Today’s gospel, 24 Oct. LOVE
Please scroll down for today's gospel plus information and notices.
"This is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..."
1 John 3:16
The Death of Christ
Pietro Lorenzetti, fresco, Assisi, circa 1320
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Services today, Sun 25 Oct: Remembering Our Loves Ones
- Sun,10am in Castlebar
- Sun, 11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport
- Sun, 3pm in Dugort, Achill
- Remembering Our Loves Ones, Turlough, Sat 7 November, 7pm
Today’s gospel Matthew 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that he [Jesus] had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Sacred Space
A helpful prayer guide and reflection can be found here:
Christian Art
A helpful reflection on today's gospel may be found on the Christian Art website.
Note
If you find any of the gospel readings we post on our website difficult or unsettling and would like help in understanding a reading, please feel free to contact us (email, aughaval@tuam.anglican.org) and we will do our best to shed light on the passage. There is also opportunity to discuss the readings with others at our Wednesday evening online Prayer and Bible Reading meeting - details below.
For the children, from Muddy Church
A prayer as winter darkness draws closer
A prayer for today
Credit: CoE
Prayer requests
CONFIRMATION 2027
If you or your young person would like to explore the meaning of Confirmation, with a view to being confirmed in 2027, please let the rector (083 800 3233) know as soon as possible.
Turlough All-age Service, Sat 28 November, 7pm in the church
Advent is coming!
Advent Sunday is this year on 29 November. The guest preacher on that date will be Ruth Cooke (Christian Aid Ireland) and the collection in the parishes will be toward the work of Christian Aid.
For the diary:
Christmas concerts by Chapel Street Gospel Choir:
Flowers!
Do you have a love of flowers and floral decorations to beautify the churches?
If you can give some time and energy to any of these areas, please contact the Rector (aughaval@tuam.anglican.org / +353 83 800 3233) or any 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)
Pastoral care and enquiries:
Revd Suzanne Cousins, Rector
Aughaval Parishes' website aughaval.tlk.ie
If you have particular prayer requests, please feel free to email us at aughaval@tuam.anglican.org.
Notes and Notices
Subject to change
In memoriam
We are sorry to inform you that the death has occurred of Mr David Baird of Carrowholly, Westport.
Funeral service in Holy Trinity Church, Westport, on Monday 26 October at 2pm.
You may wish to view the death notice at the link below.
Our sincere sympathy is with David’s family on their great loss.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory +
In the TLK Diocese
Pioneer Ministry Day, Meath - Sat 21 November
For all who are interested in learning more about progress in the area of Pioneer Ministry across the Church of Ireland.
In the Aughaval Parishes
Congratulations to friends of HTW, Sean and Jany, on their wedding yesterday at Ballintubber Abbey on a very stormy day! Sean who gardens, has taken care of the Holy Trinity graveyard during the spring and summer months following the retirement of our former gardener. Our thanks to Sean for his excellent and conscientious work.
This weekend's services (as above), Sun 25 Oct:
Remembering Our Loved Ones
- a service of personal remembrance and thanksgiving:
Sat 24 Oct at 7pm in Turlough ChurchCANCELLED due to storm. Please note that this service will now take place on Sat 7 November.- Sun 25 Oct at 10am in Christchurch Castlebar
- Sun 25 Oct at 11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport
Everyone welcome.
(This service is suitable for everyone, including children.)
Exceptional Meeting (online) of Castlebar Select Vestry - Wed 28 Oct at 7pm. Link as sent out by email to all members.
Castlebar Community Remembrance Service
Wed 11 November 11am in Christchurch Castlebar
In honour those who lost their lives in two world wars, and to pray for peace.
Everyone is invited and welcome.
CONFIRMATION 2027
If you or your young person would like to explore the meaning of Confirmation, with a view to being confirmed in 2027, please let the rector (083 800 3233) know as soon as possible.
For the diary:
Return to Inishbiggle, Sat 28 November - subject to sea and weather conditions.
Advent is coming!
Advent Sunday is this year on 29 November. The guest preacher on that date will be Ruth Cooke (Christian Aid Ireland) and the collection in the parishes will be toward the work of Christian Aid.
- First Sunday of Advent: 29 November 2026 (Start of Advent and the new liturgical year)
- Second Sunday of Advent: 6 December 2026
- Third Sunday of Advent: 13 December 2026 (Gaudete Sunday)
- Fourth Sunday of Advent: 20 December 2026
For the diary:
- Friday 4 Dec, Christmas concert by Bella Capella, 7.30pm (tbc) in Christchurch Castlebar
- Community Carol Service, Castlebar, Monday 7 December
Traditional Christmas Carol Service ('Nine Lessons and Carols') for all in the Community, with Castlebar Concert Band, Monday 7 December. (Time to be confirmed.)
