by Michael McG | Mar 6, 2019 | Voice Column
What did the Pope say at World Youth Day in Panama? At the end of January I went with a group of young people from the diocese to World Youth Day in Panama. It was a truly wonderful experience. Over a period of four days the Holy Father spoke to us all – young and...
by Michael McG | Mar 5, 2019 | Appeals and Special Events, CAFOD, CAFOD Appeals
Friday March 15 is CAFOD’s Lent Family Fast Day. Traditionally, on each of our Fast Days we ask people to have a simple meal or give what they save to CAFOD, to help fund our work among some of the poorest people in the world. The collections we take in our parishes...
by Michael McG | Mar 1, 2019 | Pope Francis, Pope's Prayer Intention
The Holy Father invites us to join our hearts to his, and together to Christ’s, praying about the concerns that face humanity and church. The purpose of this, his personal network of prayer, is to mobilise ourselves and each other, through prayer and action, to engage...
by Michael McG | Feb 25, 2019 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
Bishop Paul McAleenan has called for MPs to support a 28-day time limit on immigration detention, saying that detaining people indefinitely “does not reflect the justice due to every person that we as a nation pride ourselves on upholding.” In a letter, Bishop Paul...
by Michael McG | Feb 25, 2019 | National Board of Catholic Women
The National Board of Catholic Women actively seeks to promote the presence, participation and responsibilities of Catholic women in the Church and society in order to enable them to fulfil their evangelical mission and to work for the Common Good. It is a forum...
by Michael McG | Feb 13, 2019 | Catholic Bishop's Conference, Pope Francis
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has warmly welcomed the news that Cardinal Newman will be declared a saint. Pope Francis cleared the way for the canonisation of the much-loved educationalist by authorising the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to issue a decree...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Cleveland Newman Circle, Organisations
Diocese of Middlesbrough Archivist David Smallwood will speak on the subject of “Egton Catholics 1600-1900” at the next meeting of Cleveland Newman Circle. The event takes place at St Mary’s Cathedral Hall on Wednesday February 20 at 7.45pm, with coffee and tea...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Miscellaneous
Middlesbrough Catholic Fellowship has been running successfully for 46 years, forming friendships and making memories in our local community. Friends at the Fellowship are of different abilities and we all help each other to share in and enjoy the time we spend...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN)
TERESA DEAN, diocesan representative for the Medaille Trust, tells us about the charity’s mission to care for and empower UK victims of human trafficking, raise awareness of their plight and campaign on their behalf… On Friday February 8 the Catholic Church...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Miscellaneous
Teesside’s best-loved private garden, Tudor Croft at Guisborough, will be open for two days on Saturday and Sunday February 16 and 17 for everyone to enjoy its fabulous collection of snowdrops and early spring flowers. Home of the Heagney family, Tudor Croft provides...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | NPCAT
With pupil numbers in the UK set to continue to rise and teacher numbers at an all-time low, it’s a challenging time for schools across the UK. Figures show that in 2017 there were 451,900 full-time teachers working in English state schools compared with 457,000...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Miscellaneous
JOHN CARROLL, World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) of England and Wales promoter for the Diocese of Middlesbrough, introduces a new initiative to stimulate a Rosary revival… The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have begun the rededication of our countries to Our...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Flame Congress
There’s still time to take part in the fourth CYMFed Flame Congress, at Wembley Arena on Saturday March 2. Many parishes and school groups have already booked tickets for their young people to enjoy this wonderful celebration of Catholic faith in a vibrant...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | CAFOD, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
CAFOD has developed a programme called Livesimply, which is an opportunity for Catholic communities – parishes, schools, religious orders and chaplaincies – to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation in his encyclical Laudato Si’ to “work with generosity and...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Courses, Diocese, Study Days
The Diocese of Middlesbrough and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the UK are pleased to invite you to attend their one-day Sharing Hope In Crisis seminar in Hull. This invaluable training opportunity will help prepare you to serve people in crisis,...
by Michael McG | Feb 4, 2019 | Bishop Terry, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Catholic Bishop's Conference
Bishop Terry called for politicians to use their influence to take positive steps to address the housing crisis as he launched an important new report at the Houses of Parliament. He said greater preference should be given to community-owned and led housing...
by Michael McG | Jan 25, 2019 | CAFOD
Would you like to meet inspiring new people and make new friends in your community while learning new skills? As a volunteer with CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, you will make a tremendous difference in the fight against global poverty and...
by Michael McG | Jan 25, 2019 | SPUC
A new Middlesbrough branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will hold its first meeting at St Thomas More’s Church on Monday February 11 at 7pm. If you would like to join the new branch or if you are interested in getting involved in local...
