(SM) Easter Cards

A second opportunity after Mass today to purchase religious Easter greetings cards at bargain prices. Pay with cash or on the Dona Machine. Proceeds to parish funds. Thank you.

[SM] Prolife Rosary

Please note a temporary change to our usual meeting schedule. Our group will meet on: Wednesday 25th March, we will then break for Easter. Meetings will resume on our usual Tuesdays starting on: Tuesday 14th April at 7:30pm. All are welcome.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

will be prayed during Lent commencing on Wednesday 25th February after the scheduled masses on Wednesdays at St Mary’s [OLG], Thursdays at St Michael’s [SM] and Fridays at St Mary’s [OLG]

[OLG] LENTEN SOUP LUNCH

We raised a total of £300 from the two Lenten lunches.

Thank you to everyone who helped organise and support our Lenten lunches. All proceeds to Mary’s Meals

[SM] Lent Lunches

The second lent lunch will take place in the Parish Room this Thursday 26th March. Homemade soup, roll and butter and tea. Everyone welcome, we start serving at 12 noon. Proceeds will be shared between St Michael’s and Shepton Mallet Christians Together.

[SM] LENT PRAYER GROUP

The last of five-weekly Lent faith-sharing groups takes place in the parish room this Monday evening at 7.30pm. Thank you to those who have attended, helping to make our meetings prayerful and enriching.

LENT 2026 BIBLE STUDIES

You’re warmly invited to join the Lent 2026 Bible Studies, a FREE, six-week journey presented LIVE ONLINE by Mauro Iannicelli of Come & See Catholic Formation Ministries. We will lead you through an in-depth exploration of the six Lenten Sunday Gospels, preparing you to hear them proclaimed at Mass.

INFO & REGISTRATION

Breaking open each Lenten Sunday Gospel

• ‘Expository preaching’ teaching method

• Life Application Questions

• The Holy Mass will come alive in a new way

STARTS: Tuesday 17th February 2026

6 Tuesday Sessions: 17th Feb | 24th Feb | 3rd Mar | 10th Mar | 17th Mar | 24th Mar

TIME: 7:00pm - 8:15pm

[OLG] Men’s Group

Will meet next on Sunday 22nd March 5:00pm, in the Upper Hall. Catholic or non-Catholic, 16yrs and above.
Please feel free to bring along some food, drinks and friends! All are welcome.

The Four Last Things

A talk on the church's teaching on the end of our life and the beginning of that which comes after it. Tuesday 31st March in St Mary's Upper Parish Hall, at 7:00pm. All are welcome, and refreshments will be available. Contact benjamin.morris267@gmail.com for any further details.

BAPTISM

In asking to have your child baptised, parents are making a commitment to bring up their child to know and to practice their faith and the faith of the Church.

If you are ready to make that commitment, please contact Fr Mark. Please note at least two months’ notice is required.

RCIA

The next session will be Friday 27th March, in St Mary’s upper hall at 7:00pm.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME

[SM] The First Holy Communion preparation group will meet at St Michael’s, Shepton Mallet.

Next Session Wednesday 25th March at 5:30pm.

CONFIRMATION COURSE

[OLG] Confirmation lessons will be on Wednesday 25th March, in St Mary's Lower Hall.

Lessons will run every Wednesday evening in term-time, at 7:00pm until 8:30pm.

Contact at stmarysglastonburyconfirmation@gmail.com, or Anthony Morris to sign up or for further details.

Thinking about getting married ... Need some formal preparation?

Check out https://engaged-encounter.org.uk for more information.

“Embrace your life together in Love”

To find out more or book : Visit Marriage Encounter website.

Invitation to Couples to get away together and join us for a weekend to discover ways to grow deeper in love for a happier marriage and a happier life! The weekend draws on Marriage Encounters’ 50 years of wisdom and experience, based on scriptural truths, and might just be the gear change you didn't know you needed or thought possible.

