April 2012 Issue 381 FREE Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic V OICE What’,s Inside Recently you will have seen, heard and read much about the “,consultation”, the Government is holding in order to change the legal definition of marriage so as to open the institution of marriage to same sex partnerships. You will also have listened to the Pastoral Letter sent out on behalf of all the Bishops of England and Wales concerning the Catholic vision of marriage. As your Bishop I think it is important that you know and understand the Church’,s teaching on marriage and that you share some of the concerns that are implied by changing the definition of marriage. Many people ask why does this concern you? The Government is only talking about civil marriage. I would reply simply by saying marriage is marriage. You can enter it by a civil or a religious route, but it is the same thing. My concern is for the good the institution of marriage delivers to society as a whole: I don’,t just care about Catholics. If you change the definition of marriage so that it no longer involves any consideration of children or the family as a unit, bonded across generations, you are embarking on an extraordinary social experiment with consequences that no one can even guess at. In a marriage the relationship is oriented to and uniquely apt for the coming into being of children. It is because the meaning of marriage holds together both the couple and the openness to children that society places such value on it. There are many sorts of relationship –, business partners, friendships, colleagues –, but marriage has a special place in culture and society because of what it stands for. Many young people aspire to marriage, because they see this. It is the job of Parliament to make the laws and in doing so it has the duty to make an informed judgement. What the Church is doing now is to help inform that debate. It is important to remember that this proposal was not in the party manifestos at the last election. There has been no real consultation on whether people want such a change in the law at all. There has been no Green Paper or White Paper to explore the issues. Instead we simply had a party conference announcement, backed by the Prime Minister, that the Government were simply going to do this anyway, subject only to a consultation on how to do it, not whether we should do it. When people complain that the Catholic Church is making a fuss about matters that don’,t concern it, my bottom-line is this: This is not about ‘,religious’, marriage, this is about the meaning of civil marriage for the whole of our society. Marriage has always meant a bond of one man and one woman, for life, creating the best environment in which their children can learn to become adults. Marriage exists not just for the couple, but for the common good of society, it is popular because it works. The Government should leave it alone. The meaning of marriage embraces not just the couple but also their children. We should value and treasure marriage as it is because it is key to family stability. There is no need for change. Bishop Terry Writes..... Diocesan Accounts Page 2 Easter Mass Times Page 8 “,Vatican-lite”, Page 10 Conveyancing, Wills &, Probate Also covering Court Hearings, Family Problems, Crime, Housing, Personal Injury, Mental Health. For more information contact: Bill O`Hanlon, Sean Grainger, Helen Connelly, Peter Kilgour York House, 102 Borough Road Middlesbrough TS1 2HJ E: info@watsonwoodhouse.co.uk W: www.watsonwoodhouse.co.uk T: 01642 247656 It is Saturday 3rd March and in Middlesbrough Little Theatre the call goes out over the backstage tannoy: ‘,This is your 5 minute call!’, There is a sense of anticipation in the air, mixed with much excitement and maybe one or two nerves! The lights are about to go up on the eighth annual Pope Idol star search. Backstage there are dancers in their costumes limbering up, singers having one last run through and the sounds of instruments of all descriptions being tuned in. Acts had come from all corners of our sprawling Diocese, and all had done amazingly well just to reach this stage of the competition. The talent and standard of entertainment was evident straight from the moment the curtain went up. With Father Paul Farrer as the compere for the evening, last year’,s victors and three of this year’,s judges, ‘,Evelyn’,, performed a rendition of Adele’,s ‘,Fire to the Rain’, . The remaining two judges, Jonny Rees and MYMission’,s Deborah Anne McIntosh, were introduced and the stage was set for Pope Idol 2012! Hannah Ward from Trinity Catholic College was the first act to set the bar with a combined singing and dancing performance. Next up was Daniel Abel from St Peter’,s, South Bank with a rendition of ‘,When You Say Nothing At All’,. The third act of the evening was Emmie Beckitt of St Augustine’,s, Scarborough with a rousing rendition of ‘,Time To Say Goodbye’,. Henry Laid from Ampleforth was next and the first half of the show was rounded off with guitar playing Maisie Atkinson. The Right Key from St Anthony’,s, Hull kicked off the second half of the show and the second dancer of the evening, Melissa Hunter, had everyone amazed, performing to ‘,Hurt’, by Christina Aguilera. Niamh Stevens from Trinity followed with a moving rendition of ‘,Make You Feel My Love’, by Adele and Alanis Beckitt was next up singing ‘,Don’,t Rain on My Parade’, which was a confident, uplifting performance. Rachel Carter was the final act of the evening singing ‘,Don’,t you remember?’, After all the acts had performed, the judges chose as their winner Alanis Beckitt. Alanis had the privilege of closing what was one of the closest and highest standard of competitions in history in which all the acts had provided everyone present with a fantastic evening and an overwhelming display of talent, friendship and fun. Photographs from Pope Idol can be found on our website: mymission.org.uk or on our Facebook page. More photographs on page 12.

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2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 Diocesan Revenue Budget Introduction Each year the Diocese publishes a summary in the Catholic Voice of its most recent set of audited financial accounts, these are a factual record of the financial activities of the whole of the Diocese in a given year. In addition, the Diocese is obliged under both canon and civil law to produce an annual estimate of projected income and expenditure for its central functions and this is known as the Curia Revenue Budget. Good financial management dictates that, in so far as it is possible, the Revenue Budget identifies the probable costs of its services and functions in the coming year together with an assessment of how these activities are to be funded. Once the Diocesan Board of Trustees has approved the budget in total, budget holders, ie those who have a responsibility for managing a particular Diocesan service, will be advised of their resource allowance. Each then has a responsibility to manage their spending within the allocation. I am well aware that endless sets of statistics can be bewildering to the lay person and I have therefore chosen to show the budget in diagrammatic form which will, hopefully, convey an understanding that complex columns of figures fail to do. A final word of caution, the Curia Revenue Budget is, by definition, a financial prediction of how things might turn out but past experience does confirm that such predictions can be remarkably accurate. The Curia (which performs the functions of a headquarters in a Catholic Diocese) expects to spend about £,1,777,000 in the current year and Table 1 shows how it intends to raise the funds necessary to pay for its central services. The diagram shows that slightly more than half of the requirement, £,900,000, (50.65%) will come as contributions from the 69 parishes of the Diocese. The Diocese also collects from its parishes an amount to cover the annual pension premiums for its active priests the total, £,75,000, is subsequently paid over to the diocesan pension provider. The second largest contribution towards central costs is generated from its combined investments of £,182,000. Investment yields, which are linked to current interest rates, are low at the present time and the Diocese has suffered, along with all investors, from poor returns in recent years. The Curia, as distinct from the parishes, has its own property portfolio of about 25 investment properties and expansion in this area in recent years has helped, to some degree, to counterbalance the present fall of investment interest. The schools of the Diocese contribute to the running costs of the Schools Service and, this year, we expect to receive £,182,000 by way of Schools’, Levy: each school contributes on the basis of numbers and age range of its pupils. The Priests’, Training Fund, £,50,000, and Youth Ministry, £,53,000, figures reflect the anticipated levels of second collections, fundraising, donations and legacies expected during the year. The sums are ‘,ring fenced’, for the exclusive use of these services. Table 2 shows, in summary format, the four main areas of Curia spending. As can be seen, the major segment which totals £,1,244,000 (70%) will be spent on Diocesan services but other sums, £,272,000 (15.3%) and £,78,000 (4.4%), will be paid over to organisations and agencies which perform tasks or duties on behalf of the Diocese: some monies will be paid into diocesan reserve funds. Finally, there are the costs of running and maintaining the central administration of the Curia, £,183,000 (10.3%). Each of these segments is analysed in greater detail in Table 3. Table 1 Table 2

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 Diocesan Services - £,1,244,000 This diagram shows the distribution of Curia expenditure over the main pastoral, statutory and other key services of the Diocese. Most of the descriptions are self-explanatory but as background information it is worth noting that the Buildings’, Section has the responsibility for overseeing the maintenance and capital refurbishment of the Diocese’,s 340 properties - churches, presbyteries, parish halls and other buildings: the total includes 55 schools, primary and secondary. The Gift Aid Section, likewise, organises the process of claiming refunds on behalf of the parishes from the tax authorities which bring in to the Diocese tax refunds of approximately £,425,000 pa. Again with four students currently away on training for the priesthood, the Diocese expects to pay £,128,000 in the form of college fees, travel costs, book and support grants in the course of 2012. This compares with an estimated income for the Priests’, Training Fund in the same period of £,50,000 (see Table 1) , the balance to be met from the Curia’,s other income sources. ‘,Other’, expenditure of £,85,000 comprises a range of a dozen or so services which includes Prison Chaplaincy, Justice and Peace, Historic Churches, Liturgy and ecumenical expenditure, etc. As a final comment it should be noted that the allocation of £,90,000 for ‘,Upkeep of Properties’, relates solely to the maintenance of the Curia’,s own property portfolio and does not provide for the upkeep and refurbishment of parish buildings which must be met by the parishes themselves. Curial Office Costs - £,183,000 These costs shown in Table 4 cover the core functions of Administration and Finance which are based in the Curial Offices including financial management, reception, secretarial and cleaning services. The Supplies and Services sum of £,48,000 provides for printing, photocopying, stationery, telephone and other administration necessities. Funds Paid Over - £,272,000 In part, these headings in Table 5 reflect monies collected from the parishes within the Parish Assessment Levy and, subsequently, paid over to various funds, accounts and national bodies. The Priests’, Pension Contributions of £,75,000 constitute the annual pension premiums which are collected on behalf of the parishes and forwarded to the Diocese’,s pension provider. The Middlesbrough Secular Clergy Retirement Fund (MSCRF), also known as the ‘,Brophy’, Fund, is another pension pot supported directly from Curia income and investments and does not represent a charge on the parishes. Its initial purpose was to support those elderly priests who, because of their age, were unable to join the main Diocesan pension scheme. However, support now takes the form of monthly allowances, the provision of retirement accommodation, healthcare and other ex gratia payments as deemed necessary for all retired priests. The Bishops’, Conference total of £,31,000 is the contribution the Diocese makes to the National Catholic Fund which supports the work of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales. Table 6 Table 5 Table 4 Table 3 Agency Costs - £,78,000 These costs are largely self explanatory. The Diocese operates in a commercial world and within a statutory framework. Charity law, and the law in general, places specific requirements on the Diocese, part of which is to produce annual budgets such as this, and annual audited accounts. In addition, the Diocese requires specialist legal, taxation and investment advice which it is not cost effective to provide for ‘,in house.’, Summary During the course of the year the various income and expenditure budgets, as outlined above, will be closely monitored to ensure that costs and revenue follow expectations. At the year end the Board of Trustees will request a formal report - which is known as the ‘,Outturn Report’, - to satisfy themselves that their finances remain disciplined. There will always be changes and developments as the Diocese moves forward in its mission and the budget will be ‘,tweaked’, for 2013 to reflect them and so the process starts again. Space constraints have meant that this article can only touch on some of the more significant elements of the Curia Revenue Budget but I do hope that it has served as a general introduction and prompts some interest into the inner workings of diocesan finance. J Whiston (Doctor) Financial Secretary 2012 Pilgrimages to Medjugorje Sunday 27th May to Sunday 3rd June 2012 Flying from Leeds Airport Cost £,534 plus insurance Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd September 2012 Flying from Newcastle Airport Cost £,534 plus insurance For further information contact Marie Bedingfield 01642 530739