by Michael McG | Jan 23, 2019 | Voice Column
I had the great privilege, as chair of Caritas Social Action Network, an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, to present and launch a report entitled Abide With Me, in the Churchill Room in the House of Commons on November 20 last year. Among many...
by Michael McG | Jan 22, 2019 | Voice Column
Happy New Year, and perhaps more importantly, happy Epiphany! The celebration of Christmas and Epiphany only came about in the Fourth Century. Until then the need to celebrate the Incarnation, the Coming in Flesh of the Son of God, had not really entered people’s...
by Michael McG | Jan 16, 2019 | Pilgrimage
You are invited to join Bishop Terry on our diocesan pilgrimage to Italy to follow in the footsteps of St Pio Of Pietrelcina and St Francis Of Assisi. The pilgrimage takes place from Wednesday October 2 to Sunday October 6 and highlights include… Pietrelcina – the...
by Michael McG | Jan 16, 2019 | Appeals and Special Events, Miscellaneous
February 17 marks Racial Justice Sunday, which focuses on the experiences of ethnic communities in England and Wales. It is a day on which we all called to earnestly pray for an end to racism and racial inequality in our country. The theme this year is Dignity of...
by Michael McG | Jan 8, 2019 | Justice and Peace
Our diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is delighted to welcome Chris Cole as the speaker for its January Peace meeting in York. Chris is the co-ordinator of Fig Tree, a new initiative to engage the Christian community on peace and security issues. Fig Tree...
by Michael McG | Jan 2, 2019 | Liturgy and Music, Miscellaneous
The following choral services will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough during the month of January… Sunday January 6 at 10am: Solemn Mass of Epiphany (Cathedral Choir) Sunday January 13 at 10am: Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir) Wednesday January 16 at 6pm:...
by Michael McG | Dec 15, 2018 | Bishop Terry's Pastoral Letters
Dear Sisters and Brothers, “Merry Christmas”, “cheers mate”, “have a good one”. We hear a lot of that around this time of the year. Well, “’Tis the season to be merry” and all that. But truly, what is Christmas joy, Christian joy and happiness? Believe it or not, John...
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2018 | HCPT, Lourdes
York Carmelite Spirituality Group and HCPT Group 122 invite you to a time of faith-sharing and fellowship at Thicket Priory Carmelite Monastery, Thorganby, York YO19 6DE on Saturday February 9. The event has been organised close to the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes...
by Michael McG | Dec 14, 2018 | Miscellaneous
God’s Plan for the Fullness of Time is the theme of a Foyers de Charité Retreat to be held at the Diocese of Leeds’ Hinsley Hall Pastoral Centre this summer. The preacher will be Monsignor Keith Barltrop, with help from Foyers’ members and past...
by Michael McG | Dec 6, 2018 | Voice Column
Coming just before the Ad Limina visit to Rome and my meeting with the Holy Father, the experience of Adoremus in Liverpool last September was shunted into a lower slot in the memory banks! So I would just like to offer a few thoughts of reflection on that...
by Michael McG | Dec 5, 2018 | Bishop Terry
Bishop Terry unveiled a plaque in honour of martyr and Pilgrimage of Grace leader Robert Aske near the place of his execution in York. The plaque, near Clifford’s Tower, was a joint project between York Civic Trust and the Knights of St Columba. Aske, a lawyer,...
by Michael McG | Nov 9, 2018 | Walsingham statue visit
The timetable has been unveiled for events during the Dowry Tour of Our Lady of Walsingham to St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough. The statue, which usually resides in the shrine’s famous Slipper Chapel, is being taken around the country for two years as part of the...
by Michael McG | Nov 9, 2018 | Diocese, Obituaries
Deacon John Steel, who served in several parishes in our diocese as well as working as diocesan safeguarding coordinator, has died at the age of 73 after a long illness. Born in Easington Colliery, County Durham, on March 14 1943, John had a variety of managerial jobs...
by Michael McG | Oct 30, 2018 | Ad Limina, Rome, Voice Column
Some of you may be aware that I have been on a visit to the Tombs of the Apostles (ad limina Apostolorum), which every bishop has to do every five-to-seven years. Part of the visit is to celebrate Mass at the Tombs of SS Peter and Paul, in St John Lateran, (the pope’s...
by Michael McG | Oct 25, 2018 | Apostleship of the Sea, Bishop Terry, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
Bishop Terry celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving at St Mary’s Cathedral organised by Catholic charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS). During the services he commissioned AoS ship visitors Hugh Ward, Mary Ward, Billy Barnett, Jun Barnett, Roger Worton and Gerry Quinn, who...
by Michael McG | Oct 15, 2018 | Cleveland Newman Circle
Journalist and writer Veronica Whitty will give a talk entitled “Gentle as silence: the life and hymns of Estelle White” at this month’s meeting of Cleveland Newman Circle. Veronica leads Enneagram and dream workshops in the UK and abroad and as a teenager she...
