Today's Gospel, Sun 5 July. To what will I compare this generation?


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


Services on Sunday 5 July: 
  • Christ Church Castlebar, 10.00am, Holy Communion 
  • Holy Trinity, Westport, 11.30am, Holy Communion, followed by tea
  • St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, 3pm, Holy Communion
Everyone welcome!  Children and young people are especially welcome.
Presiding and preaching, Revd Canon Cecil Mills. Thank you to Canon Cecil also for taking yesterday evening's service in Turlough.



“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance..." 
The Fifer, 1866
by Édouard Manet 
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103589

Today's Gospel     Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30

[Jesus said] ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; 

we wailed, and you did not mourn.” 

 

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ 

 

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’



"Come to me, all you that are weary..."
Image: Pixabay

Sacred Space

A helpful prayer guide and reflection can be found here:



Christian Art

A helpful reflection on today's gospel can be found here:

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-11-25-30-2026-3/


A song

What a friend we have in Jesus, sung by James Kilbane

https://fb.watch/I9oDYxUilt/



                            Notices and Notes for 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.
This is for everyone who is involved in Youth and Children's ministry. 



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 or Brid McAuley (- numbers on request), 
or 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 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.




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


Expressions of gratitude for recent support (HTW)

"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. Our thanks to Westport Comhaltas for the donation of €200. 
  • 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.
  • 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, plus online donations which will be published this 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 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

 

 

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