What’s Inside Blessings For Schools’ Service Page 5 Lourdes Forms Available Page 3 Bishop’s Column December 2017 Issue 448 FREE V OICE December is a dark month. By the time we get towards the end it hardly seems to get light at all. Things stop growing and even nature seems to be dead. Yet even in the darkness there are little points of light if you look and are aware. The Church sprinkles our pathway through this sombre month with encouraging feasts. It is the season of Advent, and although we tend to think of the liturgical colour of this season as purple, it is a different purple from that of Lent. It is the purple that you see in the sky at this time of the year just as the sun is dawning; what I would describe as a “rosy” purple that points to a new day and the coming of the light. On December 13 we celebrate the feast of St Lucy – Santa Lucia, Holy Light. She was martyred in the persecution of Diocletian around 303 AD and her name is included in the Roman Canon. In those violent and confused times, the light of faith shone through her heroic witness into the darkened world. The next day, December 14, is the feast of St John of the Cross. One of his famous works is the Dark Night of the Soul. His poem begins, “En una noche ocsura” – “On a dark night”. Yet for him, the darkness leads to the brightness of meeting with his Lord in deep mystic communion of love. Somehow John was able to recognise the light of the Lord in the darkness of human longing and to find his presence in apparent absence. As we come to the shortest day of the year, December 21, there is a special antiphon at Evening Prayer. From December 17 to 23 there is a set of antiphons commonly called the “O” antiphons because they all begin with “O”. The one for December 21 begins “O Oriens” and is translated: “ O Rising Sun, you are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” Even as we reach the darkest point, the Church is already looking towards Christ, her Saviour, the Rising Sun, the Sun of Justice who will chase away the darkness of sin and death. O God, who have made this most sacred season radiant with the splendour of the true light Grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth, may also delight in his gladness in heaven. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen May the light of Christ truly dawn in our lives this Advent and lead us to the fullness of light and life as we celebrate the birth of the true light, Jesus Christ, this Christmas. In blessed hope, A Special Appeal For Advent In recent years there’s been a growth in the number of small, hand-operated car washes, often in car parks and side streets, as well as nail bars and other cheap services. Have you ever considered how these can be profitable? The answer is often that the workers are victims of trafficking and exploitation, lured here with false promises of decent jobs but working long hours, living in squalor with their passports withheld and sometimes being threatened or attacked. Sister Imelda Poole IBVM, who is well known in our diocese and worked for some years in the community in Port Clarence, Teesside, now lives in Tirana, Albania, where she is involved in a religious network that gives support and shelter to victims of trafficking and modern slavery, as well as raising awareness of the prevalence of this appalling crime against our fellow human beings. She is co-founder and president of Mary Ward Loreto, an NGO working in all areas of anti- trafficking in the country, including prevention, advocacy, awareness raising and campaigning, and founder of RENATE (Religious in Europe Working Against Trafficking and Exploitation), which has members in 26 European countries. She also works in partnership with “Different and Equal”, a shelter for trafficked victims in Tirana, in which the residents are mainly aged between 14 and 25 and often recruited by Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic An independent family owned & run business providing a personal and efficient service • Practising Catholic Funeral Director within the company • Pre-paid funeral plans available • Guidance & Quotations willingly given 78 MAIN STREET, WILLERBY, HULL Tel: (01482) 656537 www.robertadrew.com Continued on Page 2 Pope Francis greets Sister Imelda as he convenes a briefing on RENATE Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral ADVENT CAROL SERVICE With Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey Sunday, 3 December 2017 at 3.30 pm BBC TEES CAROL SERVICE Saturday, 9 December 2017 at 3 pm ADVENT VESPERS With the Middlesbrough Cathedral Consort Sunday, 10 December 2017 at 4.15 pm DEANERY ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE Wednesday, 13 December 2017 at 7 pm CATHEDRAL CHRIS TMAS CAROLS With the Choirs of the Cathedral Sunday, 17 December 2017 at 4 pm CHRIS TMAS EVE - SUNDAY, 24 DECEMBER Cathedral Sunday Mass 10 am CHRIS TMAS EVE - SUNDAY, 24 DECE MBER Lady Chapel, Osmotherley First Christmas Mass 4 pm Cathedral Children’s Christmas Mass 6.30 pm Midnight Mass 11 pm With Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey Preceded by Carols at 10.30 pm CHRIS TMAS DAY Christmas Day Mass 10 am With Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey 26 DECEMBER Boxing Day Mass Cathedral 10 am Lady Chapel, Osmotherley 11 am May the Lord bestow on you and your family the gift of peace this Christmas filling your hearts with deepest joy and blessings that never cease.

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2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 NEWS traffickers with false promises of marriage, education or work. Work undertaken by religious can be dangerous and protection policies are continually being updated. Shelters also have to be moved to new premises at short notice if there is any sign of danger or threat from the traffickers. Giving a talk during a recent trip to the UK, Sister Imelda highlighted the importance of Catholic Social Teaching and making ourselves aware of such Church documents, which have always been written to address contemporary problems that invariably do terrible injury to the world’s poor. She said exploitation of our fellow human beings comes from those who are not in harmony with the love of God and challenged the pride we may take in obtaining a bargain, whether in goods or services, without thinking that the cheapness is the result of the exploitation of poor people, who cannot themselves buy “cheap” goods. In addition to giving major support to trafficked victims, RENATE is involved in prevention programmes and has a UK office. How can we ensure we are not complicit in the demand side of trafficking and modern slavery by being part of the market? When we use these car washes, we should ask ourselves the following questions. Do the workers always seem to wear the same few clothes, often in cold weather? Do they have appropriate protective clothing? Do they seem frightened or evasive? Do they seem to have injuries that could be the result of assault? Are they being watched as they work? Any concerns can be reported to the Modern Slavery helpline 08000 121 700 or to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority 0800 432 0804. Last Advent Catholic Voice readers responded generously to our appeal by donating more than £1,000. At this time of peace and goodwill, we’re asking you once again to remember all those recovering from the ordeal of trafficking and the brave sisters, led by Sister Imelda, working on many continents. Please send your Advent gift, making cheques payable to: “Loreto Albania Donation Account”, to Sister Jacinta Davenport IBVM, 28, Hartley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4AY. John and Margaret Hinman, RENATE Continued from Page 1 What Does A Hospital Chaplain Do? The role of the Catholic chaplain in the NHS of the 21st century was the theme of an inspirational day for a small group of priests, deacons and lay volunteers. Bishop Paul Mason, chair of the healthcare reference group of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales and auxiliary bishop in Southwark Archdiocese, examined the particular challenges of the growing tide of secularism and the need to justify our existence amid current economic cutbacks. He raised some interesting ideas about the distinction between the concepts of “spirituality” and “religion” and especially how the former has become the acceptable terminology in hospital chaplaincy. He emphasised the different understanding of the word “spirituality” from the viewpoint of the Catholic Church and from the secular world and encouraged us as Catholic chaplains not to be sucked into accepting a person’s spirituality without any reference to religion. He also presented the group with a number of models of how we might identify what people of different faiths or none may have in common. Again, there is the danger of neglecting the truth that lies behind our Catholic faith, which distinguishes us from other faiths. The way forward is to celebrate our differences with respect and understanding. The task of meeting the needs of our Catholic brothers and sisters in hospital is, as you can see, a challenging one. But as Bishop Paul pointed out, it’s a ministry that’s second to none, a comment I’m sure our priests, deacons and lay volunteers involved in hospital chaplaincy will happily testify to. Many of our priests and deacons are heavily involved in hospital chaplaincy work, but we need more volunteers to back that up. As Bishop Terry’s healthcare adviser I would like to encourage you to think how you might get involved in this great ministry. If you would like a chat about this or if you are already part of a team and would like me to come along and meet you, please get in touch by emailing len.collings@nhs.net. Our day with Bishop Paul, which took place at St Aelred’s Community Centre in York, was extremely empowering and inspirational and it would be great to see you at future similar events. Deacon Len Collings A Special Appeal For Advent The Kindness Of Strangers Francis Hannaway, from St Gabriel’s Parish, Ormesby, in Middlesbrough, lives and works in Basankusu Diocese, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he is a lay missionary with Mill Hill Missionaries. Francis visited England during the winter because of political unrest. This month he ponders the causes of malnutrition... Advent is a time of preparation – putting our lives in order and thinking about what is important. Of course, giving presents at Christmas can be fun, too! A lot has happened in the last month. I visited a school for orphans run by Mama Martha and her volunteers. Martha and her husband do their best to raise money by keeping sheep and hybrid chickens. I’d given a contribution to the school and they decided to buy an exercise book and a pen for each child with it. What struck me was not only how full of life these orphans were – a stark contrast to the listless, sad children at our centre for malnutrition – but that they were all over the moon with their gift. In each classroom they greeted me with rote-learned greetings in French. Then they lined up in front of the tiny school building and sang and sang and sang. They cheered and clapped. They were so happy with their gifts. These children would never even think of receiving a computer or a new bike at Christmas – but to have their very own exercise book and pen and to be able to go to school is like the best Christmas ever! Meanwhile, at the centre for malnourished children, a thank you is more difficult to come by. Parents are anxious, depressed. The children have become used to being hungry and forget to cry. “Tata Francis,” one mother called to me. “It is easy for you to give our children food because you are rich.” I told her that it wasn’t my money that was saving her daughter’s life, but gifts from kind people in England. “But they don’t know us,” she said. “Why would they send money to help the children of strangers?” I didn’t really know the answer. Perhaps some people think about how fortunate they are in life. Perhaps people are happy that their own children were born into comfortable lives and they feel sorry for others. To give presents at Christmas in the UK is an expensive business. But to give ten per cent of your present-buying budget to those less fortunate would be life-changing. It would easily be worth more than the presents that the other 90 per cent could buy! So, enjoy your Advent. Let’s put our lives in order and think about what is important. •Follow Francis Hannaway on Facebook. Email: francish7@yahoo.com To support his projects send money via PayPal (type PayPal.me/FHannaway into your browser), or Internet banking: Pay: St Joseph’s Society for FM, Ref: F Hannaway Congo, Sort code: 16- 00-15, Account: 23114537. Cheques to: Mill Hill Missionaries, St Joseph’s Parish Centre, PO Box 3608, MAIDENHEAD SL6 7UX. Pay: “Mill Hill Missionaries – F Hannaway (Congo)”. Children at the centre for malnourished children St George’s, York, parishioners Terry Garvey and Margaret Richardson have been presented with the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Francis in recognition of their service to the church. “They have given long and unstinting service in every area of Church ministry, from the humblest tasks such as opening the doors early and cleaning, to Eucharistic and Word ministries,” said Canon Alan. “They are present at every Mass and service and are indispensable to our parish in every way.” Photo by Lars Karlsson Congratulations, Terry And Margaret!

