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
Clergy Notices
Weekdays in Church
Since many parishes are opening for more weekday Masses, the Liturgy Office has prepared a weekday Mass Sheet to aid the participation of the faithful. It is a two-sided A4 document, which when printed forms a tri-fold leaflet. It can be found at this link: Weekdays in Church - Last Week in Ordinary Time.
Please note, this week is the final edition of the Weekdays in Church Mass sheets. Weekday Mass Sheets will now be available at www.salfordliturgy.org.uk
Less is More - Prioritising Evangelisation in the Parish
Thursday 18th November, 7-8pm
How might having less going on in our parishes actually help us to achieve more? As we move through the busy autumn season, it can be hard to keep our priorities straight. We are committed to prioritising mission, but a thousand needs sweep in every day, blowing us off course. Join Leadership Coach Matt Regitz, Parish Priest of St Charles Borromeo, Paisley, Fr Jim Duggan and Director of Divine Renovation UK Hannah Vaughan-Spruce for our next UK webinar, where we ask what “less is more” could mean for your parish.
Register here: https://divinerenovation.tfaforms.net/f/lessismore
Reminders
Synod update
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Crib Offerings
Christmas time brings to mind the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Many parishes across the country already adopt Friends of the Holy Land as the beneficiary of their crib collections. FHL help the most deprived Christian families, especially those living around Bethlehem, in Gaza, Israel and Jordan. With no pilgrims and tourism since March 2020 and no government support to individuals or businesses, many families, especially in and around Bethlehem have lost all their income and are increasingly calling on FHL for help with day to day living. FHL remains the only registered UK charity with its own office, staff and volunteers in the city of Christ’s birth.
Further information on FHL is available on their website www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
If you would like a supply of information to enhance prayers at the crib, please contact their office by emailing Jen Hill jen.hill@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk or telephoning 01926 512980.
Grants of up to £10,000 available to community projects tackling climate change
A new fund has been launched to support communities and schools across the UK take action on climate change.
Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to support community projects covering areas such as food, transport, energy, waste and consumption, and the natural environment.
The funding is being made available through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Together for Our Planet Fund.
Organisations that can apply include voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, schools, colleges, and more.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 18th November 2021.
The online application form is available on the National Lottery Community Fund website:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/together-for-our-planet#section-1
‘Camino – Making the Journey’ Resource for RCIA/Journey of Faith
Free downloadable resource now available here:
www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/sacraments/rcia/
Inspired by the online diocesan Confirmation programme, 'Empowered', we have produced a similar programme for those enquiring about the Catholic Faith or taking part in the RCIA/Journey in Faith in their parish/deanery. This course can also be used for general Adult Formation. The sessions are designed to be used online, in person or a mixture of both. Each session is designed to last around one hour and can be downloaded as PowerPoint files. Each session is complete but can be adapted by those delivering the sessions. Each session includes a time of prayer, a main input video, some scripture, reflective music, a time of discussion and extracts from the Catechism. There are 6 introduction sections looking at pilgrimage sites and 21 sessions on different aspects of the Catholic Faith.
Notices for Parishes and Newsletter Inserts
Sunday Prayer Resource – “The Lord's Day at Home”
For those still at home and not attending Mass, the Liturgy Office has prepared a service called "The Lord's Day at Home", based on the Sunday Scriptures, that you can pray on your own or with your family. It is particularly aimed at those not able to follow a Mass on the internet.
Click here to download the Mass sheet for Sunday 21 November (Feast of Christ the King).
This week is the final edition of “The Lord’s Day at Home”.
Click here for a generic Sunday service in the pattern of 'The Lord's Day at Home', which can be used on any Sunday with a copy of the Gospel of that day.
Some alternatives are suggested below, which can assist people not currently back at Church to join in with Sunday worship at home.
St Gregory's Association will be holding a Mass in memory of members who have died. It will take place on Friday 26th November at 7pm at St Kentigern Roman Catholic Church in Fallowfield, and will be celebrated by Fr Eamon Mulcahy.
Caritas Salford’s Advent Appeal 2021: #Loved
Caritas Salford’s work with children and families is at the heart of our Love in Action as much as it ever was, and is just one aspect of their diverse work supporting those facing crisis and challenge.
