Aughaval Group of Parishes

  Please scroll down for notices and information. Today's gospel    Luke 11:27-28 While he [Jesus] was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’ Christian Art A helpful reflection on this gospel and an artwork can be found here: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-27-28-2025/ The word of God In Christian thinking, "the word of God" refers to, (1), Christ the Living Word, and (2), the Bible, the written Word of God. Bearing in mind this double meaning helps us avoid 'bibliolatry' - idolising the Bible or almost worshipping the Bible rather than God.  This is not to say that the Bible should not be revered; a tenet of the Christian faith is that the Bible is a central way in which God continues to speak to us, human beings, and reveal God's self to us. But it does remind us...

  Please scroll down for notices and information. Turlough Round Tower Co Mayo September 2025 Thought for the day " Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Today's gospel asks us to consider seriously are we gathering or scattering for the kingdom of God? Are we for or against Christ and his work of bringing healing and wholeness, peace and salvation to our communities, to the church, to the world and to individuals?  The gospel invites us to make God our dwelling and resting place, to make ourselves a resting place and dwelling for the Spirit of God, and to cast out of ourselves and put away from ourselves anything that is contrary to the goodness of God and the light of Christ. It encourages us to give ourselves to God's indwelling and service so that through us the light of Christ will shine into the darkness.    Luke 11:15-26 But some of them said, ‘He [Jesus] casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’...

  Lay Ministry in the Aughaval Grouped Parishes Six newly licensed Readers/ 'LLM's Over the next short while I will be introducing to you our six newly-licensed 'LLLM's - Local Lay Liturgical Ministers - who have been licensed by the Bishop to serve across the Aughaval Group. They are (in no particular order) Christine Gibbs, Jennifer McCormack,  Susie Fry, Kenn McLaughlin, Brad Thien, and Kena McWilliam. I congratulate them all on their appointments and licensing, and thank them for their willingness to serve.  What they will be doing?  Their ministry In the diocese we are getting used to this new designation, 'LLLM', so what is an LLLM and what can and will the LLLMs be doing in the parishes? To answer... Like the existing Parish Readers with whom our Aughaval Group is blessed, LLLMs work closely with the rector and are licensed, at the invitation of the rector, to read (from the Book of Common Prayer) Morning and Evening Prayer and to assist with the chalice ...

  Girl Praying ( Betendes Mädchen ) by Christian Landenberger, 1922 Public domain, via  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158420627 Today's gospel reading      Luke 11:5-13 And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks,...

  A Special Weekend of Sacred Music  24-26 October   with the Choir of St Philip's and Sandford, Dublin,  led by Mr David O'Shea,  a series of musical events,  a ll in  St Mary's Church, Westport,  including:     -  Compline on Friday 24 Oct at 8pm ( please note amended time );     -  Faure's Requiem a short fundraising concert  on Sat 25 Oct at 4pm in aid of repairs to Holy Trinity Westport  and    - Contributions to worship (Holy Communion) on Sunday 26 Oct (12 noon);    -  Sung worship on Sunday 26 Oct at 3.30pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill. (Rehersal from 3pm. You are welcome to come early, observe and enjoy.)  Please save the dates and spread the word!

  Please scroll down for more information and notices. Wed 8 October   Please note  that there is  no Midweek Service of Holy Communion today , Wed 8 Oct, in Westport (usual time is 1030) due to the annual diocesan clergy conference. Instead, the side chapel of St Mary’s RC Church is open for private prayer and a few of the regular attendees may gather as usual for  coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel  at 11am. You are welcome to join. Online prayer and Bible Reading  will take place at the usual Wednesday evening time of 8pm.  Zoom link:   https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78764560686?pwd=QU5LZOnYIzW3lzzTsHU4Q2RjJxrH1i.1    Please contact us ahead of the meeting (message 083 800 3233 or email us at aughaval@tuam.anglican.org) if you need a Passcode.  Castlewellan Castle, Co. Down September 2025 Today’s gospel:   Luke 11:1-4 He [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, tea...

    Please scroll down for information and notices. Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary Harold Copping, 1927 Public domain, via  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11317035 Today's gospel reading      Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.    But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”    But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”   Sacred Space You can find a gentle prayer guide for today here: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-10-07/...