"Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire" St Catherine of Siena
We all have to discern our path in life and here at St Catherine's, you're welcome to join us in prayer, in witnessing to the Gospel, in service to those in need and in growing God's kingdom here in Didsbury. We are an inclusive community, welcoming all.
Parish Priest: Father John Hitchen | Assistant Priest: Father Michael Deas
We all have to discern our path in life and here at St Catherine's, you're welcome to join us in prayer, in witnessing to the Gospel, in service to those in need and in growing God's kingdom here in Didsbury. We are an inclusive community, welcoming all.
Parish Priest: Father John Hitchen | Assistant Priest: Father Michael Deas
Masses and services this week
Although we are currently in a national lockdown, Church services are allowed to continue, provided that everyone continues to follow the guidelines. The guidance for those wishing to attend remains as previously - please see here for a reminder. Face-coverings must be worn unless you are exempt on medical grounds or for children aged under 11 years.
Although we are currently in a national lockdown, Church services are allowed to continue, provided that everyone continues to follow the guidelines. The guidance for those wishing to attend remains as previously - please see here for a reminder. Face-coverings must be worn unless you are exempt on medical grounds or for children aged under 11 years.
Church will be open at the following times:
Fifth Sunday of Easter 9th May: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Monday 10th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Tuesday 11th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Wednesday 12th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Ascension Thursday 13th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am & 12noon Masses
Friday 14th May: 11.30am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Saturday 15th May: 11am - 11.50am Confessions, 11am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Seventh Sunday of Easter 16th May: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Fifth Sunday of Easter 9th May: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Monday 10th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Tuesday 11th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Wednesday 12th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Ascension Thursday 13th May: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am & 12noon Masses
Friday 14th May: 11.30am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Saturday 15th May: 11am - 11.50am Confessions, 11am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Seventh Sunday of Easter 16th May: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Father Michael's Thought of the Week
Today, Jesus tells us the key to happiness. He tells us to love one another as he has loved us. That there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. And he tells us this so that our joy may be complete. In other words, the key to living a happy, joyful life is to serve other people with love.
People search for happiness in all sorts of places. It's in our nature to want to be happy. But more often than not, we search for happiness in the wrong places, whether that be in wealth, material things, lustful relationships, the way we look, food or substances etc. And when our subconscious realises that these things don't make us happy, we become unhappy. So, the very things we think may make us happy are in fact making us even more unhappy!
It's easier said than done, but most people who have been able to come out of dark times in their life have done so by starting to think about how they can help others. It's very rare for a person to have helped someone else in service and not feel some satisfaction. That's what Jesus means when he says our joy will be complete.
And, of course, we as Christians believe that the love that we share with others has its source in the God who created the universe. The God who loves us so much that he would die and rise again for us, giving us the greatest example of sacrificial love.
So, the central message that Jesus gives us is asking us to break out of our selfishness. It is this selfishness that makes us search for happiness in the wrong places. It is only when we start putting others before ourselves, and then receiving that very same treatment back, that the world becomes a better place, and our joy is complete.
If you're unable to attend Mass in person, you can join us here.
Today, Jesus tells us the key to happiness. He tells us to love one another as he has loved us. That there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. And he tells us this so that our joy may be complete. In other words, the key to living a happy, joyful life is to serve other people with love.
People search for happiness in all sorts of places. It's in our nature to want to be happy. But more often than not, we search for happiness in the wrong places, whether that be in wealth, material things, lustful relationships, the way we look, food or substances etc. And when our subconscious realises that these things don't make us happy, we become unhappy. So, the very things we think may make us happy are in fact making us even more unhappy!
It's easier said than done, but most people who have been able to come out of dark times in their life have done so by starting to think about how they can help others. It's very rare for a person to have helped someone else in service and not feel some satisfaction. That's what Jesus means when he says our joy will be complete.
