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...
by Michael McG | Sep 8, 2023 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
In The Pope Video for the month of September, Pope Francis asks us to pray “for those people who live on the margins of society in subhuman living conditions, that they may not be neglected by institutions and never be cast out”.Pope Francis asks: “How...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Vocations
One of the four men now in training to become permanent deacons, TOM ROLFE, introduces himself and tells us about his journey so far… It feels very appropriate to be writing this on the feast of St Anne, as my grandmother, Dotty, played such a vital role in my faith...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Adult Formation, Encyclicals, Evangelisation, Pope Francis
We invite every parish in our diocese to send a group to a special event to look at how we can all play our part in fighting climate change.“Don’t just pray – do something, for God’s sake! What can we do to leave a better world for future generations?” is the title of...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Synod of Bishops 2023
The School for Synodality exists to help support the synodal conversion of the Church in England and Wales in our day-to-day practice.Through conversations, the development of resources, webinars and parish and innovation programmes, it hopes to enable openness to the...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Mary's Meals, Organisations
When seven-year-old Michael attended church one Sunday, little did he know he would soon embark on an adventure to raise money for hungry children as part of the charity’s Move for Meals campaign. Inspired by a talk from a Mary’s Meals volunteer, Michael told mum,...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Diocese, Obituaries
Sister Josephine Barron FCJ, who spent many years in Middlesbrough as part of the Faithful Companions of Jesus community, passed away in Salford on July 15 aged 96, in the 75th year of her religious profession. Sister Elizabeth Ryan looks back on her life…Mary...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Encyclicals, Pope Francis
In the first year of his pontificate, 2013, Pope Francis released an apostolic exhortation on the joy of the Gospel titled Evangelii Gaudium.In it, he encouraged the Christian faithful to “embark on a new chapter of evangelisation” marked by this joy, while striving...
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2023 | Voice Column
One of the most important parts of our Mass is the reading of the word of God. Therefore, to read well, and to proclaim well is an excellent way of serving the Christian community. It is almost like giving our voice to God so that he can speak to his people through...
by Michael McG | Aug 25, 2023 | Knights of St Columba (KSC), Organisations, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
The relics of St Columba, St Andrew and St Margaret will come to St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough for a special Mass on Friday September 1 at 7pm.The visit is part of a tour organised by the Knights of St Columba.St Columba of Iona was born in County Donegal and...
by Michael McG | Aug 24, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events
Award-winning singer-songwriter Katie Doherty will bring her band The Navigators back to Whitby for a special concert in aid of the Diocese of Middlesbrough Lourdes Sick Fund.St Hilda’s Parish is once again organising the show, which will take place in the Chapel On...
by Michael McG | Aug 1, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events
Bishop Stephen Wright has been installed as the 15th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle at a Solemn Mass of Installation in St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle.The Mass was celebrated in honour of Our Blessed Mary Immaculate, a patron of the diocese who looks down from one of...
by Michael McG | Aug 1, 2023 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
In the latest “Popecast” by Vatican News’ Salvatore Cernuzio, Pope Francis listens to recorded questions from a group of young people who share their personal stories.To each he responds with words of encouragement. |The questions and his answers are featured in an...
by Michael McG | Aug 1, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention, World Youth Day
Pope Francis’ monthly prayer intention for August is for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.The Pope invited the Church to pray for this intention in this month’s The Pope Video, which is entrusted to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide...
by Michael McG | Jul 31, 2023 | Voice Column
As the month of August begins, a group of around 30 young adults will be travelling to Lisbon to join World Youth Day. The journey begins on July 31 and they will return on August 7. Together with hundreds of thousands – probably millions – of young people...
by Michael McG | Jul 29, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Lady Chapel
Our annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption will take place on Sunday August 13. There will be Rosary from 2.30pm followed by Mass at 3pm. Car parking is available in a field at the top of North End (the...
by Michael McG | Jul 28, 2023 | Pilgrimage
Our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham, led by Bishop Terry, is from Saturday September 30 to Sunday October 1. If you would like to express an interest in booking a place or to receive further information, email Dawn Cummings at bishopsecretary@rcdmidd.org.uk. Please...
by Michael McG | Jul 10, 2023 | Liturgy and Music, Parishes, St Peter's, Scarborough, St Peter's, Scarborough
The Diocesan Choir continues the celebrations for the 165th anniversary of St Peter’s Church, Scarborough, with sung evening prayer in the church on Sunday September 16 at 5pm.Members of the choir come from all corners of the diocese and perform at major services such...
by Michael McG | Jul 4, 2023 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
The new Pope Video invites us to place the Eucharistic celebration at the centre of our lives: “It is the presence of Jesus, it is deeply transforming.”Pope Francis affirms that the Eucharist “gives us the courage to go out of ourselves, and to open ourselves to...
