On Saturday 26 July 2025, the Diocese of Middlesbrough gathered with great joy at Saint Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate two extraordinary milestones in the life of the Church: 60 years of priesthood for Emeritus Bishop John Crowley, and 50 years for Bishop Terry Drainey, our bishop.
The celebration was marked by a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at midday, with Bishop Terry presiding and Bishop John concelebrating. A special honour on the day was the presence of Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, who sat in choir and preached the homily. His presence brought a profound sense of connection with the wider Church and our new Pope Leo XIV.
A Diocese United in Gratitude
The cathedral was filled with clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across the diocese and beyond. The atmosphere was one of warmth, reverence, and familial joy, as the people of God gathered to honour two shepherds who have served with generosity, humility, and unwavering commitment.
In his homily, Cardinal Roche spoke movingly about the hidden depths of the priestly vocation; the long seam of grace that runs quietly through a priest’s life, often unseen by others, but always known to God. Drawing from Scripture and personal reflection, he gave thanks for the faithful ‘yes’ offered daily by both jubilarians, and reminded us all that the true fruit of priesthood lies not in public success but in perseverance, presence, and sacramental love.
A Witness of Fidelity
Both Bishop John and Bishop Terry have served not only in their home dioceses (Westminster and Salford respectively) but were later called to missionary service and then to the episcopacy in Middlesbrough. Though ten years apart in ordination, their lives have converged in this diocese, where they have poured themselves out for the people of God.
Following the Mass, the cathedral grounds became a place of joyful reunion, as people from many parishes and communities shared memories, gave thanks, and offered their personal congratulations to the jubilarians. The affection for both men was evident in every handshake, photograph, and story exchanged.
A Jubilee in Every Sense
The celebration also took place in the context of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, proclaimed by the late Pope Francis. It was fitting, then, that the lives and ministries of these two bishops became a living homily on the meaning of hope: a hope anchored not in comfort, but in constancy.
As the Cardinal reminded us, priesthood does not truly retire. Its fruits continue quietly, often invisibly, in prayer, witness, and spiritual fatherhood. That truth was visible in abundance throughout this celebration.
We give thanks to God for the lives and vocations of these shepherds, and pray that their example will inspire many more to hear and answer the Lord’s call.
The full text of Cardinal Arthur Roche’s homily is found here: https://middlesbrough-diocese.org.uk/cardinal-roches-homily-jubilarian-mass/
