According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is: “, a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints. An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin. Indulgences may be applied to the living or the dead.”, (#1471) You can be sorry for something, you can confess your guilt and the person hurt or offended can forgive you. But that does not December 2012 Issue 389 FREE Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic V OICE What’,s Inside SVP Shop Page 4 Bishop’,s Personal Faith Page 7 Lourdes 2013 Page 11 Bishop’,s Column “,A Knight to remember”, It was a ‘,Knight’, to remember when the brothers of Council 29 Middlesbrough of the Knights of St Columba gathered with over 136 family members and friends to celebrate the Council’,s 90th Anniversary at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Guests included: The Bishop of Middlesbrough, Supreme Knight Brother Ron Lynch and Supreme Director Terry Conneely. Also attending were a number of wives of deceased brothers who still support the work of the Knights. Special mention must be made of Brother Michael Condron and his wife Teresa who made a great effort to be present. Michael and Teresa are celebrating 50 years of marriage this year and Teresa’,s father, John Muir, founded Council 29 and Province 4 in Middlesbrough in 1922. After a superb Dinner, the protocols of toasts and speeches got under way. The Grand Knight began proceedings by Continued on Page 2 What is an indulgence? 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 Members of Council 29 with Bishop Terry and Council Chaplain Canon Gerard Robinson Continued on Page 2 Christmas at St Mary’,s Cathedral Daily Mass Mon 6.30pm, Tues 9.15am, Wed 9.15am, Thurs 6.30am Fri 9.15am and Saturday 9.15am Weekend Masses Saturday 6.30pm Vigil Mass Sunday 10am Family Mass and 5pm Mass Benediction every Wednesday at 6.00pm Sun 2 Dec 10.00am Mass “,Cloth for the Cradle”, Sun 9 Dec 10.00am Christmas Fayre and Father Christmas and Raffle Draw after 10am Mass Wed 12 Dec 7.00pm Apostleship of the Sea Carol Service Thur 13 Dec 7.00 pm Advent Service of Reconciliation Sat 15 Dec 2.00pm BBC Tees Carol Service recording for Christmas Day Tues 18 Dec 7.00pm St Mary’,s Cathedral Carol Service Monday Christmas Eve 6.30 pm Children’,s Nativity Mass 11.00pm Midnight Mass with Carols at 10.30pm Tuesday Christmas Day 10.00am Mass for Christmas Day Tuesday New Year’,s Day 10.00am Mass A warm welcome is always guaranteed and particularly if you have been away from Church –, come back and celebrate your faith this year. Wishing you a Happy Christmas Canon Gerard Robinson V OICE CLASSIFIED This space 2.5 x 6.2 cm advert £,180 per year / £,15 per month CALL DAVID 01440 730399 All advertising in the Middlesbrough Voice contact David on 01440 730399 New Classified section starting in the new year ALL TRADES WELCOME

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2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012 mean to say that everything is as it was before. The kids are messing around playing football in the garden, or worse still, the adults. Crash, bang! There’,s a broken window. Everyone says they are sorry, all is forgiven, but the window has to be mended and someone has to pay for it. The temporal effect of sin and temporal punishment. Or take the obvious example of getting angry with someone and punching them in the eye. When apologies have been made and the incident put to one side, the effect of the grievance still remains - a black eye! Worse still, when the hurt is very deep and involves a relationship, emotions and a network of other people, the temporal effects of the incident are felt over a long period of time, perhaps even life-long. All our sinful actions affect our relationship with God, with others, with ourselves, and with the world in which we live. And although we are forgiven, the temporal effects of sin remain. Hence the need for penance, good deeds, fasting, and ultimately, Purgatory. This is where the concept of “,Indulgence”, comes in. We are part of the family of God by our Baptism. We are part of the Body of Christ, we are members of the Communion of Saints together with all those in Heaven, the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and our brothers and sisters here on earth. During the course of the summer, experiencing the Olympic Games and the Paralympics, somehow all of us shared in the glory, the achievements and the merits of those who were actually taking part. And it was real, not just an imaginary or a fanciful idea. As a country and a people we were “,glowing”, with the good things that came from those events. If someone in our family or very close to us does well, is successful in something, earns a public honour of some description, then we all hold our heads high sharing in a real sense in their award. It is the same with the Communion of Saints, just as our sinful actions affect the whole body, so our good actions, when joined to the redemptive actions of Jesus, can be efficacious for us all. The merits, the prayers and the penances of Our Lady and all the saints and faithful people throughout the ages form what we call the “,Treasury of the Church”,. In the person of St Peter, Jesus gave the Church the power of binding and loosing, the Power of the Keys, we call it. In this way, the Church can open the treasury of the merits of Christ and the saints in favour of individual Christians to obtain from the Father of all mercies the remission of the temporal punishment due to their sins and also to spur them on to works of devotion, penance and charity. And since the Holy Souls are also members of our family, part of the Communion of Saints, we can obtain an indulgence for them, so that the temporal punishment due to their sins can be remitted. For that reason, during the course of this Year of Faith there are many opportunities for us to gain indulgences - partial or plenary (complete, taking away all the temporal punishment) for ourselves and for our loved ones who have gone before us. Continued from Page 1 Christian Discipleship declaring a formal toast to HM The Queen. Then, before a toast on behalf of the guests, the Grand Knight paid special tribute to the work of the Knights in Middlesbrough and the part they have played in assisting the Bishops and clergy of the Diocese over the last 90 years. Supreme Knight Brother Ron Lynch responded on behalf of the Organisation of the Knights of St Columba and spoke about a number of topics affecting the Catholic Faith in the future. The Bishop thanked the Knights for the part they have played in assisting the clergy since this Council was formed. He spoke about his own family’,s connection with the Knights and the effect that had in his own Catholic upbringing. He continued by praising the commitment of the Knights when asked to assist at Diocesan events but made special reference to the visit of the relics of St Thé,rè,se of Lisieux in 2009, the Vocations Walks and the annual Assumption Pilgrimages to Mount Grace. Later, time was available for old acquaintances to be renewed before carriages at 11.30 pm. The evening was a resounding success and suggestions have been that the Knights of Council 29 should make this an annual event. We shall wait and see! If any men reading of the work of the Knights of St Columba, which also has councils in York and Hull, would like to find out more about the organisation, they are encouraged to contact John Buckton by writing to him c/o the Curial Office. John Buckton Grand Knight Council 29 Middlesbrough Continued from Page 1 From the left: Brother Michael Condron, Grand Knight Brother John Buckton, Mrs Teresa Condron and Supreme Knight Brother Ron Lynch Middlesbrough Diocesan Women’,s Commission Meeting - Ethical Shopping The Autumn Meeting of the Diocesan Women’,s Commission heard about the issues involved in ethical shopping. During the first part of her talk, Reverend Elizabeth Clark, Superintendent Minister and Rural Officer for the York and Hull Methodist District, spoke about the difference Fair Trade made to people’,s lives in the developing world. Fair Trade gives a guaranteed price to farmers and supports sustainable farms. It supports pre-financing, enabling farmers to invest, and asks for clear criteria which are economically fair and environmentally friendly. As well as giving a fair price to farmers, it also gives a social premium to the local area which goes to support health clinics, nurseries, and schools, benefiting local communities. There are, amazingly, 4,500 Fair Trade products available and now you can even buy Fair Trade gold. During the next part of the talk, Elizabeth spoke about fair trade at home. There is no companion organisation to Fair Trade for farmers in this country. Recently, farmers were losing two to three pence per litre on milk. Farmers have been given an increase in the price of milk but, Elizabeth said, because of the drought in America which will result in increased prices for animal feed and straw, and with increasing transport costs, farmers will soon be in the situation, once again, of producing milk at a loss. Elizabeth also spoke about the power of supermarkets. When there is an offer of ‘,buy one get one free’, at supermarkets, it is the farmers, not the supermarkets, who pay. Produce from abroad is sometimes labelled as British because it is packed in Britain. For genuine British produce, look for the red tractor sign. What can we do? We can become aware of the issues involved. We can buy fairly traded goods where possible. We can campaign for a fairer world. We can ask for Fair Trade goods in the shops and we can ask questions of supermarkets. The World Development Movement is campaigning against betting on commodities (www.wdm.org.uk) and on the website of Friends of the Earth (www.foe.co.uk) we can support action against Climate Change and action for Environmental Justice. We closed with some beautiful prayers from the Iona Community asking for awe and wonder of the beauty of the earth, the vision and imagination to get rid of greed and waste, compassion and understanding to listen to the sometimes hidden people who understand diversity and for the desire for justice to protest at the greed and misuse of the earth’,s resources. Advance notice: next meeting of the Middlesbrough Diocesan Women’,s Commission will be on 23rd March 2013. To celebrate the Year of Faith, Sister Gemma Simmonds CJ will speak on the Vatican II documents on the Church. Catherine Rowland “,A Knight to Remember”,