MARRIAGE SUPPORT

From relationships that are 'Just in a Rut', needing some refreshment or more serious issues - If you are open to try again – Retrouvaille could be the solution. We have helped thousands of couples get their relationship back on track as they rediscovered hope and trust in the marriage. To find out more: Website or Telephone.

ST FRANCIS LEPROSY GUILD (SFLG)

Is the UK’s only Catholic leprosy charity, has been caring for people with leprosy for over 130 years. Sadly, leprosy is not just a disease of ancient biblical times. Across the world, children are foregoing their education to care for relatives living with the disease; healthcare workers travel for days or even months to reach remote communities where leprosy is endemic. By supporting over 30 leprosy centres and projects in Africa, Asia and Brazil, SFLG is working towards a leprosy-free world. During this Lenten season of prayer and almsgiving, please take time to remember those less fortunate than ourselves, and keep people with leprosy in your prayers. Click here SFLG to donate. Thank you. Any donation, large or small, takes us a step closer to a leprosy free world.

[SM] Teas & coffees after Mass on Sunday, in the Parish room.

[OLG] Teas & coffees after Mass on Sunday in the Hall.

[OLG] CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AND LECTIO DIVINA

Both groups meet fortnightly at 2:30pm on Thursdays at the United Reformed Church, High Street, Glastonbury (main front door). For more information visit and check the schedule on the Prayer Groups page on the Shrine’s website. All welcome.

• Lectio Divina: Practises slow Scripture reading, reflection, discussion, and stillness.

• Contemplative Prayer: Brief introduction, 30 minutes of silence, and optional sharing.

(OLG) PRAYER GROUP

Centred around the Catechism of the Catholic Church will begin on Wednesday 18th March 7:00pm in the Lower Room. The group will meet weekly, every Wednesday. All are very welcome to attend.

(SM) MISSIO

On 24th May we shall welcome Br Eddie Slawinski MHM from Mill Hill Missionaries to give an Appeal on behalf of
MISSIO. Meanwhile, as MISSO local secretary, I invite all Red Box holders to bring in their box for emptying any time during March and to collect their personal copy of Mission Today, available in the porch. Not much in your box? It all adds up, as the annual returns testify. Thank you. Jacky Tucker

Stay Awake 2026

Our 8th all-age, all-day Catholic Christian Conference with music and worship on 2nd May at the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, DT1 2ET from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The theme this year is: 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.' (Ps 51:10).

Your place can be booked. We invite all parishioners – whatever age - to a fun faith-filled day with appropriate children’s streams (so that adults can engage) and David Wells is our main keynote speaker! We have a choice of workshops too and more! Refreshments supplied including home-made cakes and free pizza after Mass. Free for children and £12.50 for the rest of us!

See you there! More details click here.

God of peace, Father of all,
in this hour of fear and violence
draw near to every family living under threat.
Protect the innocent,
shelter the displaced,
comfort the grieving,
heal the wounded,
and strengthen all who bring relief and care.
Turn the hearts of leaders from pride and anger.
Give them wisdom, restraint, and courage,
that the weapons may fall silent
and honest negotiation may begin.
Save the peoples of the Middle East from a widening war.
Guard Christians and all religious minorities,
and keep hatred from hardening into lasting division.
Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ,
make us peacemakers in our homes, our schools, and our communities. Bless our Lenten prayers and sacrifices,
and let them bear fruit in mercy, justice, and reconciliation.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, protector of families, pray for us.
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
Amen

Asking the Blessed Virgin Mary to assist all who suffer and are in need of compassion, consolation and a listening ear. Let us seek her intercession with this ancient prayer, that has been invoked in families for those living with illness and pain:

Sweet Mother, do not part from me.
Turn not your eyes away from me.
Walk with me at every moment
and never leave me alone.
You who always protect me
as a true Mother,
obtain for me the blessing of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.