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4 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 ‘,It’,s time to close the gap between rich and poor’, Church Action on Poverty is running this campaign because in the UK, the gap is now greater than at any time in the last 40 years. Over 20% of people in the UK live in poverty. They are trapped by unjust structures and prejudice, made to pay more for everyday goods and services, and denied a voice. The gap between rich and poor is not just immoral and unjust. It hurts us all, whether rich or poor. If the UK were a fairer place, we would all be happier, safer and healthier. If you oppress the poor, you insult their creator (Proverbs 14:31). For more information, visit www.church- poverty.org.uk Inequality and the common good James Hanvey SJ, Director of the Heythrop Institute for Religion, Ethics and Public Life, looks at what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about the gap between rich and poor. Behind every statistic is a unique human face, a whole world of relationships without which society would be diminished. It is an illusion to think that poverty only affects those who are poor, it impoverishes us all. Not only do growing inequalities destabilise communities, they also point to a failure of government to govern for the common good of all its citizens. In Catholic Social Teaching, the common good can be understood as encompassing the ultimate lasting good of all persons, ie their union with God, and then those conditions which enable people, individually and as a group, to achieve their fulfilment. These will obviously entail a whole variety of different interrelated elements: from the protection of a person’,s dignity and rights, to the securing of a peaceful society, the creation of just laws and administration. It must embrace the economy and the distribution of wealth within society as well as the provision of essential services. Though there can be legitimate disagreement and conflict about what constitutes the common good and the means for achieving it, at its core is a vision of the human person as spiritual as well as material, finite, but also living with a transcendence expressed in a freedom open to goodness and truth. In Catholic Social Teaching, the primary duty of the state and governments is the service of the common good. In a democratic system they have a moral as well as pragmatic obligation to govern for the good of all people. No one pretends that this is easy. It is tempting for governments to work exclusively with utilitarian understanding of the good for the greatest number. This, however, becomes morally and socially indefensible when it leads to policies which accept that the ‘,good’, of some is expendable. It is, likewise, indefensible for governments to pursue policies which increase inequalities. Not only is this a waste of human resources which society needs for its own flourishing, it progressively disenfranchises those at the lower end from access to the goods which they need in order to live well within a democratic system. For the good of society itself, democratic governments have an obligation to defend the weak, not just protect the interests of the strong. The common good recognises that the good of the other is also my good. The economy cannot stand independently of the moral and social responsibilities that are incurred in virtue of belonging to a society: the economy must serve society, not society the economy. In Catholic Social Teaching the strong dimension of solidarity is balanced with the principle of subsidiarity. Subsidiarity does not license central government to withdraw its resources while shifting responsibility for provision to local communities to the private or charitable sectors. It is not a delegation but a recognition of an already existing capacity at an intermediary level with the corresponding obligation to support it. The common good is not an abstract concept but a concrete reality, it is not something that exists independently of our commitment to create it. Christian faith in the reality of an Incarnate God commits us to this work. It requires of us to see beyond the impoverishment of the idolised individualism that has dominated our economic, cultural and relational landscapes for too long. We know that the economy cannot save us. We should not be afraid to draw upon our deep, rich and inspiring Christian tradition to help our society find another way. As Caritas in Veritate states: “,God gives us the strength to fight and to suffer for love of the common good, because he is our All, our greatest hope.”, New SVP Community Shop opening soon! We will be selling donated clothing, books, DVDs, home ware, toys, electricals, furniture and more. We now urgently need donations and volunteers to help at our new shop at 22-24 Rothbury Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 7NW. Please contact Steve Milburn on 07734 115316 for more information. All proceeds will go towards funding SVP projects. Visit www.svp.org.uk to find out mo re. Coalition for Marriage At the time this edition of Catholic Voice was being prepared, considerable coverage was being given in the national press to proposals by HM Government to alter the legal definition of marriage and the Pastoral Letter read at all Masses over the weekend of 10th/11th March. As the three month period of public consultation from March progresses, we will hear more from our Bishops but for now we print below a comment issued by Archbishop Peter Smith about supporting the Coalition for Marriage. “,The government’,s imminent consultation on changing the definition of marriage is of great concern to many people in our society, and we are encouraging Catholics to participate in the consultation and to make their objections known. We welcome the formation of the ‘,Coalition for Marriage’, as a grassroots movement to campaign for the current definition of marriage to remain in English law. A change is not needed because the Civil Partnerships Act provides for the civil rights of same-sex couples already. Nor is a change desirable because it would fundamentally change the legal purpose of marriage by removing any reference to the begetting and rearing of children. Marriage is a fundamental social institution and neither the State nor the Church has the right to redefine its meaning. Together with the Church of England and the new ‘,Coalition for Marriage’, we will be encouraging people to sign the petition registering their opposition to a change in the law on marriage.”, You can sign the petition at: www.c4m.org.uk if you have access to a computer. If you do not have a computer, you can write to C4M, 8 Marshalsea Road, London, SE1 1HL, tel 0207 403 7879. Printable copies of the petition are also available on the c4m website should anyone wish to encourage others to sign who do not have access to a computer. ‘,From the Heart: Mental Health’, A new book by Edna Hunneysett was published in December 2011 by chipmunkapublishing and is available from their website, from Amazon or from Edna (01642 818332) price £,10.00. This book gives voice to the voiceless, allowing those caring for loved ones with mental illnesses and sufferers themselves to tell their own often painful but always moving stories. In bringing together this collection, Edna Hunneysett presents us with stories and poems which would otherwise have remained untold, unshared and unacknowledged. It also presents us with challenges which we as individuals and communities, especially Christian communities, need to address. What does it mean to be Christian? Indeed, what does it mean to be human and to care for our fellow human beings? In her earlier works Edna Hunneysett bravely described her painful and at times desperate experiences caring for a teenage daughter who suffered with severe mental illness and her own trials and tribulations in finding spiritual support through these ordeals. From these experiences Edna Hunneysett established and guided a pastoral care group for those caring for someone with mental illness, and later a group for sufferers themselves. This book tells their stories. It is a book of hope and empowerment. Though rooted in the Catholic world, this book is for everyone for, as one contributor puts it, ‘,mental illness does not know denominational divisions’,. Brian Dowd Christian Discipleship Day of Recollection This is being organised by ASCENT and will be led by Father Terence Richardson OSB, Prior of Ampleforth Abbey. Entitled ‘, English Martyrs’,, it will be held at the English Martyrs Hall, Dalton Terrace, York, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm on Wednesday 2nd May 2012. There will be a shared lunch, tea and coffee will be provided and the suggested donation is £,6.00. All are very welcome to attend.