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On Advent Sunday, 2nd December, Christians from across Middlesbrough and surrounding areas will be gathering with the Archbishop of York to celebrate the launch of a significant new venture, called Together Middlesbrough. In February 2012, over 100 people from local churches and Christian organisations came together for a conference called Bridging the Gap to share their concern about poverty in the Middlesbrough area. The scale and spread of deprivation in Middlesbrough is amongst the worst in the country, 47% of the town is ranked in bottom 10% poorest places to live. In these communities, up to 59% of children are living in poverty, up to 53% of families are headed by lone parents and in some parishes, male life expectancy is as low as 68 years - 20 years less than in the most affluent communities in England (Source: Poverty in Numbers an interactive web-based tool www.cuf.org.uk). These are not the small, localised pockets of deprivation found within nearly all parishes, but rather whole communities blighted by the interrelated problems of income poverty, poor health, low skills and family breakdown. These statistics can feel overwhelming, and yet we know there are Christians actively responding to meet some of these needs. Those attending the Bridging the Gap event were inspired by coming together, and asked for the conference to be the beginning of something where Churches and Christian projects can work together to tackle poverty in the Middlesbrough area. Since then, the Bridging the Gap group has been working hard in response to this feedback and we are delighted to be launching Together Middlesbrough , a Joint Venture project supported by the Church Urban Fund. The project will provide support and resources to Churches and Christians from the whole spectrum of church traditions, seeking to address poverty in Middlesbrough and surrounding areas where deprivation is a pressing concern. Christ calls us to respond to the needs of our neighbours, to feed the hungry, to clothe the poor, to befriend the lonely, to visit the prisoner, to care for the sick: in serving others we are serving him. Together Middlesbrough is a practical Christian response to local need. By coming together, we can support, resource and encourage one another to make a significant difference in our communities. The launch service will take place at 2.00 pm at St Barnabas Church, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. At the service, there will be more details about how Together Middlesbrough will work. The time has been fixed to fit in with the Archbishop’,s busy schedule and we are grateful that he will be joining us. We are also expecting to be joined by Baroness Warsi, Minister of State for Faith and Communities. Light refreshments will be served after the service. Everyone is welcome. December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 Sister Maureen welcomed to Guisborough Like many parishes during the last year, St Paulinus Church in Guisborough recently hosted a visit from Sister Maureen Donohoe, representing the Missionary Sisters of England and Wales, who has been conducting Mission Appeals in the Diocese. Sister Maureen sought prayers and financial assistance for the Missions from the parishes she visited Sister Maureen, who is originally from Glasgow, described how, after being a teacher for four years, she became involved with the Legion of Mary and then entered the Missionary Sisters of St Columban, part of the Missionary Society of St Columban, originally known as the Maynooth Mission to China. Sister Maureen described how she was assigned to the Philippines in 1980, teaching in the schools, where she enjoyed meeting and learning from the people. In 1990, she was assigned to Pakistan which was a new Mission. She said that this was a difficult commission being both a woman and a Christian but described how the people of Pakistan were suffering at the present time. Sister Maureen recounted how on arriving in Pakistan to join the Columban Missionary Fathers there, she was greeted by the local people with “,Thank God your wives have come!!!”, Now Sister Maureen works in Britain in Mission promotion and says that the Missions need support by prayers and generosity. She also asked for prayers for young people who want to join the Missions but also asked everybody to think “,What kind of missionary am I in my own locality?”, at the beginning of this Year of Faith. Brian Gleeson Sister Maureen with Canon Michael Bayldon Bridging the Gap: Tackling Poverty Together A message from CAFOD It is hard to believe the year has passed so quickly and December is upon us, so we would like to extend our warmest wishes for many blessings during the Christmas season to one and all! If you are looking for a new year’,s resolution - why not become a CAFOD volunteer? Would you like to visit schools on behalf of CAFOD? Full training is provided by our Education Team. Or you could help out in your local area by becoming a parish contact or campaigns volunteer. Perhaps you might like to start a CAFOD youth group? For more information, contact the CAFOD Middlesbrough Office by e-mail: middlesbrough@cafod.org.uk or tel (01904) 671767. Carol and David Cross CAFOD Middlesbrough

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4 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012 Our Neighbours at Christmas - Urgent December Appeal We all look forward to Christmas and to celebrate what this means to us as Catholics. Sadly, for many in these harsh economic times, Christmas places added burdens on families across our Diocese. In this Year of Faith, we all look to opportunities to alleviate suffering and hardship and yet we know there are many demands on our own income and resources. Recently arrived refugees in Middlesbrough and Hull often have inadequate warm clothing and lack even basic food and other supplies for themselves and their children. Here is an opportunity to provide direct and immediate support to the most vulnerable and, in one instance, it is simply a matter of looking into your wardrobes. The Refugee Service urgently needs warm clothes and basic foodstuffs. Please help by taking these items to the Refugee Service in Middlesbrough and Hull or appointing a co-ordinator who could take any donated items as a combined gift to the centres. Refugees in Middlesbrough and Hull - List of Food and Toiletries for Emergency Use (in conjunction with the Mary Thompson Fund) Tins of : Peas, Potatoes, Baked Beans, *Chick Peas, etc, Chopped/Plum Tomatoes, Vegetable or Bean Soup, *Fish (tuna, sardines, mackerel), Corned Beef. Packets of : *Rice, Pulses (Dried Beans, etc), Sugar, Tea Bags, Orange Juice (Long Life only), Powdered Milk. Jars/Bottles of : Coffee, *Cooking Oil. Toiletries : *Toothpaste/Toothbrush, *Soap, *Shampoo, Toilet Paper, Brush/Comb, *Razors, *Shaving Foam, *Deodorant (roll-on), *Sanitary Towels, Skin Cream. Children’,s Needs : *Disposable Nappies, Nappy Rash Cream, Baby Wipes, Toothbrush and Toothpaste, Baby Oil, Baby Formula Milk. * denotes items most needed. For Middlesbrough, for both food and warm clothes, the address is Sylvan House, 3rd Floor, 12-16 Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BE, tel (01642) 217447. For Hull, the addresses are: Warm Clothes to ARKI, 22-23 Albion Street, Hull, HU1 3TG, tel (01482) 214178. Food: Open Doors Project, Princes Avenue Methodist Church, 91 Princes Avenue, Hull, HU5 3QP, tel (01482) 342567. John Hinman Volunteer, North of England Refugee Service Green Corner Christmas again. The shops are once more glittering with shiny “,stuff ”, to tempt you. Have you noticed how “,stuff ”, passes through three stages? New-born “,stuff ”, sits on shop shelves in its plastic packaging and is called “,goods”,. After “,stuff ”, is bought and stripped of its packaging, it soon becomes “,clutter”,. Meanwhile the owner, or recipient of the gift, is back at the shops (January Sales come next) in search of more “,goods”,. In time the “,clutter”, becomes “,rubbish”, and ends up in the bin, or if it’,s lucky, in the charity shop. Here are a few Christmas facts to mull over: an E-Bay survey in 2011 estimated