The closing of Newlands FCJ School at the end of this academic term and its planned amalgamation with St David’s to build a new school – Trinity College – on the Newlands site brings to an end 137 years of service to Middlesbrough Catholic education by the FCJ Sisters.

It was in 1872, when we were part of the Diocese of Beverley, that Bishop Cornthwaite invited the Sisters to come to establish a school in St Mary’s parish with its outstanding young parish priest – Richard Lacy, who became our first Bishop in 1878. The group of Sisters led by Mother Lucy Fletcher established themselves in the area locals later called ‘across the Border’ but then the heartland of the town. Later, they led St Patrick’s boys and girls schools, St Richard’s and St Augustine’s, and established Newlands Convent School, which started many of the girls who would later teach and lead our schools on their first education steps. It was from the Convent that working class Catholic girls went on to university education and jobs in leading professions – some of them later became FCJ Sisters.

So it was fitting that on 4th July, Bishop Drainey, joined by over a dozen priests, offered a Mass of Thanksgiving for the years of service in the Cathedral where they were joined by FCJ Sisters, present and past pupils, and many who had benefited from the Sisters’ efforts. Music for the Mass was provided by Newlands School Choir and Orchestra. Sr Margarita, Provincial, welcomed everybody and thanked the Bishop and priests. In his homily, Bishop Drainey traced the early days of the Sisters in Middlesbrough and how Mother Lucy died of fever. He stressed the benefits of Catholic education. He linked the readings into the work of the Order and ended by reminding all of the charism of the Sisters, how their work continues and how we are all called to be Faithful Companions of Jesus.

Two former Heads – Srs Bernadette O’Malley and Clare Sykes, read the lessons and two former pupils, both also FCJ Sisters – Rita McLoughlin and Christine Anderson, the bidding prayers.

The offertory gifts presented to the Bishop included a list of schools served by FCJ Sisters presented by Sr Victoire (former head of St Richard’s and St Augustine’s), a copy of the life of the FCJ Foundress presented by Sr Lucy (a former pupil), the FCJ Sisters Cross (presented by Sue Mawston, a former pupil and a Governor of Newlands) whilst Professor Joe Hebst (Chair of Governors) presented a copy of the mosaic of Our Lady which is at the entrance to the School. Others involved in the offertory procession included Steve Wing, current Headteacher, Sr Mary FCJ, Ann Hudson and Mike Kendal.

During the distribution of Holy Communion, Katherine Donovan, a past pupil of Newlands, sang ‘Be still for the presence of the Lord’, and Clare Butterfield, another past pupil, ‘Panis Angelicus’. The Communion Reflection was sung by St Augustine’s, Coulby Newham, Primary School Choir.

Before the end of Mass, Sr Katherine Mary O’Flynn, General Superior, thanked everybody and said the work of the Sisters would continue in Middlesbrough in areas other than education and they would serve on the Governing Body of Trinity College so the work in education would continue, albeit in a different way. She thanked the Bishop for his commitment and finally all who had joined the Mass today.

The school song ‘Fortiter and Recte’ was sung with gusto and later many memories were shared again in the parish hall over a cup of tea.