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December 2017 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 LOURDES Our pictures show some of the memorable experiences that made our 2017 pilgrimage so special. Photos courtesy of Lacaze, Lourdes Lourdes Christmas Tea Party All Lourdes helpers and friends are invited to a Christmas tea party for our Supported Pilgrims in the Middlesbrough area. The event, on Saturday December 9, will begin with Mass at 1pm in St Gabriel’s Church, Allendale Road, Ormesby. This will be followed by an Afternoon Tea Party in the hall, with Christmas entertainment from our Lourdes musicians. Donations of scones and cakes would be welcomed, as well as volunteers to help wash the crockery in advance and set out and serve the food on the day. If you can help or would like to attend the party, please email John Brown on john.brown160@ntlworld.com or call 07871958412. Carols For Advent There will be a festival of Advent carols at St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday December 3 from 3.30pm. A retiring collection will be taken at the end for the benefit of our Lourdes Pilgrimage. The usual 5pm parish Mass will follow. Many Thanks To ALL Of You! As we prepare for 2018, we would just like to say a big “thank you” to everyone involved in the pilgrimage. We would not have such a successful pilgrimage without the help and support of so many people and groups who work tirelessly thorough the year promoting and preparing and putting on the events that bring a little bit of Lourdes to our diocese for the rest of the year. Thank you to our Hospitalité, which includes our doctors, nurses, handmaids, brancs, musicians and our youth and youth leaders for their commitment to our pilgrimage and to our clergy for their continued prayers and support. May we take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Holy Christmas. The Lourdes Organising Committee Booking Forms Now Available Booking forms and information on Lourdes 2018 are available now from our travel agent Joe Walsh Tours. This year we are also offering an overland section, travelling by coach to Lourdes and staying in the Mediterranee, Alba or Agena hotels at a cost of £529 for six nights and £599 for seven nights. There is an optional one night, half board stopover in Nevers on the return journey from Lourdes, subject to confirmation of the entire group. Please book early for our 65th pilgrimage! 2018 prices with comparison to 2017 Online price Brochure price Mediterranee £689 £699 Notre Dame de France £749 £759 Agena £689 £699 Roissy £749 £759 Padoue £789 £799 Eliseo £789 £799 Solitude £819 £829 Acceuil £720 Flight only £485 Day Of Formation Our Hospitalité helpers’ Day of Formation will take place on Saturday April 21 2018 at Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough, with registration from 9am. The day forms a major part of our pilgrimage preparation and includes the mandatory aspects of our training and also offers a chance to spend a day with our teams. Lunch will be provided and we will end the day with the celebration of Mass. Help Us Celebrate Our 65th! The Lourdes organising committee are hoping to gather together memories of past pilgrimages as we celebrate our 65th anniversary in 2018. If anyone has any memorabilia that may be of interest to others, especially old uniforms, rotas, itineraries and brochures from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, we’d love to hear from you. Contact John Brown 07871 958412 or speak to any member of the committee. Middlesbrough pilgrims preparing for a procession in Lourdes in 1956. Photo courtesy of Joe Harrison Our advertisers are great supporters of the Catholic Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses

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4 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 NEWS Feast of the Month The Immaculate Conception Friday December 8 “Immaculate” means without stain. Our Lady was born without any stain of sin, and this is what we celebrate on this feast day. In 1854, Pope Pius IX defined the doctrine of Mary’s Immaculate Conception and four years later, in 1858, Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette in Lourdes. When Bernadette asked Mary who she was, she replied: “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Canon Luiz Ruscillo gave an excellent and often amusing talk on spirituality at this year’s bishop’s study day. The annual event is when Bishop Terry brings together headteachers, chairs of governors and parish priests to discuss and share thoughts and reflections on Catholic education within the diocese. This year’s theme was “Replenishing Our Spiritual Well For The Journey Ahead” and more than 120 people attended the event at York Racecourse. Canon Luiz, diocesan schools commissioner for the Diocese of Lancaster, was the keynote speaker, receiving praise from delegates in their feedback. The study day is one of the few events when our school leaders and parish priests come together with Bishop Terry to celebrate and give thanks for the work of our Catholic schools. Kevin Duffy, Director of Schools Director of schools Kevin Duffy, Monsignor Gerard Robinson and Canon Luiz Ruscillo pictured at the bishop’s annual study day at York. Photo by Lars Karlsson St Augustine’s School in Scarborough’s annual year seven concert took place at Westborough Methodist Church before a full house of 500 parents, pupils, staff and friends. The whole 120- strong year group formed one big choir to perform 15 songs as well as solo instrumentals and dances. “All the pupils did brilliantly and to see girls and boys enjoying singing with such enthusiasm is just amazing,” said music teacher Oliver Barron. Song And Dance In Scarborough Science and religion are not in conflict. That was the message of Durham University Professor of Physics Tom McLeish in a talk to the Cleveland Circle of the Newman Association. There is a common perception that there is a rift between theology and science, that theology is mumbo-jumbo, or that science is messing with nature and leads to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. But Professor McLeish, who is also a Reader in the Anglican Church, took his audience on a journey from the writings of Greek and Roman philosophers by way of the Venerable Bede to modern writers. He referred to numbers of recent scientific developments including the discovery of DNA and the latest thinking on the creation and evolution of the universe and gave many illustrations of the wonder scientists have found in their discoveries. He then led us to explore how the evolution of scientific thought and discovery could relate to theology, saying the story of science is a deeply human one which corresponds to many Bible passages, making reference to the Book of Wisdom, the Psalms, Proverbs and Genesis and especially the Book of Job. He said it’s important to recognise the different perspectives of those who wrote the Old Testament and those for whom they were written. Bible stories offer a scientific nature trail relating to the earth and nature as well as the heavens, the moon and the stars. They also show human attributes, good and bad. He demonstrated many passages that foretell what we now know from a new perspective about the world we live in and our place within it. He ended by saying that theology and science should not be considered as distinct disciplines but we should also think of the Theology of Science. Judith Brown, Cleveland Newman Circle Science As God’s Gift

