Newsletter Week Beginning 6th September 2026

St. Mary's Church

ARCHDIOCESE OF TUAM-ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES

Archbishop Francis will celebrate the Annual Diocesan Marriage Anniversaries Mass in Tuam Cathedral on Sunday, 11 October 2026, at 3.00 pm.  Couples celebrating a marriage anniversary in 2026 are warmly invited, especially those marking a significant anniversary. Refreshments will be served afterwards in St Jarlath's College.  To help with arrangements, please send the names of the couples attending and the number of family members accompanying them to [email protected] or phone 093 24250.  For catering purposes, please reply by Wednesday, 7th October.

FR. BILL RETREAT:

5 Day Silent Faith Renewal & Healing retreat

Mon.28^th Sept – Fri 2^nd Oct. 2026. The Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal.

For further info Contact Roisín 086-893 7399

UNDERSTANDING SELF HARM:

A one-day training programme which helps to develop participants knowledge and understanding of self-harm and the reason underlying such behaviour.

Wed. 16^th Sept. 10am – 5pm Family Centre, Castlebar.

SAFE TALK SUICIDE ALERNTNESS FOR EVERYONE:

Tuesday 8^th Sept. 10am – 1.30pm, Family Centre, Castlebar.[email protected].

REMINDER OF CHILDREN’S ROSARY:

At St Mary's Church, Westport on Sunday 13^th Sept. @ 10:30 am, before 11 am Mass. Children and teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn to pray the Rosary. Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian at all times.

For any questions, please call or Text: 086 389 5771.

WESTPORT PARISH WEBSITE:

Don’t forget we have our online presence with links to Church Tv, You - tube and Facebook. Our website also offers parish information and opportunities to make bookings for the sacraments as well as other church liturgies etc. Click on www.westportparish.ie

WESTERN ALZHEIMERS:

Peak of the Reek Community Climb. Join local families, individuals, and groups climbing Croagh Patrick on Sat. 12th September. Walk for a loved one or enjoy a community day out. All funds support hands-on care for local families living with Dementia in the West. Register at westernalzheimers.ie or Ph 094 9364900  

MONTHLY ALZHEIMER’S ACTIVITY CLUB:

In Lough Lannagh Holiday Village Main Hall on a monthly basis on the (First Thursday of the Month) from 10.00am to 12.00pm for Activities, Games, Chat, Refreshments and Day Trips. Sept activity club we will be having a Chair Yoga session, All Welcome. Ph Marie on 087 170 8706

WESTPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

Tours of Westport each Wednesday at 11.00a.m.

July-September, starting point The Clock, High Street. FREE! All welcome

CHIME: 

Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Outreach clinic. Tuam. Hearing aid maintenance; tubing and filter changing, advice on equipment and information on all aspects of hearing loss. Old Health centre. Vicar St Tuam H54 HO28 (room 26) Friday 4th of September 10am-1pm. Contact Tony Dolan for more information or an appointment 

Ph 086 8341318 [email protected]

HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE HOUSE BOUND:

If you would like to bring Holy Communion home to a family member, neighbour or friend you can avail of a Pyx by calling to the Sacristy or the Parish Office at the Presbytery, Westport. If anyone has finished using a Pyx please return it to the Sacristy or Parish office.

Thank you.

ECO CONGREGATION:

Week one - Season of Creation Your 'small' actions do matter. They matter because they are like small drops of water feeding into a bigger river.  Transformational change doesn't take place when individuals change but when networked individuals change. Get involved with other people, other organisation, be part of a movement. And Dr Katharine Hayhoe- Christian Climate Scientist shares this image: When we realise the giant boulder of climate action isn't sitting at the bottom of an impossibly steep hill with only a few hands trying to push it up, but rather it is already at the top and rolling down the hill with millions of hands pushing it in the right direction, that gives us hope. It isn't going fast enough yet; but for each new hand that joins, it will go a little faster. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says: "Every action matter... Every choice matters. “Listen to the cry of God's people, know that you are standing on sacred ground, know that God is calling you to act. May your small actions flow into the mighty river of justice and together – we will move mountains.

A PRAYER FOR OUR EARTH:All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognise that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. (By Pope Francis)

THE POPE INTENTIONS:

Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.