Welcome All are welcome in this church – parishioners, students and visitors. Many who wish for Catholic worship and teaching come on Sundays from all over the Peninsula.
The Parish St Michael’s is the local Parish Church for Anglicans living in Observatory. Persons who live outside the area are also welcome to join by attending the Church and applying to be placed on the Parish Roll. Membership forms can be found at the back of the church.
St Michael’s Church The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the architect of St George' Cathedral and of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The foundation stone was laid in 1898 and the completed building was consecrated on 18 June 1905. The organ was installed in 1906; it is the work of the English firm Norman and Beard and is one of the finest of its kind in the country.
Sunday Services
8.00 am Low Mass
9.30 am High Mass
9.30 am Sunday School
Sunday Evenings
On the first Sunday of the month at 7.00 pm the choir sing a full Choral Evensong followed by the short and beautiful service of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The service is followed by a light supper in the Parish Hall.
 
Weekday Mass
The Mass is also celebrated during the week, in the Lady Chapel; it lasts about thirty minutes.
 
Attending a weekday Mass is one way of forming your own personal faith whilst praying with the Church. It is also an appropriate way of commemorating an anniversary or praying for any special need.
  
The weekday Masses are held at the following times:
 
Wednesday 6.30 pm
Thursday 9.30 am
  
(In the absence of a priest, a Communion Service will be held in place of mass)
Help and Advice The Parish Priest is glad to help in time of need and to pray with those who wish it. Anyone with problems about their faith or personal relationships, wanting advice on how to pray or what to read is urged to come and talk about it.
Confession and Spiritual Healing In the Sacrament of Confession we receive the assurance of God’s forgiveness, as well as his grace and strength. Confessions are heard on Saturday evenings, or at any other time, by arrangement. One of the clergy is always available for counselling.
The Sick In the case of illness please inform the Parish Priest immediately. The Blessed Sacrament is available for the sick at any hour of the day or night. The Laying-on of Hands will be given on request and the Sacrament of Anointing with Holy Oil is available for the gravely ill.
Healing Services At 9.30 am, on the first Thursday of each month, the Mass is offered especially for the sick, with the Laying-on of Hands for all who come to the altar rail.
Requests for Prayers Requests for prayers for the sick, or for any other reason, are always welcome and will be remembered at the altar.
The Shrine of Our Lady Requests for prayers may also be written in the Votive Book at Our Lady’s Shrine, situated at the entrance to the Lady Chapel. You are invited to light a candle to express your prayers before or after any service, but please remember to place a donation in the box to cover the cost of candles lit.
Evangelism St Michael’s is eager to extend its membership and to open to others the wonderful truths of the Gospel of Christ. You are encouraged to bring your friends to any of the services and to tell others about St Michael’s. Communicant members of any Christian denomination, in good standing, are welcome to receive the Blessed Sacrament.
Instruction Courses for children and adults, leading to the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Communion are given. Please consult the Parish Priest.
Growing and Learning Adult courses for those interesting in joining this Church are available on request.
Holy Baptism The Sacrament of Baptism is normally administered at the conclusion of the 9.30 am Mass on the first Sunday of the month.
Children We welcome children to our services. There is also a Sunday School which meets at 9.30 am, in the Parish Hall during the High Mass.
Students Young people and students are welcome at all celebrations of the Mass, services and Parish functions.
Parish Functions
These are held on a regular basis to encourage fellowship and unity, all parishioners; family and friends are welcome.
 
Tea and coffee are served in the Church Hall every Sunday after the 8.00 am and 9.30 am Masses.
Altar Servers Young men and boys are invited to train as Altar Servers.
The Choir and Music St Michael’s has a strong musical tradition. In addition to the privilege of housing the largest Parish Church organ in Africa, the choir has achieved a reputation of choral excellence, both liturgically and through concert and television performances. The repertoire is wide and covers not only liturgical works written for the Anglican tradition, but also many drawn from the great European Catholic tradition. If you are interested in joining the Choir, please contact the Choirmaster.
Supporting St Michael’s St Michael’s exists solely on the voluntary support of its members, who are asked to give regularly and sacrificially each month or each week. Planned Giving Envelopes will be supplied on request.
Weddings Couples wishing to be married in St Michael’s should contact the Parish Priest three months before the date the have in mind. They must be baptised, not divorced, and willing to attend a series of classes which explain the teachings of the Church on Marriage.
Opportunities for Service If you are interested in becoming involved in any of the activities of St Michael’s – teaching children – serving at the altar – choir – youth work – flower arranging – fund raising – visiting the sick – community and neighbourhood service – hospital work – prayer groups – general maintenance work – please contact the Parish Priest.
The St Michael’s Community
We are a worshipping community, firmly in the Catholic tradition of the Anglican Church. Come along and worship with up if you feel attracted in any way, or call if you want any further information.
 
We do not present a religion that is easy going, but one that is challenging and has definite spiritual disciplines to help us move forward on our Christian pilgrimage.
 
We offer, to all who will hear, the life in Jesus Christ that brings hope, joy and peace to those who believe.
 
May God bless you.
Location The church is in St Michael’s Road, off Lower Main Road, Observatory.
Contacting the Parish Priest
The Rectory
8 Howe Street

OBSERVATORY

7925
Western Cape
South Africa
 
Telephone: +27 (0)21 447 6420
Facsimile: +27 (0)21 448 8172
Email: stmicha@cpsa.org.za
Parish Office Hours Monday to Thursday, from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm