by Michael McG | Jan 9, 2023 | Voice Column
New Year’s Day has many historical and religious origins. In our part of the world, it owes its principal origins to the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of gateways. He is depicted with two faces, one facing forwards and one facing backwards, the god of beginnings...
by Michael McG | Jan 9, 2023 | Diocese
As we continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic, the trustees have appointed a fundraising officer to help support its parishes and create a fundraising strategy across the diocese. Dan Woodgate takes on the role with a wealth of diocesan experience behind...
by Michael McG | Jan 4, 2023 | Bishop Terry, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
Bishop Terry will offer 9.30am Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on the Feast of the Epiphany (Friday January 6) for Pope Emeritus Benedict. The Mass will be live-streamed on the Diocese of Middlesbrough YouTube channel.Pope Francis will preside at the late...
by Michael McG | Jan 3, 2023 | Justice and Peace, Organisations, Pax Christi, Pope Francis
Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, has produced online and paper resources to celebrate this year’s theme for World Peace Sunday (January 15). Pope Francis has announced the theme as: “No one can be saved alone. Combatting Covid-19 together,...
by Michael McG | Jan 3, 2023 | Pope Francis, Rome
Pope Francis will preside at the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, which takes place in St Peter’s Square on Thursday (January 5) at 8am UK time.The body of the Pope Emeritus has been lying in St Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can pay...
by Michael McG | Dec 31, 2022 | Bishop Terry
Bishop Terry has issued the following message following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict at the age of 95… “Over the last few days we have heard the news of Pope Emeritus Benedict’s deteriorating health. “Even so, it is with sadness that we heard...
by Michael McG | Dec 23, 2022 | Ukraine War
Pope Francis has called on everyone to “renew our closeness to the battered Ukrainian people” and to persevere in “prayer for these our brothers and sisters who are suffering so much”. The Pope’s words came just before he gave his final blessing at the Wednesday...
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2022 | ADoRe charismatic renewal
ADoRE Christmas worship online is holding a special one-hour Christmas worship session on Saturday December 17 from 11am to noon.“O come, let us ADoRE Him” is a one-hour programme of seasonal Scripture readings, prayers, carols and other worship songs.It’s designed to...
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2022 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
David Cross, our adult formation coordinator, has put together a beautiful nine-day Advent retreat, beginning on Saturday and running all the way to Christmas Day…
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2022 | Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
St Francis of Assisi’s prayer “Who Are You, O God, and Who am I?” is the focus of a retreat at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell in January.In listening as Francis did to God’s self-revelation, we are able to come to a deeper appreciation and understanding of ourselves...
by Michael McG | Dec 7, 2022 | Mary's Meals, Organisations
Mary’s Meals Doubles the Love this winter Donations to school feeding charity Mary’s Meals this winter will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.5m – meaning the public’s kindness will go even further to reach more desperately hungry children...
by Michael McG | Dec 6, 2022 | Voice Column
Deep down inside the human spirit there is a flame of hope. Sometimes that hope can be expressed crudely in wanton restlessness or it can be enshrined in persevering heroic trust against the odds. It is not optimism, though, like Mr Micawber, but genuine hope is...
by Michael McG | Dec 1, 2022 | Apostleship of the Sea, Appeals and Special Events, Organisations
As Christmas approaches, many of us will be with our loved ones at this special time for families.Most seafarers will not. At best, they may be in port with access to internet and mobile connections. At worst, they will be at sea with no opportunity to contact their...
by Michael McG | Nov 28, 2022 | Evangelisation, St Paulinus, Guisborough, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
Well-known US missionary Meg Hunter-Kilmer has agreed to give an Advent retreat at St Paulinus, Guisborough, during her tour of the UK.Meg felt a call some years ago to give up her “normal life” and follow the Lord by driving around speaking to people about Jesus.She...
by Michael McG | Nov 28, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, Ukraine War
Ukraine is facing one of the severest air attacks it has been subjected to since Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24 2022.Peaceful Ukrainian cities have been hit with deadly missiles, civilians have been targeted and infrastructure destroyed, leaving...
by Michael McG | Nov 17, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, National Board of Catholic Women, Organisations
Women at the Periphery Taking Centre Stage is the title of a National Board of Catholic Women conference at Ushaw College, County Durham. The event takes place from Friday November 25 to Sunday November 27 and a wide range of speakers will address subjects including...