DIOCESAN DAY AT DOWNSIDE SCHOOL & ABBEY

Bishop Bosco warmly invites you to join him on 4 July for our Diocesan Day celebration entitled: 'The Joy of Love' at Downside School & Abbey.

We will have Patti Boulaye OBE as our keynote speaker, as well as a children’s & young people’s programme.

Arrivals/refreshments from 10:00am. A hot lunch will be provided (a lunch box for the children).

Our Diocesan Day Mass will take place in the Abbey Church at 3:30pm, with the day ending around 4:30pm.

If you would like to join us for the day, please register for your ticket. For the catering/safeguarding requirements, booking through Eventbrite is essential. The closing date for tickets is 24 June unless fully booked beforehand. There will be a maximum of 400 tickets.

Diocesan Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026

This Pilgrimage will be led by Bishop Bosco MacDonald with the Catholic Association of Lourdes UK.

Friday 21st ~ Friday 28th August 2026.

Including Airport transfers from Bristol to Birmingham Airport, Flights to Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport, hotel transfers.

Full pilgrimage programme, including visits to the Grotto of the Apparitions, Mass each day, Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Sacrament of Reconciliation, visits to sites related to St Bernadette, Open air Mass in the Cite-San– Pierre, Water Gesture, Station of the Cross. Diocesan Day Trip to Bartres (extra charge).

Please email Clifton Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage to declare an interest.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Bishop Bosco invites you to join him during this season of Lent to celebrate the abundant mercy of God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Join him at one of the five venues across our diocese as part of your Lenten Pilgrimage.

Tuesday 17 March - St Joseph, Tewkesbury

Tuesday 24 March - Christ the King, Thornbury

Each Liturgy will start at 7:00pm.

Building upon the beautiful gatherings during Lent he is inviting our diocesan community to gather with him in celebration of God’s merciful love as part of our Lenten journey. There will be priests available at each venue to celebrate sacramental reconciliation. You will be most welcome at any of the venues.

Encounter programme from Clifton Cathedral.

This event is a replication from last year. People watched either at the Cathedral in person, in small groups at home or in the parishes, or simply on their own. Many came to the live event and then watched the talk again later. It helped deepen faith and has led to new initiatives in some parishes.In this year’s programme there are six speakers, four from within our diocese and they cover a range of vocations from priesthood to school chaplain to full time evangelists. The programme of talks is below.

“Mission – How the Holy Spirit Guides me in My Vocation”. The weekday talks are on a Tuesday from 7 to 9pm. The speakers and themes are.

21st April – Called to New Life: How the Holy Spirit Began to Guide My Life
Harry Sadd – 16, College Student
A young person’s witness to discovering faith in Jesus and experiencing the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This evening explores how every vocation begins with a personal encounter with Christ and the new life we receive through Him.

28th April – Listening to the Promise: Recognising the Voice of the Holy Spirit
Kevin Loud – Lay Chaplain, St Bedes Catholic College
How the Holy Spirit guides, prompts and assures us, helping us discern God’s call in the circumstances of daily life.

5th May – Transformed for Mission: Allowing the Spirit to Shape My Calling
Fr Stephen Corrigan
How the Spirit forms our character, gifts and virtues so we can live our vocation more fully.

12th May – Building the Church Together: My Vocation in the Power of the Spirit
Gary Stephens – Head of New Dawn Conference and Evangeliser
Discovering how the Holy Spirit equips each of us with gifts and charisms to build up the Church and serve the mission of Christ.

19th May – Sent in the Spirit: Living My Mission in Everyday Life
Ann Tarr – Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre Manager, North Somerset.
Understanding how the Holy Spirit sends every baptised person on mission, not only in the Church but in family life, work and society.

Saturday 23rd May - Fire from Heaven
A Pentecost Encounter Day & All-Night Vigil – 11.00 am – 7.00am at Clifton Cathedral (more details to follow) Speaker – Ros Powell - Evangelist Music will be provided by Thomas Doyle and his friends from the Cathedral Music group and also by Tony Wadley for the Vigil day.