by Michael McG | Aug 24, 2020 | Miscellaneous
Bishop Recommends New Domestic Abuse Help Guide
Bishop Terry has issued a Note of Recommendation for a new Domestic Abuse Booklet issued by the National Board of Catholic Women, which is available here. The booklet contains current information supported by Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Dame Vera...
Beirut: Catholic Charity Offers Emergency Food Package
An emergency food package of £226,000 is to be rushed out by a leading Catholic charity in the wake of the huge explosion in Beirut. The Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) grant will target poor families worst affected by the blast which devastated the port area of the...
Bishop Terry Announces Clergy Moves
Bishop Terry has announced a number of clergy moves in our diocese. Father Albert Schembri has moved from St Mary’s Cathedral to become parish priest of Our Lady and St Peter, Bridlington. Father Paul Dowling is moving to Blessed Nicholas Postgate, Redcar, as...
Where To Find Help During The Coronavirus
The diocese has put together four directories – one for each deanery – packed with useful resources for anyone who needs extra help at this time.
Mini-Retreat To Celebrate The Assumption
Our diocesan adult formation coordinator Deacon David Cross has put together a special mini-retreat to help us celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady. The retreat runs from Saturday August 8 to Sunday August 16, which is the feast day itself. This year’s...
St Wilfrid’s Children Follow In Patron’s Footsteps
Children at St Wilfrid’s Primary School in York followed in their patron’s footsteps to rise to a challenge set by their teacher as part of their home-schooling. Year 4/5 teacher Dan Jones was inspired by St Wilfrid, who walked the 6,000 miles from York to Rome three...
CYMFed To Host Online Series Of Youth Ministry Talks
CYMFed, the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation of England and Wales, is hosting a series of online talks for the youth ministry community featuring expert speakers from across the globe. “Journeying Together” aims to inspire, inform and encourage youth ministers...
New Anglican Archbishop Welcomed To Shrine Of St Margaret Clitherow
Bishop Terry welcomed newly elected 98th Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell to pray alongside him in the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow in the city. The meeting came immediately after Archbishop Stephen’s Confirmation of Election service, which was broadcast...
Father Peter Celebrates Diamond Jubilee Mass
More than 4,000 people viewed a Mass celebrated on Facebook to mark the diamond anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father Peter Ryan. Born in Limerick in the Republic of Ireland, Father Peter has ministered in the Diocese of Middlesbrough throughout that time,...
Knights’ Invitation To Zoom Youth Seminar
The Knights of St Columba is inviting young people aged 16 to 23 to take part in a virtual Zoom seminar on Wednesday July 22. The theme is “Our faith yesterday, our faith today and our faith tomorrow – what are the challenges ahead?” Programme 8.45am–9am: Roll Call,...
Sea Sunday 2020 Postponed
In the light of the uncertainty posed by Covid-19, the Catholic bishops of England and Wales have decided to postpone Sea Sunday 2020, which was due to take place on July 12. The date has not yet been finalised, but it is likely to be either Sunday December 13 or...
Tributes Paid To Father Bill
Tributes have been paid to the former long-serving parish priest of St Joseph’s in Pickering Father Bill East, who died on Wednesday July 1 after a long illness. Father Bill, who was 72, spent 11 years at St Luke’s Parish Church in Pallion, Sunderland, from 1983...
St Hilda’s Student Goes Extra Mile For Mission Together Appeal
A Year 6 pupil at St Hilda’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Whitby has stunned the organisers of this year’s Mission Together appeal by single-handedly raising more than £200 for less fortunate children. The pupil went to extraordinary efforts to boost his...
York Author Publishes Children’s Mass Book
York-based children’s author and liturgical and eucharistic minister Sue Ellis has produced an interactive book to help families, schools and churches inspire children to share in the celebration of the Mass. The book is designed to help children aged from five to ten...
Bishop Issues Abortion Warning
A bishop has warned that a proposed amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill will lead to “abortion on demand.”Bishop John Sherrington, the lead Catholic bishop for life issues said: “We are expecting the Report Stage of the Domestic Abuse Bill to take place in week...
Mass Celebrated Every 23 Seconds For Charity’s Supporters
Mass was celebrated roughly every 23 seconds somewhere around the world last year for the intentions of a Catholic charity’s supporters. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) sends stipends from its benefactors to help priests where the Church is suffering or in dire need....
