by Michael McG | Nov 19, 2025 | Miscellaneous, Voice Column
I sit down to write this column having just packed my case to set off on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome. We are going, of course, to take part in the Jubilee Year as “pilgrims of hope”. We hope to be able to celebrate Mass in some of the “holy” places in Rome and to...
by Michael McG | Nov 19, 2025 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Miscellaneous
At the end of October, the city of el-Fasher in Darfur, western Sudan, fell to the Rapid Support Force (RSF) militia after 18 months under siege.Reports indicate widespread executions and mass displacement, with tens of thousands of civilians forced to flee or face...
by Michael McG | Nov 4, 2025 | Bar Convent, News, Pastoral Centres
After prayer, reflection and engagement of members, the two congregations of apostolic women religious, Congregatio Jesu (CJ) and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM- Loreto) today merged into one.The merged Congregatio Jesu, around 1,800 sisters worldwide,...
by Michael McG | Nov 4, 2025 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Holy Land, Organisations
Middlesbrough Caritas statement on Palestine We are encouraged by the UK government’s recognition of the State of Palestine. This is a welcome act and a first step towards justice for Palestinians and Israelis.However, the people of Gaza and the West Bank continue to...
by Michael McG | Oct 22, 2025 | Friends of the Holy Land, Holy Land, Organisations
A bishop in Jerusalem has said that while the war between Israel and Hamas has ended, the causes of the conflict remain unresolved.In a message sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop William Shomali, auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem, urged all...
by webmaster | Oct 18, 2025 | Bishop Terry, Diocese, Event Calendar
Wednesday 5th November, 12 noon – Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham Each November, the Church turns her prayerful gaze toward eternity. It is the month when we remember the faithful departed, commending them to the mercy of God and thanking Him for their witness....
by Michael McG | Oct 8, 2025 | Diocese, Safeguarding
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) is examining how dioceses and religious life groups respond to those who have suffered abuse. As part of this work, the CSSA is inviting survivors to take part in a survey, sharing their experiences of engaging with a...
by Michael McG | Oct 8, 2025 | Organisations, Pact
On this year’s Prisoners Sunday (October 12), we especially remember the legacy of Pope Francis and how he showed love and mercy to those in prison. At the start of the Jubilee year, Pope Francis opened five Jubilee doors. The second door was at a prison in Rebibbia,...
by Michael McG | Oct 7, 2025 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
Archbishop John Sherrington, lead bishop for life issues, and Bishop Bosco MacDonald, lead bishop for marriage and family life, have released a statement to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week (October 9-15). Baby Loss Awareness Week is a national initiative of remembrance....
by Michael McG | Oct 6, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, Liturgy and Music, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
This month sees the first of the Cathedral Series of concerts, part of the wider events programme. The first of these, on Friday October 17 at 7.30pm, promises to be a special event, as we welcome back former cathedral chorister and choral scholar, Grace Oliver, along...
by Michael McG | Oct 6, 2025 | Miscellaneous
More than 40 young people from across the diocese enjoyed four days of catechises, prayer and fun at a Catholic summer residential event at Ampleforth.They joined another 50 young people from Lincolnshire, Cumbria and Scotland at Faith Summertime during the first week...
by Michael McG | Oct 6, 2025 | Catholic Fellowship, Organisations
In Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti (All brothers and sisters), he places great emphasis on human beings being given dignity, saying: “God has created all human being with equal rights, duties, and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and...
by Michael McG | Oct 6, 2025 | Bishop Terry, Voice Column
I am sure you will be aware of our two new saints canonised last month, Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis. There are lots of articles about them on the internet. They are not hard to find. Here is a little compact edition of what I have found about Saint...
by Michael McG | Oct 3, 2025 | Pope Leo XIV, The Pope Video
As the 60th anniversary of the conciliar document Nostra Aetate occurs during the month of October, the Pope dedicates his prayer intention to collaboration between different religious traditions. In the new edition of The Pope Video Pope Leo’s prayer intention is:...
by Michael McG | Oct 3, 2025 | Cardinal Nichols, Catholic Bishop's Conference, Ecumenism
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the announcement that the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.He said: “On behalf of the...
by Michael McG | Sep 29, 2025 | ADoRe charismatic renewal, Appeals and Special Events, Evangelisation, Organisations, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
The Alton Day of Renewal (ADoRE), which has helped thousands of people to renew their faith, is planning a special celebration to mark its golden jubilee on Saturday October 25.Bishop of Portsmouth Philip Egan will start the day with Holy Mass and international...
by Michael McG | Sep 26, 2025 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Holy Land
Bishop Jim Curry, lead bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops’ Conference, has described the UK government’s recognition of the State of Palestine as a “right and not a reward”.Bishop Curry said: “As the Lead Bishop for the Holy Land, I welcome the UK government’s...
by Michael McG | Sep 23, 2025 | Jobs
Office Administrator (Schools’ Service) Salary: £26,827 (£14.70 per hour) with employer pension contribution Permanent Contract, Full Time (although term time only or part time working would be considered) Based at the Curial Office, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough An...
by Michael McG | Sep 23, 2025 | Cardinal Nichols, Ecumenism, Holy Land
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Cardinal Vincent Nichols has joined Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, and other Church leaders in calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all hostages and prisoners...
by Michael McG | Sep 8, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, Parishes, St Peter's, Scarborough, St Peter's, Scarborough
Following the canonisation of Carlo Acutis earlier this month, the parish of St Peter’s in Scarborough is preparing to welcome the relics of the young saint for a very special visit.St Carlo, who died at the age of 15 in 2006, is widely celebrated for his profound...
by Michael McG | Sep 8, 2025 | Voice Column
As you can read elsewhere in this month’s Voice, it was a memorable and joyful occasion as Bishop John and I celebrated his diamond jubilee of priesthood and my golden jubilee.Together we celebrated the Eucharist, a word that means “thanksgiving”. And thanksgiving is...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2025 | National Board of Catholic Women, Organisations, Pact
The social responsibility committee of the National Board of Catholic Women invites you to webinar on the subject of women in the criminal justice system.The speakers are Emily Evison, of the Prison Reform Trust (PRT), and Julia Corcoran, from Prison Advice and Care...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2025 | Holy Land, Justice and Peace, Organisations
The National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales has issued a statement about the Middle East crisis… We, the delegates of the 2025 Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, stand in solidarity with all those suffering...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2025 | Pope Leo XIV, The Pope Video
The Holy Father dedicates this month’s Pope Video to the relationship of the human person to creation. “For our relationship with all of creation” is his prayer intention for this Season of Creation, on the 800th anniversary of St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2025 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Holy Land
Bishop Nicholas Hudson, chair of the international affairs department of the Bishops’ Conference, has added his voice to those of Pope Leo, the patriarchs of Jerusalem and Caritas Internationalis on the situation in Gaza.He said: “The Latin and Greek Orthodox...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2025 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
Statement from Archbishop of Liverpool John Sherrington on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill in the House of Lords As the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being considered at length in the House of Lords, we reiterate our firm opposition to the bill in...
by Michael McG | Aug 28, 2025 | Miscellaneous
eBay and easyfundraising have teamed up to launch the £5,000 Big Give, donating ten £500 micro-grants this autumn – and churches are eligible.Your church could receive these one of these grants simply by letting your congregation, clergy and community know that if...
by Michael McG | Aug 28, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, Season of Creation
In a statement to mark this year’s Season of Creation, the lead bishop for the environment for the Bishops’ Conference, Bishop John Arnold, has called for Catholics in England and Wales to take action to address the environmental crises of our times. This action, he...
by Michael McG | Aug 28, 2025 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Holy Land
The Holy See has long advocated for Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution as the only viable option to bring security and peace to Israelis and Palestinians. On August 20, Israel’s Higher Planning Council gave final approval for 3,753 housing units...
by Michael McG | Aug 12, 2025 | Cardinal Nichols, Catholic Bishop's Conference, Holy Land
Speaking on the feast day of Edith Stein, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (August 9), Cardinal Vincent Nichols expressed his sorrow and condemnation after Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.“There must be a better way, one that...
by webmaster | Aug 6, 2025 | Lady Chapel, Pilgrimage, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
A National Pilgrimage Movement Comes to Middlesbrough Across England and Wales, a quiet revival is taking place, one step at a time. Through the Hearts in Search of God project, each Catholic diocese is rediscovering the grace of pilgrimage. The national website...
by webmaster | Aug 5, 2025 | Cardinal Nichols, Miscellaneous, News, Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has welcomed the news that Saint John Henry Newman is to be declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. The announcement has been met with great joy across the Catholic world, especially here in England. Newman will be the 38th saint to...
by webmaster | Aug 1, 2025 | Lady Chapel, Miscellaneous, Our Lady of Mount Grace, Osmotherley
You are warmly invited to join the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Lady Chapel at Osmotherley on Sunday August 17 2025, in honour of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. This beautiful and longstanding pilgrimage has drawn Catholics from across our diocese...
by webmaster | Jul 30, 2025 | Cardinal Roche, Jubilee, Miscellaneous
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, dear friends, Dear Bishop John and Bishop Terry, I suspect that neither of you would have readily chosen that first reading from the Book of Sirach, which is assigned to today’s feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. In my experience,...
