Today's Gospel, 15 November. Parable of the talents

 Please scroll down for today's gospel plus notices and general information. 

Services today in the Parishes:

  • Sun at 10am, Christchurch Castlebar, Holy Communion/The Eucharist
  • Sun at 11.30am, Holy Communion/ The Eucharist, Holy Trinity Westport, followed by tea/coffee

You're welcome!


Parable of the Talents, Paulamaria Walter (1917–1976) 

Photo, Pedemann, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=190048151


Today's Gospel   Matthew 25:14-30

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 

The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  

After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”  

And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 

Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”  

But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


Sacred Space

A prayer guide can be found at the link below:

"Jesus has already announced to his followers what will happen when he gets to Jerusalem, and expectation and excitement have been high on the agenda. Those who want to enter the kingdom must be ready to venture – risk-taking is at the core of the talents narrative and is the symbolic meaning contained within. The fearful servant who returns his unused talent or coin to the master is similar to the potential follower of Christ who is unwilling to risk very much for the sake of the kingdom.
What am I like at risking myself, Lord, or do I prefer to leave things as they are? What might the Master say to me when I'm presenting my case? I certainly don't wish to find that I have unused talents still hanging around when he calls me to account."



Christian Art

A reflection on the gospel reading and a piece of artwork can be found on the Christian Art website.


Prayer requests
If you have particular prayer requests, please feel free to email us at aughaval@tuam.anglican.org.


Please note 
If you find any of the gospel readings on our website difficult or unsettling, please feel free to contact us (email, aughaval@tuam.anglican.org). There is also opportunity to discuss the readings at our Wednesday evening online Prayer and Bible Reading meeting - details below.

Notes and Notices
for the Aughaval Parishes
(Subject to change) 

Westport-Dugort Select Vestry Meeting, Friday 20 Nov, 7pm for tea/coffee in the church (Holy Trinity), for 7.30pm start. This meeting will focus on the subject Westport-Dugort Union: Growing our Finances for a Sustainable Future, with the help of Mr Kenn McLaughlin (Castlebar) and our Hon Treasurer, Babs Strutt. 


A new bishop has been elected for Meath and Kildare. Let's pray for Bishop-elect the Very Revd Stephen Farrell and for all our bishops, that they may know daily the peace, wisdom, joy and strength of the Lord in their work and calling. 

"The joy of the Lord is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10)
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4: 13)



New opportunities and endeavours in Co Mayo in the area of interfaith dialogue - the simple dialogue of conversation and friendship between people of different faiths, cultures and religions - for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding, respect and peaceable relations in our increasingly multi-religious and multicultural communities, and of loving our neighbour. If you are interested in getting involved please contact Revd Suzanne (083 800 3233).

United Diocesan Youth Council (UDYC) Multi-activity Day Trip to Galway, Sat 14 November, for children from 3rd - 6th Class. Booking due by 9 November. 
Email: udyc.info@gmail.com. 


Return to Inishbiggle, Sat 28 November - subject to sea and weather conditions. 


After Harvest Service, Sept 2026, Holy Trinity, Inishbiggle


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 collections in the parishes will be toward the work of Christian Aid. 

This is Ruth speaking back in Sept 2025:
https://fb.watch/KAL4AV-LIU/
  • First Sunday of Advent: 29 November 2026 (Start of 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

  • Friday 4 Dec, Christmas concert by Bella Capella, 7.30pm (tbc) in Christchurch Castlebar 
  • Community Carol Service, Castlebar, Monday 7 December at 7.30pm. 
- Traditional Christmas Carol Service for all in the Community, with Castlebar Concert Band, Monday 7 December. (Time tbc.)

  • A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, in Holy Trinity Westport, Sunday 13 Dec. Time to be confirmed, but this will be a Guest Service - late afternoon or early evening - and additional to the 11.30am. 

  • An Evening of Carols with James Kilbane, Friday 18 December in Holy Trinity Westport, 7.30pm - A Christmas Concert in aid of St Thomas's Dugort 

   

  • Christmas concerts by Chapel Street Gospel Choir, Sun 20 Dec, 5pm and 8pm in Christchurch Castlebar

Other matters

You can see some photos from the recent (Church of Ireland-with-The Church Missionary Society Ireland's) Inter Faith Learning Pilgrimage on the parishes' Facebook pages, e.g., below, and on the Fb page of CMS Ireland.
We pray that the learning undertaken will be of longterm benefit to our communities, churches and religious communities, our families and places of work and education. 




Present practical needs and opportunities to serve 
in the Aughaval 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. 
  • 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.
Revd Suzanne, on behalf of the Select Vestries


Regular times of Services
(Subject to change)
Turlough*
Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:  
- Holy Communion and Evening Prayer on alternate weeks.

*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.


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.



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 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

Aughaval Parishes' website  aughaval.tlk.ie

Facebook page for the Aughaval group:
Facebook page for Holy Trinity, Westport:

Facebook page for Christ Church, Castlebar:

Facebook page for Turlough Parish:

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