by Michael McG | Jan 26, 2024 | Appeals and Special Events
The John Bradburne Memorial Society (JBMS) is marking World Leprosy Day (Sunday January 28) by asking for donations to help them fight this cruel disease.JBMS continues the work of Servant of God John Bradburne, a Franciscan layman who cared for leprosy patients...
by Michael McG | Jan 26, 2024 | Apostleship of the Sea, Organisations
“Isaac hasn’t seen his family for three years,” says Steve Willows, Stella Maris’ regional port chaplain in Immingham, Lincolnshire.“He’s not allowed to work. He’s doing his best, but it’s hard to stay positive. Every couple of weeks, I take him out for a trip. He...
by Michael McG | Jan 22, 2024 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
In The Pope Video for January, Pope Francis encourages us “to recognise the gift of different charisms within the Christian communities, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions within the Catholic Church.”The Holy Father’s intention becomes a...
by Michael McG | Jan 18, 2024 | Appeals and Special Events, Our Lady & St Peter's, Bridlington, Vocations
Steven Leightell was ordained to the sacred order of the diaconate at Our Lady and St Peter’s Church, Bridlington, during Advent as he continues on the path to his priestly ordination.The church was full to bursting and the parishioners rallied together as a community...
by Michael McG | Jan 12, 2024 | ADoRe charismatic renewal, Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
An internationally acclaimed author, conference speaker and Catholic renewal leader will be the keynote speaker at a free mini retreat on Saturday January 27 to show how relying on the power of the Holy Spirit is vital in enabling us to respond to God’s call to...
by Michael McG | Jan 11, 2024 | Appeals and Special Events
United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) and Premier Christian Radio have launched a joint campaign calling on Christians, churches, and individuals to pray the Lord’s Prayer together, wherever they are tomorrow (Friday January 12). The date marks the run up to Blue...
by Michael McG | Jan 11, 2024 | Liturgy and Music, Miscellaneous
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in the United States has created some resources for the Sunday of the Word of God (January 21)…
by Michael McG | Jan 9, 2024 | Voice Column
Happy New Year! We pray and hope that 2024 will be blest and peaceful for all. Whenever we move into a new phase or life, a new project, a new year, we are, to a certain extent, entering the unknown. However, one thing we do know 2024 is that by this time next...
by Michael McG | Jan 8, 2024 | Justice and Peace, Organisations, Pope Francis
For his theme for World Day of Peace (Sunday January 14), Pope Francis has chosen Artificial Intelligence and Peace.While this might seem a strangely technical theme, we know we do need to think about the consequences of the advances in AI for peace and...
by Michael McG | Dec 19, 2023 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
Two more civilians have been killed by sniper fire in the grounds of Holy Family Church in Gaza City. Local church partners told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that two women, Samar Anton and her mother Nahida, were fatally injured on Saturday (December 16) as they...
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2023 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
A Catholic charity is helping religious sisters distribute Christmas gifts to 35,000 children in Syria and 10,000 in Lebanon whose parents cannot afford to buy presents for them.Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is working with the Sisters of St Joseph of Lyons and the...
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2023 | Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies
The St Vincent de Paul Society is looking for volunteers willing to help children put their faith into action. Could this be you? Volunteers would support teachers or youth leaders wishing to start an SVP primary school Mini Vinnies group in their school or...
by Michael McG | Dec 13, 2023 | Diocese, Safeguarding
Diocese of MiddlesbroughCatholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA)Safeguarding Baseline Audit September 2023 Bishop Terry and his trustees were pleased to welcome auditors from the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) to undertake a Baseline Audit and...
by Michael McG | Dec 12, 2023 | Voice Column
Laudate Deum – Praise God These are the opening words of the Apostolic Exhortation (Letter of Encouragement) from Pope Francis. He wrote this letter to all people of goodwill on October 4, the feast of St Francis of Assisi. It is a follow up to his groundbreaking...
by Michael McG | Dec 11, 2023 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation
Reflecting with the O Antiphons, December 17 to 23.
by webmaster | Dec 9, 2023 | Bishop Terry, Bishop Terry's Pastoral Letters
Dear Sisters and Brothers, The vast majority of our churches at this time of the year have an Advent wreath. In fact, I half suspect that at some point towards the beginning of this mass either the second candle was ceremoniously lighted or was already burning when...
by Michael McG | Dec 8, 2023 | Friends of the Holy Land, Organisations
There was no Christmas tree or traditional festivities in the place of Jesus Christ’s birth this year in response to the thousands killed in the conflict in the Holy Land.Instead, the focus in the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem will be on...
by Michael McG | Dec 8, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
They’ve sung for three popes, two queens and a king – and now they’re coming to sing for us at St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough!Award-winning classical singing group The Priests – Northern Ireland brothers Father Eugene and Father Martin O’Hagan and their lifelong...
by Michael McG | Nov 29, 2023 | Adult Formation, Courses, Diocese, Evangelisation
Applications are now open for Durham University’s Centre of Catholic Studies’ distance learning programmes in Catholic Theology for October 2024. The programme, led by the Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) and the university’s world-leading Department of...
by Michael McG | Nov 24, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
Centering Prayer is a simple but profound method of silent prayer. It is part of the long tradition of silent prayer within the Christian tradition.In Centering Prayer, we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer...
by Michael McG | Nov 16, 2023 | Diocese, Study Days
Eight years after Lauadato Si’, the Holy Father recently released Laudato Deum, a resource to get us thinking about Cop28, which takes place in December. In this letter, Pope Francis goes to great pains to stress that not enough has been done in the wake of...
by Michael McG | Nov 15, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, National Board of Catholic Women, Organisations, World Day of the Poor
World Day of the Poor takes place on Sunday November 19 and aims to raise awareness about people living in poverty, writes MARGARET CLARKE. According to the World Bank, the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 pushed between 88m and 115m people into poverty, “with the...
by Michael McG | Nov 15, 2023 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
Aid to the Church in Need (CAN) has unveiled plans to launch a new award recognising fortitude and faith in the face of persecution, to be presented by the papal ambassador to Great Britain. As part of ACN’s #RedWednesday 2023 celebrations on November 22 – which are...
by Michael McG | Nov 15, 2023 | Courses, Diocese
How can the Catholic Church understand and respond to the post-Christian era? What is the future of our Catholic parishes, schools and homes? How, in a world of competing social agendas, can the Church reclaim the narrative for true justice in the world? ...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2023 | Miscellaneous
Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at cafod.org.uk/ipc or call 0303 303 3030 to support those affected and get funds to local trusted experts in Gaza and southern Israel who have been working alongside communities helping those most in need. Your...
by Michael McG | Nov 13, 2023 | Voice Column
On the weekend of November 18/19 we celebrate the Seventh Annual World Day of the Poor and the theme this year is taken from the Book of Tobit. Pope Francis sends us all a message for that day. Here follows an extract from that message, but the whole message can be...
by Michael McG | Nov 13, 2023 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
Following the death of Indi Gregory on Monday morning (November 13), Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham, and Bishop John Sherrington, pictured, lead bishop for life issues, have issued a statement:“With deep sadness we express our condolences to Dean and...
by Michael McG | Nov 8, 2023 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations, World Day of the Poor
This year, World Day of the Poor takes place on Sunday November 19.CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) has produced some special resources for schools, parishes and individuals to use in the run up to the day, including a prayer novena.You can download the resources...
by Michael McG | Nov 6, 2023 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
In The Pope Video’s November edition, the Holy Father opens wide his heart to admit he needs the faithful people’s prayer to be able to carry out his mission.“Pray to the Lord that he will bless me,” he says. “Your prayer gives me strength and helps me to discern and...
by Michael McG | Nov 6, 2023 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
With the government’s Autumn Statement imminent, the Bishops’ Conference’s Department for Social Justice has released a statement on the cost-of-living crisis, calling on the government to make sure that the preferential option for the poor is prioritised.Bishop...
by Michael McG | Nov 6, 2023 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Miscellaneous, Organisations
This Advent Calendar with a twist can be downloaded, copied and distributed to anyone who wants to help those in need this Christmas. https://middlesbrough-diocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Caritas-Advent-Giving-Calendar-for-Caritas-family.pdf.pdf
by Michael McG | Oct 31, 2023 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), John Paul Centre, Organisations, Pastoral Centres
This Advent will see the launch the John Paul II Fund in the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
by Michael McG | Oct 30, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Synod of Bishops 2023
Those taking part in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God giving thanks for their experiences. They explain the work of the past weeks and express the hope that in the coming months everyone will be able...
by Michael McG | Oct 25, 2023 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Encyclicals, Pope Francis
The lead bishop for environmental issues for the Bishops’ Conference, Bishop John Arnold, has written to prime minister Rishi Sunak, enclosing a copy of Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum.Highlighting how the Catholic community plays...
by Michael McG | Oct 19, 2023 | Bar Convent, Pastoral Centres
Bar Convent York will be inviting the public to find the answers to some clues and discover the secrets that helped to save the Catholics from being caught by their persecutors. Secrets such as objects concealed in everyday household items, priests hiding holes, which...
by Michael McG | Oct 19, 2023 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
Pope Francis expressed concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons and all Christians to pray and fast for peace on Friday October 27.“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate.”With...
by Michael McG | Oct 17, 2023 | Diocese, Obituaries
Everyone at the Diocese of Middlesbrough has been saddened to hear of the death of Canon Dan Spaight in his native Ireland.Canon Dan, who passed away just four days before his 88th birthday, was a much loved and respected priest who served the diocese for 50...
by Michael McG | Oct 17, 2023 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
With the deadline to evacuate northern Gaza approaching, religious sisters announced they are staying with those who are unable to leave.The Sisters of the Rosary – who have called for renewed prayers for peace – told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)...
by Michael McG | Oct 17, 2023 | Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WME)
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WME) has announced a programme of experiences and weekends for clergy, married couples and those preparing for marriage.A registered charity, WME is a movement that offers enrichment and refreshment to couples who are married or in...
by Michael McG | Oct 16, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Missio, Organisations
World Mission Sunday, the global celebration of our Church and mission, takes place on October 22. Coordinated by Missio, the Pope’s official charity for world mission, every Catholic community throughout the world is encouraged to take part. For 2023, Pope Francis...
by Michael McG | Oct 16, 2023 | Friends of the Holy Land, Organisations
Friends of the Holy Land requests all Christians and people of other faiths to unite in prayer for all who have lost their lives in the terrible events in the Holy Land, for the immediate release of those taken hostage and for all those living in the Holy Land in...
by Michael McG | Oct 11, 2023 | Miscellaneous
All are welcome to come along to a fundraising concert in St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday October 21, featuring magical performances of a wide variety of music. In celebration of the Strictly Come Dancing season, the Cathedral’s Junior Choir will sing the...
by Michael McG | Oct 9, 2023 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
A Catholic charity has added its voice to calls by the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem for peace in the Holy land after two days of atrocities and fierce fighting. Regina Lynch, international executive president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN),...
by Michael McG | Oct 4, 2023 | Encyclicals, Pope Francis
Apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum released on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi Pope Francis has released his apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, ‘Praise God’, to “clarify and complete” what he started in 2015 with his encyclical letter...
by Michael McG | Oct 3, 2023 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations
by Michael McG | Oct 2, 2023 | Organisations, Pact
Prisoners’ Sunday falls this year on October 8, when parishes across England and Wales are invited to bring people in prison and their families before the Lord in prayer.Pact is the national Catholic charity supporting prisoners, people with convictions and their...
by Michael McG | Sep 22, 2023 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Organisations
Come and find out about the difference you can make during the climate emergency at our one-day event, Don’t Just Pray, Do Something for God’s Sake. The speakers are Sister Margaret Atkins (Laudato Si’ and Catholic Social Teaching) and Glen Melvin (Reducing Our Carbon...
by Michael McG | Sep 22, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Synod of Bishops 2023
Two years after Pope Francis gave all Catholics the opportunity to make their views known on the mission of the Church in the 21st century, the first of two Synod meetings will take place in Rome from October 4 on the theme ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion,...
by Michael McG | Sep 22, 2023 | Parishes, Pilgrimage, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
You can now find a new collection of Catholic walking pilgrimage routes online. Hearts in Search of God is a three-year project to encourage people of all faiths and none to experience a pilgrimage walk in their own area.The combination of ancient and modern...
by Michael McG | Sep 15, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Catholic Bishop's Conference
Bishop Paul Swarbrick, lead bishop for Africa for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has expressed the solidarity of the Church of England and Wales with the people of Morocco and Libya who have been devastated in recent days by two natural disasters.An earthquake...
