by Michael McG | Mar 18, 2020 | Bishop Terry, Catholic Bishop's Conference, Coronavirus
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has issued liturgical advice in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, while Bishop Terry has added some additional points to clergy and parishioners. Bishop Terry added the following note to the letter you can read...
by Michael McG | Mar 18, 2020 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Coronavirus
A letter from the President and Vice-President on behalf of all the Bishops of the Conference Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express...
by Michael McG | Mar 17, 2020 | Lourdes
To all pilgrims and members of the Diocese of Middlesbrough Lourdes Hospitalité family We are writing to everyone once again to update you regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the impact this has had on plans for this year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage to...
by Michael McG | Mar 13, 2020 | Lourdes
From the organising committee to all members of the Lourdes Hospitalité and the family of the Diocese of Middlesbrough. We are writing to update you regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the impact this is having on plans for this year’s Diocesan...
by Michael McG | Mar 13, 2020 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
The following updated coronavirus advice has been issued to bishops and parishes by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales with immediate effect. The key things for parishes in these circumstances to do in Stage 2 are: It is likely you will need to...
by Michael McG | Mar 13, 2020 | CAFOD, Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage to celebrate the life of St Oscar Romero at Holy Island on Saturday April 4 has now been cancelled.
by Michael McG | Mar 4, 2020 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
March’s Intention of the Holy Father, offered to the whole church and all people of goodwill through his own worldwide prayer-group, coincides with the 40th anniversary this month of the assassination of St Oscar Romero. It comes also as we suffer with the people of...
by webmaster | Mar 1, 2020 | Voice Column
As we continue to celebrate the year of “the God who speaks”, it is especially important that, as Lent begins, we focus on the Word of God, and try to listen to that word in a new way. The Sunday readings have a particular structure. The gospels on the first two...
by Michael McG | Feb 19, 2020 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
The Catholic Church in England and Wales stands in solidarity with all European citizens who have made their homes here. They are a valued part of our parishes, schools and communities. All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK are required by the government to...
by Michael McG | Feb 19, 2020 | John Paul Centre, Pastoral Centres
The much-loved John Paul Centre, which has been a hub for community and voluntary services in Middlesbrough for many decades, is to close for safety reasons. The centre, on Grange Road, is home to a wide range of groups serving refugees, asylum seekers, the homeless...
by Michael McG | Feb 12, 2020 | Pope Francis
Pope Francis has spoken of his four “dreams” for the Amazon region in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia. The final document of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region, who met in Rome from October 6 to 27 last year, has also been...
by Michael McG | Feb 3, 2020 | Jobs
The Diocese of Middlesbrough wishes to appoint an experienced, full-time, cross-departmental admin assistant. Applicants should have experience of implementing and maintaining office systems and procedures. The successful applicant must have excellent communication...
by webmaster | Feb 1, 2020 | Voice Column
I’m always glad when we get to February. Although it can throw the worst of winter’s weather at us, at least we are moving away from the dark and into the light, from the winter into early spring, from the bleak into the not-so-bleak. The lengthening of the days...
by Michael McG | Feb 1, 2020 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
An urgent and tragic aspect of human life today is the suffering of millions of our brothers and sisters who have been forced to become refugees. A particularly harrowing dimension of this tragedy is illegal human trafficking. In his prayer Intention for February,...
by Michael McG | Jan 27, 2020 | Jobs, Safeguarding
The Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough is seeking an individual to take over the role of Independent Chair of the Middlesbrough Safeguarding Commission. The commission provides independent oversight of all safeguarding matters that impact on the diocese and aligned...
by Michael McG | Jan 27, 2020 | Obituaries
Bishop Terry will be the main celebrant at a Memorial Requiem Mass for Father Colman Ryan, who died on November 12 last year. Father Colman, who was 77, served in parishes in Whitby, Middlesbrough, Hull, Scarborough and Thirsk. He had been in ill health for several...
by Michael McG | Jan 24, 2020 | CAFOD, Jobs
CAFOD currently has an opening for an administrative support and development officer on a one-year contract. The closing date for applications is February 10. Click here for more details.
by Michael McG | Jan 24, 2020 | St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough, World Day of the Poor
More than 250 people gathered in our cathedral to follow Pope Francis’ call to stand in solidarity with those in poverty on the third World Day of the Poor. This inspiring event, organised by the Diocese of Middlesbrough Caritas team, brought together many agencies...
by Michael McG | Jan 15, 2020 | postgate
As part of the efforts of the Postgate Society to promote the cause of Blessed Nicholas Postgate we are planning to place a copy of a painting of Father Postgate in every church in the diocese. This ambitious project, which has the support of Bishop Terry, which will...
