by Michael McG | Jan 20, 2023 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Friends of the Holy Land, Organisations
A group of Catholic Bishops from across Europe were in Jordan for the annual Holy Land Co-ordination, from January 14 to 19 2023. Holy Land Co-ordination 2023 Final Communique Jesus set out from there and went into the district of Judea [and] across the Jordan. Again...
by Michael McG | Jan 19, 2023 | Miscellaneous
The Chosen – a groundbreaking crowd-funded television series about the life of Jesus and his followers – is to return for a second series on Easter Sunday. The first series of the drama was released in 2019. The series is the largest crowd-funded media...
by Michael McG | Jan 18, 2023 | ADoRe charismatic renewal, Organisations
A Zoom course designed to inspire parish evangelisation is being launched by ADoRE, a monthly mini-retreat morning for spiritual renewal.”Proclaim the Good News – we are called to be Missionary Disciples” will run from January to November, usually on the...
by Michael McG | Jan 18, 2023 | Appeals and Special Events, Synod of Bishops 2023
A message from Margaret Clark, president of the National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW)… I have been privileged this last year to have been involved in many discussions on the Synod.From a listening course, an NBCW conference in Durham, attendance at national forums...
by Michael McG | Jan 18, 2023 | Bar Convent, Pastoral Centres
The Bar Convent in York will mark Mary Ward Week (January 23-30) with a series of activities to raise awareness of this extraordinary Yorkshire woman who paved the way for ground-breaking local, national and international change.Mary Ward (January 23 1585-January 30...
by Michael McG | Jan 13, 2023 | Homilies
March 2 2023 will mark 100 years since Cardinal Basil Hume was born. By the time of his death, he was a much admired and respected figure in the country and greatly loved within his own Catholic community.The approach to his centenary gave Emeritus Bishop of...
by Michael McG | Jan 10, 2023 | Friends of the Holy Land, Organisations
Ecumenical Christian charity Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) invites you to an unforgettable evening of uplifting music to raise your spirits while also raising much-needed funds for those in need in the Holy Land.This rare musical experience is an evening of virtuoso...
by Michael McG | Jan 9, 2023 | Justice and Peace, Organisations
“Let us Dream: How can our parishes save our Common Home?” is the title of the Middlesbrough Diocesan Justice and Peace meeting at St Bede’s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York, on Saturday February 4.We are very much looking forward to welcoming John Paul de Quay,...
by Michael McG | Jan 9, 2023 | Diocese, Safeguarding
Safe Spaces, the free national support service for victims and survivors of Church-related abuse, will increase operational hours under a newly appointed independent provider, First Light, which has taken over the service. Safe Spaces offers a confidential,...
by Michael McG | Jan 9, 2023 | Adult Formation, Evangelisation
Are you interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith or interested in becoming a Catholic? You may be a catechist or active in one of the many parish ministries in your parish. Then these online sessions could be for you. The Sycamore programme looks at the...
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...
