Today's Gospel, Sat 19 Sept The parable of the sower, seed and soils
The Parable of the Sower
Hortus Deliciarum, Das Gleichnis vom Sämann, 1160
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Today's Gospel Luke 8:4-15
When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him [Jesus], he said in a parable:
‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’
Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that
“looking they may not perceive,
and listening they may not understand.”
‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
Sacred Space
You can find a gentle prayer guide and devotional thought here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2026-09-19/
Christian Art
You can find a reflection on today's reading here:
Commissioning of new Diocesan Readers, Sunday 20 Sept in Killaloe
5pm in St Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe. From the Aughaval Parishes, Alan Cousins is amongst those to be commissioned. This will also be the occasion for the Certificate in Christian Studies Graduation. This course has recently been completed by Barbara Sheppard and by Alan. Congratulations to them both.
Thursday 24 Sept at 8pm. Chamber Choir Ireland, 'Forgotten Peoples', concert
Prayer requests
If you have prayer requests, please email us at aughaval@tuam.anglican.org or contact the Rector on 083 800 3233.
After Midweek Holy Communion, Wed 16 Sept
Coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport:
L-R: John, Alison, Mary, George, Dominque,
If you have prayer requests, please email us at aughaval@tuam.anglican.org or contact the Rector on 083 800 3233.
After Midweek Holy Communion, Wed 16 Sept
Coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport:
L-R: John, Alison, Mary, George, Dominque,
Suzanne, Joel, Johnny, and out of picture, Barbara
Notices
THANKSSincere thanks to Mist Ensemble, for a wonderful Culture Night Concert on Friday 18 Sept, in Holy Trinity Church, Westport - to performers, organisers and supporters, and to all who made donations towards Church repairs. The amount donated will be published asap.
Commissioning of new Diocesan Readers, Sunday 20 Sept in Killaloe
5pm in St Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe. From the Aughaval Parishes, Alan Cousins is amongst those to be commissioned. This will also be the occasion for the Certificate in Christian Studies Graduation. This course has recently been completed by Barbara Sheppard and by Alan. Congratulations to them both.
Thursday 24 Sept at 8pm. Chamber Choir Ireland, 'Forgotten Peoples', concert
in Holy Trinity Westport.
Youth Night Out
Youth Night Out
Friday 25 September
Sat 26 September
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. A fresh link will be published ahead of the meeting.
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 diocesansecretary@tlk.ie, 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
Bowling and Food, Night, 7pm in Castlebar Leisure Centre.
Contact Steffi and Paul (+353 89 941 8165) for more details.
Sat 26 September
- Inishbiggle Harvest, Service 11.30am in the church. For those travelling from the mainland, please gather by 9.45am at Doran's Point, Ballycroy, for ferry at 10am. Please let us know if you are planning to come (+353 83 800 3233). This will be an ecumenical and cross-community Harvest service, and everyone is invited and welcome.
Sunday 27 September
A special visit to Holy Trinity Church, Westport by winning GAA Team member and Westport parishioner, Rory Brickenden, to the 11.30am service, followed by tea. Please come along if you can for this extra-special occasion!
Remaining Harvest Thanksgiving Services
Sunday 4 October
- Castlebar Harvest 10am - Guest preacher, Diocesan Reader, Alan Cousins
Sunday 11 October
Turlough's Harvest Festival
You can find more photos from Turlough's Harvest Festival of Flowers (Sat 12 Sept) on the parish's new Facebook page ('Turlough Parish Church') or at this link, below:
https://aughaval.tlk.ie/2026/09/harvest-festival-of-flowers-at-turlough.html
Friday 2 October Blessing of a Marriage, James and Zara Weaver, 5.30pm in Holy Trinity, Westport
- Westport Harvest 11.30am - Guest preacher, Revd John WesleyDugort Harvest, Achill 3pm - Guest preacher, Revd Carole Reynolds
Turlough's Harvest Festival
You can find more photos from Turlough's Harvest Festival of Flowers (Sat 12 Sept) on the parish's new Facebook page ('Turlough Parish Church') or at this link, below:
https://aughaval.tlk.ie/2026/09/harvest-festival-of-flowers-at-turlough.html
Friday 2 October Blessing of a Marriage, James and Zara Weaver, 5.30pm in Holy Trinity, Westport
Quiz Night in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Westport, funds. 7.30pm in the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport. All welcome. Info., George Keegan. Contact details on request.