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December 2017 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 5 SCHOOLS Please send stories and photos of what’s been happening in your school to catholicvoice@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you! St Peter’s Catholic Voluntary Academy Normanby Road, South Bank Middlesbrough TS6 6SP Headteacher: Mrs Z Hammond Tel: 01642 453462 office@stpeters-sch.com www.stpeters-sch.com St George`s Roman Catholic Primary School Yo r k Head Teacher: Mrs Dee Patton-Statham Phone: 01904 552440 Web: stgeorgesrc-york.org.uk Like: St George`s Roman Catholic Primary School York Follow: @StGeorgesRCSch St Benedict’s Primary School Mersey Road, Redcar Headteacher: Mrs Kendra Sill E-mail: st_benedicts_catholic_school @redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Tel: 01642 495770 St Edward’s Primary School a Catholic Voluntary Academy Part of St. Hilda’s Catholic Academy Trust Eastbourne Road, Linthorpe Middlesbrough TS5 6QS Tel 01642 819507 Headteacher Mrs Mary Brown email: stedwardsrc@mcschools.org.uk www.stedwardsrc.eschools.co.uk St Margaret Clitherow’s Primary School South Bank, Middlesbrough TS6 6TA Tel 01642 835370 Headteacher Mrs N Jamalizadeh email: stmargaretclitherows@smc.rac.sch.uk The following schools would like to join the Diocese and Cathcom in wishing all The Voice readers a very happy and holy Christmas Baysdale Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 9DE Head Teacher: Clare Humble t 01642 613327 e contact@stpatrickscc.org w www.stpatrickscc.org The Staff, Directors and Students would like to wish the readers of The Voice a Happy and Holy Christmas A Catholic primary school is celebrating after being judged to be “outstanding” in all areas in its latest Ofsted report. Inspectors visited St Joseph’s in Loftus at the end of September and awarded the school its top mark in overall effectiveness, effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, personal development, pupil outcomes and early years’ provision. Headteacher Alison Toward is delighted with the report, which she said recognises the school’s high expectations and the commitment from all staff in supporting pupils to be the best they can be. “Pupils at St Joseph’s gain excellent skills in mathematics, reading and writing,” she said. “We are really proud that pupils’ behaviour was judged to be outstanding. The inspectors said behaviour in lessons was exemplary. “Children are expected to work hard at St Joseph’s and the inspectors certainly agreed that this was the case. They said our children were friendly, happy and confident. “Teaching is outstanding because teachers know their children really well and plan high-quality lessons that stretch and challenge them. Relationships between staff and pupils were also seen as a strength. “The inspectors thought our Early Years Foundation Stage was wonderful. Children were eager to explore and learn, even our very youngest two-year-olds.” The school is part of the Nicholas Postgate Academy Trust and the East Cleveland Co-operative Learning Trust. As well as St Joseph and St Cuthbert in Loftus, it also takes pupils from the parishes of St Anthony of Padua in Brotton and Our Lady Star of the Sea in Staithes. East Cleveland School Is ‘Outstanding’ In All Areas Pupils from St Joseph`s Primary School in Loftus celebrate their outstanding Ofsted result with chair of governors Sarah Smith (left) and headteacher Alison Toward The annual Education Masses celebrated the start of the academic year and brought teachers, support staff and students together in thanksgiving for the Catholic education our schools provide. The Masses, in in Middlesbrough, York and Hull, were also the opportunity to acknowledge the service of those who have recently retired from their roles. Patricia Knox and Bernadette Fernie, of St Bernadette’s, Nunthorpe, Marie Potter, of St Therese of Liseux, Ingleby Barwick, and Morita Metcalfe, of Christ the King, Thornaby, are pictured with Monsignor Gerard Robinson after receiving episcopal blessings at the Middlesbrough Education Mass in the cathedral. Peter Ormerod (St Joseph’s, Middlesbrough), Kath Draper and Joe Horkan (St Gabriel’s, Ormesby), Liz Henry (St Benedict’s, Redcar), Paula Capaldi and Rachel Campbell (St Paulinus, Guisbrough) have also received awards. Julia Gavin, of All Saints, received an episcopal blessing at the York Education Mass and Phil Leech (St Mary’s College), Patricia Graham and Moira Monahan (St Mary Queen of Martyrs) and Francis McDonnell (St Vincent’s) were honoured at the Hull Education Mass. Episcopal Blessings For Years Of Dedicated Schools Service Photo by Les Clark Please support the paper by booking an advert for your school in this section, contact Caroline on 07931 836926 or 01440 730399 or email carolineg@cathcom.org

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6 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 A Letter From Madonna House “Now! The time is now!” This was the passionate plea from Patrick McConville to seminarians a couple of years ago. Three of us from this house were invited to speak at their Lenten retreat, but when Patrick’s turn arrived, there were only three minutes left of the allotted time. He had already written the word “Now!” on pieces of paper to give to the seminarians, so he took his three minutes to hand them out and deliver this word: “Start now to love and surrender to God, to pray and deepen in your commitment to him. Don’t delay!” We recently hosted two of the seminarians who were on that retreat. I wondered what they had made of Patrick’s simple and brief presentation, and I quickly found out. One tucked the “Now!” piece of paper in his Bible and the other pinned it up in his room as a reminder and a catalyst for sharing with others. Also visiting last week was a priest who years earlier had given a powerful retreat in the same seminary. Although he had an hour in which to speak, his message was the same: develop a deep prayer life now, because it will be much more difficult when you become a busy parish priest. In this past week, I’ve pondered Patrick’s message and recognised my own need to heed it. In so many ways I put off the essentials: I’ll start fasting in the New Year…in Lent…when I turn 40. I’ll let go of my many distractions in Advent…in the autumn…when I turn 50. I’ll truly seek God alone when the Christmas holidays are over…the Easter holidays…when I turn 60. And all this time, the Lord of love stands outside the door of my heart, calling to me: Open to me my love, allow Me into your heart . I close my ears or exit through the back door. I am not alone. Why do we flee from his love? This is the question to ask now. Are we riddled with guilt and shame in our sinfulness? We need only repent and he will cover every sin in his tender love. Are we afraid of the future and our weakness? His presence will strengthen us. Are we hurt and angry by a suffering in our life and blame God? He is not scandalised by our rage and he understands the protective barriers we’ve erected. He longs to melt them with his tenderness. Do we punish ourselves for a betrayal by not believing that we can again be intimate with God? But this is his sole desire. This is why he never stops knocking at the door of our heart. Christmas is a time of new beginnings, of starting over, of trusting in the love of a Child. It is a season of hope and peace. Can we dare to open our hearts to him? True interior peace only comes from a heart surrendered to God’s love. Why delay? Open your heart to him now! Cheryl-Ann Smith If you would like to visit or support us in any way, contact us at madonnahouserhb@gmail.com or 01947 880 169 or visit www.madonnahouse.org. Thank you so much. The Time Is Now! NEWS Funeral Of ‘Remarkable’ Sister Mac Sister Mary Agnella McGrath, who died on September 29 at the age of 86, went under a variety of names. She was born Winefride Mary in Manchester on January 13 1931 and known to her family as Winnie. To the Sisters of Mercy she was Agnella, but to hundreds of children and helpers of the Middlesbrough Catholic Fellowship she was “Sister Mac”. Agnella entered Endsleigh Convent in 1957 and taught in Endsleigh Primary school and at St Patrick`s Primary in Hull. In 1962 she moved to Middlesbrough where she taught at St Joseph`s and St Gabriel`s and was headteacher at St Pius. During this time she met Marie, a child with Down’s syndrome whose mother had never been offered respite care. This spurred Sister Agnella to borrow a residential school in Whitby for two weeks in the summer holidays of 1971. Father Peter Ryan spoke of how Agnella used her maternal qualities to the full in the way she supported parents of children with special needs. In his eulogy, Agnella’s nephew Peter McGrath described how his aunt used her powers of persuasion to convince the Sisters of Mercy to give her McAuley House in Whitby for the purpose of respite care. Almost every Friday evening she drove a minibus full of children and teenage helpers there, giving both children and parents a break. Peter said McAuley House would give grey hairs in today’s world of health and safety, with no fire escape and helpers who were not vetted but chosen on the basis of their good reputation in the parish. “There was no first aid training, no food hygiene certificates, just good work being done well and no-one wanting to disappoint Sister Mac nor the children they loved,” he added. After gaining further qualifications Agnella taught at Wrensfield Special School, Stockton, and the Endeavour School, Ormesby. She and her indefatigable colleague Sister Ursula also persuaded Middlesbrough Council to give them Eston House, which they made into a full-time respite care home. Sister Josephine Davies said: “The summer holidays she arranged for the children and for respite for the parents were legendary. Joy, service, enjoyment and Christian love just oozed from these weeks.” Sister Agnella later helped Crossbeck Covent become Zoe’s Place and became housekeeper to Bishop John Crowley when he was first appointed. Her later years were spent at St Joseph`s Convent in Whitby but she had been in poor health for some time. Sister Josephine said the countless people with fond memories Sister Agnella were privileged to have known such a remarkable woman. Joe Harrison Sister Gertrude McManus CJ, who spent 12 years in our diocese from 1995 to 2007, died peacefully at St Joseph`s in York on Friday October 27. Better known to most in our area as Sister Sheila, she worked together with her blood sister, Sister Kitty, at Bishop’s House in Cambridge Road, Middlesbrough, during the time of Bishop John Crowley. Christened Julia but always known by the family as Sheila, Sister Gertrude was born as the eighth child of a Dublin family on April 15 1929. Sadly, her mother died giving birth to Dolly, the tenth child, leaving her “wonderful” father to bring up the family, assisted by the older siblings. Kitty entered the Congregation of Jesus community at Ascot after the war and four years later Sheila joined her, taking the religious name Sister Gertrude. She was later involved in pastoral work in Kentish Town before joining Sister Kitty in Middlesbrough. “We lived a family life together with Bishop John, who had at that time many responsibilities,” she later said. “We enjoyed many trips together into the Yorkshire countryside and elsewhere.” On Bishop John’s retirement Sister Gertrude spent time in London and Cambridge before joining the St Joseph’s Community in York in November 2016. At Sister Gertrude’s funeral at the Bar Convent on Friday November 3, Sister Ann Stafford CJ said: “We will always be grateful to Gertie for showing us how to live and die well.” Community Says Farewell To ‘Sister Sheila’ Sister Gertrude McManus CJ A Christmas reflection from Whitby-based Christian writer Anthea Dove, author of The Man Yang Tree… It was time to plan the Nativity play. Mrs O’Brien usually chose the cast, but this year she decided to let the children themselves choose. As soon as she explained this to the class, she noticed Julia nudge her best friend Clare and whisper something. Laura said: “I choose Julia for Mary!” Mrs O’Brien felt a bit uneasy. She knew most of the girls in the class would like to be Mary, but Julia was a popular, pretty little girl who seemed to be good at everything, and it would be nice if someone else could have this special honour. Then, to her surprise, one of the boys, Peter, spoke up. “No!” he said “Julia can’t be Mary. Mary wasn’t ginger!” Some of the children started to giggle, but Julia tossed her red curls and looked cross. Then there was another, quieter voice. It was Teresa. “Mrs O’Brien, I think Mary should be Mary. She’s got the right name and she even looks like Mary with her fair hair and blue eyes.” Some children agreed, but Mary herself, a shy child, was blushing and looked near to tears. Mrs O’Brien felt sorry for her. “Are there any more suggestions? she asked. There was silence, until a gruff voice called from the back of the class. It was Sam, who hardly ever said anything. “Miss, I choose Nali for Mary,” he said. Suddenly everyone went very quiet. Nali was the new girl who came from Syria. She was a stranger. Most of the children looked a bit worried. They were thinking, “How could Nali be Mary?” Julia said: “But Miss, Nali can’t be Mary. I’ve seen pictures and statues of Mary, like Teresa said, she had blue eyes and golden hair. And anyway, Nali can’t speak English properly.” Mrs O’Brien smiled, and then she smiled more broadly at the little girl who sat next to Sam. “Actually,” she said to the class, “Nali looks a lot like Mary would have looked. In Palestine 2,000 years ago, all the girls would have had dark hair and brown eyes and skin the colour of Nali’s. And in our play Mary doesn’t have to speak. But it’s for you children to choose.” A vote was taken, and the child chosen to be Mary was Nali. Anthea Dove A Good Choice?

