"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:
Sun 21st Feb: First Sunday in Lent - 7pm (20th), 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Mon 22nd Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Tues 23rd Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Wed 24th Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Thurs 25th Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Fri 26th Feb: Exposition 11.30am, 12noon Mass
Sat 27th Feb: Exposition 11am, 12noon Mass, 11-11.50am Confessions
Sun 28th Feb: Second Sunday in Lent - 7pm (27th), 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Sun 21st Feb: First Sunday in Lent - 7pm (20th), 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
Mon 22nd Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Tues 23rd Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Wed 24th Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Thurs 25th Feb: Exposition 8.45am, 9.15am Mass
Fri 26th Feb: Exposition 11.30am, 12noon Mass
Sat 27th Feb: Exposition 11am, 12noon Mass, 11-11.50am Confessions
Sun 28th Feb: Second Sunday in Lent - 7pm (27th), 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses. Mass online from 9.30am
This Week:
The rainbow has served as a symbol in many cultures for the hopeful beginning of a new era after suffering and violence. Its roots in western civilisation is found in today’s first reading from Genesis. The bad things on earth have been washed away and the life preserved in Noah’s ark survives to propagate new life. The rainbow in the sky is always going to be the sign of God’s promise that something good is coming. This is why we put rainbows in our windows in the first lockdown to show our support for the NHS and to brighten up people’s day.
In the Gospel, Jesus goes into the desert for forty days and undergoes temptation. He is essentially suffering an intense quarantine (meaning ‘40 days’), so that we know that he understands what we suffer as human beings during our whole life’s journey. That is why we have Lent for 40 days. And at the end of Lent, we celebrate the ultimate, most important ‘rainbow’ of all. We prepare during this season to celebrate the fact that Jesus died and rose for us, and has lifted us up to something better, namely eternal life with him in heaven.
But we can also find these rainbows of hope in our every day life here and now. That ultimate rainbow of the Easter celebration colours the rest of our lives. So we catch glimpses of rainbows in small acts of kindness, and any wonderful signs of hope and love. We just need to keep on the lookout for them. And we can create these little rainbows for other people too.
If you're not able to join us for Mass, please watch online here.
The rainbow has served as a symbol in many cultures for the hopeful beginning of a new era after suffering and violence. Its roots in western civilisation is found in today’s first reading from Genesis. The bad things on earth have been washed away and the life preserved in Noah’s ark survives to propagate new life. The rainbow in the sky is always going to be the sign of God’s promise that something good is coming. This is why we put rainbows in our windows in the first lockdown to show our support for the NHS and to brighten up people’s day.
In the Gospel, Jesus goes into the desert for forty days and undergoes temptation. He is essentially suffering an intense quarantine (meaning ‘40 days’), so that we know that he understands what we suffer as human beings during our whole life’s journey. That is why we have Lent for 40 days. And at the end of Lent, we celebrate the ultimate, most important ‘rainbow’ of all. We prepare during this season to celebrate the fact that Jesus died and rose for us, and has lifted us up to something better, namely eternal life with him in heaven.
But we can also find these rainbows of hope in our every day life here and now. That ultimate rainbow of the Easter celebration colours the rest of our lives. So we catch glimpses of rainbows in small acts of kindness, and any wonderful signs of hope and love. We just need to keep on the lookout for them. And we can create these little rainbows for other people too.
If you're not able to join us for Mass, please watch online 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.
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Lent Resources
We have collated some of the resources prepared by the Diocese of Salford to help you sustain your prayer life this Lent, as we continue to deal with a different and disrupted world. Please take some time to read and reflect on these materials over the coming weeks, including how to Give Back this Lent by supporting CAFOD's Walk for Water appeal. Click here to visit the Lent Resources page. |
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This week's newsletters
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.