As the principal domestic social action agency of the Catholic Diocese of Salford, and in this Year of St Joseph and the Family, Caritas is asking for your support to continue this transformative work.
Please visit http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/advent-2021 to see the difference your donations have made in the past 12 months to over 5,000 families*. For example, you’ve helped provide:
Online donations, via the website, save the charity the cost of administration and eases the claim for 25% extra in Gift Aid. Setting up a direct debit can also be done in this way.
Alternatively, call Rachel Taylor during office hours on 0161 817 2285. Cheques made payable to Caritas Diocese of Salford, marked FAO Rachel Taylor: ADVENT APPEAL to: Caritas House, Nobby Stiles Drive, Collyhurst, Manchester M4 4FA. Please include your full name, address and postcode, and whether you wish to gift aid the donation.
Thank you for your support. Please continue to keep our teams of staff and volunteers in your prayers, as well as those who need our support, so that they know they are loved.
Reminders
Help for families in crisis
As people continue to struggle with the financial impact of the pandemic, or with illness and unemployment, we remind parish priests and head teachers that they are still able to access funds secured by Caritas Salford’s team for families in-crisis.
Here are comments from a member of staff at one of our diocesan schools about the difference the fund has made: ‘It makes a massive difference to me personally seeing the relief and joy that appears on their faces when they hear we are able to help. One parent told me: “…this has made my family happy, happy, happy! Words cannot describe how happy we are. God is giving blessing to them with this help and he will bless everyone who gave them this help.”
The application form and eligibility criteria are available here: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Caritas-Bishops-Fund-Award-Criteria-and-Application-Form.docx
Genesis Mission Introduction Session
Cathedral Centre, Salford – Saturday 27th November 2021, 10:00am-1:00pm
As part of Stage 4 of Hope in the Future, it is our intention to focus explicitly on missionary discipleship. By this we mean an integration of a newly formed or deepened missionary attitude, with practical tools and ways to share the Gospel sensitively and appropriately in everyday life. Fr Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson from the Diocese of Plymouth will give an introduction to Genesis Mission and share how you can get involved.
For more information and to register, visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/genesis-mission-introduction-session/
Formation Series:
Fr Eamonn Mulcahy - Synods and the Church under Pope Francis
Wednesday 24 November 2021, 7.30pm, Cathedral Centre and Zoom
Pope Francis is inviting the Catholic Church to listen deeply to one another and to discern what God is saying to the Church. Fr Eamonn will help us explore Pope Francis’ vision for a Synodal Church. The session will take place on Wednesday 24 November at the Cathedral Centre and via Zoom. The talk will begin at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7pm. Suggested donations of £5 are welcome. To register for the event, visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/synods-and-the-church-under-pope-francis/
Young Adults Mass and Social
Sunday 21st November 2021, 5.30pm
St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor St, Manchester, M15 6BW.
On Sunday 21st November, there will be a Mass for young adults at St Augustine’s Church in Manchester for the Feast of Christ the King.
The Mass will be followed by a social and all are welcome.
For more information, please email: SalfordYoungAdults@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Please click here to download a poster to display in your parish – thank you.
A Workshop for Singers
Saturday 20th November 2021, 10.30am - 4pm
St Augustine's Catholic Church, Grosvenor Square, Manchester, M15 6BW
A fascinating workshop exploring the world of plainchant is being held at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Manchester next month.
This is the first of several workshops devoted to the repertoire of Catholic liturgical music organised by the St Philip Neri Singers. In this introduction, you will be given an introduction to chant repertoire, taught how to read chant notation, and learn to sing pieces, concentrating on music for Eucharistic Adoration and for Our Lady.
For more information, please contact the choir director Dr Rosemarie Darby on stphilipnerisingers@yahoo.co.uk or by calling 07798858900.
You can download a poster for the event here.
A Light in this World
November is the month of remembrance when we celebrate the lives of the faithful departed. More than ever, we may find ourselves thinking about a loved one. We then see Advent dawning, when we prepare for the Lord's coming in glory. This year, why not make a dedication to someone you love, someone you miss or someone who has no-one else to pray for them. Together, we can keep their light shining, whilst making a difference to the lives of those who need it most. Please visit https://caritassalford.dedicationpage.org/
Please note that all dedications made by Monday 22nd November will then be remembered by name during the Caritas Mass of Remembrance on Friday 26th November at 7.00 pm celebrated by Fr Ged Murphy, Episcopal Vicar for Caritas, at St Anne’s RC Church, Stretford.
