Today's Gospel, Sat 4 July. The new and the old


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


Today, Sat 4 July:

The funeral of Isobel Judge will take place at 2.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Westport, followed by Committal at St Thomas's Knappagh. We express sincere sympathy on behalf of all in the parishes to Isobel's family on their great loss. 


Today's Gospel    Matthew 9:14-17

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”  

And Jesus said to them, 

“The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”



Mending an old garment with new cloth
/ Unshrunk cloth on an old cloak
Image: Christian Arts (Visual Art/Literary/Music) Facebook group
August 2014  

Sacred Space

A helpful prayer guide and reflection can be found here:


"Jesus recognised the importance of fasting but indicated there was a time and place for it. We pray that we might have a good attitude and fast internally from what is divisive and critical. 

Jesus gave practical advice drawing on the household image of sewing and patching. As friends of the bridegroom, may we recognise the value of the new and the old and make decisions that reflect what Jesus said."



Christian Art








                                                   Notices and Notes


In the Anglican Communion

This week the COI has been hosting 'Called to One Hope', the Nineteenth Meeting of Anglican Consultative Council.

You can read more here:

https://www.anglicannews.org/



In the Diocese (TLK)

Congratulations to our good friend and neighbour Canon Andrea Wills on the recently-celebrated 17th anniversary of her ordination to the priesthood! 



In the Aughaval Parishes

Sat 18 July, Holy Trinity Westport Church Fete, 12 noon - 3pm in the church grounds, with live music. Fundraiser event towards essential and pressing church repairs. 
Info: George Keegan, People's Church Warden. Number on request.




Wed 22 July, Gentle Prayer and Friendship Walk, 

starting in Turlough Park at 7pm.  Everyone is invited and welcome.




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





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 - 'tbc'


REEK Sunday Not on the Mountain
Friends and congregation of Holy Trinity Westport are kindly 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.



'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 (- number on request) or the Revd Suzanne (details below). 



8 August, Inishbiggle 


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


St Thomas's Knappagh


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 12 Sept  Turlough Harvest Flower Festival, church open from 4pm

and 

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


Details to follow. If in the meantime you'd like to offer help please contact our Hon Sec, Fiona Kelly, fionafairkelly@gmail.com, or speak to 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). 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.



Last Sunday's Midwest Radio service, which came from the Aughaval Parishes: https://tinyurl.com/MWR-28JUN26


Expressions of gratitude

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV)

  •     Thanks to the Youth & Children's Team, and to attending children and parents/grandparents for making our Super Heroes Holiday Club such a happy and valuable time. Thanks also to Holy Trinity NS for use of the hall.
  •     Thanks to everyone who helped with hosting the Westport Comhaltas (traditional music concert), on 20 June, in Holy Trinity Westport. 
  • Thank you to everyone who supported the Confirmees on 14 June and in months of preparation, and to Bishop Michael who confirmed them and blessed us all. Please continue to 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. Donations on the day towards church repairs totalled a magnificent €1362. 
  • 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 HTW.  Sincere thanks for the generous donations made by attendees towards the church repair fund. Cash donations totalled a very generous 1,745.88 euros.
  • 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. Cushion rentals 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 the wonderful Louisburgh Voices and the beautiful ConTempo String Quartet for the stunning concert on 27 May. The amount raised after costs was a greatly appreciated 940 euros, plus online donations which will be published next month (July). 
  • 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, including Fr John Kenny and St Mary's parishioners. We were well blessed!




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 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

 

 

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