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OBITUARIES December 2017 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 7 St Peter’s Catholic Voluntary Academy Normanby Road, South Bank, Middlesbrough TS6 6SP Governors, employees and students welcome you all to come and join us for our Christmas Fair on Thursday 30 November 2017 between 17:30 – 19:30 Entrance Fee of £1 per person Tel: 01642 453462 Email - StPeters.Admin@stoswalds.org www.stpeters-sch.com If anyone would be interested in hosting a stall for a small donation, please Contact Miss K Hall – for stalls on 01642 453462 via the main Academy office for reservation. Father Michael Was Gracious In Life And Death Father Michael White, who served for half a century in two parishes in our diocese, has been buried in his native Ireland after a funeral service in Hull. Father Michael died at the age of 82 in Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, on Friday October 27. Born in Cappawhite, County Tipperary, on December 13 1934, Father Michael attended St Patrick’s Seminary in Thurles and was ordained to the priesthood on June 14 1959. Between 1959 and 1978 he was a curate at St Philomena’s (now the Sacred Heart) in Middlesbrough and in 1978 he was appointed parish priest at St Vincent de Paul’s in Hull. He retired in 2010 to a flat in Hull, living close to his friend Canon Michael Davern, who died earlier this year. He had recently been admitted to hospital and fitted with a pacemaker after a fall. Father Dan O’Neill knew Father Michael for more than 60 years and described him as a “beautiful man”. “Many of his family and his priest friends and parishioners were with him during his final days and hours,” he said. “Before his death, in a moment of what I would call divine energy, he thanked them for their kindness. He was gracious in his life and he was gracious in death as well. “The gospel at his Requiem Mass was the beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, and throughout his life he fulfilled those gospel qualities of kindness, gentleness, poverty of spirit and thirsting for what is right.” Father Frank Gallagher was a deacon at the Sacred Heart in the summer of 1969 when he first met Father White and the two remained close ever since. As chaplain to Castle Hill Hospital, he was able to spend time with him in his final hours. “He was so grateful and thankful for the care he received in the hospital ward,” said Father Gallagher. “As a friend, confessor and companion in life he was gentle with everybody,” he said. “He was one of my confessors and he had that special gift of being able to pick you up again.” Vicar General Monsignor Gerard Robinson said: “I sat next to Father Michael at a recent retired priests’ function and we chatted at great length about his time at Sacred Heart and St Vincent’s. “He enjoyed serving in both places and made many friends during his time as priest there. “I know Father Michael will be greatly missed by parishioners and his family, including his brothers, nephews and nieces, and our thoughts are with them at this sad time.” Father Michael’s funeral took place in St Vincent’s Church, Hull, on Monday November 6. According to his wishes, he was then returned to Cappawhite for burial. Father Michael White – Photo by Les Clark Warm Tributes Paid To Father Pat Tributes have been paid to a Hull-born priest who served in our diocese before becoming the Catholic Church’s senior advisor on prisons at the Ministry of Justice in London. Father Pat Cope, who was 59, passed away at his home in Tyburn Convent just a few weeks after being diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. Born on June 26 1958, the only son of Arthur and Teresa Cope, Father Pat felt called to the priesthood at a young age and studied at junior seminaries in Ushaw and Upholland before completing his training at Ushaw. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Sacred Heart Church in Hull on July 24 1982 and his first appointment was as curate at St George’s in York. In 1988 Father Pat was appointed to Christ the King, Thornaby, before becoming diocesan youth officer with parish responsibility at Lartington. He was also chaplain at the Young Offender Institution at Deerbolt, which began his involvement with prisons. His silver jubilee of priesthood was celebrated inside Deerbolt and included the prisoners as well as his family and friends. Father Pat was appointed to his position as the senior Catholic advisor on prisons in the Ministry of Justice in London in 2013 and moved into the community of Benedictine Nuns at Tyburn. In August Father Pat became unwell and after initially being treated for a slipped disc it soon became apparent that he had cancer. After a short period in a hospice, Father Pat asked to go home to his flat in Tyburn, where he was cared for by the sisters until his death on October 21 2017, the Feast of St John of Bridlington. Canon David Grant knew Father Pat from the age of five and the two priests remained lifelong friends. “I will remember him as a priest who placed great emphasis on building up the community, both in the parishes and the prisons he worked in,” he said. Monsignor Roger Reader, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales’ prisons adviser, said Father Pat was a priest of great energy. “He had a real ability to use the structures of the Prison Service for the benefit of both prisoners and chaplains,” he said. Father Pat’s remains were received into the Chapel of Tyburn Convent for a vigil service and then moved to St George’s Cathedral in Southwark for Requiem Mass. His body was then taken to the Sacred Heart Church in Hull for a funeral Mass, followed by burial at Eastern Cemetery. Father Pat is pictured with the Queen at a Buckingham Palace reception in recognition of his work as prison chaplain and as a Winston Churchill Trust Fellow. Photo courtesy of th e Catholic Times Father Theodore Young OSB, at 95 years of age the oldest monk at Ampleforth Abbey, died peacefully in the monastery infirmary on October 30. Father Theo, as he was known, was born in Cheshire in November 1921, educated at Ampleforth, and joined the monastic community in September 1940. He was ordained priest in 1947 and worked in parishes in Liverpool, Leyland, Knaresborough and Grassendale. In an article reflecting on his life as a monk, Father Theo wrote: “Like everyone else, in whatever career they choose, there have been bad days, but the happy ones far exceed the bad ones – largely because of the support of my abbots and my community and the kindness and concern of so many people I have come across in the parishes I have served, not only Catholics, but from people of all denominations and none. “I would like to thank all those who have been involved in my life during the past 70 years and assure them that they are all in my daily prayers.” In later years Father Theo moved to the monastery infirmary at Ampleforth and in July he celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination. His funeral Mass was celebrated in the Abbey Church, followed by burial in Monks’ Wood. Death Of Ampleforth’s Oldest Monk Father Theodore Young OSB

