St. Michael's Church, Tetbury

Introduction

The church building was constructed in 1871/2, the hall added in about 1965 and the sacristy extension in about 1988.

Architecture and furnishings

The twelve Stations of the Cross are carved into the walls of the Church on either side. Our Lady's Statue is on the left hand side of the Church behind the Ambo. On the left hand side of the Church there is a statue of Jesus and opposite on the right a statue of Joseph, completing the Holy Family. On the right hand side of the Church above the Confessional there is an icon of St Michael the Archangel.

On the right side of the Church there is an Ambry holding ampoules containing the Holy Oils blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week. The Ambry and ampoules were purchased by the memorial fund in memory of the Parish Priest from 2001 until he passed away in 2008.

Music and liturgy

St Michael's takes part in the World Day of Prayer on the first Friday of March, with each church taking turns to host and lead the service. The sacristans at St Michael's prepare for liturgical celebrations, including providing ashes for Ash Wednesday and palms for Palm Sunday, and mark up liturgical books and lay out vestments.

On most Sundays, children who have not yet made their first communion are invited to go to the hall with their worship leader for their own liturgy of the Word, returning at the Presentation of the Gifts. CLOW is run by one of the Catechists taking the sessions on a rota basis, and sessions are run if there are children about to make their first communion. Eucharistic ministers assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion at Mass and take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound of the parish usually on a weekly basis, and must undergo a formal training programme and be commissioned.

The first and second readings, the Responsorial Psalm and the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass are read by a member of the congregation. The sacristans order the hosts and the wine and make sure there is a supply of clean purificators, corporals, hand towels, incense and charcoal. The sacristans ensure that the sanctuary lamp candle is kept burning, that the altar cloths are changed regularly, and that the holy water stoups are always clean and replenished with holy water frequently.

In order to receive Holy Communion reverently in St Michael's, the congregation starts by the front row on the left side, works down that side to the back, and then continues from the back row on the right hand side towards the front. All those at Mass who are not in Full Communion with the Catholic Church and those Catholics not receiving Holy Communion are warmly invited to come forward for a blessing. A preparation course for the Sacrament of Confirmation is given for young people Year 9 and above (aged 14 years approx.) on Gospel teaching and doctrines of the faith.

Normally the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated as a deanery every second year with the bishop officiating. Catechumens are received into the Catholic Church normally at Easter, during the Easter Vigil Mass, where they receive the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation, and then their First Holy Communion. Candidates who have been baptised in another Christian denomination will normally be received during the Easter Vigil Mass, requiring only the Sacrament of Confirmation and then their First Holy Communion. After the Remembrance Sunday service, the congregation processes to the War Memorial.

Parish life

St Michael's collaborates with other Tetbury churches through Tetbury Area Churches Together, which meets every few months to arrange activities and joint services. Church and hall cleaning is organised on a rota basis, with each team covering a two-week period. Flowers are arranged weekly, depending on the season, normally at the convenience of the arrangers. As of the time of the source, St Michael's does not have any Altar Servers.

The Parish Pastoral Council is established by the Parish Priest so that there may be a collaborative and consultative voice to assist him in discerning God’s intentions for the people of the Parish. St Michael's Church Hall is available for hire for clubs, private functions etc, subject to availability and compliance with Health & Safety procedures.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Adults wishing to become Catholic attend a course called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), sometimes called 'A Journey in Faith'. Requests for marriage should be made to the Parish Priest through the Parish Office at least 6 months before the wedding. The Parish Priest administers the Anointing of the Sick before a hospital operation. Parishioners can request a visit from the pastoral team by making their wishes known to the Parish Priest. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated each Sunday or Wednesday before Mass or by appointment, with a Service of Reconciliation usually during Advent and Lent.

Visiting

The church entrance is off The Green, and the church office is off Silver Street. The church has no parking facilities; visitors use on-street parking or public car parks. Disabled access to the Church Hall is via a black gate between 31 Silver Street's garage and Vine House, down the side of the hall, normally locked for security.

A fuller history of St Michael's with historical photos and documents is available online. During Lent, Lenten Lunches are held in St Michael's parish hall, organised by a different church each week, preceded by Stations of the Cross.