Aughaval Group of Parishes

  Dundrum Bay, Co. Down Today’s gospel    John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30  After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish  to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths  was near.  But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were  in secret. Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah?  Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah  comes, no one will know where he is from.’  Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’...

  Sincere thanks to everyone in the community and the parishes who supported the recent fundraising events for repairs to Holy Trinity Church, Westport.  The Table Quiz (7 Feb 2025), hosted by the Clew Bay Hotel, raised 1000 euros. The Concert by Dublin Choral Union (3 March 2025), hosted by St Mary's Church Westport, raised 6,659 euros. A prayer of thanks  For  vibrant voice and music  and  the joy of fun with friends,  for resources joyfully shared, we give you thanks, O Lord, for these, knowing each gift reflects your face of love.   Amen. 

  Today's gospel reading, Lent week 2, Thursday 20 March  In this chapter of Luke's gospel, Jesus continues to challenge his listeners, especially his religious listeners. Jesus tells this parable,  The Rich Man and Lazarus ,  which includes  the idea of the reversal of fortunes and a strong concern for the poor. The parable is essentially  about mercy and compassion. It teaches us to be like God who is merciful, and challenges us about listening to God. It concludes by hinting at Jesus' resurrection.     Lawrence W. Ladd,  Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus , ca. 1880,  watercolor and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bates and Isabel Lowry, 1986.70.3.  https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/parable-rich-man-and-lazarus-14164 The Rich Man and Lazarus by Gustav  Gore ( 1832–1883) Public domain Luke 16:19-31     The Rich Man and Lazarus ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine ...

  Letter for Lent to the Aughaval Parishes Dear friends, Lent begins on Wed 5 March, Ash Wednesday. Here in the Aughaval Parishes I am recommending that we make the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel for this year (Year C), our spiritual reading for Lent 2025. The seven-week reading plan below is from Prof. Kieran O’Mahony’s ‘Hearer of the Word’ website and will take us gently through to Easter.   He suggests a 'double reading':    [I]f you can, read the whole Gospel through in one sitting. [We may be] amazed by the cumulative effect of the power of the writing when we read it in one sitting. After this overview, then we can take some chapters and stories each week for reflection and prayer. Faithful readers will find themselves in the hands of a great spiritual writer, a master story teller. It is no accident that in the tradition, Luke was said to have been a painter. His stories somehow lodge in our hearts and minds because Luke is a very painterly writer. My guess is tha...