St Stephen's is part of the Diocese of Salford. Diocesan life is varied and vibrant – there are many faithful priests, religious and parishioners who serve the Diocese of Salford in countless ways. The Diocese is led by Bishop John Arnold.
If you would like any information about the departments and services of the Diocese please see www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
If you can’t find what you are looking for please email communications@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or phone 0161 817 2222
If you would like any information about the departments and services of the Diocese please see www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
If you can’t find what you are looking for please email communications@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or phone 0161 817 2222
diocese
Annual Returns
All parishes should now have received an electronic copy of the Annual Return to fill in once all information is received to the end of 31st December 2019. This year the format is electronic with the exception of only a few parishes who have received a hard copy of the return to fill in.
This year Barclays have provided bank statements to the 27th of December. For this reason, you will need to wait until you receive your January bank statement in order to fill in the remaining 4 days of December.
If you have not received this or need some assistance filling the return in please contact finance as soon as possible
email- finance@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Telephone - 0161 817 2222
Additionally there will be a workshop on Saturday 15th February at the Cathedral Centre to go through the procedure of filling in the Annual Return. All priests and volunteers who are responsible for the Annual Returns are welcome to attend. Times to be confirmed.
Audit notice - Message from Finance
Each year, a sample of parishes are selected for audit by Moffatts, the diocesan auditors.
This year Moffatts intend to combine the cash collection and the parish audit and, with prior agreement, carry out all work on-site in the parish, which will avoid the need for parish records to be sent to Cathedral Centre.
Any parish may be selected for audit: therefore, please can you ensure that all your records are available from 8th March 2020 onwards, as the auditors may wish to attend your parish soon after then.
Worldwide situation - Roman Missal Resources Fr Paul Daly, Episcopal Vicar for Formation, has asked us to share the following message with you.
"Given the tragic variety of issues facing us on the world stage this Christmas season, with the uncertainty in Iran and Iraq and, more widely, the tragic floods in Jakarta, the devastating fires in Australia and the earthquake in Puerto Rico and the Carribean, celebrants might wish to use the following resources in the Roman Missal.
These Mass texts may be used on weekdays, including Obligatory Memorias. Suitable intercessions should be used at Sunday Masses. If so wished, the appropriate Collect may conclude the Prayer of the Faithful.
Suitable Mass texts include:
Masses 30 and 31 (for peace and justice/in time of war or disturbance) (pages 1360 and 1362)
Mass 37/1 (page 1368) In times of bushfires (changing 'in our land' to 'in Australia.')
Mass 34 (page 1366) In time of earthquake
Mass 37/3 (page 1369) In time of flood
In addition Eucharistic Prayer Two for Reconciliation (page 798) and Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions I (page 804), III (page 818) and II and IV may be helpful.
Please remember these needs in the Prayer of the Faithful at Weekday Mass and in the Liturgy of the Hours."
Email Fraud
Fr Alphonsus Anaele, from parish of the Holy Spirit in Manchester, has asked us to pass on the following message to all. A scam email has been sent in his name.
If you have received a message in Fr Alphonsus's name asking for a favour and to call or email back, please ignore this message as this was not from Fr Alphonsus. Thank you.
Notices for Parishes and Newsletter Inserts
The God who Speaks Through Matthew
We will be hearing The Gospel according to Matthew at Sunday Mass for much of this coming Year of the Word. Fr Chris Lough will lead an introduction to this great teaching Gospel, outlining some of the main themes and ideas to look out for over the coming weeks and months. There will also be an opportunity to work in a relaxed way with some of the wonderful stories that St Matthew sets before us.
Monday 20 January
St Anne’s Parish Hall, 1537 Ashton Old Road, Higher Openshaw, Manchester M11 1GR
7.30 to 9.00 pm
All welcome
Tea & coffee available from 7.00 pm.
There is no charge for the evening (optional donation to Cornerstone Day Centre).
Ample parking and Bus 219 stops at the door.
Please book to give us some indication of expected numbers.
Contact: Christopher.lough@dioceseofsalford.org.uk; 0161 370 1615 or formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk; 0161 817 2214
Monthly Mass in Spanish
We have be grateful if you could share details of the following Mass in Spanish at Salford Cathedral on in your parish newsletters or pass on details to parishioners who may be interested.
Misa en Espanol
Catedral de Salford, 250 Chapel Street, M3 5LE
Todos los Terceros Domingos de cada mes a las 2pm.
Próxima misa: Domingo 19 de Enero 2020.
Todos están bienvenidos a la Misa, Refrigerio compartir siempre al final de la Misa.
Información: salfordcathedralenespanolmisa@gmail.com / llamar: 07947 613721
Spanish Mass
Salford Cathedral, 250 Chapel Street, M3 5LE.
Every Third Sunday of each month at 2pm
Next mass on Sunday 19th January 2020.
All are welcome to join. Refreshments will be served after mass for sharing.
