Today's Gospel, 13 Aug. Forgiveness from the heart

 

Welcome!  

Please scroll down for today's Gospel reading, notes and notices.

Westport parishioners John and Alison Dexter (right), with their very talented mezzo-soprano daughter Éilís and her partner Michael, also a gifted musician. Welcome home and warmest congratulations from all in the Aughaval parishes to Éilís, who has recently completed a Masters degree after two years in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo taken in the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport, Aug 2026.

Today's Gospel    Matthew 18:21-19:1

Then Peter came and said to him [Jesus], ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 

Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.  

When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 

But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 

When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.  

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Sacred Space

You can find a prayer guide and reflection derived from this challenging reading here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-08-13/

Christian Art

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-18-21-19-1-2026/

A poem: 'We must let go'

A poem on forgiveness. Author unknown

  

We must let go

Of those hurtful things,

That burn and hiss

And bite and sting

That hurt the heart

And clip our wings,

Where we can't fly

And we can't sing

I think it's time

To turn the page,

Turn to the light

And quiet the rage

Forgive the slights

We cannot change,

And spread our wings

To escape this cage

Anglican Communion

Today in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Diocese of Awka in the Church of Nigeria. (See Anglican Communion online.)

Notes and Notices

Sat 15 August, The Big Clean, in Holy Trinity Westport, from 9am - 1pm. 

Parishioners and friends of HTW are asked to give approximately an hour of their time to help clean and tidy the church and grounds ahead of the wedding of Isaac and Maisy (see below). The church wardens ask that, where possible, volunteers bring with them their own cleaning materials. Thank you. 

 

Sat 22 August, The Marriage of Isaac and Brickenden and Maisy Dune, in HTW. Warmest and prayerful good wishes to Isaac and Maisy in all their preparations for the day and occasion, and for their future days and years. 

September

Select Vestry Meetings:

• Castlebar, Tues 1 Sept, 7.30pm in the church

• Westport-Dugort, Thurs 3 Sept, 7.30pm in the church

• Turlough, Sat 5 Sept, 8pm (/following the 7pm service) in the church

Sat 5 Sept, 3.30pm, 'Indian Summer' Outdoor Service, 

at St Thomas's, Knappagh 

with Bishop Michael Burrows,

and music by our good friend James Kilbane. 

Sat 5 Sept and Sun 6 Sept: 

    Back to School Blessing of Schoolbags, Backpacks and their Bearers

• Sat 5 Sept at 7pm in Turlough Church of Ireland

• Sunday 6 Sept at 

    - 10am in Christchurch Castlebar
    - 11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport

    - 3pm in St Thomas's Dugort

Services are "all-age" and will be followed by refreshments.

Westport Festival of Chamber Music, 2026, in HTW:

• Friday (evening) 11 Sept, 8pm 
• Saturday (afternoon) 12 Sept, 2pm
• Sunday (afternoon) 13 Sept, 3.30pm

Booking is online through the WFoCM website.

 Sat 12 Sept  A warm invitation to Turlough Church

Turlough Harvest Festival of Flowers, church open from 4pm 

and Turlough Harvest Thanksgiving Service, 7pm, with 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. The above poster by Heather.)

Friday 18 Sept   Culture Night Concert, by Mist, in Holy Trinity, Westport. Time tbc. 

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.

 

If you are interested in exploring the Certificate in Christian Studies, or are interested in exploring training to serve in the grouped parishes as an LLLM (previously known as Parish Reader ministry) or in the diocese as a Diocesan Reader, please make an arrangement to speak with the Rector by emailing aughaval@tuam.anglican.org. 

Friday 2 October - Save the (provisional) date!

Quiz Night and Auction in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Westport, funds. 

Expression 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 the 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. 

Pictured: Ian Leslie, director, and members of Mist.

More photos:

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

Mist will perform in Holy Trinity Westport in a Concert for Culture Night, 18 Sept.

Comhghairdeas! 

Congratulations to the team and management, to all the players and their families, on Mayo's win of the All-Ireland Senior GAA Football Final in Croke Park, Dublin, on Sunday 26 July 2026, Reek Sunday, after a 75 year wait. Special congratulations to our own Rory Brickenden, Westport (pictured), and to all his family and friends who supported him. 

Rory raises the Sam Maguire cup, in Croke Park.

Photo, Holy Trinity N.S. Facebook page, 27 July 2026.

See also, https://aughaval.tlk.ie/2026/08/comhghairdeas-rory-brickenden.html

Beautiful flowers, in HTW, in Mayo colours, arranged by Tracy Florist

Inishbiggle Land-and-Sea Pilgrimage 

Thank you to Inishbiggle churchwarden Christine and islanders who prepared the church and school and welcomed the party of pilgrims on Saturday 8 August, some of whom are pictured, below, including Bishop Michael and canine pilgrim Luna! 

 

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.

*Turlough COI Parish is a registered charity: Registered Charity No. 20207056.

 

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. 

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

Facebook page for Holy Trinity, Westport    https://www.facebook.com/

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