Weekdays in Church
Since many parishes are opening for more weekday Masses, the Liturgy Office has prepared a weekday Mass Sheet to aid the participation of the faithful. It is a two-sided A4 document, which when printed forms a tri-fold leaflet. It can be found at this link: Weekdays in Church - Last Week in Ordinary Time.
Please note, this week is the final edition of the Weekdays in Church Mass sheets. Weekday Mass Sheets will now be available at www.salfordliturgy.org.uk
Less is More - Prioritising Evangelisation in the Parish
Thursday 18th November, 7-8pm
How might having less going on in our parishes actually help us to achieve more? As we move through the busy autumn season, it can be hard to keep our priorities straight. We are committed to prioritising mission, but a thousand needs sweep in every day, blowing us off course. Join Leadership Coach Matt Regitz, Parish Priest of St Charles Borromeo, Paisley, Fr Jim Duggan and Director of Divine Renovation UK Hannah Vaughan-Spruce for our next UK webinar, where we ask what “less is more” could mean for your parish.
Register here: https://divinerenovation.tfaforms.net/f/lessismore
Reminders
Synod update
- Clergy Formation Day - Together on the Road: An Introduction to a synodal way of working
Wednesday 24th November 2021, 11:00am – 3:00pm, Pendle Suite - Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel, BB5 5JP
The day will include times of prayer, opening remarks from Bishop John, a keynote address on Synodality from Fr Eamonn Mulcahy, and input from the Department for Formation on Hope in the Future and a suggested ‘roadmap’ for our Salford Synod Journey, linking in with the Universal Synod which Pope Francis has called.
There will be opportunity for discussion and questions.
It is requested that as many priests attend this event as are able to do so, so that together we can discern what the Holy Spirit is asking of our diocese.
Please register your place by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk. A donation of £20.00 per person is requested to assist with the costs of the day.
This can be given on the day, paid via cheque (made payable to ‘SRCDTR’), or deducted from your parish account (via email confirmation). If you wish to post the cheque please send to ‘Synod, Department for Formation, Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP’.
Tea, coffee, and a two-course buffet lunch will be provided. - As you are aware, Pope Francis has asked all Dioceses to reflect on ten questions and, via the Bishops’ Conferences, to feed back the responses so as to inform the Synod of Bishops gathering in Rome in 2023. The questions, as adapted into a more accessible format, will be sent to you, and placed online, in time for the beginning of Advent. People will be asked to submit their responses to the Department for Formation by 1st March, if possible, online.
For those parishes that are able, a simple format for a parish meeting will be made available.
Parish groups and organisations might submit a response following a time of discussion and reflection. So, for example, it would be good to encourage parishioners to respond either via the diocesan website or via post or email.
Parishes and other groups are encouraged to use whatever methods of gathering responses that are practical in their own contexts, without becoming a burden at this time.
- The responses gathered for the Universal Synod will form part of our own reflections as we look at the future within our own diocese. More information as to how it will all hold together will be given at the Clergy Day and the Evening with Fr Eamonn Mulcahy on Wednesday 24th November.
- We are all encouraged to pray the Adsumus Prayer, which is attributed to St. Isidore of Seville (560-636) and was used to begin the Sessions of the Second Vatican Council. It is printed below: please do share it and encourage its use.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Crib Offerings
Christmas time brings to mind the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Many parishes across the country already adopt Friends of the Holy Land as the beneficiary of their crib collections. FHL help the most deprived Christian families, especially those living around Bethlehem, in Gaza, Israel and Jordan. With no pilgrims and tourism since March 2020 and no government support to individuals or businesses, many families, especially in and around Bethlehem have lost all their income and are increasingly calling on FHL for help with day to day living. FHL remains the only registered UK charity with its own office, staff and volunteers in the city of Christ’s birth.
Further information on FHL is available on their website www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
If you would like a supply of information to enhance prayers at the crib, please contact their office by emailing Jen Hill jen.hill@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk or telephoning 01926 512980.
