Newsletter 30th November 2025

First Sunday of Advent

Readings: Sunday: Cycle A • Weekday: Year 2 • Psalter 1, Proper of Season

Parishes of St Michael and Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury

CLIFTON DIOCESE (a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 10462076. A registered charity number 1170168. Registered Office: St Ambrose North Road Leigh Woods Bristol BS8 3PW)

The Shrine of Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury 

St Mary’s Presbytery, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9EJ

Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury website

Catholic Church of St Michael,

6 Park Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BP 

St Michael website 

Email Parish Office: Telephone: 01458 835931 

Parish Priest:  Fr Mark Moran

PARISH OFFICE HOURS [THIS WEEK]: Monday,Tuesday and Thursday between 9.00am and 1.00pm

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Monday to Saturday from 7am until 9am [OLG] 

Confessions/Sacrament of Reconciliation: 45 minutes before the scheduled mass on Monday to Saturday  [last admissions 15 minutes before the scheduled mass time]

SAFEGUARDING: Our parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance, and both National and Diocesan policies & procedures at all times. SAFEGUARDING WEBPAGE: Contact Jane Tiley: Email for St. Michael’s or Email for Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury

EMERGENCY EXITS:  Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the nearest exit. In case of an emergency please leave all belongings and move immediately to the fire points. THANK YOU

DIOCESAN PRAYER LINK

This week we pray for the priest and people of the parish of Our Lady, St Mary of Glastonbury, Glastonbury, St Michael, Shepton Mallet, Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, Cheddar, St Joseph & St Teresa, Wells

Act of Hope: My God, I hope in you, for grace and for glory, because of your promises, your mercy, and your power.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Changes to Mass Times. During Advent, there will be no Thursday Mass at St Michael’s. Instead, on Wednesdays there will be Holy Hour with Lectio Divina from 4.00–4.45pm, followed by Mass at 5.00pm. There will be a Thursday Mass at St Mary’s at 10.00am.

LITURGY OF THE WORD: Parish Mass Books used at [SM] Page 82 for the First Sunday of Advent (Year A).

Entrance Antiphon: To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. Alleluia.

Communion Antiphon: The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR CHILDREN:  ‘The Kids’ Bulletin’

COLLECTION AT MASS

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME

The First Holy Communion preparation group will now meet at St Michael’s, Shepton Mallet in the parish room at 5.30pm on Wednesday 3rd December.

RCIA

The next session will be Friday 12th December in St Mary’s Upper Hall at 7pm

CONFIRMATION COURSE

Confirmation lessons will be commencing again on Wednesday 3rd December, in St Mary's Lower Hall. Lessons will run every Wednesday evening in term-time, at 7pm until 8:30pm. Contact at stmarysglastonburyconfirmation@gmail.com, or Anthony Morris to sign up or for further details.

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our parishioners and visitors attending Mass. Whether you are just passing through or looking for a spiritual home, we pray you find our church inviting and spiritually uplifting. If you are attending Mass on a regular basis, we encourage you to register with the parish. Please call our parish office and start the conversation!  Both our church is always open to you, your family, and friends.  

Pax et Bonum [Peace and All Good] 

(SM) Teas & coffees after Mass on Sunday, in the Parish Room.

(OLG) Teas & coffees after Mass on Sunday, in the Lower Room.

(SM) 100 Club: The Draw for November will take place after Mass in the parish room. Plus, another chance to purchase Christmas cards and Catholic Diaries. Proceeds to St Michael’s. Diocesan Directories and Liturgical Diaries are available in the church, price £6 each.

(OLG) 100 Club: Winners of the 100 club draw for November: 1st B & F Scott, 2nd J Turner- Welch, 3rd F Maddock. The 100 club income for 2025 = £2364.00, Prizes £1275.00 Profit £1089.00. The proceeds will be used to improve Communications in the parish.

Christmas Bazaar (SM): Will be held after Mass, NEXT Sunday 7th December in the Parish room. Raffle prizes, seasonal refreshments, crafts. Donations welcome, please speak to Jacky.

Please remember you can donate by clicking on the Donate with DONA button below. Any monies donated for St Michael’s Offertory will be transferred to this parish. Thank you.

DONA MACHINE UPDATE

(OLG) We’ve upgraded our DONA machine to reduce transaction charges, making giving more cost-effective. As payments are now processed by a new provider, anyone who has previously registered for Gift Aid will need to re-enter their details the first time they use the updated machine. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

(SM) St Michael’s DONA machine will soon be up and running.

Men’s Group (OLG): Our next session will be on Sunday 30th November at 5pm, in the Upper Hall. ’Bring & Share’. All are welcome.

ELEVATE - Tesco blue token voting. We are delighted to announce that from October to January 2026 the lift fundraising project will be part of the blue token voting in TESCO in Glastonbury. Please pop in and add your blue tokens to our box - we could win between £500 and £1500 which would complete the fundraising for the lift. Ask Rachael for any clarification. Thank you.

PRAYERS PLEASE: For all who are ill at home or in hospital, and for the repose of the soul of those whose anniversary occurs at this time including, Dorothy Lander, Vere Minty, Don Andrews, Liz Coakley.

May they rest in peace.