by Michael McG | Nov 16, 2022 | Bar Convent, Pastoral Centres
The Bar Convent in York is continuing its tradition of creating a meaningful, community- spirited display for the Christmas period. This year, the convent has partnered with New Visuality, an award-winning charity based in York that seeks to advance the arts,...
by Michael McG | Nov 16, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, Organisations, Pact
Every year, more than 300,000 children are separated from their parents through imprisonment.You can help to restore a little joy and hope for them this Christmas by donating to Operation Elf, an appeal organised by the national Catholic prison charity, Pact.Operation...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | Courses, Diocese, Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
The Jesuits in Britain spirituality team is holding an online School of Prayer on Tuesday December 13 and again on Thursday January 19.This event is an ideal introduction to various types of prayer suitable for Catholics wishing to deepen their prayer life. See below...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
Theodore House, the stunning residential retreat and conference centre in the renovated Old Mill on the Stonyhurst College estate in Lancashire, has permanently reopened. It’s an ideal venue for small meetings, away/training days, group retreats and conferences,...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | Evangelisation, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
ADoRE, the monthly meeting of Catholic Charismatic Renewal, is holding an online retreat on Saturday November 26. Guest speaker Father Anthony Meredith will speak on the theme of “Love one another as I have loved you” – we are called to receive and give...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation, Organisations, SVP and Mini Vinnies, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
The SVP is inviting students and young adults to a weekend retreat of prayer, reflection and mission in the Vincentian Spirituality this month. The weekend will include talks by inspirational speakers and moments of prayer and reflection, as well as a visit to...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | Adult Formation, Courses, Diocese, Evangelisation
Sycamore, which produces resources about the Christian faith and its relevance for life today, is offering a four-week Advent course. The course is for practising Christians or people with some Christian background who wish to renew their faith in the Season of...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | CAFOD, Encyclicals, Organisations, Pope Francis
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told the COP27 climate change conference that “we cannot ignore” the link between the climate crisis and lack of access to food and water. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state of the Holy See, addressed roundtables...
by Michael McG | Nov 14, 2022 | Bishop Terry, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Catholic Bishop's Conference, Organisations
Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the Bishops’ Conference agency promoting domestic social action, has launched a campaign calling on the government to change the welfare and tax system for the benefit of society’s most vulnerable. The agency is also calling on...
by Michael McG | Nov 10, 2022 | National Board of Catholic Women, Organisations
Representatives from 46 countries gathered for the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO) meeting in Athens. This was the first face-to-face conference in four years and highlighted the dire and cruel situations women suffer in many parts of...
by Michael McG | Nov 10, 2022 | Pope Francis
Canons of the Norbertine Order, including two from their smallest community at Fuston, near Filey, met Pope Francis during a private audience in Rome. Father Thomas Swaffer and Father Martin Gosling were taking part in an international symposium to celebrate 900 years...
by Michael McG | Nov 10, 2022 | Voice Column
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen It is such a common and well-worn prayer, that it trips off our tongue with such ease, and perhaps little thought. It’s November, and I always think that this signals the...
by Michael McG | Nov 10, 2022 | Lourdes, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
Thousands of people flocked to St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough and Our Lady of Lourdes & St Peter Chanel, Hull, to visit the relics of Lourdes visionary St Bernadette.At the cathedral, volunteers gave out 3,000 Miraculous Medals to those attending, but...
by Michael McG | Nov 7, 2022 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
London’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral will host Red Wednesday 2022 (Wednesday November 23), as hundreds stand in solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine. The annual event raises the plight of persecuted Christians to governments and societies across the West,...
by Michael McG | Nov 2, 2022 | Bar Convent, Catholic History, Pastoral Centres
The Bar Convent has revealed new research into the personal crucifix belonging to York priest Father Edward Oldcorne, who was hanged, drawn and quartered in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot.Special collections manager Dr Hannah Thomas carried out the new research...
by Michael McG | Oct 31, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, Bishop Terry
The Papal Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, will visit the Diocese of Middlesbrough for three days in November as Bishop Terry’s guest.Archbishop Gugerotti will begin his visit on Friday November 11 at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in...
by Michael McG | Oct 28, 2022 | Bar Convent, Evangelisation, Pastoral Centres, Talks, Retreats and Lectures
An eventful chapter in the history of the Bar Convent will be examined in a free online talk. “Opening Up to The World” with Sister Patricia Harriss CJ uses the house diaries from 1866 to 1925 to find out what happened to the convent after nearly 150 secret years,...
