

Popular posts from this blog

Inishbiggle: Images, and an article on the history of the Church of Ireland on the island

Image
  A few more images taken on Inishbiggle on Sat 15 Feb 2025, thanks mainly to Jim Waters, Westport, and an informative article (2013), below, by Patrick Comerford, on the history of the Church of Ireland on the island.  You can read the full unedited article, with images, here:  http://www.patrickcomerford.com/2013/05/a-history-of-church-of-ireland-on.html .  Shared with thanks to the author.     The freshly decorated interior and beautifully restored pews A history of the Church of Ireland on Inishbiggle  You can read this informative article  by Patrick Comerford,  in full, unedited, with images, here:  http://www.patrickcomerford.com/2013/05/a-history-of-church-of-ireland-on.html From a lecture by  Patrick Comerford  in Holy Trinity Church. Inishbiggle Island, given on Sunday 6 May 2013, as part of a guided walk on Inishbiggle Island led by Sheila McHugh during the ninth Annual Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend 2013. It wa...
Read more

Return to Inishbiggle, Sat 15 February 2025

Image
  It was especially joyful for a few of us from mainland Mayo to step foot again on Inishbiggle on 15th February, having been prevented by the weather from sailing on our last attempt at the end of November 2024. While on this occasion it was lashing in Limerick, wet in Westport, and raining cats and dogs in Castlebar, the sun was splitting the clouds gloriously on the approach to beautiful Biggle. Also uplifting was to arrive at the church and on entering to find it looking, if not transfigured, transformed - for example, with its newly-stripped and repolished pews, clean floors, doors, harmonica and walls, and a close-to-spotless vestry into the bargain. Hats off and enormous thanks to the church wardens for the hours of painstaking work - truly a labour of love for this precious and important place of gathering and worship, emanating from a sincere love for God and his people, of all faiths and persuasions. Holy Trinity Inishbiggle conveys the message “Come on in! There’s plenty...
Read more

In memoriam: Linda Bourke

Image
  "Safe in the arms of Jesus." It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the death of our friend and sister in Christ, Linda Bourke, faithful Westport parishioner (Holy Trinity Church), on Sunday 9th March, peacefully in Mayo University Hospital.  May she rest in peace and rise in glory.  Notice and arrangements can also be found here:   https://rip.ie/death-notice/linda-bourke-mayo-westport-587759 The death has occurred of Linda Bourke, Riverside, Clogher, Westport – peacefully.   Predeceased by her parents Alex & Frances & infant sister Elizabeth.   Deeply regretted by her sister Iris, extended family, relatives, neighbours, friends & her Westport Country Market Community.   AT REST   Reposing at McGing's Funeral Home (F28 RX58) on Tuesday (Mar 11th) from 11:30am until 12:30pm. THE PUBLIC QUEUE FOR ENTRY INTO THE FUNERAL HOME WILL NOW BE FROM THE SHOP STREET DIRECTION.   Funeral arriving to Holy Trinity Cemeter...
Read more