Today's Gospel and Notices, Thur 23 July. The Vine and the Branches


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




Turlough House and Park


 Today's Gospel reading   John 15:1-8

[Jesus said] ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunesto make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.


Sacred Space

You can find a helpful prayer guide and short reflection on the gospel here:





                            Notices and Notes for the Aughaval Parishes

A word of thanks:
Holy Trinity Westport Church Fete

The Westport-Dugort Select Vestry and Fete Organising Team expresses sincere gratitude on behalf of the parish, for all who supported last Saturday's Fete (18.07.26) at HTW. It was a great success from every perspective!
The total amount raised in cash was an incredible €3181.
A further approximate
€100 has been donated online (- exact amount to be confirmed at the end of the month when the July statement is published).


Special thanks to Mist who played during the afternoon. Mist will be back to perform in Holy Trinity Westport on the evening of Friday 18 Sept, for a Culture Night concert. 
Save the date! Pictured: Ian Leslie, director.

More photos:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551852152848





Thur 23 July, Children's Ministry Chat, 7pm in Christ Church, Castlebar.

For all those involved and interested in ministry with children. An informal evening, led by the Church of Ireland's Children and Families Ministry. 

Look forward to seeing you! (There will be tea.)



 This weekend


REEK Sunday, 26 July


REEK Sunday On the Mountain
Service at the Oratory, 7.30am, 
led by Canon Alex Morahan.
Please note change of time!

REEK Sunday at the Foot of the Mountain
Prayers at the St Patrick statue, led by LLLMs Kenn McLaughlin and Brad Thien.
Meet in the Murrisk Carpark at 1pm for the short walk. 
(Please note time)

REEK Sunday, Not on the Mountain
Friends and congregation of Holy Trinity Westport 
are invited to an After-Church Picnic 
(after 11.30am service in HTW) 
from 1pm, 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.
Please also note that, in the case of rain and a change in the weather 
we will not go to Kilmeena but instead have a PICNIC IN THE PEW in he church.


'Havens for Nature'
Tuesday 28 July


All in the parishes are invited to a special meeting on Tues 28 July in Christ Church Castlebar, gathering at 7pm for tea and 7.30pm for a short presentation and discussion on the ideas, potential and challenges contained in this inspiring and helpful recently published book, 'Havens for Nature'.  
Please let us know if you intend to come along. Contact: Susie Fry or Brid McAuley (- numbers on request), or Revd Suzanne (details below). 


Holy Baptism

The sacrament of Holy Baptism will be celebrated in Holy Trinity Westport, on Sunday 2 August.  Please pray for baby Joe, his parents, sponsors and family, and for the congregation which will promise to support him in his life and faith.



Inishbiggle Beckons



Sat 8 August, Return to Inishbiggle 
A mini-pilgrimage with Bishop Michael, 
including The Service of Holy Communion in the Church of the Holy Trinity.

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


September


St Thomas's Knappagh
'Indian Summer' Outdoor Service 


Sat 5 Sept, 3.30pm
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. 
Booking is online. 




Sat 12 Sept  

Turlough Harvest Flower Festival, church open from 4pm

and 

Turlough Harvest Thanksgiving Service, 7pm - Guest ecumenical preacher, Fr Charlie McDonnell, Athenry (formerly Westport).


Details to follow nearer the date. If in the meantime you'd like to offer help please contact our Hon Sec, Fiona Kelly, fionafairkelly@gmail.com, or Heather Fair (number on request). 




Sunday 20 Sept    Commissioning of new Diocesan Readers


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, pictured below). 


This will also be the occasion for the Certificate in Christian Studies Graduation. This course has recently been completed by Barbara Sheppard (LLLM) and by Alan. Congratulations to them both, and may God continue to bless and use them to bless and build his church and people.


 



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, September-June inclusive, 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, September-June inclusive        
Every Wed from September-June inclusive, 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

Facebook page for the Aughaval group: https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes 

Facebook page for Holy Trinity, Westport

Facebook page (new) for Christ Church, Castlebar: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592320012165
 

 



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