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 5 ‘,I’,m going mad! God, where are you!?’, When hearing the stories of people experiencing mental distress or mental health problems, in our families, amongst our friends, or in our parish communities, how do we react? How accepting and welcoming are we? What are we afraid of? We all know people who have had or are experiencing mental distress or mental illness. Because of the problems of stigma and a general reluctance to say that we have experienced mental ill-health, the problems can get worse. So what is the role of the Church? There are many stories in the Gospels that give us insight for our response, and in an understated, determined way, the work has been progressing in parishes, dioceses and nationally to address this issue. With Jesus, it is always about the person and not the problem! That is where we begin! Thanks to the ‘, Day for Life’, collection across England and Wales in 2008 and 2009, a programme was started to increase understanding and good practice about mental health within the Church. At the heart of this is the commitment we need as Catholic communities to being accepting and welcoming to people with mental health problems, from depression to dementia. It is not just FOR people with mental health problems, but WITH them. On Wednesday 14th March, Bishop Drainey invited the clergy of our Diocese to attend a study day to explore the ways in which clergy in particular can focus attention on the needs of people in our communities with mental distress or mental illness. The priest is often the first port of call, with the knock at the presbytery door. Through his pastoral ministry, he is very much aware of the problems amongst his parishioners, such as loneliness, unemployment, debt, broken relationships, and the effect these have on individuals and families. These can be the starting point for much more serious mental health issues. On their study day, the priests looked at very practical information when encountering people with mental distress - often described as ‘,mental health first aid’,. What are the signs to look for? What can you say and do in the first instance? Just what are we talking about, across the spectrum, including depression, psychosis, and dementia. The day was led by Ben Bano, of Telos Training, commissioned by the Bishops’, Conference Mental Health Scheme to devise and provide a nationwide training programme called ‘,Welcome me as I am’,. Our own Edna Hunneysett (author of three books on the subject of mental health) gave input on the vital ministry a parish can offer in support of carers. You do not need to be an expert to help - so how can you make a difference? Come and find out more! Deanery sessions in April, May and June. Following on from the event for clergy, we are having a number of sessions across the deaneries. These are open to anyone interested in sharing experiences, and understanding and learning more about how we in parish communities can help others overcome the stigma of talking about mental distress and mental health problems, and how we can best support the people themselves, and their families/carers too. At these sessions, we will also have the opportunity to: •, Look at the new resource/tool kit ‘, Welcome me as I am’, designed to help increase awareness, and understand the needs of people who experience mental distress or mental ill-health •, Reflect on positive mental health as well as mental ill-health •, Consider some background and advice for use in parishes •, Reflect on recovery and mental health - the journey of hope •, Understand and address the needs of caregivers, and how a parish can support them •, Taking the agenda forward in our parishes and deaneries - action planning and the next steps towards developing complementary forms of ministry for both spiritual and pastoral support Who are these sessions for? They are open to anyone interested, including representatives of all parish groups (eg SVP, Youth, Welcomers, Prayer groups, Liturgy groups, Ministers of Word and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion), teachers, chaplains, local professionals in mental health care, carers and concerned individuals. Please have a word with your parish priest, be encouraged, and come along. Dates, times and venues: SOUTHERN Deanery: Tuesday 24th April, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle (Church Hall) CENTRAL Deanery: Saturday 19th May, 10.00 am - 12.00 pm English Martyrs, York (Small Hall) or Tuesday 29th May, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Ss Leonard and Mary, Malton (Church Hall) COASTAL Deanery: Wednesday 23rd May, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Sneaton Castle, Whitby NORTHERN Deanery: Tuesday 12th June, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm St Bernadette’,s, Nunthorpe For people with mental distress and mental ill health, ‘, The task of the Christ-like friend is not to do anything for them, but rather to be someone for them, someone who understands and accepts them as persons: someone who is with and for them in the way that God is also with and for them’, (Doctor John Swinton). Prayers: Our Lady of Mental Peace Mother of tranquillity, Mother of Hope Our Lady of Mental Peace We reach out to you For what is essential in our weakness Teach a searching heart That God’,s love is unchanging That human love begins and grows By touching His Love Our Lady of Mental Peace, Pray for us. We remember humanity, breathed into life by God’,s Holy Spirit, People of beauty and brilliance, People of gifts and grace, People of extravagant diversity. We pray, healing God, For people whose lives are diminished because they live with their own or another’,s mental illness, for people facing the stigma caused by misunderstanding about mental illness, for people struggling to find help where they need it. (from ‘,Not Alone’, Worship Resources, Methodist Church 2010 ) Lord, help us to make our parishes and deaneries communities of love, understanding and healing as we journey with those experiencing mental distress. Caroline Dollard Celebrating Family Project Celebrating Family Project - Mental Health Awareness and Action Ben Bano with Bishop Richard Moth of the Bishops’, Conference Mental Health Project SPUC launches new schools talk SPUC’,s Education Officer, Eileen Brydon, along with SPUC National Vice-chairman, Michael Hill, launched SPUC’,s new schools talk at the 2011 National Conference. The new talk has been two years in production, and uses the latest audio-visual technology. It is designed to educate the next generation about the right to life, the development of the child in the womb, and the reality of abortion. The talk can also be tailored to include difficult issues such as pregnancies caused by rape, unborn children with disabilities, and population control. Eileen Brydon told the conference “,Every time we speak to students we are touching the hearts and minds of future generations. Our school speakers will both change and save lives because they speak the truth, and the truth has a power all of its own.”, Michael Hill added “,Children and young people are naturally pro-life. When young people learn the truth about abortion, most are appalled. Young people desperately need to hear an adult voice confirming that their convictions are correct, before they are influenced by the lies of the pro-abortion lobby.”, The new talk presents the pro-life view in an engaging and attractive way, and it is hoped that the high standard of the talk will encourage more schools to invite a SPUC speaker to deliver the pro-life message to their students. Michael Hill will present the new talk during a Yorkshire Regional meeting of SPUC to be held on Saturday 21st April in the Marriott room at York Explore (the central library), Museum Street, York at 11.00 am. If you would like more information, or to confirm attendance, please contact Sue Whitaker at suemwhitaker@btinternet.com or on (01904) 762559. For more information about SPUC’,s outreach to schools, please e-mail Eileen Brydon at education@spuc.org.uk Eileen Brydon Medjugorje Evening of Prayer with powerful witness of David Parkes on 28th April at 5.30pm Starting with the Rosary followed by Holy Mass at 6.00pm All Welcome to attend St Alphonsus Church Westbourne Grove, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough TS3 6EW With only two weeks to live, David Parkes visited Medjugorje as a last hope for healing. Come and listen to this man’,s miracle which took place in Medjugorje. You will be amazed at his testimony! Come join us for an evening filled with prayer, singing and an inspiring story of how one mans life changed completely. For further details please contact Marie Bedingfield on 01642 530739. A collection will be taken to cover speakers expenses.

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6 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 Barbara Hungin Mission Earth How we can all Work Together on The Biggest Issue We Face - Join us on Saturday 21st April 2012, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. In recent copies of the ‘,Voice’,, we have provided information on a major event in York on the 21st April. If you have not signed up for the event then please join us in our Mission. You will also hear about the findings of the Christian Census on Climate Change. The Event at York Minster promises to combine both a spiritual plea to protect our earth and a practical session on the afternoon in York St John University designed to equip individuals and parishes with the means to be more effective in combating climate change. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Thanks to the participation of Archbishop John Sentamu and Bishop Terry Drainey who will come together during the morning programme, we will witness a united approach to the serious problems we face. We feel sure that the programme of workshops and exhibitions will inspire you to support a Christian response to environmental challenges. When speaking of spiritual leadership, we can point to the great example set by Pope Benedict XVI, who has earned the title ‘,Green Pope’, for his commitment to making Vatican City more environmentally efficient and carbon neutral. Benedict is not the first Pope to address the issue of environmental degradation. His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, once described environmental concerns a “,moral issue”, and noted as far back as 1990 that people have “,a grave responsibility to preserve the earth’,s order for the wellbeing of future generations”,. However, Pope Benedict has taken up the challenge and in his first homily as Pontiff said that “,the earth’,s treasures have been made to serve the powers of exploitation and destruction”, and called on Catholics to be better stewards of God’,s creation. In a fractured and troubled world, we look to role models and voices of reason. Why not become part of a Mission to ensure decision makers hear our voice and see that we are united as stewards of God’,s creation. For more information and to register, please contact Emma Casson, administrator, on 07879 372999 or e-mail cconclimatechange@gmail.com John Hinman Chair of Ecumenical Working Party (e-mail jnhinman@gmail.com) CAFOD Challenge launched at St Peter’,s Catholic College! Staff and students at St Peter’,s Catholic College, South Bank, Middlesbrough launched their Lenten CAFOD Challenge recently, following a presentation on CAFOD’,s 50th Anniversary, the Thirst for Change campaign and Department for International Development’,s matched funding opportunity during Lent. The young people lined up coins, decorated t-shirts and hoopla-hooped, while the staff gave the students an opportunity to see another side of them by performing a short play and even giving them the opportunity to soak them, all to raise funds for CAFOD. It was a fun-filled start to the challenge and the teachers were real sports too!! The young people will participate in activities every Friday during Lent to take advantage of the UK Aid Matched Funding opportunity, where every £,1.00 raised will be matched by £,1.00 from the Department for International Development on all CAFOD receives. The activities at the school will culminate when they will be joined by children from their feeder primary schools, who are also joining in the challenge, to present their offerings during a Mass at St Andrew’,s Church, South Bank before they break up for Easter. Students rally to support CAFOD’,s Thirst for Change Campaign in York CAFOD’,s Thirst for Change campaign received a boost during March as hundreds of students from the city’,s two universities took part in the Campaign card signing events on their respective campuses. On Leap year day, 29th February, at York St John University, Lisa-Alix McBride and Rebecca Ford rallied student leaders, who were campaigning themselves for presidential elections in the university’,s societies, who were queuing up to put on the water droplet costumes, to highlight the campaign which aims to ‘,create a river of change’, leading right up to Number 10! The campaign is calling on David Cameron to use his influence at the G8 Summit in May, to make concrete commitments to ensure the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on water and sanitation is met by 2015 and endorse the international ‘,Sanitation and Water for All’, initiative to turn these promises into reality. This will bring some relief to the 884 million people worldwide who do not have access to clean water and the 2.6 billion who lack adequate safe sanitation facilities. The campaign has really taken off with many CAFOD parish contacts requesting campaign cards to be signed in parishes around the Diocese too. Dates for your diary: 21st April - Christian Census on Climate Change - York Minster - more details http://cconcc.wikispaces.com 12th May - 30th Christian Aid and CAFOD Humber Bridge Cross 17th May - End of period of UK Aid Matched Funding for CAFOD 16th June - Pilgrimage to Holy Island 7th July - CAFOD Campaign Energiser Day, Bar Convent, York 15th September - Day of Reflection with Bishop John Crowley 4th November - CAFOD Memorial Mass with Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey 25th November - Hull Advent Service at St Charles Church Carol Cross CAFOD Diocesan Manager Lisa-Alix McBride and Rebecca Ford with a student raindrop! Presentation of a cheque for £,360.00 to Father Michael Marsden for Missio by schoolchildren from St Joseph’,s Primary School, Pickering. Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture Saturday 5th May 2012, 11.00 am, Lindsey Suite, Staff House, Hull University, HU6 7RX. We are very happy to welcome Julian Filochowski to give this year’,s Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture. He is well known for his work as CAFOD’,s Director and latterly as Chair of the Archbishop Romero Trust. The title of the lecture will be ‘,Oscar Romero - Witness to Vatican II’,. Archbishop Romero brought ‘,Joy and Hope’, to his people. The lecture will be the occasion to re-tell the story of his ministry and martyrdom, where through his preaching, his radical compassion and his option for the poor, he lived out faithfully the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. , Today his witness is a source of joy and hope for us and for the whole Church. Tony Storey was an enthusiast for the Second Vatican Council so it is an especially appropriate subject for this lecture. Peter Roebuck, who is chairing the meeting, was a good friend of Tony Storey and is engaged in writing a book about him. All very welcome.

