Diocese of Middlesbrough
Serving North & East Yorkshire
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2026
Join the 73rd Middlesbrough Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage and journey with others from across the diocese to one of the Church’s most treasured places of prayer and healing. This six-night pilgrimage offers daily Mass, the sacraments, time at the Grotto, and the shared experience of faith, service, and fellowship. Open to pilgrims of all ages and abilities, Lourdes is a place to pause, pray, and rediscover hope — together as a diocesan family.
If you have never been before, do not worry — everything is gently guided and well supported, and many people make their first pilgrimage each year. You simply come as you are, and travel the journey with others.
Articles
Latest news from around the diocese and beyond
Bishop Terry’s January 2025 Voice column
Happy New Year, or perhaps, happy feast of the Motherhood of our Blessed Lady.On January 1 we are reminded of the role Mary played in the salvation of humankind. The title “Mother of God” is a western derivation from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-bearer”. Mary…
Tributes paid to priest with ‘thirst for God’s kingdom’
Tributes have been paid to Father Peter Keeling, who served communities throughout the diocese and was the last parish priest of the “Old” St Mary’s Cathedral in Sussex Street, Middlesbrough.Bishop Terry was principal celebrant at Father Peter’s Requiem Mass at a…
Father Peter Keeling: A priest for all seasons
Father Tom O’Neill’s homily at Father Peter Keeling’s funeral at St Francis Church, Middlesbrough, on November 26 2024… When Peter was in better health, he asked if I would speak at his funeral. My response was ‘Yes, on one condition that you speak at mine, if I go…
Bishop Terry’s Pastoral Letter for The Feast of the Holy Family 2024
Dear brothers and sisters, Today, the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, we begin the celebration of the opening of the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025. At the Cathedral a cross will be carried into the Church….
How we can mark this Year of Jubilee
In the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year was a time of renewal, freedom and celebration.Debts were cancelled, people and the land could rest, prisoners and slaves were freed and land was given to those who didn’t have any.It was known as the year of the Lord’s favour….
Bishop Terry’s December 2024 Voice column
The Ordinary Jubilee Year and Indulgences You can be sorry for something; you can confess your guilt, and the person hurt or offended can forgive you. But that does not mean to say that everything is as it was before. Take the obvious example of getting angry…
About
Middlesbrough Diocese
We have been wonderfully blessed in this part of the world in many ways: in the beauty of our landscape; in the saints and martyrs who have given such powerful witness; and in the abbeys and religious foundations of our history. Today, that same grace is visible in our local communities, which in so many different ways give glory to God through their actions and their attitude to life. We need only look around us to glimpse something of the “thumbprint of God” upon our diocese.
Resources
On the go
Here are a few links to some of the amazing catholic resources that are available to anybody who has access to the internet.
Word on Fire
The Word on Fire online platform is constantly expanding its offerings.
Saint Augustine Institute
The Saint Augustine Institute provides study courses as well as a whole range of online materials for growing and deepening of our understanding of the faith.
EWTN
The Eternal Word Television Network. Many resources from ETWN.
Daily Mass Readings
The scripture passages of today’s Mass provided here on the diocesan site. A prayer to make a spiritual communion is also included for handy access.
Saint Anthony Communications
Some great content made available to watch for free covering a wide range of topics.
Cathechism of the Catholic Church
The whole of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available on the Vatican website.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Patron of the Diocese of Middlesbrough
In this diocese we are blessed to be under the patronage of our heavenly mother as ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’. This icon shows her Divine Son in her arms and it is a constant reminder to us that we too are held secure in her arms even in times of trial. We ask her prayers for the whole world and in a particular way for our own diocese.
‘It was through the “fiat” the “yes” of the Virgin Mary that the Incarnation took place. Mary is very much our model…..Through her faith, she disposed herself to allow the Word of God to become flesh in her.’
Bishop Terry Drainey – Emeritus Bishop of Middlesbrough
‘Our Lady [of Perpetual Succour] heard my prayer and vouchsafed me a miraculous cure of……which has…..caused me much trouble and suffering, and has been a sad drawback to me in my work. The cure was instantaneous and complete.’
Bishop Richard Lacy – 1st Bishop of Middlesbrough
‘It is my prayer…..that devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in this church and elsewhere, may continue…..showing to many the limitless mercy of God for us all, His little ones, and made manifest in Jesus Christ our Lord.’
Cardinal Vincent Nichols – Archbishop of Westminster
‘Make her known to the whole world!’
Pope Pius IX
Diocesan Diary Dates
Events happening throughout 2026
Rite of Election
3pm Sunday 22nd February (First Sunday in Lent)
Chrism Mass
Cathedral 12 noon, Tuesday 31st March
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Sunday 24th May – Saturday 30th May
Annual Postgate Rally
Egton Bridge this year – Sunday 5th July. 3pm Mass
Assumption Pilgrimage
Sunday 16th August. 3pm Mass
Mass for Deceased Clergy
Cathedral, Monday 4th November
Vocation
What is your calling?
If you wish to find out more about pursuing a potential vocation to the priesthood, the permanent deaconate or religious life, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our vocations director Canon Alan Sheridan:
Diocesan Curial Offices
50a The Avenue, Linthopre, Middlesborugh. TS5 6QT
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Dalby Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TW