that £,4 bn of gifts are unwanted. Moreover we use 83 sq km of fancy paper in wrapping our gifts and we throw out 25,000 tonnes of plastic packaging. Christmas creates 30% more rubbish than our usual mound. Each year we consume more, but our demand for resources now outstrips the natural world’,s ability to meet it. It is time to foster habits fit for a finite planet. Ten years ago, Pope John Paul II drew our attention to the plight of the earth: “,It is not too late. God’,s world has incredible healing powers. We could steer our earth towards our children’,s future.”, So what could we do at Christmas to help heal God’,s world? Gifts - set a limit, dedicate a tree for your friend through woodlandtrust.org.uk , buy from charities like CAFOD and goodgifts.org or Fairtrade presents, reduce the wrapping, in shops leave the plastic packaging at the counter - they may get the message. Refuse plastic bags - we throw away 13 billion pa and they last 1,000 years. The Pacific and Atlantic oceans have floating junkyards of plastic debris that cover hundreds of miles where it is eaten by wildlife, killing by painful means and entering the food chain. “,Consume less. Recycle more”, is the mantra. The North East is the worst area of England for recycling. Let’,s do better, and make sure that Christmas is not bad news for the environment. Reduce your carbon and plastic footprint. You can do it and still not be Scrooge! Mission Earth Group Monks’, brew the best there is Monks at Ampleforth Abbey can celebrate after their beer has been named ‘,Best Drink of 2012’, at the Deliciously Yorkshire Awards recently. Their unique Abbey Beer beat off competition from across Yorkshire to walk away with the accolade less than six months since it was first put on the market. “,Although Ampleforth Abbey Beer is based on a centuries old recipe, it’,s only recently that the public have been able to enjoy it”, said Peter Berry, Marketing Executive at Ampleforth Abbey. “,We’,re delighted that it has achieved this recognition for its quality”, said Berry. The beer has an ABV of 7.0% and is similar in style to Belgian Trappist beer. It is dark coloured, full bodied ale with a fruity, malty flavour. Beer has been brewed by Benedictine monks since the 1600s when some fled to France from England and developed ‘,la biere anglaise’,. They returned to England, settling at Ampleforth in 1802, and today their beer is being brewed and poured again. Berry added “,The tradition, heritage and provenance of Ampleforth beer is unique, and it is great news that centuries after its recipe was devised it is still regarded as one of the best there is”,. 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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December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 5 Year of Faith Praying with Pictures in the Year of Faith - LIFE In this series of reflections during the Year of Faith, we are using pictures and photographs to recognise the presence of God in our lives. God calls to each of us to holiness and to discern the authentic signs of God’,s ongoing presence in our personal lives and history. The photographs in our albums can help us do this. Find a photograph of a new born baby, perhaps at a baptism. It could be a photograph of yourself, of one of your children, or any baby. Look closely at the picture. Notice how perfect the baby is: notice its hands, its hair, its eyes, its face. It has everything it needs to survive, to grow, to become an adult human being. Life is God’,s first gift to us - He wants us to enjoy it to the full. He didn’,t make us to be miserable, but to be happy. By giving us His own life through the sacrament of baptism, He wants us to enjoy life forever, with Him. Make yourself comfortable and quiet. In the stillness of your heart, thank God for your life, thank God for the good things He has given: your body, your senses, your family, your faith. Ask the Lord to help you live your life to the full. Canon John Lumley This baby’,s photograph is taken from the recently published Baptism preparation resource ‘,My Baby’,s Baptism’,, copies of which are available from the Curial Office. On Saturday 20th October, 85 Catechists from across the Diocese came together for a Day of Renewal at the parish of the English Martyrs in York. This is an annual event but it had, of course, a special significance on this occasion because it coincided with the beginning of the Year of Faith. One of the aims of the Year of Faith is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and to refresh our understanding of this essential document. Pope Benedict reminds us of just how important the Catechism is in his letter Porta Fidei , which he wrote to launch the Year of Faith. He tells us that “,On page after page, we find that what is presented here is no theory, but an encounter with a Person who lives within the Church.”, Catechists have a particular responsibility to do all that they can to help lead people to the encounter with Jesus that Pope Benedict describes. This responsibility is given further weight by the guidelines issued by the Vatican for the Year of Faith which set out a number of goals for Catechists. •, Firstly, Catechists themselves should continue to enrich their knowledge of the Catechism. •, Secondly, they should collaborate with their Parish Priests in helping other people to read the Catechism. •, Thirdly, they should work towards setting up small communities of faith that will give witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. One way of attempting to meet these ambitious goals in our Diocese is to use a special resource called Catholic Foundation Stones : Exploring the basics of the Faith. This resource has been prepared by Monsignor John Wilson from the Diocese of Leeds and Father Andrew Allman from the Diocese of Lancaster. It is a basic introduction to the Catholic Faith and its 12 sessions are carefully structured around the four sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church . One of the main advantages of Catholic Foundation Stones is that it is designed to be used in small groups and our Renewal Day in York was arranged to encourage and equip our Catechists to make use of this resource in their parishes. There is no doubt that the Catechists themselves left York that day with a great degree of enthusiasm for the task that lay ahead. It could well be, then, that you will soon be receiving an invitation from your Parish Priest and Parish Catechist to join them in reflecting more deeply upon what the Holy Father describes as the “,precious document”, which is the Catechism of the Catholic Church . Of course, you don’,t have to wait for an invitation! You could always offer to help set up a small group in your own parish that will meet to pray and reflect upon the Catechism. In that way, we could all play our part in meeting Pope Benedict’,s challenge for us to become more “,joyful and credible witnesses”, to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Deacon Vincent Purcell Adult Formation and Evangelisation Advisor Becoming Joyful and Credible Witnesses The opening Mass for the Year of Faith at St Mary’,s Cathedral

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6 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012 Faith, Hope &, Love Faith W e often use the words belief and faith interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. In some respects they can: my dictionary defines belief as placing trust or confidence in a person or thing , and faith as a confident belief in the truth or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing - very similar. However with regard to faith, the dictionary offers a second definition which underscores the major difference between the two words when it says that faith is belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence . I believe that Australia exists, even though I have never been there, because I have seen pictures and I have met people who live there or have been there. On the other hand I have faith in the fact that Jesus Christ walked this earth even though there is no physical evidence, nor can it be proved by intellectual reasoning. I believe it to be true because God has said so. There may be various things that sustain my faith thereafter, but initially my faith is a leap in the dark - well, actually, a leap in the light. T he catechism offers the following thoughts: To obey in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. (para 144) What moves us to believe is not the fact that revealed truths appear as true and intelligible in light of our natural reason, we believe because of the authority of God himself who reveals them. (para 156) These statements presuppose belief in God, of course. If we don’,t believe in God, then we wouldn’,t have faith in the theological sense in which we use the word. For the sake of argument, and the pointlessness otherwise of going any further reading or writing this, let’,s say we do indeed believe in God - and, again, that involves faith rather than belief . T he author of the letter to the Hebrews (11 v2) and St Paul in his letter to the Romans (8 v24) say: Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen…, Our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were. The point being made is that whereas faith sustains hope in something as yet unseen, we