by Michael McG | Jan 15, 2020 | Appeals and Special Events, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
A gleaming new bus paid for by St Mary’s Cathedral parishioners and well-wishers throughout the diocese has finally arrived at the Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre in Ghana amid joyous celebrations. An appeal for £50,000 was launched by Monsignor Gerard Robinson after...
by Michael McG | Jan 15, 2020 | Pope Francis, Religious Communities, St Wilfrid's, York
It has been announced in Rome that our Holy Father Pope Francis has erected the oratory-in-formation in York as an independent Oratory of St Philip Neri. The decree of foundation is dated November 9, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. It became the...
by Michael McG | Jan 13, 2020 | Evangelisation, RCIA
Are you thinking of becoming a Catholic or involved in helping people on their journey in faith? Come and join us for a day retreat led by Canon Patrick Hartnett on Saturday February 1 from 10.30am to 3pm at Our Lady’s, Gale Lane, Acomb, York YO24 3AE. Take time out...
by Michael McG | Jan 8, 2020 | Bishop Terry, Diocese, Justice and Peace
The Diocese of Middlesbrough and the Diocese of Lancaster have announced their commitment to divest from fossil fuels, becoming the first Catholic dioceses in England and Wales to do so. Their announcements are made together with two Catholic religious orders – the...
by Michael McG | Jan 7, 2020 | Lourdes
Anyone wishing to go to Lourdes as a supported pilgrim this year is asked to apply immediately to register their interest. Our pilgrimage takes place from Friday May 22 to Friday May 29, with the main party flying direct from Teesside Airport. If you would like to...
by Michael McG | Jan 1, 2020 | Voice Column
Ten years ago, while still Pope, Benedict XVI wrote a Letter of Encouragement (an Apostolic Exhortation) after the Synod on the Word of God. The letter is full of many good things, it is rich and deep. Right at the heart of the letter is the message that the Word of...
by Michael McG | Dec 20, 2019 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
For the Holy Father and all Catholic Christians, each new calendar year begins with a heartfelt plea for peace. Pope Paul VI proposed that January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, be dedicated to the cause of universal peace, and so this day of prayer was...
by Michael McG | Dec 17, 2019 | Adult Formation, Blessed Nicholas Postgate
The parish of Blessed Nicholas Postgate in Redcar has begun its Missionary Discipleship journey. Around 30 people attended the two initial meetings where Carole Bennett and Sarah Bowmaker gave a short introduction by sharing what had happened at Bishop Terry’s study...
by Michael McG | Dec 3, 2019 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, General Election
The Lord Jesus said: ‘I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10) This General Election is profoundly important to the United Kingdom. Catholics cannot simply “watch from the balcony.”[1] Conscious of the common good of every person...
by webmaster | Dec 1, 2019 | Voice Column
While it is neither hardly possible nor right that we should remove ourselves from all the external and more peripheral preparations for Christmas during our Advent journey, at the same time it would be so sad if we forgot that through the Incarnation our God comes to...
by webmaster | Nov 12, 2019 | Bishop Terry, Bishop Terry's Pastoral Letters
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Less than two months ago I was present at the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman. In his writings Newman pointed out very clearly that our faith cannot remain just a thought in our head. It has to be a real meeting with the person of...
by Michael McG | Nov 4, 2019 | Apostleship of the Sea, Organisations
Teesport ship visitors from Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) have won a global award for the work they do supporting seafarers’ pastoral needs and wellbeing. They were presented with the Shoreside Team of the Year honour at the annual IHS Markit Safety at Sea...
by Michael McG | Nov 4, 2019 | Bishop Terry, Religious Communities
Bishop Terry presided at the abbatial blessing of Dame Anna Brennan OSB, the newly elected abbess of Stanbrook Abbey in Wass. The blessing of an abbess, first recorded in the sixth century, has varied in form and expression over the centuries. Nowadays, the rite is...
by Michael McG | Nov 4, 2019 | Marriage Care
Marriage Care is looking for volunteers to join its board of trustees so it can continue delivering vital relationship support services and marriage preparation courses for the Catholic community and beyond. Expressions of interest from all candidates are welcome, but...
by webmaster | Nov 1, 2019 | Voice Column
Last month, there was a celebration in Hull for the Apostleship of the Sea, known internationally as Stella Maris (The Church’s organisation which provides pastoral care for seafarers). This title, Star of the Sea, has been in use since at least the early medieval...