Pilgrims’ Travel Guide To God’s Own County Published
North-East publisher Sacristy Press is publishing a new travel guide all about Yorkshire and its Christian Heritage. Yorkshire has a long and rich Christian history, stretching back beyond the Vikings to Roman Britain. Saints and Holy Places of...
Pope’s Prayer Intention For July
Pope Francis invites us to pray with him during the month of July that families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance. When the Holy Father decided on the intentions that would be presented to us each month this year, in consultation with...
Services Return At The Cathedral
Catholics will be able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough from Friday and attend Mass from Sunday as the lockdown rules ease. This week, confession will be available on Friday and Saturday from noon to 2pm, during the time...
Friends Of The Holy Land’s Pentecost Challenge Raises £110,000
Generous Friends of the Holy Land supporters have donated a remarkable £110,000 to trigger matched funds from of the charity’s backers. Money came from across the whole country, with creative ways to raise funds under lockdown conditions including distanced strawberry...
Mary’s Meals Produces Video Update
The charity Mary’s Meals, which helps children in some of the world’s poorest communities, has produced a video of its recent “Virtual Family Hour” for anyone who would like to see an update on its work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ7jnjQWZY For more information...
Pope Sends Video Message To Seafarers
Pope Francis has sent a video message of encouragement to seafarers recognising the difficulties they face as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the video, he expresses gratitude for their help in feeding humanity despite the risks involved and prays for those who...
Bishop Praises Actions Of Frontline Workers
“Actions speak louder than words.” was the message of Bishop of East Anglia Alan Hopes as he celebrated a Mass at St John’s Cathedral in Norwich to show spiritual solidarity with frontline medical, care and voluntary workers across the country. “The Lord Jesus teaches...
Important Information Regarding Acts Of Public Worship
Dear brothers and sisters, The Metropolitan Archbishops of England have written a pastoral message to us all regarding the announcement made by the Government that Acts of Public Worship may be held in a limited way as from July 4. First of all, may I take the...
Bishops Call On Government To Help Stop West Bank Annexation
Catholic and Anglican bishops from the Holy Land Coordination group have called on the UK government and parliamentarians to help prevent annexation of the West Bank, which could begin on July 1. Their intervention follows a recent statement by the Archbishop of...
Bishop Terry Is First To Enter Cathedral
Bishop Terry was the first person to enter St Mary’s Cathedral when it reopened for private prayer. He was followed by a steady stream of people coming for private prayer. Thanks are due to the Dean and his dedicated team of volunteers who safely guide and...
Cardinal Welcomes Resumption Of Collective Acts Of Worship
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has welcomed the news that places of worship will be able to resume collective acts of worship from July 4.“This is welcome news for members of all religions in England,” he said. “I thank all who have worked hard to bring this about, not...
Bishop Reflects On ‘The Priestly Heart’
In a message for the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of all priests, Bishop of Plymouth Mark O’Toole has invited priests to look back on their ordination day “with a sense of deep joy.” Speaking through personal experience, he...
Church Leaders Voice Opposition To West Bank Annexation
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Israeli ambassador to the UK Mark Regev expressing opposition to any move by the Israeli government to annex West Bank territory after July 1. The...
Take Part In CAFOD’s Summer of Hope
CAFOD has launched a summer fundraising offer for children, young people, families, parishes and the wider Catholic community as part of the Coronavirus appeal. You and your family are invited to be part of a Summer of Hope to ensure clean water and food reaches some...
Storyteller Mary Takes To YouTube
York storyteller F Mary Callan has found lockdown an unexpected opportunity. With other events cancelled it has spurred her to post Inside Stories from the Bible on Youtube. “I decided to film a character a day for 40 days ending at Corpus Christi,” says Mary. “In...
Cardinal’s Praise After £1m Covid-19 Poverty Donation
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has thanked the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation for its “exceptional and magnificent” £1m donation to help Catholic charities cope with poverty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardinal Nichols praised the donation as “a remarkable gift...
Bishop’s Message About Possibility Of Reopening Some Churches For Private Prayer
You will be aware from the media that the government plans to allow the possibility that places of worship may be opened for private prayer as from Monday June 15, providing they are able to comply with the government’s strict regulations. Thorough preparations need...
