Aughaval Group of Parishes

You’re welcome to drop in to Christ Church Castlebar on the Mall again this coming Friday, anytime from 11am - 1pm, and to take a look at the snowdrops in the churchyard.  Photos courtesy of Susan Fry.

From the TLK Diocese: “Bishops’ Appeal has encouraged members of the Church to pray that the ceasefire arrangements agreed between Israel and Hamas would hold and lead to a more lasting peace after they take effect.  This follows a welcome from Archbishop John McDowell and Archbishop Michael Jackson yesterday (Thursday, 16th January) for the announcement of a proposed ceasefire and release of hostages. The appeal for the Middle East, organised by Bishops’ Appeal on behalf of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and Tearfund, continues to be open for donations, which will be shared equally between the two organisations to support vital humanitarian work. The Diocese of Jerusalem covers Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon and Tearfund partners are present across the region. Readers can find out how to give online, by bank transfer, or in other ways at https://bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give The full joint statement from the archbishops is as follows: ‘This represents a ...

Jesus and the Wedding at Cana     Join us for any of the following services or events in the grouped Aughaval Parishes: Saturday 18 Jan, 7pm in Turlough . Evening Prayer led by Dr Eamon Smith Sun 19 Jan,10am in Christ Church Castlebar , Morning Prayer led by Dr Eamon Smith Sun 19 Jan,11.30am in Holy Trinity Westport , Morning Prayer led by Benita Stoney Midweek Holy Communion on Wed 22 Jan, 10.30am in  Holy Trinity Westport , will be led by Canon Andrea Wills. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 'Ecumenical Elevenses', Wed 29 Jan, at 10.30am in Holy Trinity Westport, for Prayer and Reflection, followed by tea The next Online Prayer and Bible Study is on Wed 29 Jan, at 7.30pm. All welcome. Password  on request, and link below:  Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82781900766?pwd=b2YEVeJHqhnprNxoLHjd5sqg492wbn.1 The next  Sunday Club is on 9th February, in Holy Trinity Westport (see Holy Trinity, Westport ) ...

Every Wednesday we gather in the sanctuary of Holy Trinity Church, Westport, usually a small gathering, for Holy Communion, in a short but intimate and meaningful service. Afterwards the pattern is that we walk (or drive if needs be) to the local Cornrue cafe or to the Clew Bay Hotel (closed in January) for coffee and conversation. You’re welcome to join in.    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FJgYS2jbK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Whatever your particular church or faith background, you are warmly invited, on Wed 29 January at 10.30am, to come along to Holy Trinity Westport to mark Christian Unity Week, with a time of prayer, friendship, fellowship and a nice cup of tea (or coffee)!  Jointly organised by St Mary's and Holy Trinity Westport.  Go on, go on, go on! Credit to Fr John Kenny for video editing.  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Kurq4CCPK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Saturday 1st Feb , 10am - 1pm, St Brigid’s Cross-making in Christ Church , Castlebar. Legend has it that Brigid, when sharing hospitality with wayfarers who came to her father's house, would also share the good news of God's love and the gospel while weaving these crosses from rushes. Come along on Saturday 1st February, learn the art, and enjoy the activity, coffee and company! Free-of-charge. For all ages. You're welcome. Christ Church on The Mall, Knockaphunta, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

  Outside the main church door, with our Christingles, and telling the children about the tradition of Chalking the Doorpost in Epiphany.  (All photos shared with permission.) The children were given the opportunity to 'go shopping' (for free!), filling gift bags with treats and a piece of chalk each to take home for the Chalking of Doorposts of their own homes, having been taught about this very old tradition and its meaning.  See, for example   https://www.thetableindy.org/epiphany-tradition-chalking-of-the-door/ 20 + C + M + B + 25 The Meaning of the Christingle: The orange stands for the world. The sweets stand for God's many gifts to us in the world. The red ribbon stands for the life and blood of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the World. The candle stands for Jesus, light of the world "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." Christingle-making workshop, with Sunday Club leaders Paul, Steffi and Shirley,  plus the children's mums...

It is with great sadness we share the news of the recent death of Victor Wilkie of the Parish of Westport-Dugort. We express our deepest sympathy to Victor's family. Funeral arriving at Holy Trinity Church, Westport, at 11am on Tuesday, January 14th, for service at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Newport Road Westport. "May Victor rest in peace and rise in glory." You can visit the R.I.P. death notice here: https://rip.ie/death-notice

Messy New Year Christingle, Holy Trinity, Westport.  Marvellous morning with wonderful children and parents and the superb Sunday Club team. Thanks to all.  More photos and a write-up to follow.