by Michael McG | Oct 15, 2018 | St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
St Mary’s Cathedral will be one of the many places around the country to host a choir concert as part of Raise Your Voices this advent. Many people in this country find they are not heard and Raise Your Voices will combine fantastic singing and music with speaking out...
by Michael McG | Oct 15, 2018 | Courses
A North Yorkshire parishioner’s experiences while studying for a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry have spurred her on to volunteer as a bereavement counsellor. The course is a customised professional development programme offered by Loyola University Chicago in...
by Michael McG | Oct 11, 2018 | Bishop Terry, postgate, Postgate Society
Bishop Terry has blessed a plaque erected by the Postgate Society on the site of the original Egton Mass House, which was used for the celebration of Mass in secret during penal times. It was rediscovered in 1830 when a servant girl accidentally pushed her hand...
by Michael McG | Oct 1, 2018 | Bishop Terry, Catholic Bishop's Conference, Pope Francis
Statement from the Bishops of England and Wales, Rome, Saturday 29 September 2018 As we end our visit, ad limina Apostolorum, we offer these reflections on our days together in Rome. On Friday September 28 we were immensely privileged to share conversation with Pope...
by Michael McG | Sep 30, 2018 | Voice Column
I offer you a thought for the Month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. I sin not because of what I do or don’t do, but because of what I am – a sinner, a deep down sinner. And left to myself there is nothing I can do about it. It...
by Michael McG | Sep 25, 2018 | Catholic Bishop's Conference
STATEMENT FROM OUR CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, SEPTEMBER 24 2018 As we gather in Rome for our visit ad Limina Apostolorum, we have spent time together reflecting again on the impact of the recent reports containing stark revelations of child sexual abuse...
by Michael McG | Sep 17, 2018 | Pope Francis, St Wilfrid's, York
Parishes in our diocese have been responding to the call of Pope Francis for prayer and fasting after the latest revelations concerning sexual abuse within the Church. The Holy Father called for this penitential exercise as a sign of solidarity with victims and...
by Michael McG | Sep 17, 2018 | Missio, Organisations
Sunday October 21 is World Mission Day, which the Church traditionally sets aside to support the work of Missio, writes CANON MICHAEL LOUGHLIN. Missio is the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission and is part of the worldwide network of Pontifical Mission...
by Michael McG | Sep 12, 2018 | Voice Column
Probably as you are reading this the National Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool is taking place or has just taken place. As Catholics, the Eucharist should be the centre of our lives. The Eucharist strengthens and nourishes us so that our faith grows stronger. We...
by webmaster | Sep 10, 2018 | Adoremus (Eucharistic Congress)
Those who attended the Eucharistic Congress ‘Adoremus’ in Liverpool last weekend were given much to ponder at the event. The keynote speaker was Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop and ‘Word on Fire’ founder Bishop Robert Barron. The talks he gave are...
by Michael McG | Sep 7, 2018 | Appeals and Special Events, Walsingham statue visit
The statue of Our Lady of Walsingham from the shrine’s famous Slipper Chapel is coming to St Mary’s Cathedral this advent as part of a two-year “Dowry Tour”. The tour is part of the spiritual preparation for England’s rededication as the Dowry of Mary in 2020....
by Michael McG | Sep 6, 2018 | Apostleship of the Sea
Apostleship of the Sea warmly invites you to “AoS Past, Present And Future”, with a buffet lunch and a talk from port chaplain Anne McLaren. Come and find out about the origins of AoS, their work with seafarers today and how you can be part of their work. Admission is...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2018 | Adoremus (Eucharistic Congress), Sacraments
Prayer and action for Christians persecuted for their faith will be central to a leading Catholic charity’s contribution to Adoremus this weekend (September 7 to 9). Aid to the Church in Need will call on all those taking part in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2018 | Event Calendar, Miscellaneous
People of all faiths and none are invited to a service in York to remember those who have been lost to suicide. Father Tony Lester, parish priest of Our Lady’s Church in the city, is among those taking part. “Many people find it difficult to talk about bereavement,...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2018 | Appeals and Special Events, Event Calendar, Pilgrimage, St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough
Tickets for this year’s Summertime Special are still on sale, with comedian Jimmy Cricket and a host of top quality acts lined up to entertain on Friday September 28 in aid of our Lourdes Fund. Jimmy returns after last year’s smash success and there are also plenty of...
by Michael McG | Sep 5, 2018 | Bishop Terry, Pilgrimage
Bishop Terry is pictured with the 14th Station of the Cross on the 70th anniversary of it being carried to Walsingham by a group from Middlesbrough in July 1948. The board shows that they walked 236 miles, further than any of the other stations brought from around the...
