"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 re-start on Wednesday 2nd December
With the announcement that the national lockdown will end this week, Masses and services will start again on Wednesday 2nd December, with a 9.15am Mass. The guidance for those wishing to attend remains as previously - please see here for a reminder of the guidelines. Face-coverings must be worn unless you are exempt on medical grounds or for children aged under 11 years.
With the announcement that the national lockdown will end this week, Masses and services will start again on Wednesday 2nd December, with a 9.15am Mass. The guidance for those wishing to attend remains as previously - please see here for a reminder of the guidelines. 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 29th Nov: First Sunday in Advent - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and private prayer from 10am to 12noon
Mon 30th Nov and Tues 1st Dec: Exposition 9.15am to 10.15am
Wed 2nd and Thurs 3rd Dec: Exposition 8.45am, Mass 9.15am
Fri 4th Dec: Exposition 11.30am, Mass 12 noon and 7pm
Sat 5th Dec: Exposition 11.30am, Mass 12 noon / Confessions 11am to 11.50am
Sun 6th Dec: Second Sunday of Advent. 7pm vigil (on 5th Dec), 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses
Sun 29th Nov: First Sunday in Advent - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and private prayer from 10am to 12noon
Mon 30th Nov and Tues 1st Dec: Exposition 9.15am to 10.15am
Wed 2nd and Thurs 3rd Dec: Exposition 8.45am, Mass 9.15am
Fri 4th Dec: Exposition 11.30am, Mass 12 noon and 7pm
Sat 5th Dec: Exposition 11.30am, Mass 12 noon / Confessions 11am to 11.50am
Sun 6th Dec: Second Sunday of Advent. 7pm vigil (on 5th Dec), 8am, 9.30am & 11am Masses
This Week: First Sunday in Advent
The first candle we light on our Advent Wreath has the theme of Hope. But what do we mean by hope? Christian hope is the desire for eternal life and to be with God, and awaiting expectantly that that will happen. It is the opposite of despair, which has taken hold of our society and has resulted in much poorer mental health. Hope means that we recognise that to be with God is our happiness. And that helps us deal with what is happening in our lives in the present. It means that no matter what is thrown at us, whatever suffering and setbacks we endure, we expect God to do something and for Jesus to be working in our lives. Hope means that we know we are always called to something better, to be happy and in bliss enjoying eternal life with God in heaven. Hope therefore gives our lives now meaning and purpose. So, during Advent, we expectantly await Jesus entering our lives, once again as a new born baby, at the end of time in his second coming, and in the here and now working among us and in our hearts. We hope for Jesus. So, just as Princess Leia says in Star Wars: A New Hope, 'Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope,' we can say at a much more profound level, 'Help me, Jesus Christ, you're my only hope.'
The first candle we light on our Advent Wreath has the theme of Hope. But what do we mean by hope? Christian hope is the desire for eternal life and to be with God, and awaiting expectantly that that will happen. It is the opposite of despair, which has taken hold of our society and has resulted in much poorer mental health. Hope means that we recognise that to be with God is our happiness. And that helps us deal with what is happening in our lives in the present. It means that no matter what is thrown at us, whatever suffering and setbacks we endure, we expect God to do something and for Jesus to be working in our lives. Hope means that we know we are always called to something better, to be happy and in bliss enjoying eternal life with God in heaven. Hope therefore gives our lives now meaning and purpose. So, during Advent, we expectantly await Jesus entering our lives, once again as a new born baby, at the end of time in his second coming, and in the here and now working among us and in our hearts. We hope for Jesus. So, just as Princess Leia says in Star Wars: A New Hope, 'Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope,' we can say at a much more profound level, 'Help me, Jesus Christ, you're my only hope.'
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Also this week Bishop John asks us to take part in a Government consultation about how they engage with members of faith communities. It can be found on this link. |
Click here to watch this Sunday's Mass - it is recorded and available from 9.30am each Sunday, so that we can all share in the worship. |
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 the Sunday 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.
