(OLG) CHRISTMAS FAYRE & RAFFLE [Date change] Sunday 6 December at 12.30pm in the Church Hall

Raffle books will be available soon and donations of bottles and gifts for the Tombola, Small Christmas presents, and Children’s Toys and additional prizes for the draw, 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 on the day or on the night before the Fayre. If you would like to help, please contact Maggy or Clare in the office.

CELEBRATING YOUNG PEOPLE:

Revival is a 6-step program from Million Minutes centred on listening to the voices of young people, responding to them, empowering and celebrating them, fostering a spirit of Catholic social action. The program will run for six sessions over a year. If you are aged 10 to 18 and interested see Anthony Morris (anthony.morris@cliftondiocese.com).

TEAS AND COFFEES / REFRESHMENTS

Please remember: If you have allergies --- we cannot guarantee the food served on these premises, including cakes and biscuits, is free from allergenic ingredients and we can take no responsibility for cross contamination.

Children are under the supervision of their own parents during teas and coffees and at parish events.

In compliance with the current guidance from the diocesan insurers PLEASE DO NOT Light candles and place them on the windows or by the statues. Votive Candles should be lit and placed on the votive candle stands ONLY. Thank You

NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL. Please contact the parish office at St Mary’s to be added to our mailing list.

Please note in the newsletter

[SM] represent events at St Michael’s, Shepton Mallet and

[OLG] represents events at The Shrine of Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury

[OLG] Lift Back in Operation!

We are pleased to announce that the lift is now back in operation. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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]

REQUEST FOR HOLY COMMUNION AT HOME

Please contact the parish office, if you are sick and unable to attend church and require Holy Communion at home. You can do this either by Email or by Telephone, if you are sick and unable to attend church and require Holy Communion at home.

Please do not make the request through friends or parishioners.

PRAYERS PLEASE.

For those who have made petitions requests at the shrine, and who are ill at home or in hospital. Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of those whose anniversary occurs at this time, including Kevin Bond.

If your child is a Baptised Catholic and aged 8 or above on 31st August 2027 and you would like them to join the programme, please email the parish office for an application form. Please note the FIRST meeting is 14th November, and we will not be accepting any applications after this date. Attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on a weekly basis is an important part of the course.

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS – OCTOBER

For mental health ministry.

Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

(OLG) travelling Nativity

It has been brought to my attention that there was a tradition in the parish of a travelling Nativity. Do we have any volunteers to help co-ordinate this activity? Please speak with Maggy Payne. The premise is that different members of the parish take it to a member of their family, or someone in the Care Home or someone who is sick. It seems a lovely thing to do, if we have enough volunteers.

Bishop Appeal: On Education Sunday Bishop Bosco launched a new appeal for parishioners to serve as school governors or as academy trust directors. Being a governor/director is helping our schools to provide the best possible education for today’s children and helping to protect Catholic schools for future generations – it is truly supporting the mission of the Church. There is an urgent need for more volunteers to serve as governors/directors and no previous experience is required. If you would like to help our schools and respond to the Bishop’s appeal, please contact Bill McEntee, Governance Officer at Clifton Diocese, for more information via: bill.mcentee@cliftondiocese.com or on 07710094976

[OLG] Prayer group: 

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

Come and Discover St Louis Catholic Primary School in Frome!

We would love the opportunity to share our school with you. Hear from the Headteacher, enjoy a guided tour, meet members of the team, and ask any questions you have.

17th November - 9:30am, or 10:30am

We ask all prospective parents to book a time slot via the school office. Please ring 01373 463728 or email office@sl.thedcet.com. We are looking forward to sharing our amazing school with you all soon!

[SM] Blythswood Christmas shoe boxes:

Blythswood Christmas shoe boxes: If you plan to fill a box for an adult or child in Ukraine this Christmas, please pick up a leaflet in the porch which explains all you need to know.  We have a revised date for collection: please ensure your box is in the porch by Sunday November 8th. Jacky

Starting School? 

If you have a child born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, then now is the time to apply for a place at a primary school for admission from September 2027 onwards. You must complete an application form that is available from the school admissions team of the 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 2027.

Help a Young Person Attend FLAME 2027:

FLAME 2027 is the largest Catholic youth gathering in England and Wales, bringing together thousands of young people for a day of faith, worship, inspiration and encounter with Christ. The Diocese of Clifton would love to enable as many young people as possible to attend, but we do not want cost to be a barrier. We are therefore inviting parishioners to sponsor a young person or make a donation towards our diocesan FLAME 2027 fund. Donations can be made via MyDona at Donate to Clifton Diocese. Please quote "FLAME 2027" as your reference. Every donation will help reduce the cost for young people attending and make this life-changing opportunity accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to go.

To learn more about FLAME 2027, visit FLAME 2027. Thank you for supporting the young people of our Diocese.

6 -8 November: Vocation Weekend - Taste the goodness of the Lord who loves you

An opportunity to experience monastic life

Caritas Clifton Administration Support:  

We have had a Caritas initiative in the Diocese as part of the Catholic Social Action Network for many years. (www.csan.org.uk). The bishop is now keen that this is developed into a practical resource for parishes. We are looking for volunteers to assist in the setting up, and administration, of the initiative. This could be for a few hours per week or days. For more information, please contact Deacon Robert von Hawrylak on caritasclifton@cliftondiocese.com.

[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.

SAFEGUARDING

Our parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance, and both National and Diocesan policies & procedures at all times. SAFEGUARDING WEBPAGE:

Contact: Email for St. Michael’s or Email for Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury

CREATING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT - SAFEGUARDING

In line with the CSSA ‘Creating a Safer Environment’, entry to the Sacristy from the Church, when there are servers present, must be recorded.

[OLG] ANYBODY ENTERING DIOCESAN PROPERTY

In compliance with Creating a Safer Environment, nobody has permission to access any of the key boxes unless the parish office has been notified prior to your visit. This week the Key Codes have been changed, going forward you will need to request the code from the parish office so that your details and the reason that you have the code can be recorded. Please do not pass on the codes to anybody, without checking with the parish office. Thank you for your co-operation.

EMERGENCY EXITS

Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the nearest exit, in case of an emergency. In the unlikely event of having to vacate the church unexpectedly, during a service, please follow the instructions of the priest and our stewards. They will direct you to the nearest exit. Please vacate promptly and leave all belongings. Thank you for helping us keep you safe.