Aughaval Group of Parishes

The Feast of Saint Stephen, 26 December Today’s gospel     Matthew 10:17-22 [Jesus said] Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death;and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Saint Stephen Stephen's Day coming hot on the heels of Christmas, and the story of his faith and his persecution and death by stoning, act as a blunt reminder that for people of many faiths, the reality of persecution is never far away. Perhaps Ste...

  Prayerful good wishes to all readers this Christmas Day.  Christmas Day, The First Communion of Christmas     -  Christ Church, Castlebar, 9am      - Holy Trinity Church, Westport, 11am The Nativity of Our Lord Nativity Artist unknown, 1380  Formerly attributed to Antonio Veneziano.  More recently attributed to Spinello Aretino Public domain, via  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7368927 Today's gospel      John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,  and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so th...

Please scroll down for notes and notices. Today's gospel      Luke 1:67-79 Then his [John's] father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,    for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour  for us    in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,    that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,    and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,    to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness    before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;    for...

  Please scroll down for notes and notices. Z echariah writes down the name of his son Cappella Tornabuoni,  Fresco, Santa Maria Novella, Florence between 1486 and 1490 Public domain via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10615291 Today's gospel   Luke 1:57-66 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.  ...

  You are most welcome to join us for the Celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Service times and locations below. Visitors are especially welcome! Adoration of the Shepherds Photo by Lordring, 2017 Creative Commons Share, via Wikimedia Commons  CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64286285 Adoration of the shepherds Christmas Communion Services  'The First Communion of Christmas' St Thomas's, Dugort: Christmas Eve (Wed 24 Dec), 12 noon Turlough Church: Christmas Eve (Wed 24 Dec), 6.30pm Christ Church, Castlebar: Christmas Day (Thurs 25 Dec), 9am Holy Trinity Church, Westport: Christmas Day (Thurs 25 Dec), 11am All our services are child-friendly.  A prayer for those alone this Christmas Loving God, whatever happens, be with me this Christmas, especially when I find myself alone. Be with those whom I hold in my heart, whether they are near or far away. Help us all to hear the good news of the...

  Please scroll down for notes and notices. The Meeting of Mary and Elisabeth Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1866 Public domain via Wikimedia Commons Luke 1:46-56 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 of his servant.    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me,    and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him    from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm;    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,    and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things,    and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel,    in remembrance of his mercy, according to the p...