need neither hope nor belief if the object is staring us in the face. Faith goes beyond belief in as much as, as we just said, belief can be sustained by proof and logical argument, whereas faith involves things that we can’,t see, physically or logically. A s the catechism reminds us, faith is a gift from God - a grace he freely gives in order to help us in the limitations of our humanness. Again this emphasizes what we have just said, that we might believe something because we have worked it out for ourselves, proving it to our satisfaction, whereas the gift of faith helps us to accept things simply because God asks us to - whether they make sense to us or not. When we turn on a tap we believe water will come out because that’,s what usually happens - we have “,faith”, that it will happen because it always has done in the past. What God can sometimes ask of us is that we believe that water we can’,t see will come out of a tap we can’,t see. Through the gift of faith we trust not only that there is a tap, but that water will come out of it - because God has said so. S ometimes people will get themselves in a state because they have found themselves questioning their faith. We probably need to understand the difference between “,questioning”, when it simply means working through things in our mind, and “,questioning”, when it means doubting or, worse still, refusing to believe. The former can be healthy as long as we are not putting our faith at risk - in a sense we are merely stretching our theological muscles and that’,s fine if it doesn’,t lead to a need for proofs or persuasion. This is very different from what the catechism refers to as disregarding or refusing to hold as true what God has revealed and what the Church proposes for belief . (para 2088) We are in fact required, it says, to nourish and protect our faith with prudence and vigilance, and to reject everything opposed to it. “,Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”, Hope I n the ordinary circumstances of our lives we typically hope for all sorts of things for which there is no guarantee they will happen. Some of them will because they fall within our own ability to bring them about, others are things that are probably more dreams than hopes. We may hope to take a foreign holiday this year, we may also hope to win the lottery. H ope, in the theological sense, is a little different. Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’,s promises and relying on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. (para 1817) Through the merits of Jesus Christ and of his Passion, God keeps us in the hope that does not disappoint. Hope is the sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…, a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation. We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. (para 1820/21) T hrough his death and resurrection we have been redeemed, Christ has “,bought us back”,, we are offered the opportunity for salvation. However salvation isn’,t automatic. We can’,t say that because Our Lord has died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins that we can now “,eat, drink and be merry”, because it is all taken care of already. Nor can we say that because we believe in an all-loving Father, he will forgive us whatever we do. The catechism teaches that one of the sins against hope is presuming upon God’,s almighty power or his mercy, hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion, and glory without merit. (para 2092) W e are only too well aware that in and of ourselves we would struggle to merit the salvation offered to us - that’,s where grace comes in. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. (para 2010) By God’,s grace, anything is possible despite our personal faults and failings and limitations. No matter how much we may find ourselves struggling, there is always hope. No matter how many times we fall, hope helps us to our feet. There is always hope and hope offers encouragement. C hrist has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Death came through one man and in the same way the resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just as all men die in Adam, so all men will be brought to life in Christ (1 Cor 15 v20-22). I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (Jn 11 v25-26). What greater hope could we have? Charity (Love) C harity, the catechism says, is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake (because he loves us) and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God. (para 1822) Our love of God is lived out in and through our love and service of neighbour. A man who does not love the brother that he can see cannot love God whom he has never seen (1 Jn 4 v20). A constant call in the gospels and letters of the New Testament is to love of God and love of neighbour - the “,new and greatest commandment”,. T he fruits of charity are joy, peace and mercy, charity demands beneficence [charity or kindness] and fraternal correction, it is benevolence [goodwill or doing good] , it fosters reciprocity and remains disinterested and generous, it is friendship and communion. (para 1829) Unfortunately, these days, the word “,charity”, is used more with reference to donations and hand-outs to the less fortunate than in the theological sense of caritas - Christian love of neighbour. It is in this latter sense that we must understand it. A s followers of Christ, we are called to love our neighbour, even to love our enemies, but this isn’,t always easy. We may not always like certain people (indeed, they may make themselves un-likeable) but we do still have to love them - just as God may not always like us and the things we do and say, but he does still always love us. Perhaps, sometimes, the best we can do is to at least not wish someone harm, to at least be charitable (without being self- righteous about it) and in the meantime look for ways to move the situation in a more positive direction. T his is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you (Jn 15 v12). Biblical commentators have suggested that when Jesus says to his disciples “,follow me”,, he doesn’,t necessarily mean “,follow where I go”, but “,follow my example”, “,do as I do”,. Insofar, therefore, as he extends his unconditional love to all people, this is the example we must follow. An essential input here would be St Paul’,s beautiful reflection on love in chapter thirteen of his first letter to the Corinthians. Perhaps it would be good to stop and read that now. If I am without love(charity), then I am nothing at all. T he catechism goes on to make a further important point. The practice of the moral life animated by charity gives to the Christian the spiritual freedom of the children of God. We no longer stand before God as a slave, in servile fear…,but as a son or daughter responding to the love of him who first loved us. (para 1828) We don’,t “,love”, God out of fear, we love God because he loves us, and in his great love for us he gives us the supreme gift of freedom, freedom of choice, freedom to choose to love him. With that freedom God takes the very real risk that we may in fact choose not to love him, but what would our love be if it was coerced? A s we then search for ways in which to show our love for God, “,the God we cannot see”,, one ever-present and practical way is through love and service of our neighbour, “,whom we can see”,, in and through whom we find God. They are loved by God and in loving them we love him. And if we ever find ourselves struggling to find God in them, remember that they may be able to say the same about us, and in that there’,s a lesson about not being judgmental and the importance of reflecting faith, hope and love at all times and in all aspects of our life. Father Neil McNicholas There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13 v13). The theological virtues of faith, hope and charity(love) are, the catechism says, the foundation of Christian moral activity…,they are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life. (para 1823) To advertise please contact David at CathCom on 01440 730399

