Aughaval Group of Parishes

Prayers for all those taking exams We are keeping in mind and heart all the young people in particular who are facing into exams over these next few weeks. We pray that they will know "the peace of God with surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) and which is found in their ever-present friend, the Lord Jesus, who by the Holy Spirit "sticks closer than a brother [or sister]". Here are some prayers to help us pray. Prayers for all those taking exams: https://www.churchofireland.org/news/11348/prayers-for-exams# Father God, We thank you that our names are written on the palm of your hand, Not in the way we write things on our hands so as not to forget. But because OUR name is constantly on your mind, Because you KNOW us by name, Because you CALL us by name Because our name is PRECIOUS to you. Today dear Lord we lift to you all those who are preparing for exams. Bring peace to their bodies, Quieten the beats of their racing hearts, Allow clarity to reign in t...

  Today's gospel, Bank Holiday Monday, 2 June " Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. "   Today's gospel      John 16:29-33 His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’    Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ Sacred Space You can find a devotional guide here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-06-02/ Christian Art https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-16-29-33-2025/ The latest edition of  Dea Scéala,  t he Tuam, Limerick &...

More on love and unity Jesus prays to God the Father for his disciples,  "...that they may be one as we are one." Today's gospel      John 17: 20-26 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,  so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your n...

Illumination, A Sacred Opus Heartfelt thanks on behalf of the congregation of Holy Trinity Church, Westport (Westport-Dugort Union of Parishes) and the Aughaval Group of COI Parishes, to everyone who came along on Friday evening, 30 May, to this stunning concert, held in support of HTW repairs. The congregation of Holy Trinity have been out of their usual place of worship since 27 January for reasons of safety following damage internally, to the ceiling, as a result of Storm Éowyn. In the meantime St Mary's Church Westport and Fr John Kenny have welcomed the Holy Trinity congregation warmly and with remarkable hospitality, and we continue to be deeply grateful to them for providing a safe and friendly sacred space, including for this fundraiser concert. Enormous thanks are due, then, to Kathy Fahey for getting in touch way before the storm and offering to bring 'Illumination', inspired by the Northern Lights/ Aurora Borealis , to Westport for the purpose of raising funds a...

  31 May The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth V isitation,  National Gallery of Ukraine   Creative Commons, Wikimedia Luke 1: 39-56 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,    and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness ...

  Everyone is called.  Everyone has a calling.  What's yours?              This weekend is Vocation Weekend/ Vocation Sunday. Watch the video here: "Keep asking God, throughout your life, 'What do you want me to do?' "  https://youtu.be/ildk_FvvOtk?si=n1u446GecfpOh06O This weekend's bulletin with readings, prayers and notices: The Seventh Sunday of Easter 1st June 2025 Sunday after the Ascension Day: Vocation Sunday It’s Your Call See: https://tlk.ie/vocation-sunday-2025/   https://youtu.be/ildk_FvvOtk?si=n1u446GecfpOh06O   Hymns 34 - O worship the King all-glorious above        Children’s song: Build up one another  459 - For all the saints, who from their labours rest    (HTW in St Mary’s) – vvs 1,4,7,8 281 - Rejoice, the Lord is King!  303 - Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing    Collect O God the King of Glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Chr...