Grants of up to £10,000 available to community projects tackling climate change
A new fund has been launched to support communities and schools across the UK take action on climate change.
Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to support community projects covering areas such as food, transport, energy, waste and consumption, and the natural environment.
The funding is being made available through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Together for Our Planet Fund.
Organisations that can apply include voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, schools, colleges, and more.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 18th November 2021.
The online application form is available on the National Lottery Community Fund website:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/together-for-our-planet#section-1
‘Camino – Making the Journey’ Resource for RCIA/Journey of Faith
Free downloadable resource now available here:
www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/sacraments/rcia/
Inspired by the online diocesan Confirmation programme, 'Empowered', we have produced a similar programme for those enquiring about the Catholic Faith or taking part in the RCIA/Journey in Faith in their parish/deanery. This course can also be used for general Adult Formation. The sessions are designed to be used online, in person or a mixture of both. Each session is designed to last around one hour and can be downloaded as PowerPoint files. Each session is complete but can be adapted by those delivering the sessions. Each session includes a time of prayer, a main input video, some scripture, reflective music, a time of discussion and extracts from the Catechism. There are 6 introduction sections looking at pilgrimage sites and 21 sessions on different aspects of the Catholic Faith.
Notices for Parishes and Newsletter Inserts
Sunday Prayer Resource – “The Lord's Day at Home”
For those still at home and not attending Mass, the Liturgy Office has prepared a service called "The Lord's Day at Home", based on the Sunday Scriptures, that you can pray on your own or with your family. It is particularly aimed at those not able to follow a Mass on the internet.
Click here to download the Mass sheet for Sunday 21 November (Feast of Christ the King).
This week is the final edition of “The Lord’s Day at Home”.
Click here for a generic Sunday service in the pattern of 'The Lord's Day at Home', which can be used on any Sunday with a copy of the Gospel of that day.
Some alternatives are suggested below, which can assist people not currently back at Church to join in with Sunday worship at home.
- The best Resource for Sunday worship at home is through the Universalis website (https://universalis.com/mass.htm) or app: texts for a particular Sunday (or indeed weekday) can be easily copied and printed out for those still at home.
- The Vienna International Religious Centre (VIRC) has a brilliant resource of printable sheets with the Scripture readings and a reflection for each Sunday: it also provides these in a variety of European languages, which could also be useful for those in Church whose first language is not English. The sheets can be found at https://www.virc.at/unit/virc/en/massreadings
- CAFOD provides a weekly Children’s Liturgy of the Word, which can also be suitable for use at home: it can be found here: https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
- The Archdiocese of Detroit publishes a wonderful set of activities and reflections for each Sunday called “52 Sundays”; a pdf of the book can be found here: https://www.52sundays.com/
- Also from America, The Pastoral Centre offers an online “Build Your own Worship” page at https://worship.pastoral.center/build
- And finally, and possibly most importantly, you can always take whatever is being used in Church this Sunday – printed Mass Sheets, Newsletters, Missalettes – to the housebound or isolating, not just to provide them with resources for prayer, but important contact with the community gathering in Church."
St Gregory's Association will be holding a Mass in memory of members who have died. It will take place on Friday 26th November at 7pm at St Kentigern Roman Catholic Church in Fallowfield, and will be celebrated by Fr Eamon Mulcahy.
Caritas Salford’s Advent Appeal 2021: #Loved
Caritas Salford’s work with children and families is at the heart of our Love in Action as much as it ever was, and is just one aspect of their diverse work supporting those facing crisis and challenge.
As the principal domestic social action agency of the Catholic Diocese of Salford, and in this Year of St Joseph and the Family, Caritas is asking for your support to continue this transformative work.
Please visit http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/advent-2021 to see the difference your donations have made in the past 12 months to over 5,000 families*. For example, you’ve helped provide:
- A safe place to live for young parents with their infant child with 24/7 support
- Food parcels and shopping vouchers
- Essential household items and toiletries
- School uniform, shoes and Christmas treats/presents
- Financial grants to families facing a crisis, illness or poverty
- 1:1 advice sessions with our trained staff for as long as it takes
Online donations, via the website, save the charity the cost of administration and eases the claim for 25% extra in Gift Aid. Setting up a direct debit can also be done in this way.