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8 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 Chr Mass Pickering St Joseph Christmas Eve 11.30pm Carols 12.00 Midnight Mass Christmas Day 10.00am Mass Easingwold St John the Evangelist Monday 18 December 6:30pm Advent Carol Service followed by Mulled Wine Saturday 23 December 11.45am Rosary: joyful mysteries 12noon Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Sacrament of Recon- ciliation (Confession) 5:45pm Vigil Mass for Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve 8:30am Mass for Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30am Sung Mass for Fourth Sunday of Advent 4:30pm Crib Service for children 9:00pm First Mass of Christmas Christmas Day 8.30am Dawn Mass of Christmas 10.30am Day Mass of Christmas Hull St Charles Borromeo Christmas Eve 6:30pm Mass 11:30pm Carols followed by Midnight Mass Christmas Day 10.00am Mass Kirkbymoorside Helmsley Our Lady & St Chad, St Mary Sat 23 December 6.30pm Kirkbymoorside Vigil Mass of Sunday Sun 24 December 9.00am Helmsley Sunday Mass 10.30am Kirkbymoorside Sunday Mass 7.30pm Carols, 8.00pm Mass of Christmas Night Mon 25 December 9.00am Helmsley Mass of Christmas Morning 10.30am Kirkbymoorside Mass of Christmas Day Sat 30 December 6.30pm Kirkbymoorside Vigil Mass of Sunday Sun 31 December 9.00am Helmsley Sunday Mass 10.30am Kirkbymoorside Sunday Mass Sat 6 January 6.30pm Kirkbymoorside Vigil Mass of Epiphany Sun 7 January 9.00am Helmsley Epiphany Mass 10.30am Kirkbymoorside Epiphany Mass 6.00pm Helmsley Epiphany Carol Service Lealholm, Egton Bridge, Ugthorpe Our Lady, Lealholm Christmas Eve 5.30pm Carols 6.00pm First Mass of Christmas St Hedda, Egton Bridge Christmas Eve 8.00pm First Mass of Christmas St Anne, Ugthorpe Christmas Day 10.00am Mass Our Lady & St Peter Christmas Eve 7.00pm – First Mass of Christmas Christmas Day 8.30am – Dawn Mass 10.30am – Mass During the Day Bridlington Hessle Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday Masses 8.30am, 10.30am but NO 5.30pm Mass. Christmas Eve 6.30pm Vigil Mass of Christmas (especially for young children and parents) 12.00 Midnight Mass Christmas Day 8.30am Mass 10.30am Mass St Therese of Lisieux Christmas Eve 5.30pm Vigil Mass 8.00pm "Midnight Mass" Christmas Day 10.00am Mass Ingleby Barwick Marske-by-the-Sea St Bede Christmas Eve 7.00pm Vigil Mass Christmas Day 10.00am Mass Redcar Blessed Nicholas Postgate Wednesday 20th December 7.00pm Carols in the Garden at St Augustine’s Church Christmas Eve 5.30pm Children’s Nativity & Carols 6.00pm First Mass of Christmas in St Augustine’s Church. Especially suitable for young families. 7.00pm Carol Singing, Sacred Heart 7.30pm First Mass of Christmas in Sacred Heart Church. Especially suitable for young families. 11.30pm Midnight Mass at St Augustine’s Christmas Day 10.00am Mass, Sacred Heart Sacred Heart Church, Lobster Road, Redcar TS10 1SH St Augustine’s Church, Warwick Road, Redcar TS10 2ER Scarborough St Peter, St Joseph & St Edward Sunday 24th Christmas Eve (Usual Sunday morning Mass times) 5.00pm 1st Mass of Christmas - St Peter`s (Carols from 4.30pm) 8.00pm - St Josephs (Carols 7.30pm) 12 midnight - St Peters (Carols from 11.30pm) Christmas Day 8.30am St Edwards 9.30am St Josephs 11.00am St Peters No evening Mass Christmas Day St George`s Eastfield Christmas Eve 6.00pm (Carols from 5.30 pm) Christmas Day 9.00am Mass Acklam & Brookfield St Francis, Acklam Confessions Sat.23rd Dec. 9.30-10.15am Christmas Eve 5.00pm Carols Family Mass & Blessing of the Crib 5.30pm Christmas Day 10.30am Holy Mass St Clare of Assisi Christmas Eve 7.00pm Vigil Mass Christmas Day 9.00am Holy Mass Beverley, Hornsea, Marton Saint John of Beverley, Sacred Heart, Most Holy Sacrament Weekend Masses 9.30am Saturday 23rd, Beverley 6.30pm Saturday 23rd, Beverley 9.00am Sunday 24th, Hornsea 10.45am Sunday 24th, Beverley Christmas Masses Christmas Eve 6.30pm Vigil Mass of Christmas, Beverley 12.00 Midnight Mass at Marton Christmas Day 9.00am Saint John`s, Beverley 10.00am Sacred Heart, Hornsea 10.45am Saint John`s, Beverley Hull Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel 4th Sunday of Advent Masses Saturday, 23rd December at 6.30 pm Sunday, 24th December at 10.00 am Christmas Eve Carols at 7.30 p.m First Mass of Christmas at 8.00 pm Christmas Day Mass Monday, 25th December, at 10.00 am

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ristmas s Times Corpus Christi Christmas Eve 5.00pm Carols & Children’s Nativity 5.30pm First Mass of Christmas St Gabriel’s Christmas Eve 6.30pm Carols & Children’s Nativity 7.00pm Christmas Vigil Mass Christmas Day 10.00am Mass of Christmas Morning York Ampleforth Abbey Christmas Eve 10.15pm Mass during the Night Christmas Day 10.00am Mass of Christmas Day Ormesby & Thorntree Thirsk & Osmotherley All Saints, Thirsk Sunday Mass: 10.30am Christmas Eve 7.00pm First Mass of Christmas Christmas Day 10.30am Morning Mass Our Lady of Mount Grace, Osmotherley Sunday Mass: 8.30am English Martyrs Christmas Eve 6.00pm First Mass of Christmas with Carols from 5.30pm 8.00pm Midnight Mass with Carols from 7.30pm Christmas Day 10.30am Mass of Christmas Day Dalton Terrace, York YO24 4DA York York St George Wednesday 20th December 6.30pm Parish Candlelit Carol Service Saturday 23rd December 6.30pm Mass Sunday 24th (Christmas Eve) 10.30am Sunday Mass 8.00pm First Mass of Christmas Christmas Day Mass 9.30am York St Joseph and St Wilfrid St Joseph Sunday, 24 December, Christmas Eve Mass at 5.00pm with Carols and Blessing of the Crib Monday, 25 December, Christmas Day Mass at 9.30am with Carols Tuesday, 26 December, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) No Mass St Wilfrid Sunday, 24 December, Christmas Eve 6.30pm Family Mass, Children`s Procession to the Crib and Blessing of the Crib 11.15pm Carols and Readings followed by Midnight Sung Latin High Mass (EF) Monday, 25 December, Christmas Day 8.30am Mass with Carols 10.30am Mass with Carols 4pm Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Prayers at the Crib Tuesday, 26 December, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) Mass at 12.10pm Saltburn-by-the-Sea Our Lady of Lourdes Christmas Eve 6.30pm Carols 7.00pm First Mass of Christmas Christmas Day 10.30am Family Mass

