Today's Gospel and Notices, 12 June

 

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

   Travelling to Inishbiggle, 2024

This weekend:

• Fri, 11am, Open church, Christ Church Castlebar
• Fri, 7.30pm, Westport Children's Choir Summer Concert, in Holy Trinity Westport  

• Sat, 3pm, Goethe Choir in HTW, 'An Elegy of Two Queens'. (Please see below.)
• Sat, 7pm, Turlough Church, Holy Communion

• Sun, 10am, Morning Prayer in Christ Church Castlebar (Canon Cecil Mills)

• Sun, Confirmation, 3pm in HTW. The Rt Revd Michael Burrows will confirm, preach and preside at the Eucharist. Followed by tea in the church.

• Sun, 3pm, St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, Holy Communion (Canon Cecil Mills)

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery

William Blake (1757- 1827)

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Today's Gospel      Matthew 5: 27-32

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. ‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Comment and reflection

In this difficult gospel reading, Matthew quotes Jesus as using hyperbole - a figure of speech using extreme deliberate exaggeration and shocking imagery to make a point.  The point here for Jesus' listeners and for the later church is that we must be ruthless in our determination to be faithful and to avoid adultery with its destructive and devastating consequences for those involved, their families and communities. 

We may find the double occurrence of the word "hell" in this passage unsettling. We should bear in mind, however, that the word translated 'hell' is often the word used by Christ to refer simply to the place of the dead or to the place - the dump - outside the city, were rubbish and the bodies of executed criminals were burned, rather than as a kind of underground place of eternal torture. 

Also, in speaking on divorce, Jesus seems to be addressing an abuse of his time and culture, in which a wife was vulnerable to divorce on flimsy grounds, perhaps at the whim of a husband, leaving her prone to destitution and the loss of her children, who in the eyes of the law were the property of the husband. 

In short, Jesus is counselling his followers to be faithful, to do right, to avoid making huge, self-centred and damaging mistakes, and rather to LOVE as God who is Love loves - faithfully, truly and loyally. In all this, and in reflecting on this gospel, we can ask the Spirit to help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). 

Notices and notes

Today

Westport Children’s Choir End-of-Year Concert, Friday 12 June, 7.30pm in HTW, with guest Latin band. Come along, enjoy the music, and encourage Eriko and the children at the close of a special and busy year.

Tomorrow

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

Confirmation 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, Achill (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. 

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 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

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes