by Michael McG | Feb 16, 2022 | Diocese, Obituaries
A popular retired priest has died in a Redcar care home after being in ill-health for some months. He was 86. Monsignor John Heslin was a well-known figure in Saltburn’s town centre and lived in Garnet Street for nearly 20 years after retiring. Known as Father...
by Michael McG | Feb 9, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events
The magical sight of delicate snowdrops braving the cold weather heralds the ending of winter and the promise that spring will soon be here. But you may be surprised to learn that these much-loved flowers are not native to Britain. They were first introduced...
by Michael McG | Feb 7, 2022 | Catholic Voice, Diocese, Voice Column
Most of us will know that February 11 is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is also, fittingly, the World Day of Prayer for the Sick.Each year, the Holy Father sends a message out to all of us on this occasion. In his message he first of all reminds us that it was...
by Michael McG | Jan 29, 2022 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
Covid-19 Guidance for Churches – January 2022 Download Introduction Following the government announcement that the Plan B measures put in place to mitigate against Covid transmission will be lifted in full on January 27, the following guidance is offered to the...
by Michael McG | Jan 26, 2022 | Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
The team at Minsteracres Retreat Centre in Consett, County Durham, has released its latest programme of events. “You are a thought of God” is led by Father Ben Lodge CP, a Passionist priest and postulator for the causes of Dominic Barberi and Father...
by Michael McG | Jan 10, 2022 | Voice Column
Despite the fact that the Christmas and New Year holidays were a little bit longer this year – the bank holidays were transferred from the weekend to the Monday and Tuesday, then for New Year to the Monday – the Church likes to move us on quite swiftly.No sooner have...
by Michael McG | Jan 10, 2022 | Organisations, Pax Christi
The theme of Pope Francis for World Peace Day on Sunday January 16 is “Education, work and dialogue between generations: tools for building lasting peace.” Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, has produced a variety of online and paper...
by Michael McG | Jan 7, 2022 | Bishop Terry, Bishop Terry's Pastoral Letters
Bishop Terry’s Pastoral Letter for the Feast of the Holy Family… https://youtu.be/jcbFRwMnZHM
by Michael McG | Jan 6, 2022 | Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies
An epiphany blog and appeal from the SVP… Epiphany is a powerful word. It’s an instant of revelation, a pivotal moment of realisation when truth becomes manifest.For people of faith, Epiphany takes on added significance as the affirmation of the divinity of the baby...
by Michael McG | Jan 1, 2022 | Miscellaneous
Lenten Pastoral Message from the Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Mark O’Toole, Chair of the Department of Evangelisation and Discipleship War has come again to Europe. It is almost unimaginable for us who have lived in peace for so long. Our hearts and...
by Michael McG | Dec 23, 2021 | Friends of the Holy Land, Organisations
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5 As we look ahead to celebrating the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem more than two millennia ago, BISHOP MICHAEL LANGRISH reflects on the vulnerable Christian communities that...
by Michael McG | Dec 10, 2021 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies
The St Vincent de Paul Society and the Jesuit Refugee Service have published a Campaign Toolkit on the Nationality and Borders Bill. The toolkit has been produced as an essential resource for Catholic communities across the country working to achieve social justice.It...
by Michael McG | Dec 10, 2021 | Justice and Peace, Organisations
The Justice and Peace Commission is delighted to welcome Pax Christi England and Wales schools and youth education officer Aisling Griffin as the speaker for its January meeting, which will be held via Zoom. Since joining Pax Christi, part of Aisling’s work has been...
by Michael McG | Dec 10, 2021 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies
The apprehension and fear of a generation has been laid bare in a new report compiled by the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) on the effects of in-work poverty on children and young people. The report pulls together existing research on in-work poverty and captures...
by Michael McG | Dec 10, 2021 | CAUSE Foundation, Parishes, St Gabriel's
A charity that has helped struggling Teesside families for more than 30 years is celebrating its biggest-ever windfall. The CAUSE Foundation– which began life as Catholics Against Unemployment and Social Evils – says the £10,000 donation from the Mary Strand...
by Michael McG | Dec 10, 2021 | Appeals and Special Events, Bishop Terry, Bishop's Engagements, Ecumenism, Parishes, St John of Beverley
A historic event took place in Beverley on Sunday October 2 when a Catholic Mass was celebrated in the Minster for the first time since the Reformation. The service was to mark the 1,300th anniversary of the death of St John of Beverley. Bishop Terry was the principal...
by Michael McG | Dec 10, 2021 | Voice Column
“The Synod is a process of spiritual discernment, of ecclesial discernment, that unfolds in adoration, in prayer and in dialogue with the word of God. God’s word is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit,...
by Michael McG | Dec 2, 2021 | Music for the Mind, Organisations
Music for the Mind presents a carol service for people living with dementia, their carers, families and friends on Monday December 13. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be served in St Mary’s Cathedral hall from 2pm with carols in the church from 2.30pm. Chris...
by Michael McG | Dec 2, 2021 | Diocese, Safeguarding
Victim Support launched Safe Spaces as a joint Anglican and Catholic Church project to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse. Although the churches fund the service, it is run independently by the Victim Support, one of the leading...
by Michael McG | Nov 29, 2021 | Apostleship of the Sea, Organisations
When small children go to bed on Christmas Eve, their minds are full of images of Santa Claus flying through the night sky with reindeers pulling a sleigh piled high with presents. But, of course, it’s not Santa who will bring their presents – it’s seafarers....
by Michael McG | Nov 29, 2021 | Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is urging people across England and Wales to give the gift of kindness this Christmas as it launches its Christmas Kindness Appeal. The appeal, which launches on Giving Tuesday (November 30) and runs throughout December, will raise...
by Michael McG | Nov 29, 2021 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
Adult formation coordinator Deacon David Cross presents an Advent Retreat, beginning on Friday December 17 and ending on Christmas Day.
by Michael McG | Nov 26, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Bishop Terry has recorded this pastoral letter for the first Sunday of...
by Michael McG | Nov 26, 2021 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Coronavirus
During the pandemic, public worship was suspended for a time and there have been restrictions on parish life. As a result, people have been exploring other ways to practice their faith, including Spiritual Communion via live streaming. As people begin returning to...
by Michael McG | Nov 17, 2021 | Voice Column
On the weekend of the First Sunday of Advent, November 27 and 28, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation will be restored. Let me just share some thoughts on this with you. During the first and second lockdown there was a deep realisation...
by Michael McG | Nov 12, 2021 | Apostleship of the Sea, Organisations
To mark World Fisheries Day, Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) is holding an online panel discussion to look at the darker side of the maritime world – modern slavery aboard some fishing vessels. The expert panel, including Stella Maris chaplains...
by Michael McG | Nov 12, 2021 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations
Caritas Middlesbrough – the umbrella group for the many organisations in the diocese engaged in social outreach work – has produced its fourth newsletter. You can read the newsletter here…
by Michael McG | Nov 1, 2021 | Diocese, Obituaries
Father John James McKeever – known to many throughout the diocese as Father Jack – sadly died at James Cook University Hospital on Sunday October 31 at 7.45pm. Father Jack was born on March 7 1933 in Ardee, County Louth. He attended St Patrick’s seminary in Thurles...
by Michael McG | Nov 1, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Bishop's Engagements, Hull, Parishes
After months of negotiation, planning and preparation, we welcomed the Daughters of Divine Love into our diocese and the West Hull Parish (St Wilfrid’s, St Joseph and Corpus Christi) on Sunday September 5. It was a joyful and memorable occasion. The welcome Mass was...
by Michael McG | Oct 11, 2021 | Appeals and Special Events, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations, World Day of the Poor
RAYMOND FRIEL, chief executive officer of Caritas Social Action Network, introduces the resources produced to help us mark the fifth World Day of the Poor, on Sunday November 14 2021… World Day of the Poor was initiated by Pope Francis in 2017 with the theme of “Let...
by Michael McG | Oct 8, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Bishop's Engagements, Parishes, St John of Beverley
Bishop Terry has been given special permission to celebrate Mass at Beverley Minster in a service to mark the 1,300th anniversary of the death of St John of Beverley. The service will take place on Sunday October 24 at 2pm. Born at Harpham, between Bridlington and...
by Michael McG | Oct 6, 2021 | Miscellaneous, Organisations, Pact
Prisoners’ Sunday – this year on October 10 – is the national day of prayer and action for prisoners and their dependants. It is a day to direct our thoughts and prayers to prisoners, their families and children, when we reflect on how we as individuals, as a Church...
by Michael McG | Sep 27, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Coronavirus, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
A message from Bishop Terry about two special Masses that will be celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral in November… On the Feast of All Souls, November 2, there will be a special Mass for all the deceased bishops, priests and deacons of the diocese at St Mary’s Cathedral...
by Michael McG | Sep 21, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Catholic Bishop's Conference, Pope Francis, Synod of Bishops 2023
At the beginning of September, Bishop Terry sent us a pastoral letter, to be read out in parishes throughout the diocese. In his letter, Bishop Terry spoke of an invitation from Pope Francis to every Catholic in our diocese and indeed in dioceses around the world to...
by Michael McG | Sep 20, 2021 | Evangelisation, RCIA
Those who are involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or who wish to become involved are invited to a Zoom meeting on Saturday October 9 from 10am to noon. The meeting will begin with a period of Lectio Divina prayer and will include a time for...
by Michael McG | Sep 20, 2021 | Pact
“I was in prison and you visited me…” (Matthew 25:36) Pact, the national Catholic charity that provides support to men, women and young people in prison, people with convictions and their children and families, is looking for volunteers to help with Prisoners’ Sunday...
by Michael McG | Sep 20, 2021 | Organisations, SPUC
St Thomas More’s Church, Middlesbrough, will hold a five-day SPUC Pro-Life Mission from September 27 to October 1. Programme Day one: Monday September 27 10.30am: Opening Mass11am: Opening Presentation – “Open Wide the Doors to Christ: a Pro-Life Journey” (SPUC...
by Michael McG | Sep 17, 2021 | Justice and Peace, Organisations
The Ursuline Sisters UK are asking supporters to sign back petition urging the government to rethink its current stance and sign the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This treaty was adopted on July 7 2017 and after being ratified by its 50th state...
by Michael McG | Sep 16, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Bishop Terry's Pastoral Letters
Dear sisters and brothers During the pandemic, among many of the phrases which have frequently been employed, the fact that we are all in it together, stands out. Pope Francis has convened the Synod of Bishops to take place in 2023. The title is “For a Synodal Church:...
by Michael McG | Sep 15, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Catholic Bishop's Conference
In the next weeks, we face an unprecedented attach on the sanctity of life, with Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill 2021, which received its First Reading in the House of Lords and is due its Second Reading with full debate on Friday October 15.The term “assisted...
by Michael McG | Sep 13, 2021 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
As the Church began the annual Season of Creation on September 1, Pope Francis is inviting everyone to pray for “an environmentally sustainable lifestyle”, writes GRACE ATTU. In the Pope’s Video detailing his prayer intention for the month of September, he praised the...
by Michael McG | Sep 13, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Lady Chapel
A new section of the Cleveland Way has been declared open to walkers, marking a change in the route of the 109-mile national trail. The new pathway, which passes an entrance to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace, was opened by Bishop Terry after the unveiling...
by Michael McG | Sep 13, 2021 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
Catholic bishops and organisations have voiced their opposition to the arms trade, as the UK prepares to host one of the world’s largest arms fairs next week. The DSEI arms fair takes place in London from September 14 to 17, bringing together governments...
by Michael McG | Sep 3, 2021 | Catholic Voice, Diocese, Voice Column
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has inaugurated a special day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 25. In his message he reminds us that Jesus promised his disciples he would be with them always (cf Mt 28.20). He says that in fact, the whole Church cares and loves...
by Michael McG | Sep 1, 2021 | Coronavirus, Online
Father Philip Cunnah will join the panel for a webinar to consider how to draw people back to Jesus and the Church in the post-pandemic world. The event is being organised by Alpha UK and Divine Renovation UK and will look at how the Church will be faced...
by Michael McG | Sep 1, 2021 | Appeals and Special Events, CAFOD, CAFOD Appeals, Organisations
People around the world have been shocked by the news and distressing images we have seen coming out of Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.Afghan families are now feeling scared and abandoned. People are displaced inside their own country, while others have...
by Michael McG | Sep 1, 2021 | Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is seeking a million gestures of kindness to address the trail of poverty and loneliness left in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Launching its Awareness Month campaign, which runs throughout September and includes the feast days...
by Giraffe | Aug 23, 2021 | Appeals and Special Events, CAFOD Appeals, Miscellaneous
By now, most of the priests and deacons of the diocese will have met Father Anil and Father Xavier, who have come to work alongside us. They belong to the Congregation of the Heralds of the Good News, and it is through their Provincial Superior that they have been...
by Michael McG | Aug 20, 2021 | Adult Formation, Diocese, Evangelisation, Study Days
All those who are involved in parish life are invited to take part in our forthcoming Inspirational Day. We would like to welcome all ministers, stewards, catechists and anyone who feels they would like to become more involved with their parish. The meeting will...
by Michael McG | Aug 11, 2021 | Bishop Terry, Bishop's Engagements, Encyclicals, Pope Francis
Bishop Terry is among the speakers who will discuss some of the challenging ideas presented by Pope Francis in his papal encyclical Laudato Si’ at an event in Hull. He will be joined by Dr Mark Charlesworth and Edward de Quay in Hull Minster on Trinity Square on...