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 7 Diocesan Forum for Church Musicians On Saturday 3rd March 2012, the Central Deanery held its second session of the Forum for Church Musicians. Group leader, Sue Black, has provided the following brief report on the topics covered: “,This was a lively and useful session. Discussions took place on Holy Week music and the New Translations, and the relative merits of ‘,choir’, or ‘,cantor- organist’, in introducing new music in the parish. Philip Simisen from English Martyrs (York) presented two pieces for Communion, prompting exchanges of ideas. Sue and Patrick Black also introduced some home-grown pieces, as well as providing useful resources for Holy Week, and liturgy in general. All participants, from both sessions, are enthusiastic and committed to this new venture, and the opportunities provided by networking and dialogue.”, The Forum for Church Musicians is a vital part of our programme of formation, and is for everyone who is involved in any way with parish music - all singers, instrumentalists, music leaders and priests. If you are in any way involved in the music in your church, don’,t let your parish miss out! Come and join us. We look forward to seeing you at the second meeting in your area. Northern Deanery - St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough Saturday 28th April, 10.00 am - 12.00 noon (Group Leaders - Tim Harrison and Doctor Graeme Drewery) Coastal Deanery - St Joseph’,s, Newby, Scarborough Saturday 28th April, 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm (Group Leader - Martin Richardson) Southern Deanery - St Anthony’,s, Hull Saturday 12th May, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm (tbc) (Group Leader - Gabrielle Awre) Christian Life Communities Small ecumenical groups have begun to meet regularly in York for listening, sharing, reflection and spiritual support in the Ignatian tradition. For further information, e-mail marywalmsley.cj@gmail.com or visit www.clcew.org.uk Eleven Day UK Mission Tour Talks on the Divine Mercy and Holy Angels will be given by Father Peter Prusakiewicz (CSMA) of The Congregation of St Michael the Archangel who is Chief Editor of the magazine ‘,The Angels: Messengers from a loving God’,. Day 6: Tuesday 17th April 2012 at 7.00 pm at St Charles Borromeo, Jarratt Street, Hull, HU1 3HB Itinerary: Mass of the Divine Mercy and Holy Angels (Talk part 1) Veneration of the relic of St Faustina Tea/comfort break/promotional items Talk part 2, questions Chaplet of Divine Mercy 9.00 pm finish For further information, contact John Carroll, tel (01759) 380415 or Canon Michael Loughlin, tel (01482) 329100. The Feast of Divine Mercy is held on the Sunday after Easter Sunday in various local parishes within the Diocese. Parishes sometimes combine to hold special Divine Mercy Feast Devotions on the Sunday at a particular church. These usually continue after Mass with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which continues until a formal service commencing at 3.00 pm. During this time period, there may be continuous confessions available and reading from the diary of St Faustina ‘,Divine Mercy in My Soul’,. During the formal part of the ceremony, the Image will be blessed and venerated. The Chaplet of Mercy, another part of the devotion, recited together with Divine Praises to the Divine Mercy or Sacred Heart of Jesus. Suitable hymns may be sung throughout the service. This year in the Middlesbrough Diocese, formal afternoon services are to be held at the following parishes: Middlesbrough: John Paul Pastoral Centre, 55 Grange Road, TS1 5AU York: St Aelred, Tang Hall, YO31 0PN Hull: St Vincent de Paul, Queen’,s Road, HU5 2QP Spirituality and Worship A word from Bishop John As from 1st April, I am moving home from Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Wanstead, to Our Lady of Lourdes parish (how nice the same designation), Harpenden. The move is triggered largely because living on the top floor of the presbytery in Wanstead has become an increasing challenge since undergoing knee replacement surgery in 2010. As I prepare for the transition, I must pay handsome tribute to Father Pat Sammon and the people here for making me so welcome in this vibrant parish. The third member of the presbytery, Father Kieran Dodd, has also contributed greatly to my happiness here. Nor must I forget to mention Bishop Thomas McMahon and the whole diocesan family of Brentwood for making me feel so much at home. Please keep me in prayer as I return now to my home Diocese of Westminster. My new address from 1st April is Our Lady of Lourdes, 1 Kirkwick Avenue, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2QH. Redcar and Cleveland Catenian Circle President, Paul Wordsworth, presents a cheque for the ‘,Priests’, Training Fund’, to Monsignor Ricardo Morgan during their Shrove Tuesday Clergy Night at Saltburn Golf Club. Ignite! Confirmation Evening: Session One Ignite! The title of the six prayer experience sessions being organised by MYMission. The sessions have been arranged to supplement parish preparation classes to aid our young people who are embarking on their Confirmation journey, a very important step in their personal and spiritual development. The time is 7.50 pm at St Thomas More Church, and the atmosphere in church is that of a very calm, serene nature. The MYMission Team have prepared the church with candles and displays and the gentle sounds of an artist called ‘,Einaudi’, are being played through the church’,s music system. As the young people enter church, they are given a warm, reassuring welcome by Sophie and Deborah, and are then shown to their seats, which the team have arranged in a half circle just in front of the altar. The title of this experience is ‘,Personal Prayer and Pizza’,, and with this being the first of the six experiences, it is an opportunity for the team and the youngsters to meet and get to know each other. As the title of the session would suggest, the experience was focused mainly on personal prayer and the different ways in which we talk and listen to God. There was an exploration of the Our Father and how we can learn from the words used in that prayer, as well as several moments in which we were all left with our own time to pray alone. These moments were, at times, accompanied to inspirational and thoughtful music which allowed us to focus our thoughts on either the scripture we had just heard, the confirmation journey which the young people were embarking on or just our own personal thoughts and intentions. After a quiet, insightful and reflective experience, the evening ended with both the team and the young people sharing pizza together, which was a gentle way in which we brought ourselves and the evening to a light hearted, friendly and an overall joyful end. Forthcoming sessions, to be held at St Thomas More Church, Beechwood, Middlesbrough from 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm: 26th April - Prayer From Around The World 10th May - Meditation 24th May - Praying with Mary Turn to page 12 for more MYMission news. A Chorister’,s Journey Hello everybody. I would like to tell you what it’,s like to be Deputy Head Chorister at St Mary’,s Cathedral. I joined the Cathedral Boys Choir in June 2011 and feel I have made good progress. I have made many new friends and enjoyed working with them, both in rehearsals and during services. All the boys work very hard, including my brother, Mickey, who is also the biggest handful (...only joking Mickey!!). We all feel very proud standing in church with our cassocks on and during Mass on the first Sunday of Lent, we had the Chorister Awards ceremony, I received a Deputy Head Chorister medal. I feel exceptionally proud of this achievement and aim to be a good role model for the other boys in the choir. There are 16 boys in the choir and we sing Benediction and Vespers on Wednesday evenings twice each month as well as monthly Sunday morning Mass and other major days in the Church year such as Christmas Day, Holy Week and Easter. My future plans are to work very hard to help Mr Harrison keep up the high quality of the St Mary’,s Cathedral Boys Choir. David Harding, Deputy Head Chorister of St Mary’,s Cathedral Boys Choir David Harding The Postgate Society Annual General Meeting The 2012 AGM of the Postgate Society will be held in Ugthorpe on Saturday 12th May. Mass at 2.00 pm in St Anne’,s Church, Ugthorpe will be followed by the AGM at 3.00 pm in St Anne’,s Parish Rooms. The meeting will include a statement on the aims of the Society, a report on recent activities, an opportunity to suggest future activities and the election of officers for 2012-2013. Light refreshments will be provided. All welcome. For further details, contact the current chairperson, Mark Whelan, on: postgatesociety@mypostoffice.co.uk

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8 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 9