CHRISTMAS DRAW (OLG) Sunday 14 December at 12.45 in the Church Hall - Raffle books will be available soon and donations of prizes will be most welcome. See list at back of church if you wish to give a monetary gift. Your contributions of cakes and savouries will be very welcome together with prizes for individual raffles and sales. If you wish to donate any Christmas craft or similar gift for a Christmas sale table this would be much appreciated, If you would like to help please contact Maggy or Clare in the office.

REJOICE! Glastonbury Cantilena Choir, directed by Tony Bevan, invites you to their next concert to celebrate the Advent Season and in support of St Margaret's Hospice Care. Featuring the glorious music of Henry Purcell (Rejoice in the Lord Alway) and Dietrich Buxtehude (Jesu, Joy and Treasure) and lots more. The choir will be accompanied a small orchestra and guest soloists. Friday December 5th at 7:30 pm in St Mary's Church. Tickets: £12.50 (Children under 16 years free) available on the door (cash or card). Warm mulled wine and seasonal mince pies will be served in the Upper Hall during the interval. All are welcome!

Mary’s Yes – An Advent Day of Reflection: Mary’s personal story is more fully told than that of any other follower of Jesus except Peter. If Peter illustrates for us our weakness and ability to fail yet still be welcomed by God, Mary’s story lays before us just how costly saying “Yes!” to God can be. We are invited to place our own story alongside hers and see what we can learn about the effects of an intervening God let loose in our lives. Our Advent Day of Reflection will offer us a chance to reflect and pray about the significance of Our Lady’s response to the Angel when she said ‘Yes’ to becoming the mother of God. Together, we will explore how we respond to God’s invitation in our own life and the challenges and joys it can bring. The day will take place on Saturday 6 December at the Apostle Room, Cathedral Church of St Peter & St Paul. We will start at 10.15am, after 9.30am Mass (for those who wish to attend) and finish at 3.30pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Refreshments will be provided. There are limited places, so please let us know if you are planning to attend. You can contact us at: Clifton Diocese Adult Education

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AND LECTIO DIVINA (OLG) 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.

The groups meet on alternative Thursdays at 2.30pm in the United Reformed Church, High Street, Glastonbury (main front door).

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

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

The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their apostolates of prayer, parish missions, hospitality, chaplaincy and youth work. Any amount, large or small is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. Cheques payable to COLW can be sent to House of the Divine Will, Neatherd Moor, Dereham, NR20 4AZ. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found at: www.maryshouseappeal.org

Email: office@walsinghamcommunity.org Telephone: 01362 692574

Catholic Church’s teaching 'On Care for Our Common Home'. The series ‘What is Laudato Si’?’ will be held at The Old Priory, St Gregory’s, Cheltenham, 7pm - 8.30pm on the Mondays in Advent.

The sessions are:

1st December: What is happening to Our Common Home?

8th December: What does Catholic Social Teaching say?

15th December: What is ecological conversion?

22nd December: How do we put our faith into action?

Enquiries and to register please email cheltlaudatosicircle@gmail.com, or phone Martin Davis (Laudato Si’ facilitator) on 01242 244182.

Celebrating Marriage and Family Life: Bishop Bosco is to celebrating Mass in the Cathedral on Saturday 14 February (12 noon) and is inviting all families to join him to acknowledge the joys & challenges of family life. In addition, we will celebrate those couples with significant anniversaries in 2026. If you are, or know of a couple, celebrating a special anniversary during 2026 please do let us know. You just need to email names with an address so that a personal invitation can be sent out from the bishop. Please include the number of years celebrating. It is always a wonderful Mass at the Cathedral, we look forward to seeing you there.

Clifton Diocese in partnership with ‘Light of Truth’ are offering Essential Training for Catechists. Parishioners can join us on Saturdays, 6th, 13th & 20th December, online, from 9am to 12 noon for a short course of 3 sessions, to discover the essential nature and principles of catechesis, the sources of catechesis, and the best ways to prepare and deliver our catechesis. This course is open to everyone involved or interested in any kind of catechesis for adults, young people or children. Anyone interested can sign up for the series by clicking on the Zoom link here. More information on other courses & sessions run by the Sisters can be found on the following link: https://www.lightoftruth.uk/join I would be very grateful if you could start promote this short series in your parish.

UPDATE ON THE LIFT INSTALLATION [OLG]: Remedial work for the new hall lift has now begun. Every effort will be made to avoid disruption during bookings. Please note: the ground floor storeroom and the upper kitchen are strictly out of bounds until the lift installation is completed in October. “DANGER – NO ENTRY” signs will be displayed. Any breach of this rule will result in the hall being closed for the remainder of the works.

HALL LIFT PREPARATION WORK – Photos (OLG): Take a look at our parish website to see the latest photos of the hall lift preparation work carried out so far. It is great to see the progress being made!

STARTING SCHOOL? If you have a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, then now is the time to apply for a place at a primary school for admission from September 2026 onwards. You must complete an application form that is available from the school admissions team of Somerset Council. If your child has been baptised and you are applying for a Catholic school, you must also provide a copy of the baptism certificate to the school. Please ensure you apply by the closing date of 15 January 2026.

NOVEMBER PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.