by Michael McG | Oct 26, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events
RISE Theatre – a Christian theatre company run by practising Catholics – will bring its latest original production, Faithful Companions, to churches throughout the country next February and March. They are now looking for churches...
by Michael McG | Oct 21, 2022 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Diocese, Safeguarding
The Catholic Council has welcomed the publication of the panel of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s final report after seven years of work. It issued the following statement…The Church thanks the inquiry for its work and will carefully...
by Michael McG | Oct 21, 2022 | Missio, Organisations
World Mission Sunday will be celebrated this weekend in every Catholic community throughout the world. Coordinated by Missio, it is a moment of grace to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Especially those who are living in situations of...
by Michael McG | Oct 18, 2022 | Aid the the Church in Need (ACN), Organisations
Pope Francis has given his support to an international campaign praying for peace in Ukraine and other war-torn regions of the world. Following the Angelus prayer in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square on Sunday (October 16), Pope Francis congratulated all the young...
by Michael McG | Oct 10, 2022 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation
Reconnecting with our mission An autumn reflection from our adult formation coordinator, Deacon David Cross… Autumn is a wonderful season. Trees give us one last vivid, golden flourish as they begin to lose their leaves. As the sun sets earlier, we are more...
by Michael McG | Oct 10, 2022 | Parishes, St Peter's, Scarborough
The travelling Shroud of Turin Exhibition, which takes life-sized replicas of what is said to be Christ’s burial cloth around the world, is coming to Scarborough. The actual shroud is housed in the cathedral of the Italian city of Turin.This exhibition, featuring...
by Michael McG | Oct 10, 2022 | Voice Column
I’m sure, like many families, when we gather together as a family, we talk about people in the past, our parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, people who we’ve known. That’s when the old biscuit tin comes out, which contains all the photographs, all...
by Michael McG | Oct 7, 2022 | St Francis Leprosy Guild
In the Gospel this Sunday (October 9), Jesus heals 10 people of leprosy. To coincide with the reading, the St Francis Leprosy Guild tells us more about this terrible disease and the charity’s quest to see it wiped out for good… We might think of leprosy as...
by Michael McG | Oct 5, 2022 | Organisations, Pact
Pact, the national Catholic charity that supports prisoners and their families, is asking for your support and prayers for its important work as we mark Prisoners Sunday this weekend (October 9).The charity’s services manager Claire Malarkey works at HMP Askham Grange...
by Michael McG | Sep 27, 2022 | Missio, Organisations
World Mission Sunday – the one day in the year when the entire global Church comes together in support of mission – is this coming weekend (Sunday October 23).Coordinated by Missio, the Pope’s charity for world mission, World Mission Sunday is an opportunity to...
by Michael McG | Sep 26, 2022 | Apostleship of the Sea, Organisations
Cases of ship abandonment are at record levels, leaving seafarers or fishers stranded in perilous situations – often completely on their own. Join global Catholic maritime network Stella Maris on September 27 at 7.30pm for an online panel discussion about this...
by Michael McG | Sep 26, 2022 | Catholic Union, Organisations
The Catholic Union of Great Britain is calling for fairness to be part of the government’s Plan for Growth, in response to the “mini-budget” statement from the chancellor of the exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng.Director Nigel Parker said: “The scale of the government’s...
by Michael McG | Sep 21, 2022 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
During an audience of faith leaders with King Charles III on Friday September 16, Cardinal Nichols, in his personal conversation with the King, assured him that the Catholic community had continued, during these days of mourning, in heartfelt prayer for his mother....
by Michael McG | Sep 20, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, Lourdes, Parishes, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
Preparations are well underway for the visit of the relics of St Bernadette to three locations in our diocese in October.The events are part of a national St Bernadette Relic Tour that followed a request to the Lourdes authorities by the Catholic bishops of England...
by Michael McG | Sep 20, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, Pope Francis
The 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022 is celebrated on September 25 – the last Sunday of the month.The Holy Father has chosen the theme, “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees”.The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and...
by Michael McG | Sep 16, 2022 | Appeals and Special Events, World Youth Day, Youth
Pope Francis will meet young people in Lisbon for the next World Youth Day in August 2023.We hope a group from the Diocese of Middlesbrough will travel with Bishop Terry from July 31 to August 7 to join in this wonderful event.If there are people in your parish who...
by Michael McG | Sep 14, 2022 | Organisations
The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organisation of lay people in the Catholic Church, with more than three million active members and reaching almost every country of the world.Its main purpose is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its...