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10 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 “,Vatican-lite”, A news report on Pope Benedict’,s visit to the United States suggested that one of his objectives was to challenge what the reporter called the “,Vatican-lite”, approach to Catholicism on the part of many American Catholics, the suffix “,lite”, normally being associated with certain brands of beer that are light on calories or low in alcohol content. The inference was that Rome was concerned that American Catholics may not always be as faithful to Church teaching as they should be, and areas such as contraception and abortion were given as examples. What has brought about this situation, and is it unique only to the Church in the United States? I n his book Faith of Our Fathers , author Eamon Duffy 1 writes: ‘,Roman Catholics have always attributed a special value to their Church’,s past, for they believe that the saving truth of God is encountered not merely in the pages of the Bible, but in the proclamation, worship and shared experience of the Christian community - that complex expression of lived faith which we call tradition. Yet in the latter twentieth century the Catholic Church underwent a dramatic and, to many, disturbing transformation, which seemed to open up a deep gulf between modern believers and their past. The reforms initiated by the Second Vatican Council, which met from 1962 to 1965, profoundly changed the experience of Catholics at every level…, It was an exhilarating time, filled with the sense of momentous and life-giving transformations, the bursting of constraints and the opening of new possibilities.’, T hose of us who are, as they say, “,of a certain age”, were brought up in a Church that was very authoritarian and there was very little, if any, room for “,thinking outside the box”, as they say today. We learned the basics of our faith in question and answer form from the old ‘,penny catechism’, - rote learning but at least we knew where we stood. It began with questions on faith and the 12 articles of the Apostles’, Creed (including grace and sin), moving on to hope, prayer, and charity - that was the first 170 questions. The next 78 dealt with the God’,s ten commandments and the Church’,s six. A huge amount of what we had to know as Catholics was contained in that section alone. The sacraments followed (that took us up to question 314) and then we moved on to a series of lists that we also learned by heart: three theological and four cardinal virtues, seven gifts and twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit, seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy, eight Beatitudes, seven capital sins and their contrary virtues, six sins against the Holy Spirit, nine ways in which we could cause or share in the guilt of another’,s sin, three eminent Good Works, three Evangelical Counsels, and “,four things to be ever remembered”,! - 332 questions so far. The final 38 were about the Christian rule of life and daily (spiritual) exercise. M odern educationalists may not have anything too complimentary to say about that method of learning and yet few would deny that we grew up knowing a great deal more about the basics of our faith than children seem to these days, but, like a lot of other things, it doesn’,t seem to matter. In our multicultural, diversified, politically correct society, they will know as much, if not more, about other world religions than about their own, and no one seems to call them to task for such lack of knowledge or practice of the faith. We at least had that much-tested, rote learning foundation upon which to build as we grew older and the theory was that that’,s what we were meant to do so as to develop a much more mature knowledge of our faith than we had as kids. And the Church encouraged that process by publishing, in 1994, a 600-page updated version of the catechism - no longer questions and answers but a text to be read and digested. Fundamentally, nothing has changed, but the very obvious physical difference between the two catechisms is a clear indication of the extent to which our faith knowledge, and how we live that out, should have changed as we grew up. I t is worth repeating that nothing of the basics of our faith has changed - everything that was to be found in the old catechism is to be found, albeit greatly expanded and developed, in the new one. How is it, then, that the phrase “,Vatican-lite”, can be applied to the faith-practice of many Catholics today? Why is it that so many are deciding for themselves which Church teachings they will follow and which they won’,t? Q103 in the old catechism: How are the faithful on earth in communion with each other? A/: The faithful on earth are in communion with each other by professing the same faith, obeying the same authority, and assisting each other with their prayers and good works. The new catechism says exactly the same thing though in a little more detail: Mindful of Christ’,s words to his apostles: ‘,He who hears you, hears me’,, the faithful receive with docility the teachings and directives that their pastors give them in different forms. (para 87) The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are ‘,authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them, the faith to be believed and put into practice’,. (para 2034) A s we know only too well, no organisation runs smoothly without some degree of control and management, without guidance and oversight, policies and practices, and without the need for sanctions in the event that they have to be applied. Whether we like it or not, there will always be rules and laws, human nature being what it is, we don’,t seem to be able to function without them. Football is always a good example. The established laws of the game, enforced by national and international bodies, ensure that it will be played in a specific and identifiable way anywhere in the world. A referee is appointed to apply those laws and everyone expects a match to be played according to them. Players can’,t suddenly decide for themselves that they are going to ignore particular laws simply because they don’,t like them. If they did, or if the referee failed to do his job properly, matches would descend into chaos. Another example would be the rules of the road. Imagine if anyone of any age was allowed to drive, with or without a licence, or if people could decide for themselves what speed to drive at and which side of road to drive on! And perhaps the most telling example of all, again from Eamon Duffy: “,You cannot have soldiers debating the wisdom of their orders in the face of the enemy.”, E ven God found laws were necessary, or rather that the people of Israel made them necessary, and so he gave them (and us) his ten commandments as a minimum set of guidelines for living out their (and our) faith relationship with him. The Church has done the same thing through its precepts or commandments. We can’,t start deciding for ourselves which laws we will keep and which we won’,t, or which Church teachings we will abide by, first of all because we don’,t have that authority, but, secondly, because that sort of self-determination threatens the universal identity of the Church and the unity of the body of Christ. Being a follower of Christ isn’,t a buffet, a smorgasbord, from which we can pick and choose. When we sign up at our baptism, it’,s for the whole thing. D uffy writes: “,God calls us not into some future invisible Church, but to the responsibilities of a real community, which will support and nourish us, but which will also make demands on us, demands which may not always seem reasonable or right.”, The word seem is important in that sentence if we truly believe in the Holy Spirit guiding the Church and the God-given charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals that she thereby enjoys. We should accept and follow because we are asked to and not because we are told to or have to. Fidelity freely chosen is a more mature response than obedience for its own sake. As a society we have laws and rules (many based on natural law 2 ) designed to safeguard the social structures and values that are important to us and we punish those accordingly who disregard or break those laws. In an ideal world we shouldn’,t need such sanctions if everyone appreciated and accepted the mutual benefit to be gained from respect for the law and, more importantly, respect for one another. ‘,T o reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son’,s Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation.’, 3 It is dangerously short-sighted to see the Church simply as an institution rather than the means to salvation which was Our Lord’,s intention in founding it. It reduces the Church to something “,worldly”, rather than “,other worldly”,. People begin to treat the Church and its God-given teaching authority the same way they treat authority in general. Also, just as many people these days have no qualms about disregarding inconvenient aspects of the law - especially if there is little perceived risk of sanctions - such is their approach to God’,s law and the laws of the Church. As I’,ve just mentioned, what is lacking is respect…, that and discipline. I t doesn’,t really matter, as such, whether we like a particular Church teaching or not, or whether it is convenient to us or not. The Church isn’,t about us as individuals, it’,s about communion, about unity, about members of the body of Christ together. Again from the catechism: ‘,The comparison of the Church with the body (of Christ) casts light on the intimate bond between Christ and his Church. Not only is she gathered around him, she is united in him, in his body (and specifically in) the unity of all her members with each other as a result of their union with Christ.’, (para 789) Whilst there are always going to be cultural differences within so universal a Church, we are called to a unity of belief which also means, with only minor (cultural) variations, a unity of practice. A s we learned from our ‘,penny catechism’,, one of the most severe penalties that could be imposed by the Church was, and still is, excommunication , but, of course, such a severe penalty is, in the strictest sense, only imposed by the Church in the most serious of situations. But it is worth thinking about the fact that if we choose to ignore, or even to reject, certain aspects of Church teaching, then in effect we are “,ex-communicating”, ourselves - literally separating ourselves, to whatever degree, from the body of the Church and in some cases we may even be excluding ourselves from receiving holy communion because the actions resulting from our choices may be seriously sinful. T he call to unity and fidelity is a constant theme in the New Testament. ‘,I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty, for cut off from me you can do nothing.’, (Jn 15 v5) ‘,No household divided against itself can stand.’, (Mt 12 v25) ‘,Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us.’, (Jn 17 v11) ‘,If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common…, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.’, (Phil 2 v1-2) ‘,Obey your leaders and do as they tell you, because they must give an account of the way they look after your souls.’, (Heb 13 v17) S elective observance, selective practise, in other words “,being ‘,Vatican-lite’,”,, isn’,t an option - we don’,t have the authority. The real authority is Jesus Christ’,s, a teaching authority that he delegated to the Church he founded to be the means of our salvation. Through baptism we have been called to be members of his body, the Church, and to build up that body in unity and love, not fragment it through dissent and personal preference. The life of the body is the Holy Spirit: ‘,If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever, that Spirit of truth whom the world can never receive…,he is with you, he is in you.’, (Jn 14 v15-16) Only in unity in his body can we hope to share his Spirit and his life - now and for eternal life. Father Neil McNicholas Footnotes 1 Professor of the History of Christianity, University of Cambridge. 2 A law of morality that derives from an instinctive sense of right and wrong. 3 Catechism of the Catholic Church, para 845. Walk for Life Led by Father Sebastian with the community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe and 100 3ft white crosses, the 5th Annual Walk for Life will wend its way through the streets of York on Sunday 29th April. Starting at the Tyburn Memorial on Tadcaster Road, alongside the Knavesmire with prayers at 1.30 pm, it will proceed to the Bar Convent (in school grounds) for prayers and veneration of the relic of St Margaret Clitheroe, before wending its way to the banks of Ousebridge for a short memorial service for the 7.5m babies aborted since 1967. The procession ends at St Wilfrid’,s with Mass and Consecration of England to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at approximately 4.00 pm, followed by refreshments. Further details and offers of help to Pat, tel 07747 698553, e-mail patriciamarysammon@btinternet.com Father Neil McNicholas

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 11 Funeral Directors To advertise call Cathcom on 01440 730399 Yarm Funeral Service Colin. S. McGinley Dip. FD. MNAFD. MBIFD Your 24hr Local Established Independent Funeral Directors 01642 786 200 Evangelisation Rite of Election - 26th February 2012 The First Sunday of Lent saw coaches and cars bringing catechumens and candidates, and their godparents, sponsors, catechists, supporting parishioners and parish priests to St Mary’,s Cathedral for the Rite of Election. They came from 23 parishes across the Diocese. This year there were 19 catechumens, preparing for Baptism, and 52 candidates, preparing to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church, at the Easter Vigil. After Father Michael Keogh, Diocesan RCIA Co-ordinator, had explained what would happen during the afternoon, the service began with the hymn ‘,Christ be our Light’,. Bishop Terence welcomed everyone, and later in his homily he told the catechumens and candidates that they were icons of the Church, whose presence reminded each one of us that the Lord has chosen us and made a covenant with us. ‘,Elect’, means ‘,chosen by God’, and the real moment of God’,s choosing is at our Baptism, when God sees the face of Christ in each of us and says “,This is my beloved, I delight in you”,. We are all chosen, loved and delighted in by God. Joanne Grosser, from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Hessle, carried the Book of the Elect forward to the altar. The catechumens, with their godparents, were then called forward to the sanctuary, to stand before the Bishop, and he questioned the godparents about the catechumens’, preparation and whether they had responded to God’,s word and if they had joined their communities in prayer. “,Yes, they have”, was the resounding reply. The catechumens then went to the altar and publicly signed the Book of the Elect, and Bishop Terence then added his signature, and declared the catechumens now to be ‘,the Elect’,. The candidates were then presented, and after their sponsors had spoken on their behalf, were accepted for reception into full Communion with the Catholic Church at Easter. The Bishop presented the Elect and the candidates with a wooden cross, a symbol of new life, and the godparents and sponsors each received a prayer card reminding them of their very special call to prayer, support and encouragement for those in their care. Members of RCIA groups throughout the Diocese read the Prayers of Intercession, which were followed by the Lord’,s Prayer and Blessing. The service closed with the hymn ‘,The Church’,s one foundation’,. As always, the singing of the Diocesan Choir, led by Tim Harrison, enriched the celebration. After the service, refreshments were provided in the Cathedral Hall and friendships forged at the Retreat Day two weeks earlier were renewed. Grateful thanks are due to Bishop Terence, the Cathedral clergy, the parishioners, the choir and everyone who helped to make the Rite of Election such a joyful and memorable occasion. Dates for your diary in 2013: Retreat Day: Saturday 2nd February 2013 at All Saints Lower School, York. Rite of Election: Sunday 17th February 2013 at St Mary’,s Cathedral. Contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Funeral Pre-payment Plans Memorial masonry Buxton House, 10a High Street, Normanby, TS6 0JZ Hetherington Funeral Directors Established 1987 01642 453097

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12 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 MYMission Rocking in the Aisles 2012 - are you ready to rock?! You have had to wait a little longer than usual but Rocking in the Aisles is back! The annual show, which brings together priests and lay people from across the Diocese, usually takes place in January. This year, you need to keep 27th and 28th April free in your diary. Yet again we will be taking over Middlesbrough Theatre and faces both old and new will take to the stage to entertain and raise money, which will go to offset the costs of World Youth Day Rio 2013. After years of sterling work by the Middlesbrough Knights of St Columba, Rocking in the Aisles is this year being promoted by the Diocesan Youth Service. Spotlight Performing Arts will join Canon Gubbins and Fathers Keogh and Hartnett as the shy and retiring Chancey Brothers come out of retirement yet again! Father Paul Farrer will be putting the band back together one more time so that The Scratch Band can get you dancing along and many, many more faces will be on show to entertain you. Tickets priced £,8.50 each with a Family Ticket (two adults and two children) available at £,28.00. They are on sale from Middlesbrough Theatre Box Office, tel (01642) 815181, Mission House, tel (01642) 822056 and Chris Tillotson, tel (01642) 324043. More Photographs from Pope Idol Leeds Middlesbrough Hallam When Yorkshire Priests retire or fall sick they receive support from THE YORKSHIRE BRETHREN FUND Under the patronage of Blessed Nicholas Postgate (founded in 1660) A NYONE CAN HELP THEM BY BECOMING A BENEFACTOR Each Benefactor will have five Masses offered during life or after Death as requested, and share in over 400 monthly Masses offered by Priest Members. Apply to your Parish Priest or The Secretary: Fr Timothy Wiley, Immaculate Heart of Mary (Parish of St John Vianney), Leeds, LS17 6LE Contribute £,30.00 Registered Charity Number 511025 Contribute £,30.00