by webmaster | Jul 30, 2025 | Miscellaneous
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...
by Michael McG | Jul 30, 2025 | The Pope Video
In the Pope Video for August, Pope Leo XIV requests our prayers that societies avoid internal conflicts due to ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.Announcing his prayer intention – “For mutual coexistence” – the Pope encourages us to “seek paths of...
by Michael McG | Jul 28, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, Organisations, Postgate Society
Hundreds of pilgrims from all over the diocese converged on Egton Bridge to celebrate the memory of Blessed Nicholas Postgate and the martyrs of England and Wales. Three buses from different parishes arrived and many other pilgrims travelled by car. This year we were...
by Michael McG | Jul 28, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
It was a very special occasion for the diocese when Bishop Terry ordained Robert Colombari, Douglas McKittrick, James Nevison and Tom Rolfe to the diaconate at St Mary’s Cathedral. Deacon Robert reflects on his experience… The words of Psalm 118:24 were ringing...
by Michael McG | Jul 23, 2025 | Jobs
From £14.68 per hourHours: 35 per week, term-time only An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and professional administrator to undertake the role of schools’ service administrator in the Diocese of Middlesbrough. The schools’ service administrator...
by Michael McG | Jul 23, 2025 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Holy Land
In a heartrending witness account of his visit to Gaza, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has begged for an end to the violence. Speaking in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa made a statement highlighting the distressing scenes he witnessed shortly after an...
by Michael McG | Jul 17, 2025 | Holy Land
Cardinal Vincent Nicholas has condemned an “appalling” attack that has reportedly killed two people sheltering in a Christian church in Gaza.Responding to the shelling by an Israeli tank of Gaza’s only Catholic church, Cardinal Nichols said: “I condemn this...
by Michael McG | Jul 17, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, Rosary
A group called the Men of St Joseph is preparing for its third annual Rosary Rally through the streets of Middlesbrough, on Saturday August 16. All are warmly invited to take part in the event, which begins at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Marton Road, at...
by Michael McG | Jul 10, 2025 | Parishes, St Andrew's, Teesville
St Andrew’s Parish Hall, a multi-functional, two-storey building on Fabian Road, Teesville, four miles from Middlesbrough town centre, is available to hire for a wide range of uses.Next door to St Andrew’s Church, the building has a large main hall on the ground floor...
by Michael McG | Jul 9, 2025 | Diocese, Obituaries, Parishes, Redcar
Monsignor Gerard Robinson will be the principal celebrant at the Requiem Mass for Father Pat Smith at Sacred Heart Church, Redcar, on Thursday (July 10) at noon.His remains will be received into the church on Wednesday (July 9), at 7pm, with Father Paul Dowling being...
by Michael McG | Jul 8, 2025 | Mary's Meals, Organisations
A charity that feeds hungry children all over the world is recruiting volunteer “Hope Givers” to help change the lives of children living in some of the world’s poorest communities.Mary’s Meals started in a tin shed in a Scottish village in 2002 after founder Magnus...
by Michael McG | Jul 8, 2025 | Diocese, Hull, Obituaries, Parishes
Warm tributes have been paid to Father Jim O’Brien, who died peacefully in Hull’s Royal Infirmary on Thursday May 1.Father Jim was born on May 19 1950 in Clydebank, Glasgow, and studied for the priesthood with the Columban Fathers in Dalgin Park, Ireland, from 1971 to...
by Michael McG | Jul 7, 2025 | Hull, Parishes
Parishioners of St Anthony and Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Hull are invited to review a report into building repair work at their church.You can view download the invitation here. You can download the full report by clicking the down arrow download button below....
by Michael McG | Jul 7, 2025 | Apostleship of the Sea, Organisations
Seafarers and fishers are in the heart of the Church and serve as “pilgrims of hope” and “prophets of peace”, the Vatican has said in a message released ahead of Sea Sunday, which will be marked on July 13 this year.In a powerful statement, Cardinal Michael Czerny,...
by Steven Maxson | Jul 3, 2025 | Miscellaneous
It was announced today that St Mary’s Cathedral has been awarded a grant from the Cathedral Music Trust to enhance the Cathedral’s Music Ministry through the recruitment of three professional singers to sing alongside the choristers, choral scholars, and...
by Michael McG | Jun 25, 2025 | Appeals and Special Events, Bishop Terry, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
Many congratulations to Robert Colombari, Douglas McKittrick, James Nevison and Tom Rolfe, who were all ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Terry on Saturday June 14. Friends, family and well-wishers packed St Mary’s Cathedral for the service, with many of our...