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10 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 NEWS 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 Scarborough pupils had fun competing against each other to win a non-uniform day as they raised money for communities overseas. Students at St Augustine’s Catholic School collected loose change in coin tubes to fundraise for aid agency CAFOD’s Harvest appeal. The coin tubes created healthy competition among year seven, eight and nine pupils as the year group who raised the most money were promised a non-uniform day for the end of half-term. Year nine pupils scooped the prize by raising £138.20, with year eight collecting £107.54 and year seven raising £109.31. A further £45.19 came from the upper school and staff. An impressive £610.52 was collected in total for the Harvest appeal, which focuses on helping communities such as those in El Salvador, where farming is the dominant profession but the land is often difficult to grow food on. Many farmers in the Central American country use substandard seeds that only last one harvest and cannot cope with pests. CAFOD’s partners will help farmers’ crops flourish by using native seeds and seed banks as well as offering training on how to care for the environment. Sara Rutter, school chaplaincy coordinator, said: “Congratulations to year nine on winning their non-uniform day and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the CAFOD Harvest appeal. It’s so fantastic how everyone has pulled together to raise funds for the vital work of CAFOD.” Pupils from year ten and eleven shared a soup lunch for CAFOD, raising an impressive £210.28. CAFOD head of education Monica Conmee joined the pupils for the soup lunch. She said: “Thank you to St Augustine’s for such a warm welcome. What a great school they have! I have certainly learnt a lot and it has helped me understand how we can better support all the amazing work schools like St Augustine’s are doing.” To find out more about CAFOD’s Harvest appeal, visit cafod.org.uk/harvest. Pupils Earn Non-Uniform Day For CAFOD Efforts Some of the St Augustine’s children who raised money for CAFOD A Lifeline Centre For Hull Seafarers A centre which is vitally important for welcoming and supporting seafarers at the Port of Hull has been taken over by Catholic charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS). It will be run by a port chaplain and volunteers who visit ships in Hull, Saltend and Goole to provide seafarers with a range of welfare and emergency support services. The centre, at United House, King George Dock, was previously run by Humber Seafarers Services. Being out at sea can be a lonely and dangerous job and means spending several months away from loved ones. AoS helps by providing information about the local area, offering ways to contact family and friends and giving spiritual support. Chris Green, Associated British Ports’ port manager of Hull and Goole, officially opened the centre along with AoS national director Martin Foley and port chaplain Anne McLaren. “We’re delighted Apostleship of the Sea has taken over the centre to ensure a very important job continues, giving our seafarers a warm welcome and a helping hand with anything they need to make their short stay as comfortable as possible,” said Mr Green. “We are thrilled to be able to offer advice, practical help, care and friendship 24 hours a day to seafarers in Hull and Goole,” added Mr Foley. “Ninety per cent of world trade is transported by ship. However, crews out at sea can sometimes be forgotten and our mission is to change this and to help make a place feel like home.” The Port of Hull is the biggest softwood timber importer in the UK and there are 40,000 shipping movements on the Humber each year.

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December 2017 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 11 BOOK REVIEWS Colin McGinley Independent Family Funeral Service Principal Funeral Director: Garry Savage 235a Acklam Road, Middlesbrough (01642) 826222 3 Beechwood Road, Eaglescliffe (01642) 786200 www.colinmcginleyfuneralservice.co.uk www.yarmfuneralservice.co.uk FUNERAL DIRECTORS If you would like to advertise in the Funeral Directors section, please contact Caroline on 07931 836926 or email carolineg@cathcom.org Hayley Owen Lady Funeral Director York Dip FD MBIE LMBIFD Qualified to care for all your needs, When you need us most Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 01904792525 136, Boroughbridge Road,York, YO26 6AL www.yorkfunerals.uk Independent family run business Fully qualified and licensed Are you ready for your heart to be broken open and challenged to its depths? Then I recommend a slim book entitled Entertaining Angels by Anthea Dove. This author has written many books of meditations. Her deep-seeing eyes have caught glimpses of God in nature, in ordinary life, in unexpected places, and she has offered these insights to delight and enrich her readers. In Entertaining Angels, Anthea turns those eyes to the presence of God in asylum seekers. Remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it (Heb 13:1). Anthea tells the stories of some of the asylum seekers she has met – heart-wrenching stories of torture and rape, of brave men and women fleeing their homeland, of children witnessing the razing of their village and the slaughter of their families. Even more horrific though, are the accounts of being met with suspicion, disbelief, disrespect and antagonism by people in this “safe” country. It is heartbreaking to hear of asylum seekers waiting in limbo for years, only to be sent back to probable torture and death in their home countries. We will be held to account before God: I was a stranger and you did not make me welcome (Mt 25:43). Anthea gives voice to these angels in disguise through stories, poetry, interviews with those who’ve offered their lives to help asylum seekers. One of the most striking is with Catherine Ramos, who risked her life by journeying to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to track down asylum seekers who’d been refused leave to remain in the UK. What she found would break any heart – a nightmare of reprisals, poverty, torture. On reading the findings of this brave woman a cry rises from within: How could we allow such injustice? Not long after I read Entertaining Angels, I participated in a parish-sponsored day to welcome these “strangers into our midst”. We offered a meal and an afternoon of exploring Whitby together. I wondered what their stories were: the beautiful but sad woman who spoke little English and who sang in her own tongue once we were on a boat in the sea: was her carefree self left behind in her homeland? The young child screaming as his mother left for a tour of BOOK REVIEWS Entertaining Angels Whitby: had he already been torn from family in his homeland? The woman opting not to go on the boat because she was afraid: had she seen family members swept overboard in their desperate attempt to find safety across the sea? I didn’t ask, but I knew they all had a story. Anthea also offers tales of triumph from some asylum seekers who are granted refugee status. She allows the colour, joy, gratitude, giftedness of the strangers in our midst to radiate and sing. This is a compelling book that cannot fail to open minds and hearts to the plight of so many men and women in our country. Anthea gives them a voice, a face, a plea from the heart of God. Can we welcome him in these brothers and sisters? This book is available for £6.99 from the author at Fairways Court, Whitby YO21 3JY, or at St Paul’s Bookshop, York. Cheryl-Ann Smith We all think that we do it – listen, that is. But do we? To listen well we need to fully focus on what is being conveyed to us. But how often do we mentally contrive, simultaneously, to develop our response or counter argument? Nowhere is this more prevalent than in radio and TV debates and even in parliament, when talking or shouting over one another seems to be the norm. Does this sound familiar in our own daily lives? Listening , by Robin Daniels, takes us out of the daily hubbub and draws on a wealth of his own personal experience as well as from writers, poets and scriptural texts to help us find another dimension to listening that is through the heart. He explores how music can help and the importance of silence in the process. It’s not a long book but it’s packed from start to finish with helpful material that takes the reader through a variety of situations and techniques that would be helpful to anyone wishing to improve their own ability to listen. It would, perhaps, be of particular benefit to those involved in pastoral or counselling work. So often we are caught up with what we want to get across and we can become oblivious to what is being said to us. Is that true of our prayer life too? If so, Robin’s book is for you too. Listening is priced £8.99 plus P&P and is available from Marston on 01235 465500 or by emailing enquiries@marston.co.uk. Edwina Gillett Listening – Hearing the Heart by Robin Daniels