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 13 !! STOP PRESS !! - HOLY LAND! HOLY PLACES! HOLY PEOPLE! - DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND: 4TH - 11TH MARCH 2013 HAVE YOU BOOKED YET? DEPOSITS BY 25TH APRIL 2012 TO SECURE A PLACE Comings, Goings and Constant Renewal After almost three years working for the Diocese within the Youth Service, David Barwick has moved on to pastures new. I have come to realize that running the MYMission Team means getting used to living with constant change whilst helping young adults find a way of saying a very happy “,Yes”, to God. When asked how the Team is going, it is not uncommon for me to fall into the trap of listing all of the places we have been to work. Indeed, we are very busy and there is much to do but I have to remind myself that before we began, we were unsure if anyone would come to join the Team and equally unsure if anyone would want us to work with them! What we try to achieve with the Team members, who give themselves so generously to the service of the Good News, is just as important as what we do together when we are out and about. However, it is often unseen. No-one comes to the Team as ‘,the finished article’,, indeed, it is their own ongoing formation, their own willingness to grapple with their faith and their own relationships with God and others, in community life, which gives all of the work and witness that the Team does its unique value. Hailing from Sacred Heart Parish in Hull, David came to work for the Youth Service as the ‘,field worker’, for the Southern Vicariate. Based in York, David worked with great dedication for the young people of both Hull and York for a year. In September 2010, David joined Dom Finn, Hannah Coyle, Deborah McIntosh and Louise Williams as the founders of MYMission, the Diocesan Youth Mission Team. The story so far has been one of success. We have actually begun to minister to young people as well as running all of the administration and the like which goes hand in hand with modern youth ministry at a Diocesan level. Louise moved in to full-time parish youth work at Otley, in her home diocese of Leeds. September 2011 saw the arrival of Richard McGuire and Sophie Fisk. November last year saw Hannah move back home to Hull, having given her all to the Team, taking up a post as a classroom assistant in primary school. February 2012 saw David make the same decision and, during the half term break, he found his way back down the A19 to Hull. At the same time, Claire Horner of Thornaby has come to join us. Claire was working as a school teacher in New Zealand. The academic year coincides with the calendar year over there and coming home, she was looking for some voluntary work from January to the summer. Added to all of these comings and goings, Dom Boyes asked to be considered as a full member of the Team for the year 2011-12, while Liz Jayasuriya and Liz Benomran have both come on board as part-time team members. We have just begun to advertise for Team members for the 2012-13 academic year and already have six applicants. When Bishop Terry asked me to take on this work, I had a very definite idea of how it would all work. There would be a very clean and clear cut order to everything. Nothing would happen out of place or out of time. I have come to realize that if you want to give God a really good laugh, all you have to do is tell him your plans! All of the young people named above are incredibly brave. What they have chosen to do, for however long a time, is adopt a very challenging way of life, surrendering themselves completely to their relationship with God and putting all others before themselves. Even before they set foot in a school or begin to talk to a parish youth group, they have been through so much work and personal formation that they have already worked very, very hard indeed. As we begin to contemplate celebrating a Year of Faith, we are faced with the reality that many people know a little of their faith but there is so much more that they do not know. Our Team members happily grapple with this reality and try to skill themselves up as they go along. Of course, faith is not just learned, it has to be wrestled with before it can truly be owned. It is this unseen effort for which I am most proud of all of the people named above. The example they give in this respect is just as important as any witness they give to other young people. They are forming themselves, with our help, into fine young Catholic men and women who will serve the Church and the Gospel well wherever life takes them. So as David moves on, we thank him and Hannah, Louise, Dom, Debs, Sophie and Richard for all they have done. We thank Dom, Liz and Liz for their help and support. We wish Claire well as she begins her adventure and we ask all of you to remember all of us in your prayers. Father Paul Farrer MYMission - Mission Earth Over recent months, MYMission has gained a national reputation for producing strong multimedia content for use in schools and parishes. We have also produced similar material which will be used at the upcoming Flame Congress at Wembley Arena. Emma Casson of the Christian Response to Climate Change initiative has asked MYMission to get involved with the Mission Earth summit which is to take place in York Minster and York St John University on Saturday 21st April. The result of this request will be two short films which the Mission Team will produce to provoke thought and discussion among delegates. We are delighted to have been asked to play a part in this very important day. Turn to page 16 for more MYMission news. New look website for MYMission The internet and the explosion in social networking and media are key factors in modern youth ministry. At MYMission, we do our best on a daily basis to use all of the modern communication tools available, especially those popular with young people, in order to maintain a presence in the lives of as many people as possible. No small part of our effort goes into the upkeep of our very own website: http://mymission.org.uk Over the past two weeks we have given the whole site a facelift. When you visit the site now, you will notice that it has a different look with much more of our current news appearing on the front page. Hopefully, you will notice that the site is a whole lot quicker too, with individual pages loading in a fraction of the time previously needed. Of course, to pull all of this off, a huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes. We are deeply grateful to Brian Dowd, our webmaster, who gives his skill, time and expertise whenever we are in need of it. The decision to change the site was really driven by looking at how the site was being used and by whom. There is no doubt that we have regular visitors who just want to keep up with all of our news. However, our growing online resources are being used well by many groups and schools in our Diocese and beyond. Making these resources accessible and easy to use is a key factor in our decision to renovate the site. We are also deeply aware that communicating with other youth ministers across the Diocese is very important and we are in the throes of setting up an e- newsletter which will be sent from the site to any person who cares to sign up to the mailing list. With luck this will help us communicate more effectively with parish youth ministers and school chaplains who are all hard at work in their own areas of the Diocese. Please take the time to become a registered user of our site: http://mymission.org.uk find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter atMYMissionTeam RCIA On Saturday 11th February, adults from all over the Middlesbrough Diocese got together for an RCIA day in York. There were approximately 15 young people there between the ages of four and 15. I went along to share some of our Mission Team material with the young people. Our day involved playing games, exploring their talents and discussing the people we love and the people who love us. I also shared the Godly play story ‘,The Ten Best Ways to Live’, with the children and we looked at this further by making up our own ten best ways to live. The children presented all the work they had done to the adults at the end of the day - they even performed a ‘,Who I Love’, drama. An enjoyable day was had by all. Sophie Fisk