And, of course, we as Christians believe that the love that we share with others has its source in the God who created the universe. The God who loves us so much that he would die and rise again for us, giving us the greatest example of sacrificial love.
So, the central message that Jesus gives us is asking us to break out of our selfishness. It is this selfishness that makes us search for happiness in the wrong places. It is only when we start putting others before ourselves, and then receiving that very same treatment back, that the world becomes a better place, and our joy is complete.
If you're unable to attend Mass in person, you can join us here.
Listen to Mass by phone: for anyone who is unable to watch the weekly Mass, we also offer a dial-in service where you can listen to Mass over the phone. This starts at 9.30am each Sunday morning and can be accessed by dialling 0203 051 2874. When prompted for the Meeting ID enter 959 382 246# using the phone's keypad. Press # when asked for your Participant ID.
This week's newsletter
Follow us on social media
We have a Parish YouTube channel, a Facebook page and a Twitter account - click on the buttons below to keep up to date with regular Parish news and updates. We also have a weekly e-newsletter which is sent out by email - click here to register your details if you'd like to receive a copy.
We have a Parish YouTube channel, a Facebook page and a Twitter account - click on the buttons below to keep up to date with regular Parish news and updates. We also have a weekly e-newsletter which is sent out by email - click here to register your details if you'd like to receive a copy.
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Click on the logo to keep up to date with latest news on our Facebook page |
Click on the logo to watch videos of our Masses, services & reflections |
Click on the logo to visit our Parish Twitter account |
St Catherine's Parish
We have put together lots of information about parish life at St Catherine's and about the various groups which are part of our extended community.
We have put together lots of information about parish life at St Catherine's and about the various groups which are part of our extended community.
- Click here to find more about the parish (including our history, how to volunteer for reading at Mass and the children's liturgy group).
- Click here to find out about some of our parish groups, such as the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, the CAFOD group and our Prayer groups.
- Click here to watch a tour of St Catherine's and the Community Centre.
- Click here to view the commemorative booklet from the laying of the original parish foundation stone.
The Sacraments and Liturgy
We have put together some information which explains more about each of the sacraments and related liturgies (Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Priesthood and Religious Life, Anointing of the Sick and Funeral Liturgies).
Please click here to visit these pages and get in touch by emailing parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk if you have any questions.
We have put together some information which explains more about each of the sacraments and related liturgies (Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Priesthood and Religious Life, Anointing of the Sick and Funeral Liturgies).
Please click here to visit these pages and get in touch by emailing parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk if you have any questions.
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Supporting the Parish
We are all experiencing challenges at the moment and without our usual services in church or weekly collections, our parish income is significantly reduced. If you would like to make a regular or one-off donation to support St Catherine's parish, however small, it would be very appreciated. Full details can be found here. Thank you very much in advance. |
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St Catherine's Community Sponsorship Group: Update
The Group has posted an update at the end of its formal two year commitment to the resettled family - please see here for their full report. Once again many thanks to everyone involved including all the volunteers who got involved in a practical way with the family and all who supported the family financially and with their prayers. |
St Catherine's Community Centre
We have a thriving and recently refurbished Community Centre but due to the coronavirus pandemic the facilities are currently closed. Please contact 07779 963535 for further information. Refunds are offered for anything booked and paid for.
We have a thriving and recently refurbished Community Centre but due to the coronavirus pandemic the facilities are currently closed. Please contact 07779 963535 for further information. Refunds are offered for anything booked and paid for.
And finally...
Our Parish website is being continuously updated to provide more resources and information - please keep checking back over the coming weeks. We would welcome contributions - get in touch via the parish email address: parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk
If you, or anyone you know needs help, advice or someone to support them, please fill in the contact form below and we will do our best to assist.
Our Parish website is being continuously updated to provide more resources and information - please keep checking back over the coming weeks. We would welcome contributions - get in touch via the parish email address: parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk
If you, or anyone you know needs help, advice or someone to support them, please fill in the contact form below and we will do our best to assist.