  Invitation from the TLK diocese:  Day to Celebrate St Brigid at Connemara National Park, Letterfrack, Co Galway on 8th February, 2025.         Enjoy a walk along a scenic trail through nature, reflecting on her wisdom and spirit of renewal. Take the opportunity to watch / take part in making a St Brigid’s cross - A cherished symbol of blessing and protection. Have lunch in the cafe or bring your own picnic.  The day includes: Round trip transportation from Galway city (cost €20 per person to be paid in full when booking)   The day commences in Galway at 8.30am if travelling by bus.  Bus departs from the Park 4.30pm for return trip to Galway city. Book to register your interest and/or pay for the bus at TLK.ie/spiritualtourism/ #spiritualtourism #pilgrimage Pioneer Ministry - Church of Ireland

Still shining: Westport lights, post-Christmas The Christmas lights in our homes and churches are all taken down and packed away now for another year. Many of us are glad at this and at the return to some kind of normality to our lives and routines, after all the hype and pressure surrounding the celebration. Others experience something else, a sadness or melancholy which is difficult either to explain or to describe to those fortunate enough not to know the experience.  Yes, this is a hard time of year for many people, not least for those who suffer from 'SAD' - Seasonal Affective Disorder  - on account of the short days and lack of natural light. Such mood disorders or experiences of low mood, can be distressing and extremely debilitating, leaving the sufferer feeling quite isolated and alone, depressed and hopeless.  More, those who experience such struggles often experience on top of this, a sense of guilt or shame at feeling sad when our outward circumstances are act...

Coming up this weekend:  ‘Messy New Year Christingle’ (1) All-age ‘Messy New Year Christingle’, Sat in Holy Trinity Church, Westport from 11am - 12.30;  (2) Services at the regular times in Turlough (Sat 7pm, HC), Castlebar (Sun 10am, EP), Westport (Sun 11.30am, MP), and Dugort (Sun 3pm, EP);   (3)  Sunday Club restarts this coming Sunday, 12th January 2025, in Holy Trinity, Westport , starting at 11.30am in the church (4) Regifting weekend - You can bring your unwanted gifts to HTW on Sunday for redistributing by Westport Eco-congregation (please see poster).  Alternatively, if you have items suitable for the HTW Table Quiz raffle (Fri 7th Feb in Clew Bay Hotel) please let Babs or Henry know. Thank you.

  Sunday Club  restarts on 12th January  in Holy Trinity Church, Westport  The monthly Sunday Club restarts this coming Sunday, 12th January 2025, in Holy Trinity, Westport , starting at 11.30am in the church, then moving to the Holy Trinity N.S. , and finishing back in the church. For all children (of school age, for practical reasons). New attendees are most welcome. Information: Contact Steffi on 089 941 8165, or the Rector on 083 800 3233, or email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org. You're welcome!

  The Mid-week Service of Holy Communion will take place again this week, on Wednesday 8 January, at 10.30am in Holy Trinity Church, Westport, followed by coffee in Cornrue Bakery (if open) from 11.15am. Everyone is welcome.  "The Holy Communion"  illuminated title from the  1845 illustrated   Book of Common Prayer . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucharist

'Chalking the Door at Epiphany', at Christ Church Castlebar, on Sunday 5th January.   Last weekend , at the end of each  of our services,  the doorposts of Turlough Church, of Holy Trinity, Westport , and of Christ Church Castlebar were each chalked, with the numerals and symbols " 20+C+M+B+25 ", in accordance with a very old church tradition (see earlier post), and this blessing was prayed: As the three Wise Men followed the star of God’s Son who became man,  may Christ bless our church and our homes  and remain with us through the New Year. + Chalks were given to each person present to take and use on their own homes. Next Sunday, 12th January, at 3pm, we will similarly chalk the doorpost at St Thomas's Dugort (Achill). What is the meaning of this Epiphany ceremony? It is a simple act of witness to friends and strangers alike who cross the threshold of our church in the course of the year.  It says to all who come to our door that we believe in Jesus C...

 Sincere and heartfelt sympathy on behalf of the grouped parishes to the family of Ruth Higgins, formerly of Turlough. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. https://rip.ie/death-notice/elizabeth-ruth-higgins-sligo-carraroe-580505

  Chalking of the Door Epiphany 2024,  at Holy Trinity Church, Westport T here is a wonderful and very old Christian tradition, in which we ask for God’s blessing on our churches and homes by marking the doorpost or lintel with chalk which has been blessed for that purpose.  We plan to carry out this simple ceremony  in those of our churches in the Aughaval Group which have services this Epiphany weekend (- service times below).  The doors are chalked with the initials of the legendary names of the three Magi , or Wisemen - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar – and the numerals of the New Year, connected with a series of crosses, the plus sign in Mathematics.  The initials C, M, and B remind us of the magi who searched for Jesus, the newborn king.  The letters also stand for the prayer-request in Latin:              Christus Mansionem Benedicat : “May Christ bless this house.”    This ye...

  We are always grateful and deeply appreciative for the gifts we are given at Christmas and other times, but what do we do with those which we won't be able to use? Here is a simple solution. We are invited by  Westport Eco-Congregation to bring any unwanted gifts we may have received to Holy Trinity Church, Westport after the 11.30am service on Sunday 12th January, for redistribution to charities and charity shops, or to St Mary's Church, Westport, on Sat 11th or Sun 12th January. (Please see poster.) Westport Eco-Congregation Holy Trinity, Westport St. Mary's Church, Westport