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December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 7 Coastal Deanery Opening Mass This Year of Faith Mass was celebrated on 24th October 2012 at St Peter’,s Church, Scarborough with priests of the Coastal Deanery including Canon Michael Bayldon, Father William Massie, parish priest of St Peter’,s, Father Michael Sellers, Father Tom O’,Connell, Father Andrew Smith and Father Tim Bywater. Bishop Terence’,s Homily outlined the challenge ahead for us for the Year of Faith which briefly is: October sees the beginning of the Year of Faith - an opportunity for all of us to grow in knowledge and love of God by reflecting upon what we believe as Catholic Christians. We are being challenged to deepen our appreciation of our faith and to consider how we are all called to pass that faith on to others. Almost 12 months ago, Pope Benedict wrote to the whole Church to invite each and every one of us to celebrate a Year of Faith with him. The title that he chose for his letter was Porta Fidei - ‘,the Door of Faith’,. This is an image that the Holy Father has taken from the Acts of the Apostles. There we read how Paul and Barnabas returned from one of their very first missionary journeys and how they then “,assembled the Church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the pagans…,.”, Pope Benedict asks us to make that image our own when he writes “,…, the door of faith is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church.”, The purpose of the Year of Faith, then, is really to draw us into an ever closer and more intimate relationship with God. B M Wilkins Bishop of Middlesbrough shares personal account of faith The Bishop has spoken of his personal faith in the second of a new series of bishops’, video testimonies being released during the Year of Faith. Speaking earlier this year at the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in June, Bishop Drainey said “,So if I was to be asked what does my faith mean to me, the simple answer would be it means everything. I just could not imagine my life without my faith in Jesus Christ. I just can’,t imagine my life without it being centred on the Church. “,As a child, the person of Jesus Christ was really, really present to me. I wasn’,t a particularly pious child but I knew that Jesus was real in my life, I knew that he was with me, and again my prayer as a kid wouldn’,t have been a pious type of prayer. It would have just been a conversation with a friend and sometimes as curt and straightforward as a conversation with a friend. As I’,ve grown up, the presence of Christ has always been very, very close to me.”, He added “,Something which I never tire of saying to other people, and I’,m saying it to myself really, is that for me the most fundamental and most important moment of my life was that moment when I was baptised. The Father looked into the very depths of my heart, and to the very depths of my spirit and said to me, ‘,You are my beloved Son and I delight in you.’, That’,s what’,s kept me going through thick and thin.”, The full recording can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/52856075 The first video featured The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster: http://vimeo.com/50534667 Both recordings are being offered in support of the Year of Faith that was opened by Pope Benedict XVI on 11th October 2012. The Year aims to encourage people to grow in and discover anew the riches of the Catholic Faith. The video series is an initiative of the Bishops’, Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis, with the videos filmed and edited by its Home Mission Desk. They are being released monthly. Year of Faith Mass at St Peter’,s, Scarborough

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8 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012

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December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 9

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10 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012 Spirituality and Worship ‘,Little Way Healing Ministries’, Team visits Parishes in Hull The YEAR OF FAITH began on Thursday 11th October. On the same day, at the invitation of the parish priest, Father Dominique Minskip, the parishes of the Sacred Heart and St Bede’,s were visited by Father Laurence Brassill, Mrs Pauline Edwards (originally from Loftus) and the Little Way Healing Ministries team. This exciting event lasted from the Thursday evening until after lunch on the Sunday. The visit had three main elements. Taking their pattern from the people on the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus after the Crucifixion, Father Laurence and Pauline broke the word of scripture to the assembled congregation. This brought the Word alive. The second element involved inviting anyone who wished to come forward to be prayed over and receive a blessing. At both the 9.30 am Mass at the Sacred Heart parish and the 11.00 am Mass at St Bede’,s, people came forward to receive this. At St Bede’,s, Father Laurence asked two members of the parish who had received healing to come forward and tell their stories. The response was remarkable, many people, some hesitantly, came forward. The third and deepest element took place on Friday. Parishioners were invited to come to the Sacred Heart presbytery and receive a deeper prayer for Healing of the Memories. Everyone has some unpleasant early memory hidden away in their subconscious, which is affecting their everyday life in a negative way. Through deep prayer and the help of two members of the team, this memory can be revisited in the company of Jesus and safely dealt with. This can be an emotional experience but the relief which follows is palpable. Spiritual, mental and physical healings are taking place in our day, just as they did when Our Lord ministered to the sick in Israel. The welcome the team received was warm and wonderful. They came as strangers and left with a feeling of belonging to yet another Christian community. As a leaving gift, they sat down to a lunch superbly cooked by the sisters at St Stephen’,s Parish and Neighbourhood Centre. If anyone would like to know more, Pauline has written a book, ‘,A Little Way of Healing’,, ISBN 978-1- 906027-53-7 and/or they can visit the website www.littlewayhealingministries.com Marion Tulloch Notes from Postgate Country It is difficult to know how Father Nicholas Postgate would have celebrated Christmas, known in his time as the Nativity of Christ. Fortunately, I possess a prayer book published in 1688, only nine years after his martyrdom. It includes the Mass in both Latin and English, prayers before and after confession and communion, the Rosary, vespers in Latin and English, an explanation of priests’, vestments, prayers for King James, Queen Mary and Queen Katherine and even advice about not resorting to witches. There is an explanation of feasts and holy days, saying that 1st January, the Feast of the Circumcision, “,is vulgarly called New Year’,s Day”, and it then gives a detailed account of holy days and feast days. Christmas includes The Four Sundays of Advent, stressing that 25th December is a most solemn feast celebrated by the whole Catholic Church, “,even from the Apostles’, time to this day.”, However, my book does not refer to either vigil masses or Midnight Mass, although both were being celebrated by the fourth century. One early reference to Midnight Mass is when the Basilica of St Mary Major was built in Rome c AD 430. Pope Sixtus III included a replica of the cave where Jesus was born and there instituted Midnight Mass to celebrate His Birth. However, there can be no doubt Father Postgate celebrated three Christmas Day Masses, probably with one at midnight, but these would not have been held in a church. They would be secretly celebrated in safe houses. By Christmas Eve, most houses would be deco- rated with evergreen leaves such as holly and ivy or even mistletoe. There would be lights from candles and from a blazing fire which, on Christmas Eve, would burn the tradi- tional Yule log which required an open hearth. It was ignited from remains of the previous year’,s Yule log. It was important that a Yule log burnt throughout Christmas Day and that a piece was kept for next year. Some of us might associate these items - the greenery and the Yule log - with pagan customs. However, Pope Gregory I wrote to St Augustine of Canterbury to advise him that, in hoping to convert the English, he should permit or even encourage popular and harmless customs. One very old example at the Roman Saturnalia and in some Scandinavian countries was the evergreens that adorned one’,s homes. Indeed, the name Yule for Christmas is a pagan word whilst use of mistletoe dates to the druids. Now, we make good use of those “,pagan”, customs. In addition to his priestly duties, Father Postgate would surely have enjoyed the festive atmosphere. During his long ministry around Yorkshire, he would have tasted frummety, furmety or frumenty, a dish made from boiled wheat or barley which was allowed to cool, strained and then boiled again along with egg yolks, milk, sugar or broth. In some places, dried fruit such as raisins or sultanas were added, whilst in other areas, spices were included. There were many varieties of frummety. We ate it on Christmas Eve after coming home after Midnight Mass at Lealholm. The traditional Christmas fare, once regarded as the greatest of Christmas treats, was roast beef. The King always had a baron of beef, which was two sirloins joined by the backbone and roasted on Christmas Day. Accessories would have included bread, roots, pot herbs, beetroot, carrots, coleworts (herb bennet), parsnips, salsify (edible plant with a long root), skirrets (carrot-like plants) and turnips. Potatoes had been introduced in 1586, so they might be included, although in Father Postgate’,s time, they were quite rare. Spiced ales or wines might be enjoyed, too. Whilst the wealthy would arrange huge sumptuous meals of rich food, inviting everyone rich and poor to join them, the poorer people made merry with much less. A recipe for “,Minst pyes”, at the time of James I used half a peck of flour, a loin of fat mutton, two pounds each of sugar, butter, raisins and currants, six eggs and various spices. The poor would settle for brawne, pork that had been boiled and pickled. Dominating Christmas festivities in the 17th century were the Puritans, who in 1652 abolished Christmas - “,the supersti- tious Yule”, - and made Christmas Day a day of fasting. At that time, Father Postgate was at Halsham in the East Riding. From 1642 until 1659, he was chaplain to the Dowager Count- ess Dunbar but we are not told how the Halsham people dealt with the Puritanical antics that persisted until the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. What can be certain is that Father Postgate would have cele- brated Christmas in a holy and prayerful way and he would have shared everything with those poorer than he. Nicholas Rhea

