"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:
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary time 13th June 2021: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Monday 14th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Tuesday 15th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Wednesday 16th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Thursday 17th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Friday 18th June: 11.30am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Saturday 19th June: 11am - 11.50am Confessions, 11am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th June: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary time 13th June 2021: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Monday 14th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Tuesday 15th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Wednesday 16th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Thursday 17th June: 8.45am Exposition, 9.15am Mass
Friday 18th June: 11.30am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Saturday 19th June: 11am - 11.50am Confessions, 11am Exposition, 12noon Mass
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th June: 7pm Vigil, 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Father Michael's Thought of the Week
The two parables Jesus tells us today are both about spiritual growth. And very importantly they teach us about the need for patience and perseverance in that spiritual growth. And those of you who are keen gardeners will understand more quickly what Jesus is saying to us.
They come at a point in Mark's Gospel where the disciples keep getting things wrong and and when they don't seem to understand much of what Jesus is saying or doing. And so they can be encouraging to us when we feel we may not be living up to what it means to be Jesus' disciples.
The first parable talks of someone throwing some seed on the land, and then doesn't know how that seed sprouts or grows, but seemingly the land produces of its own accord. The key point is that the seed grows night and day, while the person sleeps and is awake. In other words, that person does their duty, and gets on with what they are supposed to be doing, while having patience and perseverance and trust that the seed will grow. And when it is grown, that person knows. Applying this to our spiritual life, often we can't tell if anything is happening, if there is any growth in our spiritual life, but if we stay as faithful as possible and trust that God's hand is guiding us and he is working in and through us, we'll eventually be able to tell that the crop is ready by the fruits that we are bearing.
And then we have the parable of the mustard seed. This is wonderful timing because this is one of the main themes Father John uses with our children preparing for First Holy Communion. He shows them or sometimes even gives them a mustard seed to show how small it is, and then tells them that it grows into a huge plant. So, he's telling them that's what their faith is like. When they were baptised, it starts off quite small, and now as they make their first Holy Communion it is growing, and then it keeps growing throughout their lives. One of the children actually took a couple of mustard seeds away and planted them, and her mum sent us some pictures recently of how much the seed has been nurtured and grown. How wonderful is that?! A real life illustration of Jesus' parable. And something we can all learn from. We may feel like our own faith and spiritual life is small and insignificant like the mustard seed, but like the mustard seed, it always has the potential to grow into a huge plant, if only we nurture it and let God make it grow.
If you're unable to attend Mass in person, you can join us here.
The two parables Jesus tells us today are both about spiritual growth. And very importantly they teach us about the need for patience and perseverance in that spiritual growth. And those of you who are keen gardeners will understand more quickly what Jesus is saying to us.
They come at a point in Mark's Gospel where the disciples keep getting things wrong and and when they don't seem to understand much of what Jesus is saying or doing. And so they can be encouraging to us when we feel we may not be living up to what it means to be Jesus' disciples.
The first parable talks of someone throwing some seed on the land, and then doesn't know how that seed sprouts or grows, but seemingly the land produces of its own accord. The key point is that the seed grows night and day, while the person sleeps and is awake. In other words, that person does their duty, and gets on with what they are supposed to be doing, while having patience and perseverance and trust that the seed will grow. And when it is grown, that person knows. Applying this to our spiritual life, often we can't tell if anything is happening, if there is any growth in our spiritual life, but if we stay as faithful as possible and trust that God's hand is guiding us and he is working in and through us, we'll eventually be able to tell that the crop is ready by the fruits that we are bearing.
And then we have the parable of the mustard seed. This is wonderful timing because this is one of the main themes Father John uses with our children preparing for First Holy Communion. He shows them or sometimes even gives them a mustard seed to show how small it is, and then tells them that it grows into a huge plant. So, he's telling them that's what their faith is like. When they were baptised, it starts off quite small, and now as they make their first Holy Communion it is growing, and then it keeps growing throughout their lives. One of the children actually took a couple of mustard seeds away and planted them, and her mum sent us some pictures recently of how much the seed has been nurtured and grown. How wonderful is that?! A real life illustration of Jesus' parable. And something we can all learn from. We may feel like our own faith and spiritual life is small and insignificant like the mustard seed, but like the mustard seed, it always has the potential to grow into a huge plant, if only we nurture it and let God make it grow.
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 which is due to reopen in August. Please contact Tracey on 07779 963535 for further information.
We have a thriving and recently refurbished Community Centre which is due to reopen in August. Please contact Tracey on 07779 963535 for further information.
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.