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14 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 1 Sunday 11.15 am Ampleforth Renewal Community: Postgate Room and Crypt, Ampleforth Abbey. Meet 1st Sunday of each month, except August. Start 11.15 am Praise and Worship, Breaking the Word, Lunch, Guest Speaker, Bookshop, Exposition, Reconciliation, Workshop, 3.10 pm Healing, 3.45 pm Mass, 5.00 pm Departure. All enquiries welcome. Contact: Paul McCraith, Tel: (01429) 272116 4 Wednesday 6.30 pm The Secular Order of St Francis meet every first Wednesday of the month at the Poor Clare Convent of St Lawrence, Lawrence Street, York. Contact: Mr J P Lafferty M SFO, Tel: (01904) 796799 for further details 7.30 pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 29, meet at the Knights Club, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough 5 Thursday Dates of events and articles for inclusion in the May issue of Voice must be received by today 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm Ark, the Pastoral Support Group for people with mental ill health meets in Middlesbrough. Contact: Catherine Marshall, Tel: (01642) 877936 for venue and other details 5 - 9 Thursday - Monday ‘,Easter Triduum Retreat’, - join the Ampleforth Community for Easter Conferences and the celebration of the Triduum liturgies. Early booking is recommended. There is no fixed charge for the Triduum Retreat. Donations are welcome. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 6 Friday 10.00 am Stations of the Cross at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace, Osmotherley. Meet at the first station before 10.00 am. Contact: Very Rev Dom Damian Humphries OSB, Tel: (01609) 883308 for further details 7 Saturday 10.30 am - 1.00 pm Intercession for Renewal (Praise and Worship) at St Mary’,s Church, Wycliffe (nr Hutton Magna). Contact: Mike, Tel: 07533 205630 for further details 10 Tuesday 12.45 pm Hull and District Catholic Women’,s Luncheon Club meet at the Portland Hotel, Paragon Street, Hull for their Annual General Meeting 2.00 pm -4.00 pm ASCENT Group, York meet at Our Lady’,s Parish Centre 8.30 pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 95, meet at the Council Chambers, English Martyrs Hall, Dalton Terrace, York 11 Wednesday 10.30 am The ASCENT Group at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle meet after the Morning Mass 10.30 am The ASCENT Group at St Leonard and St Mary, Malton will meet 2.30 pm Prayer Group (second Wednesday of month) at The John Paul Centre, 55 Grange Road, Middlesbrough. New members welcome 11 - 15 Wednesday - Sunday ‘,Beach Prayer Walks I’, led by Fr Bede Leach. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 13 Friday 2.00 pm Scarborough Medjugorje Prayer Group. Contact Joan Salt, Tel: (01723) 363321 for further details including venue 13 Friday 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets in the small chapel at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact: John, Tel: (01759) 380415 for further details 7.30 pm Medjugorje Evening at The John Paul Centre, 55 Grange Road, Middlesbrough - Rosary, Holy Mass, Witness. Contact: Marie Bedingfield, Tel: (01642) 530739 for further details 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Bible study in the Church Hall, English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York looking at one complete set of Sunday readings (1st, 2nd and Gospel). Contact: Gus Bishop, Tel: (01904) 705766 for further details 15 Sunday 2.00 pm Day of Divine Mercy at the John Paul Centre, Middlesbrough. Blessing of the Image, Veneration of the Image, Chaplet of Mercy, Confessions, Adoration. 4.00 pm: Holy Mass conducted by Fr Simon Broughton. Everyone welcome, a shared tea afterwards. Divine Mercy Novena begins Good Friday. Contact: Rita McClurey, Tel: (01642) 467906 for further details 2.30 pm Middlesbrough Catholic Fellowship Mass at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough 3.00 pm Day of Divine Mercy at St Aelred, Tang Hall, York 3.00 pm Day of Divine Mercy at St Vincent de Paul, Queen’,s Road, Hull 16 Monday 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm The York Newman Circle Lecture ‘,Recusant Women’, will be given by Dr Christine Newman at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, 21 Blossom Street, York. Contact: Judith Smeaton, Tel: (01904) 704525 or E mail: judith.smeaton@ btinternet.com for further details 17 Tuesday 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Talk given by Fr Peter Prusakiewicz (CSMA) on the Divine Mercy and Holy Angels at St Charles Borromeo, Hull. Contact: John Carroll, Tel: (01759) 380415 for further details 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm HENS Hull and East Riding New Stitchers meet at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 18 Wednesday 7.00 pm ‘,The hidden wealth of nations?’, - Ebor Lecture at York St John University, York, to be delivered by Dr David Halpern, Director of Behavioural Insight Team, No 10 and the Cabinet Office/Senior Fellow of the Institute of Government. Admission is free but by ticket only. Disabled access available but must be mentioned when booking. Visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/eborlectures for details on how to book online or in writing, or contact the Ebor Lectures Co-ordinator, Tel: (01904) 876474 or E-mail: eborlectures@yorksj.ac.uk for further details 8.00 pm The Knights of St Columba, Hull Council 45, meet at St Joseph’,s RC Church, West Hull 19 Thursday 9.00 am - 12 noon Back Care Group - Line dancing - at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 10.00 am - 4.00 pm ‘,Beyond Belief’, with Margaret Silf at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Tel: (01904) 464900 for further details 20 Friday 7.30 pm Aquinas Reading Group at More House, Heslington Road, York. A guided reading of the Summa Theologiae. Contact: Steve Evans, Tel: 07800 697975 for further details 21 Saturday 10.00 am - 11.30 am ‘,Mission Earth…, A Christian response to climate change’, - Ecumenical Ch ristian Census on Climate Change Culmination Service at York Minster with Archbishop John Sentamu, Bishop Terence Drainey, Rev Stephen Burgess and speakers from leading scientific and development organisations. Contact: Emma Casson, Tel: 0787 937 2999 for further details and to register for the event 10.15 am ’,Praying the Psalms (Nick Black, TOC)’, - York Carmelite Spirituality Group at The Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters, 110 Lawrence Street, York. Eucharist (optional) at 9.30 am precedes the event which commences at 10.15 am and concludes at 1.00 pm with a bring and share lunch. Contact: Mr Johan Bergströ,m-Allen, Tel: (01904) 411521 for further details 11.00 am SPUC Yorkshire Region meeting in the Marriott Room, York Explore (the central library), Museum Street, York. Includes presentation of SPUC’,s new education talk. Contact: Sue Whitaker, Tel: (01904) 762559 or E-mail: suemwhitaker@btinternet.com for further details 11.30 am The Catholic Women’,s League Diocesan Annual General Meeting will be held at Holy Cross, Cottingham commencing with Mass. Mrs Margaret Valentine, National Treasurer, will be in attendance 12.00 pm - 4.00 pm ‘,Mission Earth…, A Christian response to climate change’, - lunch and afternoon workshops at York St John University. Booking required (free entry). Contact: Emma Casson, Tel: 0787 937 2999 for further details and to register for the event 7.30 pm Sacred Heart Parish Dance (Liam Turner) at St Francis Club, Middlesbrough. Tickets from Eddie White, Tel: (01642) 860227 7.30 pm - 10.30 pm Irish Association meet at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 22 Sunday 2.00 pm SAMM Memorial Service at St Mary’,s RC Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. Refreshments will be served afterwards 6.30 pm Mass for Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Sacred Heart Church, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough 23 - 26 Monday - Thursday ‘,The Paschal Banquet’, led by Fr Kieran Monahan. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 24 Tuesday 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Celebrating Family Project - Mental Health Awareness and Action session for the Southern Deanery in the Church Hall at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle 25 Wednesday 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm ME and CFS Self-Help Group meets at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 26 Thursday 1.45 pm - 4.15 pm ‘,Journalling’, with John Knowles at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Tel: (01904) 464900 for further details 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm ‘,Ignite’, - prayer session to help young people prepare for Confirmation at St Thomas More Church, Beechwood, Middlesbrough. Contact MYMission, Tel: (01642) 822056 for further details 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm The Pastoral Support Group for carers especially of people with mental ill health meets in Middlesbrough. Contact: Margaret Jones, Tel: (01642) 865668 for venue and other details 27 Friday 7.30 pm Rocking in the Aisles 2012 at Middlesbrough Theatre. Tickets priced £,8.50 per person, £,28.00 Family (2 adults and 2 children) available from Middlesbrough Theatre Box Office, Tel: (01642) 815181, Mission House, Tel: (01642) 822056 or Chris Tillotson, Tel: (01642) 324043 28 Saturday 10.00 am - 12 noon Diocesan Forum for Church Musicians in the Northern Deanery at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. Contact: Tim Harrison, Tel: (01642) 597750 for further details 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Diocesan Forum for Church Musicians in the Coastal Deanery at St Joseph’,s, Newby, Scarborough. Contact: Tim Harrison, Tel: (01642) 597750 for further details 7.30 pm Rocking in the Aisles 2012 at Middlesbrough Theatre. Tickets priced £,8.50 per person, £,28.00 Family (2 adults and 2 children) available from Middlesbrough Theatre Box Office, Tel: (01642) 815181, Mission House, Tel: (01642) 822056 or Chris Tillotson, Tel: (01642) 324043 BISHOP TERENCE PATRICK DRAINEY ENGAGEMENTS FOR APRIL 2012 1 Celebrate Palm Sunday Mass –, Cathedral 10 am 3 Chrism Mass –, Cathedral 12 noon 5 Attends Royal Maundy –, York Minster 11 am Celebrates Mass of the Lord’,s Supper –, Cathedral 7 pm 6 Service of the Passion –, Cathedral 3 pm 7 Paschal Vigil –, Cathedral 8 pm 8 Easter Sunday –, Celebrates Mass –, Cathedral 10 am 17 Bishop’,s Council –, Curial Office 11 am 21 Attends Conference on ‘,The Common Good and Global Warming’, –, York Minster 10 am 23-26 Bishops’, Conference Spring Meeting 26 Attends meeting of Ushaw Trustees –, Hinsley Hall 11 am 27 Attends Charity Concert for St Charles Borromeo Restoration Appeal 7.30 pm 28/29 Celebrates Confirmation –, Ampleforth Out &, About around the Diocese TRAIDCRAFT Fairly traded Third World foods, crafts and clothing, CAFOD Resources at Fairer World Shop, 84 Gillygate, York. Tel: 01904 655116. We do stalls after Mass/for events, plus sale or return and deliveries. for further information please contact Damian Cassidy, O.Carm. The Friars, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BX www.carmelite.org vocations@carmelite.org Zealous for God God alone suffices! Solo Dios basta Follow us on facebook Church Pews Uncomfortable? Why not try top quality upholstered foam pew cushions? Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33 Free Sample Pack of foam &, fabrics sent by first clss mail When phoning please quote MV101