Sat 3 October Annual Blessing of the Animals, 2pm in Murrisk Carpark.
Don't miss this heart-warming event. Come along, with or without a pet!
Sunday 4 October Harvest Thanksgiving, Castlebar 10am - Guest preacher, Diocesan Reader, Alan Cousins. Preparation of the church - Sat 3 Oct. (Please contact for arrangements.)
Sunday 4 October YOUTH PRAISE Night - for the Young and Young at Heart!
7pm in Holy Trinity, Westport. For all in the community. All welcome.
We are so grateful to friends from Amazing Grace Fellowship who will be providing the music and leading the praise.
Diocesan Synod
This year's Diocesan Synod is on Sat 17 October.
Present needs in the Aughaval Parishes:
Help is invited in these specific areas:
Sunday 4 October YOUTH PRAISE Night - for the Young and Young at Heart!
7pm in Holy Trinity, Westport. For all in the community. All welcome.
We are so grateful to friends from Amazing Grace Fellowship who will be providing the music and leading the praise.
Diocesan Synod
This year's Diocesan Synod is on Sat 17 October.
Present needs in the Aughaval Parishes:
Help is invited in these specific areas:
- Harvest decorating of each of the churches ahead of the Harvest Thanksgiving services - Castlebar, 4 Oct; Turlough, 11 Oct; Westport, 11 Oct; Dugort, 11 Oct. Inishbiggle, tbc. Details for arrangements to follow, with the contact name and number of the person responsible for organising. (Or contact the rector, 083 800 3233.)
- Westport-Dugort Union of parishes is in need of volunteers to help with Fundraising. This work has a strong social and community-orientated aspect to it.
- Maintenance - Westport-Dugort Union of parishes is in need of volunteers to help with light and occasional tidying and maintenance work, in the church grounds and graveyards.
Health & Safety
Westport-Dugort parishes are in need of people with an eye for H&S to help us meet safety standards at each of the churches and or churchyards. Please contact Revd Suzanne or one of the church wardens - numbers on request:
- Shirley Larkin or George Keegan (HTW)
- Kirsty Sweet or Willem van Goor (St Thomas's Dugort)
- Tom Fabby or Tom Kitterick (Knappagh)
Prayers at this time are especially for:
- The people of Nepal in their distress and need
Westport-Dugort parishes are in need of people with an eye for H&S to help us meet safety standards at each of the churches and or churchyards. Please contact Revd Suzanne or one of the church wardens - numbers on request:
- Shirley Larkin or George Keegan (HTW)
- Kirsty Sweet or Willem van Goor (St Thomas's Dugort)
- Tom Fabby or Tom Kitterick (Knappagh)
Prayers at this time are especially for:
- The people of Nepal in their distress and need
- Bereaved parents
- For God's blessing on the Season of Creation (1st Sept - 4th Oct)
Thanks following Westport Festival of Chamber Music
- For God's blessing on the Season of Creation (1st Sept - 4th Oct)
Thanks following Westport Festival of Chamber Music
Thanks to everyone in the Westport-Dugort Union of Parishes who worked hard to accommodate Westport Festival of Chamber Music concerts in HTW and to welcome musicians, attendees, guests and visitors.
Photos: Westport Festival of Chamber Music
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
Photos: Westport Festival of Chamber Music
Regular times of Services
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. A fresh link will be published ahead of the meeting.
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 diocesansecretary@tlk.ie, 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
