"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
With the care of St Ambrose Church, Chorlton
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
With the care of St Ambrose Church, Chorlton
Public Masses resumed at St Catherine's and St Ambrose
St Catherine's re-opened for daily public Masses on Monday 6th July. We need to stress that there is still NO obligation to attend Mass and we ask the elderly and those with medical conditions to think very carefully about whether they need to come at this time. If they do want to attend Mass, coming to a quieter weekday service would be advisable.
If you do attend Mass, please note that we must follow some important rules to try and minimise the risks (please see below).
Entry will be via the main back doors and exit will be via the side door. We are limited to around 70 people in church at any one time - if more than that come, please understand that you will have to stand outside. PLEASE BRING A PIECE OF PAPER WITH YOUR NAME & CONTACT DETAILS ON, TO BE PLACED IN A ‘BALLOT BOX’, & ACCESSED ONLY IF ANYONE PRESENT REPORTS A COVID OUTBREAK WITHIN 21 DAYS (spare paper and pens will be available at the back of church if you forget to bring your details with you).
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT FROM 8TH AUGUST FACE COVERINGS MUST NOW BE WORN IN CHURCH (unless exempt - ie. those with a specific health condition or children under 11 years)
Guidelines for attending Mass:
St Catherine's re-opened for daily public Masses on Monday 6th July. We need to stress that there is still NO obligation to attend Mass and we ask the elderly and those with medical conditions to think very carefully about whether they need to come at this time. If they do want to attend Mass, coming to a quieter weekday service would be advisable.
If you do attend Mass, please note that we must follow some important rules to try and minimise the risks (please see below).
Entry will be via the main back doors and exit will be via the side door. We are limited to around 70 people in church at any one time - if more than that come, please understand that you will have to stand outside. PLEASE BRING A PIECE OF PAPER WITH YOUR NAME & CONTACT DETAILS ON, TO BE PLACED IN A ‘BALLOT BOX’, & ACCESSED ONLY IF ANYONE PRESENT REPORTS A COVID OUTBREAK WITHIN 21 DAYS (spare paper and pens will be available at the back of church if you forget to bring your details with you).
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT FROM 8TH AUGUST FACE COVERINGS MUST NOW BE WORN IN CHURCH (unless exempt - ie. those with a specific health condition or children under 11 years)
Guidelines for attending Mass:
- There is still NO OBLIGATION to attend Mass.
- St Catherine’s can hold about 70 people under present conditions, if more than that come, they will have to stand outside, so please consider attending a weekday Mass if you can, instead of Sunday. There is also an additional Friday evening 7pm Mass.
- There will be no Servers, Sacristans, Extraordinary Minsters or Offertory Procession required at Mass until further notice, to limit the numbers touching chalices etc.
- Please arrive by the main doors and leave by the side entrance.
- Holy Communion will be under one kind given by the priest in the hand only.
- Holy Communion will be given at the end after the final blessing and after all have responded together ‘Amen’ when the priest says, ‘Body of Christ’. Holy Communion will then be received in silence.
- Communicants will come forward one bench at a time, alternating from side to side and keeping a safe distance, as directed by the priest.
- Communicants will leave by the side entrance immediately after receiving Holy Communion.
- There will be no singing and no bidding prayers at Mass.
- The reader must read from the missalette and not touch the lectern.
- All missalettes and newsletters that you have touched must be taken away with you.
- A retiring collection only will be held and the money will be placed in isolation for 72 hours before being counted
This Week's Masses are as follows:
St Catherine's:
St Catherine's:
- Sunday 9th August - 8am / 9.30am / 11am (or watch online from 9.30am)
- Monday 10th August - 9.15am (with Exposition from 8.45am)
- Tuesday 11th August - 9.15am (with Exposition from 8.45am)
- Wednesday 12th August- 9.15am (with Exposition from 8.45am)
- Thursday 13th August - 9.15am (with Exposition from 8.45am)
- Friday 14th August - 12 noon (with Exposition from 11.30am) / 7pm
- Saturday 15th August - 12 noon (with Exposition from 11.00am) / 7pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
- Sunday 16th August - 8am / 9.30am / 11am (or watch online from 9.30am)
- Sunday 9th August - 10am
- Sunday 16th August - 10am
Sunday Mass
Although Public Masses resumed on Monday 6th July, a Sunday Mass will still be recorded and available from 9.30am each Sunday, so that we can all share in the worship, even if not in person. Click here to watch this week's Mass. 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 newsletter with updates which will be sent out by email - click here to register your details if you'd like to receive a copy.
Although Public Masses resumed on Monday 6th July, a Sunday Mass will still be recorded and available from 9.30am each Sunday, so that we can all share in the worship, even if not in person. Click here to watch this week's Mass. 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 newsletter with updates which will be sent out by email - click here to register your details if you'd like to receive a copy.
CLICK TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR LATEST NEWS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
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CLICK TO WATCH VIDEOS OF OUR MASSES, SERVICES & REFLECTIONS
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CLICK TO VISIT OUR PARISH TWITTER ACCOUNT
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This Week: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Four things to ponder in today’s Gospel:
The boat is battling with a heavy sea and string wind. What are the storms I am battling with in my life?
The disciples are consistently characterised throughout Matthew’s Gospel as ‘men of little faith,’ as they are here. Paradoxically, do you find that encouraging? Does it help to think of the disciples like this when you have your own doubts in your life?
Jesus says, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!’ Besides being a calming presence, what is Jesus trying to tell us with these words? He is telling us that he is God. God tells Moses that his name is ‘I am who I am.’ That’s more or less what Jesus says with ‘It is I.’ And whenever God asks anyone to do something important in the Bible, he first says, ‘Do not be afraid.’ If Jesus is God, we have nothing to worry about. He is in control. He is the one who saves us.
Peter shows us the simplest prayer we can use in our life. When we are battling the storms in our life, even when we have our doubts, all we have to do is say, ‘Lord! Save me!’ In those words, we recognise that Jesus is God, and that we totally depend on Him.
Please click here to watch Sunday's Mass.
Four things to ponder in today’s Gospel:
The boat is battling with a heavy sea and string wind. What are the storms I am battling with in my life?
The disciples are consistently characterised throughout Matthew’s Gospel as ‘men of little faith,’ as they are here. Paradoxically, do you find that encouraging? Does it help to think of the disciples like this when you have your own doubts in your life?
Jesus says, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!’ Besides being a calming presence, what is Jesus trying to tell us with these words? He is telling us that he is God. God tells Moses that his name is ‘I am who I am.’ That’s more or less what Jesus says with ‘It is I.’ And whenever God asks anyone to do something important in the Bible, he first says, ‘Do not be afraid.’ If Jesus is God, we have nothing to worry about. He is in control. He is the one who saves us.
Peter shows us the simplest prayer we can use in our life. When we are battling the storms in our life, even when we have our doubts, all we have to do is say, ‘Lord! Save me!’ In those words, we recognise that Jesus is God, and that we totally depend on Him.
Please click here to watch Sunday's Mass.
This week's newsletter
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.
St Ambrose Parish
The parish of St Ambrose is without a priest for the moment and is currently in the care of St Catherine’s Parish. We have put together some information about our neighbouring parish and its patron saint - please click here to see.
The parish of St Ambrose is without a priest for the moment and is currently in the care of St Catherine’s Parish. We have put together some information about our neighbouring parish and its patron saint - please click here to see.
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).
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.
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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.