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12 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 1 Fri Dates of events and articles for inclusion in January’s issue of Voice must be received by today. 2 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact: christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 3 Sun 12 noon Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 1.30pm Celebrating Christmas with Family and Friends; St Thomas More’s Church Hall. Refreshments will be served; donations appreciated; all money will go to charity 3.30pm Advent Carol Service at St Mary`s Cathedral 6pm Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 5 Tues 7pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 29, meet at St Mary’s Cathedral, Dalby Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough commencing with Mass in the Cathedral Chapel 6 Wed 6pm St Hilda’s, Whitby St Catherine’s Hospice, ‘Light up a Life’ service 6.30pm The Secular Franciscan Order meets at More House, Heslington, York. Contact Mrs Lyn Bradbury OFS, tel (01904) 470041 for details 6.30pm Latin Mass, St Charles Borromeo, Jarratt Street, Hull 8 Fri 1.30pm The Immaculate Conception - 1.30pm Rosary, 2pm Mass at the Lady Chapel, Osmotherley 4pm NFL Graduation Mass, Our Lady`s, Acomb 7pm-8.30pm Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets in St Anthony’s Church, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact John (01759) 380415 for details. 7.30pm Marian Evening at the John Paul Centre, 55 Grange Road, Middlesbrough – Rosary, Holy Mass, talk, witness. Contact Marie Bedingfield, tel (01642) 530739 for details 9 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact:christianmeditation.beverley@gm ail.com 7.30pm Sacred Heart Parish Dance (Michael Coyne), Erimus Club, Cumberland Road, Middlesbrough TS5 6JB. Contact Eddie: 01642 860227 10 Sun 12 noon Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 4pm Mass to inaugurate Middlesbrough Diocese LGBT+ Ministry, in the chapel of the Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York. All welcome. 6pm Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 6pm Mass in the Malayalam language at St Joseph’s Church, Marton Road, Middlesbrough. Contact tel (01642) 818203 for details. 11 Mon 7.30pm Justice & Peace meet at St Bede’s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact: Nan Saeki, tel (01904) 783621 for further details. 12 Tues 12.45pm Hull and District Catholic Women’s Luncheon Club meet at the Kingston Theatre Hotel, Hull. 2-4pm The Life Ascending Group, York West meet at Our Lady’s, Acomb, York in the Fr Kelly room. 7.30pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 95, meet at Council Chambers, English Martyrs Hall, Dalton Terrace, York 13 Wed 10.30am The Life Ascending Group at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle meet after morning Mass 10.30am The Life Ascending Group at St Leonard & St Mary, Malton meets 2.30pm Prayer Group, John Paul Centre, 55 Grange Road, Middlesbrough. New members welcome. 15 Fri 7.30pm Aquinas Reading Group in the Upper Room at St Wilfrid’s, York. A guided reading of the Summa Theologiae. Contact Steve Evans, tel 07800697975 or e-mail: steve_evans21@tiscali.co.uk. Further details at http://readingthe summa.blogspot.com 16 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact: christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 17 Sun 12 noon Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 3pm Catholic Fellowship Mass, Holy Name, Linthorpe 6pm Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 20 Wed 8pm The Knights of St Columba, Hull Council 45, meet at St Joseph’s Church, West Hull 21 Thurs 7.30pm-9.30pm Bible study in Our Lady’s, Acomb looking at one complete set of Sunday readings (first, second and gospel). Contact Lukasz (07540981429) for details 23 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 24 Sun 12 noon Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 6pm Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 25 Mon Christmas Day See centre pages and/or your parish bulletin for Mass times in your parishes 31 Sun 12 noon Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 6pm Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF First week of January 1 Mon New Year’s Day – see centre pages and/or your parish bulletin for Mass times 2 Tues 7pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 29, meet at St Mary’s Cathedral, Dalby Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough commencing with Mass in the Cathedral Chapel 3 Wed 6.30pm Latin Mass, St Charles Borromeo, Jarratt Street, Hull 5 Fri Dates and events for the February issue of Catholic Voice must be received by today. The January 2018 issue of Catholic Voice will be available in parishes on Sunday 7 January. BISHOP TERENCE PATRICK DRAINEY ENGAGEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2017 3 Attends Advent Carol Service at St Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough 3.30 pm 5 Attends Meeting of VEC Trustees, Birmingham 10.00 am 6 Attends CSAN Board of Trustees, Romero House, London 12.00 noon 8 Celebrates NFL Mass at Our Lady’s, Acomb 4.00 pm 12 Attends Ushaw Trustees meeting at Hinsley Hall, Leeds 10.30 am 14 Attends meeting of Diocesan Trustee Board at the Curial Office, Middlesbrough 10.30 am 17 Attends Fellowship Mass at Holy Name of Mary, Middlesbrough 3.00 pm 23 Celebrates Mass at HMP Deerbolt 1.30 pm 28 Attends annual clergy lunch at Ampleforth 12.00 noon Out & About around the Diocese Advance Notices Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help takes place every Wednesday after the 9.30am Mass in St John of Beverley, North Bar Without 17 January, 7pm St Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough – Church Music Forum: music for Lent and Holy Week. No charge but advance booking by e-mail please to timothycraigharrison@gmail.com 27 January, 10am Our Lady, Acomb (venue tbc) – Church Music Forum: music for Lent and Holy Week. No charge but advance booking by e-mail please to timothycraigharrison@gmail.com

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December 2017 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 13 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, email catholicvoice@dioceseofmiddles- brough.co.uk By Friday 1 December for the January 2018 issue By Friday 5 January for the February 2018 issue Where possible please send articles in Word and photographs as jpegs. JOHN PAUL CENTRE 200+ CLUB DRAW Date of Draw – on 6 November 2017: 1st Prize - £100 Winning No 237 2nd Prize - £60 Winning No 25 3rd Prize - £40 Winning No 19 Next meeting and monthly draw Monday 4 December New members welcome – ask for details Tel (01642) 247831 NEWS - Live in a Catholic community that works for young people - Be trained in first aid, food hygiene, safeguarding and youth work skills - Work with many young people every week - Live in the beautiful Bollington countryside and have all food and board included, as well as a weekly allowance. - Be supported in your professional and spiritual growth over your 10 month-long placement. Looking for a gap year where you can make a difference? At Savio House, you will have the opportunity to Catholics are being asked to consider helping their faith can live on through gifts in their wills. A group of causes and charities have come together as Your Catholic Legacy (YCL) to raise awareness of how leaving a will can enable Catholics to continue supporting the faith even after they have passed away. The latest YCL campaign looks at the reasons people choose certain charities to remember. The group has found that Catholics often want to support causes they feel a deep connection with or have had a big impact on their lives. Many people choose to remember their local parish, helping ensure the church is there for other Catholics in the future. Others remember charities they have supported in their lifetime or which have touched their lives in some way. Some leave a gift to a Catholic charity helping the homeless or reaching out to people living in poverty in the UK or overseas as a way of remembering the blessings they’ve had in their own lives. Other popular causes are training priests or supporting missionaries. “When making a will our first priority is, of course, to look after our loved ones,” said YCL chairman Alastair Emblem. “But in the same way that we give a proportion of our income to the Church and charities during our lifetime, we can also think about giving a share of what we leave behind to causes we are passionate about so their good work can continue.” YCL has 26 members representing a wide range of causes and charities. Find out more at yourcatholiclegacy.org.uk. An Invitation To Let Your Faith Live On NEWS IN BRIEF St Basil’s Among Pilgrimage Highlights Hilda Carney, from St Aelred’s Parish, York, took part in an ecumenical pilgrimage to Moscow that took in visits to stunning churches and monasteries including St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square and a boat trip on the River Moskva. The pilgrimage was designed to help bring members of the western Christian and eastern orthodox churches closer together. Mary’s Meals Porridge Party Church cleaners at St Mary’s, Filey, organised a porridge party that raised £210.21p for Mary’s Meals. The money brings the total donated over the last 20 months to £2,000, which will help the charity provide a school breakfast that may be the only meal of the day for children who would otherwise start their lessons hungry. Rosemary Gunn Operation Christmas Child Swings Into Action Members of the Union of Catholic Mother from St Aelred’s, York, held a working evening to begin filling boxes for their Operation Christmas Child Appeal. The boxes were covered wrapping paper and then filled according to age groups. They are being kept in the church, where it is hoped that parishioners will add to their number, as they have in the past. The boxes will eventually be sent abroad to children who have been affected by war, poverty and natural disasters. “It’s a powerful way to share God’s love at Christmas,” said Kath Stubbs, of St Aelred’s UCM. Focus On Unity At Westminster Event Fourteen delegates from York took part in the Movement Day conference, an ecumenical gathering that fosters initiatives to help bring peace and unity to Britain’s towns and cities. The two-day event at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster included worship sessions, scripture and talks, as well as a walk to Parliament Square, where Cardinal Vincent Nichols and other Churches Together members led prayers for the nation and the world. “The focus of the conference was very outward-looking, concentrating on ways of serving our cities and neighbourhoods, families and workplaces,” said delegate Mary Callan, of York’s Blazing Grannies Bible musicals. York Church Hosts Prayerful Alternative To Halloween St Aelred’s in York hosted an ecumenical Service of Light as an alternative to celebrating Halloween. The congregation made their way outside the church with lighted candles before Father Bill Serplus led an opening prayer, which was followed by readings and more prayers. Afterwards children hunted for sweets that had been hidden around the church and then enjoyed refreshments and craft activities in the community centre. Join us For Our Church Music Forums Calling all parish musicians and singers! Come and join us for a look at music that could enrich and refresh the liturgies at your church during Lent and Holy Week. Church music forums will take place in St Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday January 17 2018 at 7pm and on Saturday January 27 at 10am in Our Lady’s, Acomb (venue to be confirmed). There is no charge for these events, but advance booking by emailing timothycraigharrison@gmail.com is essential. For more information visit https://sites.google.com/site/middlesbroughcathedralmusic/formatio n-for-parish-musicians. FINDING DIRECTION Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th March 2018 A Guided Retreat for Young Adults (18-40) at The Cherwell Centre, 14, Norham Gardens, Oxford OX2 6QB For more information and Booking Form contact Anne Stewart astewart@shcj.org Tel. 01253 318196 or aoconnor@shcj.org Tel: 01865 552106 SOCIETY OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS The Sons Of Divine Providence Only Charity will save the world Vocations Weekend Friday evening January 12, 13, 14 2018 Friday evening February 16, 17, 18 2018 For men and women thinking of becoming a priest or religious Contact: Fr John C. Perrotta 21 Lower Teddington Road, Hampton Wick, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 4HB Tel: 07921 125283 Email:johnperrotta208@gmail.com