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December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 11 Catenian Pilgrimage On Sunday 9th September, the rafters of the Lady Chapel at Osmotherley rang to the voices of over 40 pilgrims singing hymns before reciting the Rosary and during the Mass at Province 5’,s Catenians annual pilgrimage which was led by our Provincial President Terry McQuillan. The music was provided by the very talented Bernadette Davison (guitar), daughter Catherine Simcox (flute) and Clare Thompson (soloist). The weather was glorious for those who picnicked before the walk (or ride) up to the Lady Chapel and for the return down Rueberry Lane. However, in true English Summer fashion, it poured down during the Mass. Brother Mick Davison served Mass for Father Michael Griffiths, parish priest of the Parish of St Joseph and St Cuthbert in Hartlepool, Father Tomazs visiting from Poland via York and Dom Damian Humphries OSB, Prior of Osmotherley and custodian of the shrine. The Old Testament reading was read by Brother Provincial President Terry and Middlesbrough President Chris Rhodes read from the New Testament. Brother Provincial Vice President Mark Kirk led the Responsorial Psalm while Brother Director Don Austin led the Bidding Prayers. Tea, coffee and cakes were provided for us afterwards and we were able to catch up with old friends such as Terri Bell and Barney Connelly, who was supported by his family. A great day was had by all who attended this beautiful and holy place. Why don’,t you come with us next year? Sunday 8th September 2013! John Gough (Middlesbrough and Redcar Catenians) Province 5 President Terry McQuillan (reading), Province 5 Vice President Mark Kirk (rear), Middlesbrough President Chris Rhodes (far left) - photograph courtesy of Kevin Dawson The Lourdes Organising Committee are always keen to make sure that any person in the Diocese who would like to take part in the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes as a sick pilgrim has the opportunity to be considered for a place. Please use the form below to apply, especially if you have not taken part in the pilgrimage before. Lourdes 2013

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12 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012 Re-enacting the Pilgrimage of Grace in Pocklington The children in Years 5 and 6 at St Mary and St Joseph School in Pocklington had a great day learning about the Pilgrimage of Grace, the rebellion against Henry VIII’,s policy of closing monasteries which started in East Yorkshire in October 1536. People from all sections of society joined the rebel army led by Robert Aske of Aughton, and as part of the army marched towards York, they stopped in Pocklington. The children made banners, and with other schools, marched through the town. Tudor workshops, where children learnt about life in the monasteries, had a Tudor tasting session, danced to Tudor music and made Tudor jewellery, were held in All Saints church. “,Harry Matthews was among pupils joining the march with their own banners. He said: ‘,This rebellion happened right on our doorstep. This re- enactment helps you imagine what it was like. We have been learning about the Tudors and I am really interested in what happened’,”, (Hull Daily Mail). Pictured right: A scene from the Pilgrimage of Grace MYMission Called to a Noble Adventure The Catholic Youth Ministry Federation (CYMFed) is the coming together of all those responsible for youth ministry in dioceses or religious orders across England and Wales. The Federation aims to work collaboratively where possible to support youth ministry wherever possible. This may sound like a haphazard aim, but the opposite is true. It is easy to feel isolated and even vulnerable in youth ministry at any level in the Church. CYMFed exists because sometimes we are better together. It does not set policy, rather it hopes to encourage ministry with young people in all its forms. To this end, it has produced a document, ‘,Called to a Noble Adventure’,, which gives a vision for youth ministry in our country. The application of the vision is almost a secondary concern. The document, published by the Department of Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Catholic Bishops’, Conference of England and Wales, simply reminds us that youth ministry is more than any single meeting, programme or group. It sets out four goals: A: Youth ministry fosters the complete personal and spiritual growth of each young person, acknowledging the specific needs of young people in our society. B: Youth ministry calls young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today, rooted in the living tradition of the Church. C: Youth ministry enables young people to participate fully in the life of the Catholic community, recognizing the intrinsic value of youth and all that it has to offer the Church. D: Youth ministry sends young people out as prophetic witnesses of Christ, calling the world and the Church to a renewal of faith, hope and love. These four goals alone should help us all reconsider how we engage with young people both within and without the life of the Church, the document which follows on from these goals is essential reading for anyone who takes young people in the life of the Church seriously. Copies of ‘,Called to a Noble Adventure’, are available at a cost of £,5.00 including postage and packing by sending a cheque and return address to: Noble Adventure, Church House, Kirkham Row, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, TS4 3EE. MYMission will hold a study day to officially launch the document in the Diocese later in the Year of Faith. Keep your eye on the ‘,Voice’, and http://mymission.org.uk for details. Our friends in Scarborough The Y7 and Y8 pupils from St Augustine’,s, Scarborough gave MYMission a great welcome as we worked together for two days in October. These days have quickly become a bit of a MYMission tradition, firmly planted in the Diary each year. The Y7 pupils spend a day together looking at what a Christian community ought to feel like and challenging themselves to help build such a community during their time in school. Based on that day, the Y8 pupils begin to take a look at the word “,vocation”, and try to see that God is calling each of them, not to do something, but rather be something very special indeed. These days are always great experiences, it is an honour to be with young people as they try to fathom the length and the breadth, the height and the depth of their relationship with God. However, a special bonus this time round was beginning to see how our work with other schools over the first years of MYMission has paid off. It was great to be greeted so warmly by young people who remembered us from either a visit to their primary school or the Little BIG Assembly. Trinity Schools Partnership Day MYMission was delighted to be part of the recent Trinity Family of Schools joint training day which saw the staff of Trinity Catholic College, Middlesbrough and its feeder primary schools come together. Around 400 staff met for a day of inspiration, prayer and celebration at Trinity Catholic College. Terry Waite gave a stunning keynote address, after which many workshops took place. MYMission led workshops on the Year of Faith in the school setting, Godly Play, Resourcing the Year of Faith and also a time of prayer and reflection. Father Paul joined Canon John Lumley, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation, at a Mass which concluded a great day and signalled the start of the half term break. Terry Waite with members of the MYMission Team Podcasts for Advent and Christmas Bishop Terry and members of the Women’,s Commission, Pat O’,Connor and Catherine Rowland, are, with the help of the Youth Team, recording podcasts for each of the Sundays of Advent and for Christmas. The themes for each of the Sundays are: New Life, Healing, Proclaim the Lord and Stillness, Watching, Waiting. The theme for the Christmas podcast is Emmanuel, God-is-with-us. You will find the podcasts on the Diocesan website on each of the Sundays of Advent and at Christmas. Evangelisation Diocesan Education Mass At the start of the academic year, Bishop Terence Patrick celebrated Mass with teachers from schools right across the Diocese. The ‘,Education Mass’, was celebrated in St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough, St Wilfrid’,s Church, York and St Charles Borromeo, Hull where teachers renewed their dedication to Christ and his Church and the children they serve. Diocesan Welcome Days The Diocesan Schools Service held a ‘,Welcome Day’, early in the new academic year for eight newly appointed Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers of Catholic Schools within the Diocese. In addition, 36 newly qualified teachers and teachers new to Catholic education attended one of two Welcome Days held in October.