The Twelve Masses of Christmas
Join us in the joyful celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Saviour
Christmas at St Catherine's will be a little unusual this year, and we will unfortunately be unable to accommodate the usual numbers at each of our Masses. This means that all of our Services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and the Feast of the Holy Family will be BY TICKET ONLY – not something we ever thought we’d have to do, but we hope you’ll understand the necessity this year.
Join us in the joyful celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Saviour
Christmas at St Catherine's will be a little unusual this year, and we will unfortunately be unable to accommodate the usual numbers at each of our Masses. This means that all of our Services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and the Feast of the Holy Family will be BY TICKET ONLY – not something we ever thought we’d have to do, but we hope you’ll understand the necessity this year.
Tickets for the following services will be issued on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS, MAXIMUM 4 PER APPLICATION to ensure that we can plan for safe social distancing in our Church:
Thursday 24th December (Christmas Eve): 12noon, 7pm and 10pm
Friday 25th December (Christmas Day): 8am, 9.30am and 11am
Saturday 26th December (St Stephen’s Day): 9:15am, 12noon and 7pm
Sunday 27th December (Feast of the Holy Family): 8am, 9.30am and 11am
Thursday 24th December (Christmas Eve): 12noon, 7pm and 10pm
Friday 25th December (Christmas Day): 8am, 9.30am and 11am
Saturday 26th December (St Stephen’s Day): 9:15am, 12noon and 7pm
Sunday 27th December (Feast of the Holy Family): 8am, 9.30am and 11am
We are an inclusive community, welcoming all, and you are encouraged to attend one of these Masses over Christmas rather than everyone trying to come along on Christmas morning. This is the safest and fairest way to allow access to as many people as possible, and we encourage you to watch other services on our You Tube channel.
Applying for Tickets
Tickets will be available from 12 noon on Sunday 29th November by clicking on this link to our online booking system
They are also available via:
- Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StCathsRCDidsbury/
- By email parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk
- By phoning the presbytery on 0161 445 2079
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, TICKETS FOR SOME OF THE MASSES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
PLEASE CALL 0161 445 2079 WITH ANY QUERIES ON AVAILABILITY.
Tickets will be available from 12 noon on Sunday 29th November by clicking on this link to our online booking system
They are also available via:
- Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StCathsRCDidsbury/
- By email parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk
- By phoning the presbytery on 0161 445 2079
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, TICKETS FOR SOME OF THE MASSES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
PLEASE CALL 0161 445 2079 WITH ANY QUERIES ON AVAILABILITY.
Giving to others this Christmas - helping those less fortunate
This year has been hard for everyone, but particularly those who have lost loved ones due to Covid or who have suffered emotional, physical or financial hardship. We know that Christmas 2020 is going to be different for us all and there is plenty we can do to help those in need. Please get involved by donating goods or making an online donation.
This year has been hard for everyone, but particularly those who have lost loved ones due to Covid or who have suffered emotional, physical or financial hardship. We know that Christmas 2020 is going to be different for us all and there is plenty we can do to help those in need. Please get involved by donating goods or making an online donation.
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Make a donation of money
Caritas Salford Advent Appeal is called The Miracle of Kindness - watch this short film to find out more about it. Please donate to support those less fortunate by using this link. 
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Donate some groceries We're collecting non-perishable groceries and Christmas favourites to distribute to families in need. Please drop off your donations at Church and leave them in the Resources Room (the room next to the confessional). Any items received before 3rd December will be taken to The Lalley Centre who are running a Reverse Advent Calendar to distribute to families in North Manchester. Any items received between 4th and 20th December will be taken to local Food Banks. |
This week's newsletters
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What is Advent?
We have collated information, daily prayers, reflections and activities for you to enjoy over the next few weeks, to help support your own spiritual preparation for Christmas. There's no better time to start thinking about how to get the most out of this special season - see our Advent pages. |
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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 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.