Our Parish
This parish is one of the oldest in the diocese. Shepton Mallet had an organised community at the end of the eighteenth century.
Pope Francis – Requiescat in Pace
Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican Press Office has confirmed. He served as the 265th successor of St Peter from his election on 13 March 2013 to 21 April 2025. Above all, he will be remembered for his love—for God, for the Church, and for every person.
Prayer for Pope Francis
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Psalm 120
I lift up my eyes to the mountains:
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble!
Let him sleep not your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
Israel’s guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade;
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil,
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming
both now and for ever.
Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) Luke 2:29-32
At last, all-powerful Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace, according to your promise. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all nations, the light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people.
Prayer for the successor of Pope Francis
O God, who chose your servant, in succession to the Apostle Peter as shepherd of the whole flock, look favourably on the supplications of your people and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth, he may confirm his brethren and that the whole Church may be in communion with him in the bond of unity, love and peace, so that in you, the shepherd of souls, all may know the truth and attain life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Oppose Assisted Suicide
Legislation is passing through parliament seeking to legalise assisted suicide. The Bill's Third Reading and vote is likely to take place at the end of April or start of May. It is vitally important you contact your MP to oppose it. There is still time.
In early September 2024, when parliament returned and a Bill on assisted suicide – so-called assisted dying – started its passage through the House of Lords, our Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Bishop John Sherrington, called for Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action.
That call is renewed now, urgently, as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, has passed through Second Reading and is now at Committee Stage. Report Stage is expected in the coming weeks. The Third Reading and vote is likely to take place at the end of April or start of May, at which time a decision will be made on whether to legalise assisted suicide and make this Bill law.
See Cardinal Vincent Nichols letter and speech on Assisted Suicide.
More resources from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales on opposing assisted suicide.
Our Diocese: Bishop Bosco MacDonald is calling on Catholics in the Diocese of Clifton to unite in prayer and compassionate action to oppose assisted suicide. Full details are on our diocesan website page.
Further resources.
Here is a video reflection of Fr Lawrence Lew OP on the moral implications of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Our Lady of Fatima and euthanasia- is it the solution? [Fr Lawrence Lew OP]
Our Events
We have some great things happening in our Parish here in Shepton Mallet and in the Clifton Diocese Find them all on our events page.
Mass Times
ST MICHAELS CHURCH,
SHEPTON MALLET
Sunday Mass: 9:00 am
Thursday Mass: 10:00 am
Please check the latest bulletin for details of any changes to Mass times.
ST MARY’S CHURCH,
GLASTONBURY
Sunday Mass: 11:00 am
Saturday Mass: 10:00 am
Saturday vigil Mass: 6:00 pm
Please check the latest newsletter for details of any changes to Mass times.
News
Please enjoy our weekly bulletin which has information relating to this week.
Today’s readings
We use Universalis to get day-by-day readings for all daily Masses. Find them all here.
Sacraments
Christ Himself instituted the the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Sacraments are an ‘outward sign of an inward grace’.
Find Us:
St Michael’s Catholic Church
6 Park Road
Shepton Mallet
BA4 5BP