Today's Gospel, Mon 17 August. A hard conversation and a tough choice
Welcome!
Please scroll down for today's Gospel reading, notes and notices.
Coming up: Youth Pizza and Bowling Night, Friday 25 September, 7pm in Castlebar. Details to follow.
Christ and the Rich Young Man
by Андрей Николаевич Миронов (A.N. Mironov), 2024Creative Commons Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Mironovhttp://artmiro.ru/photo/religija_zhanrovaja_kartina/khristos_i_bogatyj_junosha/4-0-1059, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157097008
Today's Gospel Matthew 19:16-22
Then someone came to him [Jesus] and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’
And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’
He said to him, ‘Which ones?’
And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Inspiration, from today's Sacred Space
"Sometimes the lesson and message we are given by the Lord is one we do not wish to receive. The giver and the receiver need to be in some sort of harmony. We ask you, Lord, to make our hearts softer so that your word may find a home within us."
Christian Art
Christ and the Rich Young Man
by Андрей Николаевич Миронов (A.N. Mironov), 2024Creative Commons Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Mironovhttp://artmiro.ru/photo/religija_zhanrovaja_kartina/khristos_i_bogatyj_junosha/4-0-1059, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157097008
Today's Gospel Matthew 19:16-22
Then someone came to him [Jesus] and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’
And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’
He said to him, ‘Which ones?’
And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Inspiration, from today's Sacred Space
"Sometimes the lesson and message we are given by the Lord is one we do not wish to receive. The giver and the receiver need to be in some sort of harmony. We ask you, Lord, to make our hearts softer so that your word may find a home within us."
Notes and Notices
In memoriam
We extend deepest sympathy on behalf of the parishes to Margery and the family of Thomas (Tom) Bennett, of Castlebar Parish, who died on 13 August.
Tom's funeral took place on Sunday 16 August in Christchurch Castlebar and was followed by the Committal in Turlough (Church of Ireland) graveyard. Thank you to everyone who showed great kindness to Tom during his illness, to the wonderful staff of Mayo Hospice, and to all who have supported Margery and the family in these last few days since Tom's passing.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory +
Thank you to everyone who contributed to The Big Clean, in Holy Trinity Westport on Sat 15 August. We’ve a good distance to go in making good those areas which are in need of serious attention, but we’re making steady progress, here, and in the graveyard.
Photos: (1) The tower window, HTW, freshly cleaned, 15 Aug 2026, and
(2) Holy Trinity graveyard, with All Ireland Pollinators/ 'Managed for Wildlife' section at front LHS.
Please note that we regret that it is not permissible to plant trees or shrubs in the graveyard, either on or alongside a grave. This is with longterm management in mind. Thank you for your co-operation in these matters, and if you need help or advice, please contact the Rector (083 8003233) or a churchwarden as below - numbers on request:
Westport: Shirley Larkin or George Keegan
Knappagh: Tom Fabby or Tom Kitterick
Dugort: Please contact the Rector or Willem van Goor
Inishbiggle: Please contact the Rector or Christine Gibbs
Turlough: Glebe Warden James Potter, or Lynn Candon or Peter McHugh
Castlebar: Susie Fry or Trevor Ardill
Sat 22 August, The Marriage of Isaac and Brickenden and Maisy Dunne, 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
- 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 25 September
Youth Pizza and Bowling Night, 7pm, Castlebar.
Details to follow. 
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).
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.
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.
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
Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:
- Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
- Evening Prayer on 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.
- 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
- 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
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 +
Westport-Dugort Union of Parishes
Westport-Dugort Parishes*
(Info. Babs Strutt, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)
Christ Church, Castlebar*
(Info. Trevor Ardill, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)
Turlough Parish Church*
(Info. Karin Shaw, Hon. Treasurer - contact details on request)
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:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83306729968?pwd=mVKnDXWs7Npn3aCnRPykJbJK7THANM.1
Giving towards the upkeep and restoration of the churches
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 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 https://www.facebook.com/
Facebook page (new) for Christ Church, Castlebar: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592320012165