- An Evening of Carols with James Kilbane, Friday 18 December in Holy Trinity Westport, 7.30pm
St Thomas's friends, Tom, Carolyn, Pony, James and Stuart,
after Harvest Thanksgiving 2024 in Dugort
Christmas concerts by Chapel Street Gospel Choir:
Sun 20 Dec, 5pm and 8pm in Christchurch Castlebar
A bit about Biggle, from the IT:
https://www.irishtimes.com/video/video/2026/10/09/life-as-a-gp-on-irelands-western-islands/
The Irish Times, 10 Oct 2026, p5
Present pressing needs and opportunities to serve in the Aughaval Parishes:
Help is needed and invited in these specific areas in the parishes:
Fundraising and Social
Westport-Dugort Union of parishes is in need of volunteers to help with Fundraising towards the funding of ministry and the upkeep of all the churches and graveyards. 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.St Thomas's Dugort is in need of an indoor cleaning session. Holy Trinity Inishbiggle is in need of a party of volunteers to undertake an indoor cleaning session.
A bit about Biggle, from the IT:
https://www.irishtimes.com/video/video/2026/10/09/life-as-a-gp-on-irelands-western-islands/
The Irish Times, 10 Oct 2026, p5
Present pressing needs and opportunities to serve in the Aughaval Parishes:
Help is needed and invited in these specific areas in the parishes:
Fundraising and Social
Westport-Dugort Union of parishes is in need of volunteers to help with Fundraising towards the funding of ministry and the upkeep of all the churches and graveyards. 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.St Thomas's Dugort is in need of an indoor cleaning session. Holy Trinity Inishbiggle is in need of a party of volunteers to undertake an indoor cleaning session.
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.
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.
Flowers!
Do you have a love of flowers and floral decorations to beautify the churches?
If you can give some time and energy to any of these areas, please contact the Rector (aughaval@tuam.anglican.org / +353 83 800 3233) or any 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)
- Christine Gibbs (Inishbiggle)
Thank you.
Thank you.
Regular times of Services
(Subject to change)
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!
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!
(Please note, no midweek service on 21 Oct.)
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 (unless notice is given) from September-June inclusive, at 8pm, via Zoom, link below.
Please message us (+353 83 800 3233) if you need the Meeting ID and Passcode.
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 recently 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.
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 (unless notice is given) from September-June inclusive, at 8pm, via Zoom, link below.
Please message us (+353 83 800 3233) if you need the Meeting ID and Passcode.
Wednesdays at 8pm, via Zoom, link below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82781900766?pwd=b2YEVeJHqhnprNxoLHjd5sqg492wbn.1
Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82781900766
Please message us (+353 83 800 3233) if you need the Meeting ID and Passcode.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82781900766?pwd=b2YEVeJHqhnprNxoLHjd5sqg492wbn.1
Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82781900766
Please message us (+353 83 800 3233) if you need the Meeting ID and Passcode.
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.
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 recently 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.
Graveyard Regulations
Church of Ireland
Diocese of Tuam, Killala & Achonry
Diocesan Churchyard Regulations
(Regulations are based on Management of Burial Grounds – Chapter XII of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland)
* Before any burial takes place, permission must be received from the Rector/Priest-In-Charge (PinC) and Churchwardens.
* There must be no pre-booking of grave plots.
* The place of burial in a churchyard is entirely at the discretion of the Rector/PinC and Churchwardens.
* Fees are charged for the purchase of graves and the re-opening of graves.
(Purchase of graves = right to bury, not ownership).
Recommended fee for new grave – single plot €1,500, double plot €2,500.
Recommended fee for permission to re-open a grave €250.
(No fees for parishioners who belong to any of the parishes of the Group/Union and have contributed at least €1,500 over the past three years – 50% for those below this amount and for former parishioners.
Waiving of fees is entirely at the discretion of the Rector/PinC and Churchwardens.
* Trees or shrubs should not be planted on any grave.
* Plastic or glass ornaments or wreaths should be forbidden.
* Artificial grass should be forbidden.
* Burial of Ashes – Ashes must be buried in a grave and may not be scattered anywhere in the churchyard.
Recommended fee for permission to re-open a grave €100.
(For parishes where there is a designated area for the burial of ashes – cost per plot €250 – each plot a single burial only. Fee exemptions for parishioners apply.)
By order of the Select Vestry.
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
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:
Facebook page for Holy Trinity, Westport
Facebook page (new) for Christ Church, Castlebar: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592320012165
Facebook page (new) for Turlough Parish