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April 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 15 28 - 3 Saturday - Thursday ‘,Freedom and Hope: faith in prisons’, - Retreat and holiday for all those who work for prisoners at Boarbank Hall, Cumbria. Contact: Sr Margaret Atkins, Tel: (01539) 532288 or E-mail: margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk for further details 29 Sunday May issue of Catholic Voice available 1.30 pm ‘,5th 100 Crosses for Life’, Walk in York. 1.30 pm: Opening prayers at the Tyburn Memorial on the Tadcaster Road, 2.00 pm: Process to Bar Convent, 3.00 pm: Divine Mercy prayers by the banks of Ousebridge. Concludes at 4.00 pm approximately with Holy Mass and Consecration of England to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St Wilfrid’,s. Contact: Pat Sammon, Tel: 0113 258 2745 or 07747 698553 or E-mail: patriciamarysammon@btinternet.com for further details or with offers of help FIRST WEEK OF MAY: 2 Wednesday 10.30 am - 3.30 pm ‘,English Martyrs’, - ASCENT Day of Recollection led by Fr Terence Richardson OSB, Prior of Ampleforth Abbey, at English Martyrs Hall, Dalton Terrace, York. There will be a shared lunch, tea and coffee provided and the suggested 10.30 am - 3.30 pm ‘,Darkness Visible’, with Jackie Wilkin at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Tel: (01904) 464900 for further details donation is £,6.00. All very welcome to attend 6.30 pm The Secular Order of St Francis meet every first Wednesday of the month at the Poor Clare Convent of St Lawrence, Lawrence Street, York. Contact: Mr J P Lafferty M SFO, Tel: (01904) 796799 for further details 7.00 pm Ebor Lecture at York Minster, to be delivered by Will Hutton, Former Editor-in-chief for The Observer/Former Vice-chair of the Work Foundation. Admission is free but by ticket only. Disabled access available but must be mentioned when booking. Visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/eborlectures for details on how to book online or in writing, or contact the Ebor Lectures Co-ordinator, Tel: (01904) 876474 or E-mail: eborlectures@yorksj.ac.uk for further details 7.30 pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 29, meet at the Knights Club, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough 3 Thursday 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm Ark, the Pastoral Support Group for people with mental ill health meets in Middlesbrough. Contact: Catherine Marshall, Tel: (01642) 877936 for venue and other details 1.45 pm - 4.15 pm ‘,Journalling’, with John Knowles at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Tel: (01904) 464900 for further details 4 Friday Dates of events and articles for inclusion in the June issue of Voice must be received by today 12.10 pm The ASCENT Group at The John Paul Centre, Grange Road, Middlesbrough meet after Mass at 1.15 pm, coffee bar available. New Members welcome. Contact: Clive Dean, Tel: (01642) 821421 7.00 pm First Friday Life Prayer Group meets at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 4 - 6 Friday - Sunday ‘,Creativity through the Eye of the Heart’, led by Diane Miller. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 5 Saturday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Intercession for Renewal (Praise and Worship) at St Mary’,s Church, Wycliffe (nr Hutton Magna). Contact: Mike, Tel: 07533 205630 for further details 11.00 am ‘,Oscar Romero: Witness to Vatican Il’, - The Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture will be given by Julian Filochowski in the Lindsey Suite, Staff House, Hull University, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX. Everyone welcome 2.00 pm Pilgrimage for Life to the Lady Chapel, Mount Grace, Osmotherley. Meet at the first Station of the Cross at 2.00 pm to pray for Life and an end to our abortion culture, and continue in prayer to the 3.30 pm Mass. All welcome. Contact: Patricia Sammon, Tel: 07747 698553 or 0113 258 2745 or E-mail: patriciamarysammon@ btinternet.com for details 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm First Saturday Rosary Prayer Group meets at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. All welcome. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 6 Sunday 11.15 am Ampleforth Renewal Community: Postgate Room and Crypt, Ampleforth Abbey. Meet 1st Sunday of each month, except August. Start 11.15 am Praise and Worship, Breaking the Word, Lunch, Guest Speaker, Bookshop, Exposition, Reconciliation, Workshop, 3.10 pm Healing, 3.45 pm Mass, 5.00 pm Departure. All enquiries welcome. Contact: Paul McCraith, Tel: (01429) 272116 ADVANCE NOTICES 10 and 24 May: 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm, ‘,Ignite’, - prayer session to help young people prepare for Confirmation at St Thomas More Church, Beechwood, Middlesbrough. Contact MYMission, Tel: (01642) 822056 for further details 12 May: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm (tbc), Diocesan Forum for Church Musicians in the Southern Deanery at St Anthony’,s, Hull. Contact: Tim Harrison, Tel: (01642) 597750 for further details 12 May: 2.00 pm, The Postgate Society Annual General Meeting (AGM). 2.00 pm: Mass in St Anne’,s Church, Ugthorpe followed at 3.00 pm by the AGM in St Anne’,s Parish Rooms. Contact: Mark Whelan, E-mail: postgatesociety@ mypostoffice.co.uk for further details 12 May: 30th Christian Aid and CAFOD Humber Bridge Cross 14-18 May: Week of Guided Prayer at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 19 May: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm, Celebrating Family Project - Mental Health Awareness and Action session for the Central Deanery in the Small Hall at English Martyrs, York 19 May: Sixteenth Annual Catholic Primary Schools Cup Football Tournament at St Aelred’,s RC VA Primary School and the neighbouring Burnholme Community College, York. Contact: Tony McAvoy, Tournament Co-ordinator, Tel: 0771 392 4504 for further details 23 May: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm, Celebrating Family Project - Mental Health Awareness and Action session for the Coastal Deanery at Sneaton Castle, Whitby 26 May: 11.00 am - 5.30 pm, ‘,Open House’, Celebration to mark the 25th Anniversary of St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, York. Further details will be available in due course 29 May: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm, Celebrating Family Project - Mental Health Awareness and Action session for the Central Deanery in the Church Hall at Ss Leonard and Mary, Malton 3 June: 5.00 pm, Reunion of Newlands Convent girls who attended the school from 1956 to 1964 at the Baltimore Hotel, Marton Road, Middlesbrough. Optional meal available from 7.00 pm, cost £,15.00. Contact: Theresa Martin (nee Hartley), Tel: 07530 815967 for further details 10-17 June: 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 in Dublin. Contact: Canon Michael Loughlin, Diocesan contact for the Eucharistic Congress, Tel: (01482) 329100 for further details 12 June: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm, Celebrating Family Project - Mental Health Awareness and Action session for the Northern Deanery at St Bernadette’,s, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough 16 June: 12.00 pm, Union of Catholic Mothers Diocesan AGM at St Aelred’,s, York. Mass at 12.00 pm followed by lunch and meeting. Contact: Elizabeth Dunn, Tel: (01904) 411689 or E-mail: elizabeth.dunn@btinternet.com for further details 16 June: CAFOD Pilgrimage to Holy Island 29 June: ‘,The Railway Children’, - Theatre on the Lawn at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 7 July: CAFOD Campaign Energiser Day, Bar Convent, York 14 July: 10.30 am - 3.00 pm, The Middlesbrough Diocesan Women’,s Commission presents a talk by Sr Imelda Poole about her work at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York 14 July: The largest Summer Fayre ever at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Book your stall immediately. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 27 July: ‘,Emma’, - Theatre on the Lawn at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details THE ENDSLEIGH PASTORAL CENTRE Mondays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Yoga 7.30 pm Kingston Swing/Lindyhop Dancing Tuesdays 1.30 pm Padre Pio Prayer Group 7.30 pm Ballroom Dancing Group Wednesdays 2.00 pm Prayer for the City 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Karate Sundays 6.00 pm St Vincent de Paul Group The Pastoral Centre is in Beverley Road, Hull. Contact: Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details. MADONNA HOUSE PASTORAL CENTRE The Madonna House Community welcomes anyone to join us for the following hours of prayer: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm for Adoration and Vespers or a Rosary for the priests of the Diocese. Enquiries welcome to join us for a cup of tea, our monthly Mass or the monthly ecumenical prayer meeting for Christian unity. The Pastoral Centre is in Thorpe Lane, Robin Hood’,s Bay, North Yorkshire. Contact: Tel: (01947) 880169 for information, a visit or a cup of tea. ST BEDE’,S PASTORAL CENTRE Mondays 7.30 pm City Prayer Group Tuesday 7.30 pm - 8.45 pm Ignatian Prayer Group (24 April) Wednesdays 8.00 pm WCCM Christian Meditation (18 April, 2 May) St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre closes for Easter on 1 April and re-opens on 16 April The Pastoral Centre is in Blossom Street, York. Contact: Tel: (01904) 464900 or e-mail: admin@stbedes.org.uk Copy deadline Copy and photographs for inclusion in the Catholic Voice should be sent to: The Editor, Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice, Curial Offices, 50a The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6QT. Tel (01642) 850505, Fax (01642) 851404, E-mail catholicvoice@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk by Thursday 5th April 2012 for the May 2012 issue and Friday 4th May 2012 for the June 2012 issue. JOHN PAUL CENTRE 250+ CLUB DRAW Date of Draw - 5th March 2012 £,100 Winning No 71 £,75 Winning No 308 £,50 Winning No 109 £,25 Winning No 25 Next Meeting and Monthly Draw Monday 2nd April 2012 NEW MEMBERS WELCOME - ASK FOR DETAILS Tel (01642) 247831

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16 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2012 Designed typeset and printed by CathCom, L4 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Blumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk. CB9 7BN. To Advertise call 020 7112 6710 or e-mail: ads@cathcom.org Proclaiming the Good News of MYMission “,Well, I have heard a lot about MYMission, but what do you do exactly?”, That’,s quite often what we hear as we move around the Diocese. People aren’,t really sure what we do until they see us in action. For this reason, MYMission has been working with Dave Allan of DAComs to produce a 16 page full colour brochure to explain our vision and work. In a sense, there is something very healthy about people only really getting to grips with what we do when they see us in action. However, if MYMission is to be all that it should be then the whole of the Diocese needs to have some kind of ownership of the vision. It would be easy for us all to simply put MYMission in the ‘,youth work’, compartment and leave it alone. After all, if there are few young people in our parish then we really don’,t need to worry about it all, do we?! But MYMission is all about evangelisation and that is a job for the whole of the Church all of the time. We are, all of us, regardless of position or status, co-workers as we proclaim the Good News. It is in this wider context of evangelisation that MYMission works with the young people of our Diocese. Of course, it is often difficult to be very precise about where evangelisation stops and catechesis begins. We do our utmost to promote faith and spiritual growth in the young people of our Diocese and probably have a foot in both camps. Our message is the Good News of Jesus Christ - it is timeless and never goes out of fashion. We are all, regardless of age, created by God because he loves us. All we, at MYMission, want for the young people of our Diocese is a chance to explore that truth and find freedom in it. Our new brochure, which we launch this month, will tell you more of the how and why of our work. We hope you find it a useful insight into our work. We hope it allows you to feel a part of what we do - it is the work of us all. St Thomas More School, Hull, Shine Like Stars! The week before half term saw the MYMission crew land in Hull again for another primary school mission. This time, St Thomas More gave the team a great welcome. With Father Paul missing as he waits for an operation on his back, Parish Priest, Father John Wood, stepped into his shoes. Father John reminded everyone that, many years ago, Father Paul had been an altar boy at his own ordination. It was a good reminder to the children of how so much of the way we live our ordinary lives intertwines and affects so many people. And indeed, just as Lent was about to begin, that was the thrust of the whole mission. Yet again, the schoolchildren were asked to think about how they might shine like stars - this scripture based theme has been our most popular mission ever since the team began. Of course, we are asked by God our Father to let his light shine in our daily lives. We are asked to be ordinary people who do ordinary things extraordinarily well. The team worked alongside school chaplain, Micky Coyle, and there was a real feeling in the team that productive collaboration between different youth ministers really was starting to impact on the lives of the young people with whom they work. Thanks to everyone at St Thomas More, to Mrs Wass, the staff and children, to Micky and Father John. See you again soon! SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter) Memorial Service Remembering all those lost in tragic circumstances St Mary’,s RC Cathedral Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 2.00 pm Refreshments will be served afterwards Please bring along a photo of your loved one if you wish to. If you are unable to attend but would like us to light a candle on your behalf, please let us know your loved one’,s name and they will be remembered in the service. Contact: Mrs Mary Coyle, Tel: (01642) 864779 or E-mail: mtcoyle@hotmail.co.uk We had more success than we imagined for a first attempt, managing a crop which included our own salads, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, celery, leaks and onions as well as herbs and beans. Of course, we had lots of help. Mike and Gel Heagney gave us great advice and helped us get things off the ground. Mike came along with his award winning workforce and prepared our planning area for us. In an act of great generosity, Mike returned at the beginning of February and did the same again this year. We have had a mild winter and we are now keen to get planting! If you have any tips or need a few spuds, drop us a line! And thanks again to Gel and Mike! Everything’,s coming up roses! In the middle of a busy working life, we do our best at Mission House to live in a sustainable way. We take recycling seriously and keep waste to a minimum. Last year, we took on the challenge of growing some of our own food.

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