Information: salfordcathedralenespanolmisa@gmail.com / call: 07947 613721
Xaverian College Request for Governors
Xaverian College is a Catholic Sixth Form College in Rusholme, founded by the Xaverian Brothers and now under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Salford. The college is currently looking for Catholic governors to join its diverse community and welcomes governors from all walks of life with an interest in supporting Catholic Education. Perhaps you were even a student at Xaverian and would like to maintain links with the college. If you think you could support the college as a governor please contact governors@xaverian.ac.uk or telephone 0161 249 2109 for more information.
Hope in the Future, Living the Sunday Eucharist: Sixth Installment12th January (The Baptism of the Lord)
6: INTRODUCTORY RITES: Sprinkling with Holy Water
At Sunday Mass there is the option of a Sprinkling with Holy Water replacing the Penitential Rite – though it has to be said that this happens very rarely! Perhaps this Sunday (The Baptism of the Lord) and Easter are the only times it is frequently used. This is a shame, because it can give a variety and interest to the Introductory Rites which can sustain our understanding and devotion week by week. Perhaps consider using it more often – especially in the Easter Season, or at celebrations where a large number of children are present, or even just once a month! John the Baptist preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”, and this is the meaning of this action at this moment of the Mass. There are many symbolisms at work in the waters of baptism, but when that water is sprinkled it is a sign of cleansing and purification – the washing away of sin and guilt and all that hinders us from the joys of life in God’s Kingdom. In some ways this action is an extension of something we have already done – dipping our fingers in the holy water stoup on the way into church: that was a reminder of baptism, which washed sin away and welcomed us as children of God and sisters and brothers of Jesus. So to, in these “Introductory Rites” whose purpose is to draw us together and prepare us for worship, the Sprinkling with Holy Water can be a powerful moment or repentance and reconciliation. A priest tells a story of a parishioner who collared him after Easter Sunday Mass, where this rite had been used, complaining that “the water never touched me!” As a “sacramental” Church we make ample use of physical symbols, and should be generous in their use: without asking people to bring raincoats, if the Sprinkling with Holy Water is used, everyone should get wet! The chant or hymn that accompanies it should be both penitential and joyful, because Jesus, the author of baptism, has made holy these waters in which we celebrate our reconciliation.
Reminders
Could you be a school governor?
There are 208 schools in the Diocese of Salford which accommodate approximately 82,000 pupils. Governors play in important part in our Catholic schools and the diocese is looking for nominees to take on the role.
Nominees would not be expected to have a direct knowledge of current education law, school organisation or Governance, but should be willing to learn and dedicate reasonable time to their responsibilities. They would be expected to have a genuine commitment to the educational, personal and spiritual development of students and in particular to the wellbeing of the school community as a whole.
If you can help by becoming a Governor, an expression of interest form and further information can be found on the Diocese website:
www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/services/education
The education department have produced a leaflet with further information and would be grateful if you could print this off. The leaflet, with further information, can be found here
All parishes should now have received an electronic copy of the Annual Return to fill in once all information is received to the end of 31st December 2019. This year the format is electronic with the exception of only a few parishes who have received a hard copy of the return to fill in.
This year Barclays have provided bank statements to the 27th of December. For this reason, you will need to wait until you receive your January bank statement in order to fill in the remaining 4 days of December.
If you have not received this or need some assistance filling the return in please contact finance as soon as possible
email- finance@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Telephone - 0161 817 2222
Additionally there will be a workshop on Saturday 15th February at the Cathedral Centre to go through the procedure of filling in the Annual Return. All priests and volunteers who are responsible for the Annual Returns are welcome to attend. Times to be confirmed.
Audit notice - Message from Finance
Each year, a sample of parishes are selected for audit by Moffatts, the diocesan auditors.
This year Moffatts intend to combine the cash collection and the parish audit and, with prior agreement, carry out all work on-site in the parish, which will avoid the need for parish records to be sent to Cathedral Centre.
Any parish may be selected for audit: therefore, please can you ensure that all your records are available from 8th March 2020 onwards, as the auditors may wish to attend your parish soon after then.
Worldwide situation - Roman Missal Resources Fr Paul Daly, Episcopal Vicar for Formation, has asked us to share the following message with you.
"Given the tragic variety of issues facing us on the world stage this Christmas season, with the uncertainty in Iran and Iraq and, more widely, the tragic floods in Jakarta, the devastating fires in Australia and the earthquake in Puerto Rico and the Carribean, celebrants might wish to use the following resources in the Roman Missal.
These Mass texts may be used on weekdays, including Obligatory Memorias. Suitable intercessions should be used at Sunday Masses. If so wished, the appropriate Collect may conclude the Prayer of the Faithful.
Suitable Mass texts include:
Masses 30 and 31 (for peace and justice/in time of war or disturbance) (pages 1360 and 1362)
Mass 37/1 (page 1368) In times of bushfires (changing 'in our land' to 'in Australia.')
Mass 34 (page 1366) In time of earthquake
Mass 37/3 (page 1369) In time of flood
In addition Eucharistic Prayer Two for Reconciliation (page 798) and Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions I (page 804), III (page 818) and II and IV may be helpful.