Alternatively, call Rachel Taylor during office hours on 0161 817 2285. Cheques made payable to Caritas Diocese of Salford, marked FAO Rachel Taylor: ADVENT APPEAL to: Caritas House, Nobby Stiles Drive, Collyhurst, Manchester M4 4FA. Please include your full name, address and postcode, and whether you wish to gift aid the donation.
Thank you for your support. Please continue to keep our teams of staff and volunteers in your prayers, as well as those who need our support, so that they know they are loved.
Reminders
Help for families in crisis
As people continue to struggle with the financial impact of the pandemic, or with illness and unemployment, we remind parish priests and head teachers that they are still able to access funds secured by Caritas Salford’s team for families in-crisis.
Here are comments from a member of staff at one of our diocesan schools about the difference the fund has made: ‘It makes a massive difference to me personally seeing the relief and joy that appears on their faces when they hear we are able to help. One parent told me: “…this has made my family happy, happy, happy! Words cannot describe how happy we are. God is giving blessing to them with this help and he will bless everyone who gave them this help.”
The application form and eligibility criteria are available here: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Caritas-Bishops-Fund-Award-Criteria-and-Application-Form.docx
Genesis Mission Introduction Session
Cathedral Centre, Salford – Saturday 27th November 2021, 10:00am-1:00pm
As part of Stage 4 of Hope in the Future, it is our intention to focus explicitly on missionary discipleship. By this we mean an integration of a newly formed or deepened missionary attitude, with practical tools and ways to share the Gospel sensitively and appropriately in everyday life. Fr Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson from the Diocese of Plymouth will give an introduction to Genesis Mission and share how you can get involved.
For more information and to register, visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/genesis-mission-introduction-session/
Formation Series:
Fr Eamonn Mulcahy - Synods and the Church under Pope Francis
Wednesday 24 November 2021, 7.30pm, Cathedral Centre and Zoom
Pope Francis is inviting the Catholic Church to listen deeply to one another and to discern what God is saying to the Church. Fr Eamonn will help us explore Pope Francis’ vision for a Synodal Church. The session will take place on Wednesday 24 November at the Cathedral Centre and via Zoom. The talk will begin at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7pm. Suggested donations of £5 are welcome. To register for the event, visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/synods-and-the-church-under-pope-francis/
Young Adults Mass and Social
Sunday 21st November 2021, 5.30pm
St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor St, Manchester, M15 6BW.
On Sunday 21st November, there will be a Mass for young adults at St Augustine’s Church in Manchester for the Feast of Christ the King.
The Mass will be followed by a social and all are welcome.
For more information, please email: SalfordYoungAdults@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Please click here to download a poster to display in your parish – thank you.
A Workshop for Singers
Saturday 20th November 2021, 10.30am - 4pm
St Augustine's Catholic Church, Grosvenor Square, Manchester, M15 6BW
A fascinating workshop exploring the world of plainchant is being held at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Manchester next month.
This is the first of several workshops devoted to the repertoire of Catholic liturgical music organised by the St Philip Neri Singers. In this introduction, you will be given an introduction to chant repertoire, taught how to read chant notation, and learn to sing pieces, concentrating on music for Eucharistic Adoration and for Our Lady.
For more information, please contact the choir director Dr Rosemarie Darby on stphilipnerisingers@yahoo.co.uk or by calling 07798858900.
You can download a poster for the event here.
A Light in this World
November is the month of remembrance when we celebrate the lives of the faithful departed. More than ever, we may find ourselves thinking about a loved one. We then see Advent dawning, when we prepare for the Lord's coming in glory. This year, why not make a dedication to someone you love, someone you miss or someone who has no-one else to pray for them. Together, we can keep their light shining, whilst making a difference to the lives of those who need it most. Please visit https://caritassalford.dedicationpage.org/
Please note that all dedications made by Monday 22nd November will then be remembered by name during the Caritas Mass of Remembrance on Friday 26th November at 7.00 pm celebrated by Fr Ged Murphy, Episcopal Vicar for Caritas, at St Anne’s RC Church, Stretford.