the following who were lucky enough to secure their places for the 40@40 charity football match at the Riverside. Read More

The auction for places to play in the charity match at the Riverside Stadium, home of Middlesbrough Football Club, closes at noon tomorrow.

The latest bids are as follows; Read More

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has given planning permission for the Diocese to build a new church next to St Paulinus School to serve the people of Guisborough. The new church and community centre will replace the current building in Park Lane, which was opened in 1927. It is expected that work will commence during the summer with the aim to have the new Church open in 2009. Read More

The FCJ Sisters would like to thank Bishop Terence Patrick, the priests and the many friends who braved the cold and sleet on Saturday 5th April to join with them in thanking God for the life and work of their Foundress, Marie Madeleine d’Houet.

Middlesbrough is very different today from the town the Sisters first knew when they lived in Cannon Street in 1872. But the faith hasn’t changed and while thanking God for the many generations of priests and people who have worked with us, we pray that through the intercession of Marie Madeleine, we all may continue to build up communities of faith and service in the Middlesbrough of the 21st century.

Almost 700 from across the Diocese including Bishop Terry, Mgr Dasey, VG, and 20 priests joined the FCJ communities from Middlesbrough and Hexham and Newcastle Dioceses at a Thanksgiving Mass in the Cathedral on 5th April to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of Venerable Marie Madeleine d’Houet who founded the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) Order in 1820 in Paris. Read More

Please write to your MP, emphasising that you are a constituent, who feels very strongly that there should be a conscience vote about the Bill and stating your principle objections to the suggested legislation.

Parishes could also consider brief letter-writing sessions after masses in order to create an effective quantity of letters. Writing in your own words often has more impact.

More information can be downloaded from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales website, www.catholicchurch.org.uk

As Christians we should know that justice is the bare minimum we owe to one another. It arises out of our natural interdependence. Justice cannot be avoided; it is the foundation of so much else, not least of all peace. Without justice there can be no peace and without peace there can be no civilising society. This is what you might call the natural imperative, but there is more, there is the divine imperative which urges us beyond justice and peace, but certainly presupposes it – namely, the Gospel. No one can take the Gospel to heart without acquiring a thirst for justice and peace. Nor can this ever be merely an academic exercise or remain in the realm of theory. Read More

Kathryn Tillotson is one of the group of brave souls joining Fr Paul Farrer in his 40@40 bungee jump off the Transporter Bridge on June 15th.

All proceeds will be going to Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, Middlesbrough so all sponsorship is for a really good cause.

Kathryn has a special fundraising web page where you can sponsor her quickly and securely. You can even see how much Gift Aid Kathryn is able to get back from the tax man. Please visit Kathryn’s Fundraising Page at www.justgiving.com/kathryntillotson Read More

Congratulations to Sister Agatha Leach CJ, of the Bar Convent Community on being named best ambassador for York in the city’s tourism awards. Read More

A BIG-HEART mystery backer who donated £2,100 means 59-year-old Father Pat Keogh will play the last few minutes of a charity football match at the Riverside - but YOU can still bid to play from just £210.

Fr Keogh, parish priest at St Joseph’s Parish in Middlesbrough, rarely misses a Boro match and is delighted that his big-hearted but media-shy friend has paid to ensure he lives the dream. Read More