Please remember these needs in the Prayer of the Faithful at Weekday Mass and in the Liturgy of the Hours."
Email Fraud
Fr Alphonsus Anaele, from parish of the Holy Spirit in Manchester, has asked us to pass on the following message to all. A scam email has been sent in his name.
If you have received a message in Fr Alphonsus's name asking for a favour and to call or email back, please ignore this message as this was not from Fr Alphonsus. Thank you.
Notices for Parishes and Newsletter Inserts
The God who Speaks Through Matthew
We will be hearing The Gospel according to Matthew at Sunday Mass for much of this coming Year of the Word. Fr Chris Lough will lead an introduction to this great teaching Gospel, outlining some of the main themes and ideas to look out for over the coming weeks and months. There will also be an opportunity to work in a relaxed way with some of the wonderful stories that St Matthew sets before us.
Monday 20 January
St Anne’s Parish Hall, 1537 Ashton Old Road, Higher Openshaw, Manchester M11 1GR
7.30 to 9.00 pm
All welcome
Tea & coffee available from 7.00 pm.
There is no charge for the evening (optional donation to Cornerstone Day Centre).
Ample parking and Bus 219 stops at the door.
Please book to give us some indication of expected numbers.
Contact: Christopher.lough@dioceseofsalford.org.uk; 0161 370 1615 or formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk; 0161 817 2214
Monthly Mass in Spanish
We have be grateful if you could share details of the following Mass in Spanish at Salford Cathedral on in your parish newsletters or pass on details to parishioners who may be interested.
Misa en Espanol
Catedral de Salford, 250 Chapel Street, M3 5LE
Todos los Terceros Domingos de cada mes a las 2pm.
Próxima misa: Domingo 19 de Enero 2020.
Todos están bienvenidos a la Misa, Refrigerio compartir siempre al final de la Misa.
Información: salfordcathedralenespanolmisa@gmail.com / llamar: 07947 613721
Spanish Mass
Salford Cathedral, 250 Chapel Street, M3 5LE.
Every Third Sunday of each month at 2pm
Next mass on Sunday 19th January 2020.
All are welcome to join. Refreshments will be served after mass for sharing.
Information: salfordcathedralenespanolmisa@gmail.com / call: 07947 613721
Xaverian College Request for Governors
Xaverian College is a Catholic Sixth Form College in Rusholme, founded by the Xaverian Brothers and now under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Salford. The college is currently looking for Catholic governors to join its diverse community and welcomes governors from all walks of life with an interest in supporting Catholic Education. Perhaps you were even a student at Xaverian and would like to maintain links with the college. If you think you could support the college as a governor please contact governors@xaverian.ac.uk or telephone 0161 249 2109 for more information.
Hope in the Future, Living the Sunday Eucharist: Sixth Installment12th January (The Baptism of the Lord)
6: INTRODUCTORY RITES: Sprinkling with Holy Water
At Sunday Mass there is the option of a Sprinkling with Holy Water replacing the Penitential Rite – though it has to be said that this happens very rarely! Perhaps this Sunday (The Baptism of the Lord) and Easter are the only times it is frequently used. This is a shame, because it can give a variety and interest to the Introductory Rites which can sustain our understanding and devotion week by week. Perhaps consider using it more often – especially in the Easter Season, or at celebrations where a large number of children are present, or even just once a month! John the Baptist preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”, and this is the meaning of this action at this moment of the Mass. There are many symbolisms at work in the waters of baptism, but when that water is sprinkled it is a sign of cleansing and purification – the washing away of sin and guilt and all that hinders us from the joys of life in God’s Kingdom. In some ways this action is an extension of something we have already done – dipping our fingers in the holy water stoup on the way into church: that was a reminder of baptism, which washed sin away and welcomed us as children of God and sisters and brothers of Jesus. So to, in these “Introductory Rites” whose purpose is to draw us together and prepare us for worship, the Sprinkling with Holy Water can be a powerful moment or repentance and reconciliation. A priest tells a story of a parishioner who collared him after Easter Sunday Mass, where this rite had been used, complaining that “the water never touched me!” As a “sacramental” Church we make ample use of physical symbols, and should be generous in their use: without asking people to bring raincoats, if the Sprinkling with Holy Water is used, everyone should get wet! The chant or hymn that accompanies it should be both penitential and joyful, because Jesus, the author of baptism, has made holy these waters in which we celebrate our reconciliation.
Reminders
Could you be a school governor?
There are 208 schools in the Diocese of Salford which accommodate approximately 82,000 pupils. Governors play in important part in our Catholic schools and the diocese is looking for nominees to take on the role.
Nominees would not be expected to have a direct knowledge of current education law, school organisation or Governance, but should be willing to learn and dedicate reasonable time to their responsibilities. They would be expected to have a genuine commitment to the educational, personal and spiritual development of students and in particular to the wellbeing of the school community as a whole.
If you can help by becoming a Governor, an expression of interest form and further information can be found on the Diocese website:
www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/services/education
The education department have produced a leaflet with further information and would be grateful if you could print this off. The leaflet, with further information, can be found here