at St Paulinus in Guisborough

On Wednesday 24th June, on the Feast of St John the Baptist, Bishop Terence Drainey went to St Paulinus RC Church at Guisborough for a celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for 26 candidates from the parishes of Ss Joseph and Cuthbert at Loftus and St Paulinus at Guisborough, including one from St John the Evangelist at Easingwold.

There was a full Church to watch Bishop Terence perform the Sacrament of Confirmation, assisted by Canon Michael Bayldon of St Paulinus and Fr John McKeever of Ss Joseph and Cuthbert. There were 11 candidates from Guisborough and 12 from Loftus with one from Easingwold and two adults, Abigail Boyes and Susan Ross.

In his homily to the congregation, Bishop Terence recalled his days as a parish priest in Salford, and recounted what he learnt from his experiences there and, in particular, respect for the person. He asked ‘Do we earn respect or is it owed?’ and said that human beings have a duty to respect each other. ‘Everyone has the right to expect to be treated as a human being with all the rights and privileges that goes with it.’

Bishop Terence continued ‘We reverence one another in the creation, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick and the housebound. In the Gospel, the new holy place is in the human person as God dwells in each and every one of us. We’re part of God’s people and that community – it’s where our strength lies. The light is about to be sealed in the gift of the spirit tonight.’

After the ceremony, wine and nibbles were on offer at St Paulinus RC Primary School for candidates and their families. In amongst the food was a cake specially baked by Kate Fulton, the aunt of one of the candidates who cut the cake assisted by another candidate.