Aughaval Group of Parishes

'I made your name known to them, and I will make it known,  so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ (John 17:26) John 17:20-26 [Jesus, continuing to pray, said...]  ‘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 th...

  Friday 27 June 2025 Bethlehem sheep, November 2017 Luke 15:3-7 So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. A thought for the day and for the church A saying I have made use of intermittently for many years in church and parish ministry  is "It's worth it for one!" Jesus' parable of the lost sheep illustrates and underlines this principle: Every single person (or creature) is of profound value. Scared Space You can find a simple reflection on this well-know...

  St Thomas’s Dugort, Achill, 28 June 2025, where the service was led by Rev’d Caroline Morrow. Photo by Deirdre Maguire, Co Down. Aughaval Parishes, Summer Pastoral Letter, 2025  Mini-pilgrimage on Achill, Sunday 20 July At Turlough National Museum and Country Park, 22 June 2025 Revd Suzanne, Valerie Raitt, Dorothy Shaw, Susie Fry 27 June 2025 Dear Friends, Summer   Summer is now well underway, with exam season over and the children having finished the school year. I trust you are well and able to enjoy the long, bright and warm days. Please take note of the summer events and extra services listed below and come along where you are able and bring friends and family. Included is a planned service on Reek Sunday in the Oratory on the holy mountain, to be led (all-being-well and knees-permitting!) by Bishop Michael and/or myself.  A mini-pilgrimage Please note also the publicity (below) for a mini-pilgrimage on Achill, part of our TLK diocesan Spiritual Tourism mi...

  Date for the diary: A Mini-Pilgrimage on Achill Sunday 20th July 2025, starting at 3pm at St Thomas's Dugort. Link for details and to book:  tlk.ie/spiritualtourism/ Details may be found at the link or via the QR code provided,  or email Valerie at spiritualtourism@tlk.ie . The event is free-of-charge. Pastoral care and enquiries:   Revd Suzanne Cousins   Phone 083 800 3233   Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org   Website aughaval.tlk.ie   Please see also the Aughaval Parishes Facebook page.

  Bell Rock Lighthouse From A Biographic al Sketch of the Late Robert Stevenson: Civil Engineer 1861, Public domain via Wikimedia Matthew 7:21-27 [Jesus said] ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat agains...

  A wolf from Wolfert's Roost, Keppler, 1904 Public domain, via Wikimedia.commons https://www.loc.gov/item/2011645533/ Today's gospel      Matthew 7:15-20 [Jesus said] ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. Sacred Space You can find a simple and helpful reflection here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-06-25/ Christian Art https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-7-15-20-2025/ Little Red Riding Hood by Jessie Willcox Smith, 1911 From A Child's Book of Stories Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://co...