Bishops Stand In Solidarity With Racial Justice Campaigners
Catholic bishops in England and Wales have issued a statement in solidarity with those struggling for racial justice after the death of 46-year-old George Floyd in Minnesota. Bishop Declan Lang, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales lead bishop for...
Bishop Hopes Government Will ‘See Sense’ And Allow Opening Of Churches
In an extended pastoral message for the feast day of St Boniface (June 5), Patron of the Diocese of Plymouth, Bishop Mark O’Toole expressed his hope that the Government “will see sense soon” and permit the opening of at least some churches for personal prayer. ...
Cardinal: Time For Phased Reopening Of Churches
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has questioned why churches have not been allowed to open for private prayer. Speaking in his homily for Pentecost Sunday, the cardinal asks why churches have been excluded from a decision that has seen car showrooms and outdoor markets now...
Annabelle Completes Ben Nevis Challenge For Zoë’s Place
Little Annabelle Anson has smashed through her fundraising target for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough after completing a lockdown-style Ben Nevis challenge in her own home. Annabelle, aged seven, who lives with her family near Stokesley, climbed 612 flights...
June’s Prayer Intention From Pope Francis
This month Pope Francis asks that we pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus. Our prayer with the Pope in both his monthly and his new daily Intentions is always oriented towards changing our...
Openings For Part-Time Diocesan Health & Safety Officers
Diocesan Health & Safety Officers (Two posts) – Part-time Salary: In the region of £18,000 (£30,000 pro-rata) three days per week with pension contribution Fixed Period Contract of two years Starting: August/September 2020 The Diocese of Middlesbrough is seeking...
Step Into The Gap With CAFOD
Are you aged 18-30? CAFOD offers a gap year programme called Step into the Gap. As part of the ten-month programme you will be based in either a youth retreat centre, university chaplaincy or a secondary school chaplaincy team gaining new skills, developing as a...
Diocese Prepares For ‘Virtual Lourdes Pilgrimage’
Click here to download our 2020 Virtual Pilgrimage Program Catholics from across the diocese are preparing for a “Virtual Pilgrimage” to Lourdes after their annual visit to the French shrine was cancelled. Bishop Terry and other clergy will lead a programme of online...
Join The National Rosary Rally On Pentecost Sunday
Bishop Terry is inviting you to join the National Rosary Rally taking place in dioceses throughout England, Wales and Scotland from 9am to 9pm on Pentecost Sunday (May 31). Pope Francis is encouraging Catholics to pray the Rosary in their family homes during the month...
Pope Dedicates Prayer To Deacons – “Guardians of Service”
In this month’s Pope Video, the Holy Father brings to the fore the role of deacons and asks us to pray that they may be “an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.” Pope Francis exhorts us to pray for these “guardians of service in the Church”, that they may be an...
A Land Where Coronavirus Is Only One Of Many Dangers
Francis Hannaway, from St Gabriel’s Parish, Middlesbrough, lives and works in Basankusu Diocese, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I got a new visa for the Congo in January. In early February I arrived back in Kinshasa. There was some little commotion at the...
This Thursday Is Day of Prayer for Humanity
Bishop Terry introduces a request from Pope Francis for all people of goodwill to join in prayer, fasting and charitable works on Thursday (May 14) to pray together for deliverance from the pandemic… “May is the month of Our Lady. As a diocese we are doing a virtual...
World Day of Prayer Celebrated In York
Parishioners from English Martyrs, York, and students from All Saints School were joined in English Martyrs’ hall by friends from neighbouring churches St Chad’s, St Clement’s and Southlands to celebrate World Day of Prayer.The service was written by the women of...
Colonel Tom Inspires SFX Student To Raise PPE Funds
A Year 9 student from St Francis Xavier School in Richmond has set his own “pedal power” challenge to help raise funds for his school’s Technology Department to supply face visors to key workers. Dean Cunningham, aged 13, has been completing circuits on his bike every...
CAFOD Urges United Front Against Coronavirus
CAFOD is asking Catholics to sign a petition asking Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ensure that the most vulnerable people are the priority in the UK’s international efforts as well as at home. The charity says: “We are living through the biggest public health crisis...