by Michael McG | Oct 29, 2019 | Liturgy and Music, St Wilfrid's, St Wilfrid's, York, York
A service of readings, hymns and choral music in thanksgiving for the canonisation of St John Henry Cardinal Newman is to be held at St Wilfrid’s Church in York. The Musical Oratory takes place on Thursday November 28 at 6pm. Entrance is free and a retiring collection...
by Michael McG | Oct 18, 2019 | Appeals and Special Events, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough, World Day of the Poor
DOWNLOAD YOUR WDOTP RESOURCE PACK HERE Words, dance and song will all be used to help to tell the story of the Church’s social outreach in our diocese in a major celebration at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday November 16. The event, which will culminate in a liturgy...
by Michael McG | Oct 7, 2019 | Diocese, Education Service, Education Service reports, Schools and Colleges
The Bishop currently provides 54 Catholic schools across the diocese to help him as first educator spread the good news to children and young people. With more than 18,000 children and young people attending a diocesan school each day, the work they do is central to...
by Michael McG | Oct 7, 2019 | Appeals and Special Events, Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
All are invited to our diocesan celebration to mark Extraordinary Month of Mission (EMM2019) at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday October 17 at 7pm… This year’s World Mission Sunday (October 20) – the one Sunday in the year when the entire global Church comes...
by webmaster | Oct 1, 2019 | Voice Column
October is normally a month for celebrations, but this year it is so more than ever. It is also a month of pilgrimage. On Tuesday October 8 at St Charles Borromeo in Hull we will celebrate a Mass for the Apostleship of the Sea. We will remember the great work that...
by Michael McG | Sep 11, 2019 | Jobs
Due to an impending retirement and a restructuring of the Finance Department, the Bishop of Middlesbrough wishes to appoint a Financial Accountant to assist the Financial Secretary in the financial management of the diocese. The primary responsibilities of the role...
by Michael McG | Sep 10, 2019 | Appeals and Special Events, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Pope Francis, World Day of the Poor
The theme for this year’s World Day of the Poor, on Sunday November 17, has been revealed as: “The hope of the poor shall not perish forever” (Ps 9:19) PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR SPECIAL WORLD DAY OF THE POOR RESOURCE PACK In his letter announcing the theme,...
by Michael McG | Sep 9, 2019 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation
Deacon David Cross has been appointed to the role of coordinator of adult formation after the recent departure of Deacon Vince Purcell. The job will involve coordinating the delivery of formation opportunities to equip the lay faithful to accept greater responsibility...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2019 | Diocese, Obituaries
It is with sadness that we announce that Monsignor Tony Bickerstaffe, who served in churches throughout the diocese for many years, sadly died in his sleep in Hull during the night. He would have celebrated his 95th birthday on September 10. We will have more...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2019 | Apostleship of the Sea, Bishop Terry, Organisations, St Charles
Bishop Terry will preside at a Mass in St Charles Borromeo Church in Hull on Tuesday October 8. Mass will be in honour of Our of Lady Star of the Sea, patron of seafarers’ charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea). All are invited to come along to pray for...
by webmaster | Sep 1, 2019 | Voice Column
Let me introduce you to another of my blessed friends, as we prepare to celebrate the Extraordinary Month of Mission in October – Vivian Uchechi Ogu (1995-2009). The striking heroism in the story of Vivian is in the remarkable way in which she expressed her Christian...
by webmaster | Aug 1, 2019 | Voice Column
As we move closer to the Extraordinary Missionary Month of October, so designated by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, I would like to share the story of a very special man whose intercession I seek as each day begins. Benedict Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa was born on June...
by Michael McG | Jul 12, 2019 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Jobs
An opportunity has arisen to work with the General Secretary to further develop the Bishops’ Conference Secretariat as a centre of knowledge and capability in support of the bishops of England and Wales. This post would suit someone with broad and deep knowledge and...
by Michael McG | Jul 8, 2019 | Voice Column
I write this as the Government has announced it will cut greenhouse emissions to “net zero” by 2050. Many applaud, many say “too little, too late”. Allow me to let you in on a discussion that the Bishops of England and Wales had recently at their bi-annual...
by Michael McG | Jul 8, 2019 | Pilgrimage
Many new friendships were made as pilgrims from Scarborough, Middlesbrough, Whitby and Redcar travelled to Knock for the 140th anniversary of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary. We arrived very tired at our hotel in Kiltimagh, ten minutes from Knock, on Monday evening,...
by Michael McG | Jul 8, 2019 | Adoremus (Eucharistic Congress), Sacraments
Scarborough Parishes is hosting an exhibition of Vatican-approved Eucharistic Miracles of the World during July, the month of the Most Precious Blood. The exhibition was part of the Adoremus Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool last September. This is a wonderful...