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14 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 NEWS This statement is addressed not only to Catholics of our countries, but more broadly to all people who seek to uphold the dignity of human life and protect the unborn child. Over the last 50 years, the bishops of our countries, along with many other people, have spoken consistently in favour of the intrinsic value of human life and both the good of the child in the womb and the good of the mother. This anniversary provides an opportunity to lament the loss of life due to abortion and seek a change of minds and hearts about the good of the child in the womb and the care of mothers who are pregnant. Fifty years ago, few envisaged the possibility of that there would be almost 200,000 abortions in Great Britain in 2015. Every abortion is a tragedy and few consider that abortion is the desirable or best solution to a pregnancy, which may be challenging on account of many different factors. The complex set of conditions in which a woman finds herself pregnant and may consider having an abortion may limit the exercise of freedom and diminish moral culpability. When abortion is the choice made by a woman, the unfailing mercy of God and the promise of forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation are always available. There is always a way home to a deeper relationship with God and the Church, as recent popes have emphasised, which can heal and bring peace. Today the language of “choice” dominates discourse about marriage, gender, family and abortion. This needs further exploration. Choice has come to mean doing whatever I feel to be right for me – a very subjective view of the good – rather than taking into account a wider set of fundamental values. This is a very inadequate understanding of free choice, which requires an education in important truths about what is truly good and the possibility of other options. In this case, these must include the good of the unborn child, care and support for pregnant mothers, and the responsibility of the father. This statement presents a number of different challenges for the future: a new understanding of the intrinsic value and worth of every human life in the womb, a better protection of unborn children diagnosed with a disability, a great need for education in moral responsibility about human sexuality and the meaning of sexual expression within marriage. Many professionals face the challenge that respect for conscientious objection against abortion has been eroded. Personal conscience is inviolable and nobody should be forced to act against his or her properly informed conscience on these matters. We encourage greater debate about this right and these challenges in our society. Finally, we thank many people, of religious faith and none, who have sought to protect unborn life and the life of the mother over the last 50 years; mothers who have continued their pregnancies in difficult circumstances, politicians who have sought to reform the legislation to better protect unborn life, those people whose prayers have been offered for greater respect to be shown to the wonder of the life in the womb, for mothers and those whose lives are cut short by abortion. Together, let us better cherish life. From the Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 UK Abortion Act Let Us Better Cherish Life The persecution of Christians is worse than at any time in history and is being largely ignored by the UN and the international community, according to a new report. “Persecuted and Forgotten?” concludes that the persecution of Christians reached a high between 2015 and 2017, with growing attacks on the faithful by Daesh, Boko Haram and other fundamentalist groups. According to the report, produced by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, the international community has failed to adequately respond to the needs of Christians attacked by militant extremists. “Governments in the west and the UN failed to offer Christians in countries such as Iraq and Syria the emergency help they needed as genocide got underway,” it says. “If Christian organisations and other institutions had not filled the gap, the Christian presence could already have disappeared in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East.” The report identifies growing problems in certain majority Islamic countries and authoritarian states such as Eritrea and North Korea. And it says members of China’s 127m- strong Christian population have suffered increased persecution, with more than 2,000 churches and crosses being pulled down in Zhejiang province and clergy routinely detained by authorities. Christians were disproportionately affected by the campaign of genocide by Daesh and other Islamist militant groups in the Middle East. More than half of Iraq’s Christian population became internal refugees and Syria’s second city of Aleppo, which until 2011 was home to the largest Christian community, saw numbers dropping from 150,000 to barely 35,000 in 2017. World Looks On As Christians Suffer An Iraqi Christian in St Addai Church, Karemles, on the Nineveh Plains, holding the head of a statue which was decapitated by Daesh. © Aid to the Church in Need The chapel at the St John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Middlesbrough was full to capacity for a special Mass to honour and celebrate St John Paul II on his feast day and to give thanks for the many ways in which this extraordinary man has touched our lives. The Polish and English-speaking communities came together, along with Father Stephen Maughan, the centre chaplain and parish priest and Father Jan, the Polish Mission Chaplain, to celebrate in Polish, English and Latin. The Polish music group beautifully provided the music, including St John Paul’s favourite hymn, Barka . Everyone came together in the café afterwards for refreshments, including delicious Polish cake. It was an uplifting afternoon and all agreed that it should not be a one-off! JP2 – We Love You! Father Stephen with some of the children who attended the Mass on the feast of St John Paul II

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December 2017 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 15

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16 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2017 Designed typeset and printed by CathCom, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Blumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk. CB9 7BN. To Advertise call 01440 730399. or e-mail: ads@cathcom.org – serving Schools, Business and Homes CCTV Systems Access Control Systems Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Fire Safety & Security Engineers TFS Ltd are a fully accredited BAFE and SSAIB company, offering expertise in the Design, Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Life Safety and Security Systems. Established for over twenty years, we have a dedicated team of professional, fully trained engineers and support staff, having experience in the Commercial Sector, Local Authorities, Schools, Colleges and Universities. We can provide solutions, guidance and upgrading on existing systems and advice on replacement and new systems, using the latest innovative technology. Conventional and Addressable Fire Detection Systems. Conventional and Addressable LED Emergency Lighting Systems. Gas Detection and Air Monitoring Systems. Extinguishing Systems. Security. C.C.T.V. Door Access. Wireless Fire Detection. Wireless Security. Hydrosense Water Detection 24 Hour call out. For Advice or Service, contact our office: 01642 800006 or, for more information visit: www.technicalfireandsecurity.co.uk NEWS 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 class mail When phoning please quote MV101 Family Business since 1926 Property Maintenance, Extensions, Alterations and Repairs (Large and Small) Private and Commercial Work undertaken Many contracts completed with Middlesbrough Diocese for schools and church properties All work guaranteed Contact: John Shipley 01642 319138 Mobile: 07831 822285 E-mail: john.shipley@ntlworld.com 66 Gunnergate Lane, Marton, Middlesbrough TS7 8JB J. M. Shipley Building Contractor Middlesbrough Circle of the Catenians’ longest-serving brother has celebrated the 50th anniversary of joining the association. Dennis joined in May 1967 at the age of 38 and proudly served as circle president four times. The achievement was marked quietly at the regular meeting, when his scroll and medal were presented by current president Phil Luke. Dennis`s grandson and current vice president Steve Hodgson attended, with Steve saying he hoped to emulate his grandad`s achievement in 2059! The circle later arranged a lunchtime meeting at Teesside Golf Club, where Dennis has been an active member for more than 50 years, honing his skills sufficiently to lift the National Catenian Golf Society trophy in 1970. The meeting was attended by 26 brothers, including Province 5 director Brendan Leer and president Peter Glynn. It was the first to be held at lunchtime and the first that ladies were invited to attend. Dennis and Kathleen, who sadly passed away in 2011, have been blessed with six children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren. Many were present for the celebrations as Dennis recalled some of his more amusing experiences as a Catenian. Martin Lodge Half Century For Brother Dennis President of Middlesbrough Circle 30 of the Catenians Phil Luke with Dennis Tate and his grandson Steve Hodgson, who is also vice president Some years ago our parish priest, Father Pat Keogh, asked what we parishioners of St Hilda’s in Whitby could do to support asylum seekers 20 miles away in Teesside. Mary Frankland was invited to a meeting and brought along two asylum seekers from the Congo, Elie and Clare. We were all touched by their moving stories and decided to follow up some of the practical ideas suggested by Mary. Over the past three years we have welcomed a growing number of asylum seekers to a social day in Whitby and have built many friendships. This autumn we hosted 28 adults and seven children. A huge thank you to all those who contributed to making our latest get-together such a success. The visitors and helpers were treated to food prepared Father Pat’s neighbour Ed, friends from the convent and parishioners. Groups then enjoyed the playground, museum, beach, the 199 steps, the abbey and a trip out to sea. Elie described it as, “An amazing day from beginning to end”, while Nina added: “The love we feel from you makes us all feel so welcome.” The folk group put on entertainment before our visitors departed happily with bags full of clothes, household goods, toiletries and food donated by generous parishioners and their friends. The group of supporters has grown each year, with representatives from the Quakers, other churches, an art group in Hinderwell, the WI and friends and neighbours, who were all keen to provide a day when our visitors could forget the often lengthy wait for their applications to be processed. If your parish would like to take on a similar initiative, please contact us at St Hilda’s. Gill Almack, Liz Atkinson and Jim and Marie- Louise Fountain Another Great Day With Our Friends The following church suppliers would like to join the Diocese and CathCom in wishing all The Voice readers a very happy and holy Christmas

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