This week’s 2nd Collection – Bishop’s Charitable Fund

The annual collection for the Bishop’s Charitable Fund enables the Bishop to respond to the many charitable causes that appeal to him. This money, in a way, is ‘us’ reaching out to the little causes we never hear about. It enables the Bishop to be charitable on behalf of the Diocese and to respond both immediately and at his discretion to those who seek his help.

LITURGY OF THE WORD PARISH MASS BOOKS [SM] Readings for Ordinary Time Week 17, of (Year A) : Page 108.

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

[OLG] Church Front Gates: Please note that on 10th and 11th August, Alberny Restorations will be carrying out essential works to the church front gates. To ensure the work can be completed safely, the front area of the church will be closed and require sole access by the contractors during this time. There will be no access to the church on either day, including for Adoration.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding while these important restoration works are undertaken.

We are grateful to the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSP) for their recent Mission Appeal at St Mary's and St Michael's on 11th and 12th July. The MSP has expressed its sincere thanks to our parishioners for their warm welcome to Fr Franklin Achionye MSP, and for their generous prayers, donations and support. Through your kindness, you are helping to train seminarians and support the missionary work of MSP priests who serve communities around the world. Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously.  Rev. Fr. Samuel Alabi, MSP

Please see the Letter of Appreciation from the Missionary Society of St Paul displayed in the Narthex.

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

CHANGES TO SATURDAY MORNING SCHEDULE

Please note that morning mass and devotions will alternate between the two parishes.

First Saturdays will be celebrated at St Michael’s [SM]

ALL other Saturdays will be at The Shrine of Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury [OLG]

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

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.

FLOWERS AT ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH

Thank you to the person who has come forward to help with the flowers.  If flower arranging is something that appeals, more helpers would be very welcome.  Please contact Lucy on 07769 174515 or speak to Jacky or Fr Mark.

[OLG] Parish Hall Closure

Following the severe storm and flooding on the 22nd June, the parish hall has unfortunately sustained significant water damage and will be closed until further notice while the necessary insurance claim and remedial works are carried out. Aspen Restoration have been appointed by Sedgwick to undertake a contents assessment and drying of the hall entrance and corridor, church boiler room and under the house storage area and visited the site on 23rd July.

As a result, of the biohazardous material that has come into the building, please do not enter the hall and please note there will be no tea and coffee after Mass until the hall is able to reopen. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time and will keep you updated as soon as we have further news. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

PRAYERS PLEASE.

For those who have made petitions requests, and all 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 Fr James Byrne, Gwen Parfitt, Edith Tucker, Francis Moyse, Mabel Wooley.

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.

[SM] Next Sunday we have the first of five annual ‘August Cake and Produce Sales’. 

It’s a Bring and Buy table in the porch each Sunday morning inviting you to donate excess garden produce or perhaps bake and donate a cake for sale?  All proceeds will benefit parish funds.  (Allergen reminder: home-made bakes should include a list of ingredients please).  Pricing your donation would be helpful, and cash only please.  Jacky.

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS – July

For respect for human life

Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.

Catholic GKC Society: The 16th Annual GK Chester ton Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 1st August, please send any prayer requests to; CatholicGKCSociety@yahoo.co.uk or text them to 07795 205114. Details of the many different ways in which you can be involved on the day, as well as printable GKC prayer cards can be found on www.CatholicGKChestertonSociety.co.uk " Nathanael will be walking 27 miles in one day on the Pilgrimage. He is raising money in aid of The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel and every donation will help. Good Counsel assists Mothers in difficult pregnancies and afterwards with financial help, practical support, baby goods and friendship. So please do as a Parish sponsor Nathanael as he raises funds to help save unborn babies from abortion with Good Counsel; https://gofund.me/f48d1981c

[OLG] Prayer Ministry [for Healing] - Saturday 8th August

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at 9:00am. After the celebration of the mass members of the parish prayer team will be available in the side chapel, if you would like to be prayed over and Fr Mark will be available for Anointing of the Sick during an extended period of Adoration from 9.40am-10.15am. All are welcome.

[OLG] St. Mary’s choir will be having their annual break throughout August.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Glastonbury will take place on Sunday 6th September.

We look forward to welcoming pilgrims once again to Glastonbury for our annual Diocesan Pilgrimage, celebrated this year under the theme

“Mary – Mother of the Faithful.”

2026 Programme

A Call for Pilgrims: Adoremus 2026

The National Eucharistic Congress, takes place in London on Saturday 10 October 2026. Adoremus is a national celebration of the Eucharist, bringing together Catholics from across England and Wales for prayer, worship, catechesis, and public witness. Our Diocese has been allocated 45 places, and we are inviting priests & parishioners from across our pastoral areas and parishes to participate in this important event. For fairness, we are limiting tickets for each parish - name, email and parish details are required for each attendee. I would be grateful if you could promote this opportunity in your parish. You can register via Eventbrite: https://adoremusclifton2026.eventbrite.co.uk

Come and sing with BBC Songs of Praise!

One of the world's longest-running TV programmes invites you to a special event at Holy Trinity Church Bridgwater. You are warmly invited to a BBC Songs of Praise recording at Holy Trinity Church, Bridgwater conducted by Simon Lole. All are welcome, so please spread the word. 

Location: Holy Trinity, Hamp St, Bridgwater TA6 6AR

Saturday 15th August 2026

Doors Open: 12:30

Recording: 13:30 – 17:30

30-minute tea break included.

We will be singing traditional hymns some of which will be included in our Harvest Episode. To book your free tickets, either scan the QR Code or follow this link to be taken to our congregation application form: BBC Songs of Praise Congregation Application - Bridgwater 2026 – Fill in form

St Francis of Assisi: This year marks 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi and Pope Leo XIV has declared a special Year to commemorate this. Saturday 3 October 2026 is exactly 800 years since St Francis died, and the day before his feast day. To mark this a walking pilgrimage is planned in the Diocese of Clifton with two legs: The Bristol leg will start at Clifton Cathedral at 10.30am (9.4 miles). The Clevedon leg will start at the Franciscan church of the Immaculate Conception in Clevedon at 1pm (6.4 miles). The two legs will convene at around 4.30pm at the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Nailsea for refreshments and prayer. Those who wish can stay for the 6pm Saturday evening Vigil Mass for the Feast of St Francis.

For more details and to register see: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/a-franciscan-pilgrimage-in-the-diocese-of-clifton

The Holy Land, whilst it has the roots of Christianity steeped deep in the region, the modern reality tells a story of misery and hardship for the Christians who live there.

• The Christian population in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, continues to fall.

• There is a healthcare crisis with Christian hospitals and clinics reporting shortages of medicine, clean water, and electricity, in Gaza and the West Bank.

• 48% of Christian youth in the Holy Land are considering emigration, citing fear, discrimination, and lack of opportunity and future in the Holy Land.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in The Holy Land.

Also, your generosity will give urgent assistance to Christian families in Jerusalem,

the West Bank, northern Israel, and Jordan. A gift today will provide immediate relief as well as offer support to long-term projects so that Christian families may continue to remain in the homeland.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has an emergency appeal for Christians in The Holy Land. CLICK ON LINK: acnuk.org/holy-land-appeal

And if you want to support ACN and take action as a volunteer, in support of suffering Christians, contact

Steve Riedlinger, Community Fundraiser for ACN at steve.riedlinger@acnuk.org or 07939362479.

HEALING MASS with ANOINTING

The next mass of Healing will take place on the SECOND Tuesday in October [13th], at 6:00pm

[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.