Today's Gospel, Tues 18 August. Camels, needles, reversals, and Divine possibility

 

Welcome!

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



"...it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle 
than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 
(Matthew 19:24)
Photo: Rachel in Tunisia, 2010


Today's Gospel    Matthew 19:23-30

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’

Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.


Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-08-18/ 



Christian Art

You can find a helpful reflection on today's gospel here:




Notes and Notices


Wed 19 August,  Blessing of a Marriage:

Glenn and Josie




Sat 22 August, Marriage: 

Isaac and Brickenden and Maisy Dunne
in Holy Trinity Westport
Prayerful good wishes to Isaac and Maisy 
in all their preparations for the day and occasion, 
and every blessing on all their future days together. 



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 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 and support to Tom and his family 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

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 any help or advice, please contact the Rector (083 8003233) or a churchwarden as below - numbers on request - who will be only too happy to help:

Westport: Shirley Larkin or George Keegan 
Knappagh: Tom Fabby or Tom Kitterick
Turlough: Glebe Warden James Potter, or Lynn Candon or Peter McHugh
Castlebar: Susie Fry or Trevor Ardill
Dugort: Please contact the Rector or Willem van Goor
Inishbiggle: Please contact the Rector or Christine Gibbs


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, 
An 'Indian Summer' 
Outdoor Service at St Thomas's, Knappagh 
with Bishop Michael Burrows,
and music by our good friend James Kilbane. 
Ecumenical visitors are invited and welcome.


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 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.

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. 


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

 


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