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Canon John Lumley, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation, Kevin Duffy, the Director of Schools, Theresa Laverick, Diocesan RE Advisor, Debbie Feehan, Deputy Head at St Aelred’,s, York and Margaret Rees, Diocesan Co-ordinator for Chaplaincy facilitated two days for newly qualified teachers and those new to Catholic education at the Park Inn Hotel, York. Participants shared their experiences of their first few weeks teaching in a Catholic school and Kevin explored the distinctive nature of Catholic education with them. As one of the aims of the days was to welcome teachers to the Diocese, Canon John emphasised that all members of a Catholic school community are part of the Diocesan family of schools. Canon John explained Diocesan structures to the teachers and in particular the role of the Schools Service and the Vicariate for Evangelisation. Theresa and Debbie explored good practice in celebrating Collective Worship in the classroom with those teachers from primary schools whilst Margaret spoke to colleagues from secondary schools about the role of chaplaincy. Participants expressed how informative they found the course and enjoyed the opportunity to share with colleagues from other schools. December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 13 Funeral Directors Yarm Funeral Service Colin. S. McGinley Dip. FD. MNAFD. MBIFD Your 24hr Local Established Independent Funeral Directors 01642 786 200 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 To advertise please contact David at CathCom on 01440 730399 Shepherdson And Walker Funeral Directors Shepherdson &, Walker are a totally independent family run company with over 20 years experience in the funeral service. We hope that in a time of need we can be there for you and your loved ones: ",Your care is our care ", Hull Office: 01482 802780 Keyingham Office: 01964 626915 Mob : 07871739832 24 Hr Service 506 Inglemire Lane, Hull, HU6 8JL Web: www.shepherdsonandwalkerfuneraldirectors.co.uk Harvest Thanksgiving at St Aelred’,s Primary School On Wednesday 24th October, Father Bill Serplus celebrated a Harvest Thanksgiving Mass at St Aelred’,s Primary School, York. Parents and parishioners also took part, led by the School Chaplaincy Team. Earlier in the week, assemblies, speakers and links with St Aelred’,s SVP all prepared the school for this celebration. Mr Houghton, the Headteacher, had invited the whole school to think of those in need at this time of harvest and plenty. To “,look into their own cupboards”,, to look into their hearts and respond to those in need in our local community by bringing a gift to be collected at the Harvest Thanksgiving and then distributed by the SVP to those in need. Children were also invited to tape a coin to the tin or packet which would be collected and sent to CAFOD. The response was phenomenal and several boxes of tinned and packaged food were collected. Money was collected to be sent via CAFOD to those in need overseas. Father Bill Serplus, Mrs Feehan, SVP Members and pupil members of the School Chaplaincy Team loading the car ready for distribution Newly qualified teachers who gathered at the Park Inn, York on 3rd October for a Welcome Day Welcome Days for newly qualified teachers and those new to Catholic education

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14 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 2012 1 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 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 Middlesbrough Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalité, Christmas Celebration at St Francis Church, Acklam, Middlesbrough. 7.00 pm: Mass in the Church followed by a buffet reception and Open Mic Night for all VIPs and Hospitalité, members in the St Francis Social Club. This is a free social event but to assist with catering, attendees must RSVP by contacting Keith Tillotson, Tel: (01642) 324043 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 2 Sunday 4.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York, YO24 4DA 6.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EW 3 - 7 Monday - Friday ‘,God So Loved The World’, - Advent Retreat 2012 exploring the love of God revealed through the incarnation led by Fr Peter Hall OFM at The Endsleigh Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Commences with evening meal at 6.00 pm on the 3rd and concludes after breakfast on the 7th. Suggested offering £,230.00 (en-suites have a £,20.00 supplement), £,30.00 deposit required. Contact: Carol at The Endsleigh Centre, Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details or to book a place 4 Tuesday 7.00 pm 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 7.00 pm ‘,Catholicism - The Series: Incarnation’,. This TV series is being shown in the Nevers Room, St Bernadette’,s, Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough to celebrate the Year of Faith. Free admission, everyone welcome 5 Wednesday 10.30 am - 3.30 pm Advent Quiet Day with Bishop David Smith at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Tel: (01904) 464900 for further details 6.30 pm The Secular Franciscan Order meet every first Wednesday of the month at St Joseph’,s Church, York. Contact: Mrs Lyn Bradbury OFS, Tel: (01904) 470041 for further details 6 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 7 Friday 7.00 pm First Friday Life Prayer Group meets at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 7 - 9 Friday - Sunday ‘,Lord, do not delay’, - an Advent Retreat led by Fr Kieran Monahan. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 8 Saturday 9.30 am ‘,Mary’,s Purity of Heart (Father Christopher O’,Donnell OCarm)’, - York Carmelite Spirituality Group at More House Catholic Chaplaincy, Heslington, York. Eucharist (optional) at 9.30 am precedes the event which commences at 10.15 am and concludes at 1.00 pm with a festive bring and share lunch. For directions, please visit: www.carmelite.org/york Contact: Mr Johan Bergströ,m-Allen, Tel: (01904) 411521 for further details 10.30 am Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Lady Chapel, Osmotherley. 10.30 am: Rosary, 11.00 am: Holy Mass, 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm: Exposition. Confessions available. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome. Contact: the Monastery, Tel: (01609) 883308 for further details 9 Sunday 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm Middlesbrough Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalité, Christmas Celebration at The Endsleigh Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Rosary followed by a buffet reception and light entertainment for all VIPs and Hospitalité, members. This is a free social event but to assist with catering, attendees must RSVP by contacting Malcolm Campbell, Tel: (01482) 875698 3.00 pm Legion of Mary Annual Reunion conducted by Canon Eddie Gubbins at Sacred Heart Church, Middlesbrough. Holy Rosary, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Marian Talk. Everyone welcome. Refreshments in the Hall afterwards. Contact: Rita McClurey, Tel: (01642) 467906 for further details 4.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York, YO24 4DA 6.00 pm Mass in the Malayalam language at St Joseph’,s Church, Marton Road, Middlesbrough. Contact Tel: (01642) 818203 for further details 6.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EW 10 Monday The York Newman Circle meets for its Christmas Meal. Contact: Judith Smeaton, Tel: (01904) 704525 or E mail: judith.smeaton@btinternet.com for further details including timing 7.30 pm Justice &, Peace meet at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact: Nan Saeki, Tel: (01904) 783621 for further details 11 Tuesday 12.45 pm Hull and District Catholic Women’,s Luncheon Club meet at the Hull Royal Hotel, Hull for their Christmas Luncheon 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm ASCENT Group, York meet at Our Lady’,s Parish Centre 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm ‘,A Jew and a Christian Look at Prophecy - Does Isaiah tell us anything about Christmas?’, with Sr Patricia CJ at St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Tel: (01904) 464900 for further details 7.00 pm ‘,Catholicism - The Series: The Mystery of God’,. This TV series is being shown in the Nevers Room, St Bernadette’,s, Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough to celebrate the Year of Faith. Free admission, everyone welcome 8.30 pm The Knights of St Columba, Council 95, meet at the Council Chambers, English Martyrs Hall, Dalton Terrace, York 12 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 7.00 pm Annual Tees &, Hartlepool Port Carol Service at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. All welcome (no ticket required). Refreshments afterwards 13 Thursday From 2.00 pm Victorian Christmas Tea at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. All welcome. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 14 Friday 2.00 pm Scarborough Medjugorje Prayer Group. Contact Joan Salt, Tel: (01723) 363321 for further details including venue 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, Talk, 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 Saturday 9.30 am for 10.00 am - 4.00 pm ‘,Praying with Landscape’, - Quiet Day at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Cost: £,9.00 including a light lunch. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 2.00 pm BBC Tees Carol Service at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. Admission by ticket only, proceeds to ‘,Children in Need’,. For tickets and further details, contact the Cathedral, Tel: (01642) 597750 or BBC Tees, Tel: (01642) 225211 7.30 pm Sacred Heart Parish Irish Dance (Sally Glennon) 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 16 Sunday 3.00 pm Middlesbrough Catholic Fellowship Mass at Holy Name of Mary, The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough 4.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York, YO24 4DA 6.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EW 18 Tuesday 7.00 pm Cathedral Advent Carol Service at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough 7.00 pm ‘,Catholicism - The Series: Mary, Mother of God’,. This TV series is being shown in the Nevers Room, St Bernadette’,s, Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough to celebrate the Year of Faith. Free admission, everyone welcome 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm HENS Hull and East Riding New BISHOP TERENCE PATRICK DRAINEY ENGAGEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2012 1-4 Rome 1 Celebrate the feast of the Martyrs of the Venerable English College 3 Attend private audience with the Holy Father, together with the Venerable English College 6 Meeting with Sir Peter Vardy 12.30 pm 7 Meeting with Rev R Gee, President Designate of the Methodist Conference 10 am 12 Bishop’,s Council –, Curial Office 11 am 12 Council of Priests –, Curial Office 2 pm 20 Diocesan Trustee Board –, Curial Office 10 am 21-24 Personal Retreat 24 Celebrates Midnight Mass –, Cathedral 11 pm 25 Celebrates Christmas Day Mass –, Cathedral 10 am 27 Attends Clergy Lunch - 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. 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 Wanted for the Missions Large Statues (Even damaged ones), old vestments, pictures, church fittings, rosaries, prayer books, etc. Please ring Mr. B. Ferris KSC, 102 Moor St, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6EY Telephone: 02476 676986 To advertise please contact David at CathCom on 01440 730399

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December 2012 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 15 Stitchers meet at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details 19 Wednesday 8.00 pm The Knights of St Columba, Hull Council 45, meet at St Joseph’,s RC Church, West Hull 20 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 23 Sunday A Yorkshire Farmers comedic version of Dickens ‘,A Christmas Carol’, at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Tickets: £,10.00/£,8.00/Families £,25.00. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 for further details including timing 4.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York, YO24 4DA 6.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EW 30 Sunday 4.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York, YO24 4DA 6.00 pm Latin Mass in the traditional form at Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EW FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY: We would recommend those wishing to attend the following events check with the relevant organiser or parish to see if they are proceeding 4 - 6 Friday - Sunday Lay Church Workers Retreat led by Fr Terence Richardson. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 4 Friday Dates of events and articles for inclusion in the February issue of Voice must be received by today 7.00 pm First Friday Life Prayer Group meets at The Endsleigh Pastoral Centre, Beverley Road, Hull. Contact Tel: (01482) 342779 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 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 January issue of Catholic Voice available ADVANCE NOTICES 14 - 17 January 2013: ‘,Sacred Writing’, led by Fr Christopher Gorst. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 25 - 27 January 2013 : ‘,Living Prayer’, led by Fr Kieran Monahan. Contact the Hospitality Office, Ampleforth Abbey, Tel: (01439) 766889 for further details 2 February 2013: RCIA Retreat Day at All Saints Lower School, York 17 February 2013: Rite of Election at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough 16 March 2013: ‘,The Faith Story’, - CYMFed National Youth Congress 2013, The Sage, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Fr Paul Farrer, Diocesan Youth Chaplain, E-mail: frpaul@mymission.org.uk for booking 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 Christmas Residential at the Endsleigh Centre commencing with an evening meal on Monday 24 December to depart after breakfast on Wednesday 26 December. £,125.00 per person. Or join us for a delicious Christmas Lunch at £,25.00 per person. Also a New Year Prayer Vigil on Monday 31 December 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 Wednesdays 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm Christian Meditation (12 Dec) It is anticipated St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre will close for Christmas and re-open in the New Year. 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 Friday 4th January 2013. JOHN PAUL CENTRE 250+ CLUB DRAW Date of Draw - 5th November 2012 £,100 Winning No 221 £,75 Winning No 179 £,50 Winning No 77 £,25 Winning No 1 Next Meeting and Monthly Draw Monday 3rd December 2012 NEW MEMBERS WELCOME - ASK FOR DETAILS Tel (01642) 247831 Bishop Terry pictured with Bishop Malcolm McMahon during Mass celebrated at St Wilfrid’,s, York on 10th October 2012 for the Diocesan Education Commissioners National Conference

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16 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + December 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 Diocese of Middlesbrough Safeguarding Coordinator Minimum hours 21 per week, requirement to work more if required Salary £,23,325 pa The Coordinator plays a major part in promoting safeguarding within the Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough. The post holder will use their knowledge and expertise of safeguarding, with their understanding of Church life, to implement and manage safeguarding practice across the Diocese. Applicants will hold a relevant professional qualification and/or have extensive experience of working with people who are vulnerable. The post is based in Middlesbrough but travel across the Diocese is required. Hours of work can be flexible but there is a requirement to work some evenings. Application forms are available from: Safeguarding Office, tel 01642 852266. Closing date for applications: 10th December 2012 at 9.00 am. Short listed applicants will be notified by telephone and invited to an open afternoon at the Curial Office on 13th December 2012. Interviews will be held on 18th December 2012. Interested applicants may telephone Rev John Steel, the current post holder, for further information on 01642 850505 ext 236 or 01845 527011. Vocations View from a Seminarian No sooner had I returned to Rome for my second year of studies, a treat was in store with the visit of a group from the Diocese. A post-confirmation group from the Cathedral parish came on pilgrimage to the Eternal City. Having been on a short placement at the Cathedral over the summer, it was good to see again some of the people I had met. The group, led by Canon Gerard Robinson, came to the College for Sunday Evening Prayer and were given a tour by one of our deacons. We were then invited out with the group for pizza followed by ice cream, which was great fun. One of the challenges of studying in Rome is that you are far away from the Diocese. That is why it is a great joy when a group comes to Rome for a visit. The next morning, Father John Paul Leonard, Ryan Day (fellow Middlesbrough student at the College) and I were invited to join the group for Mass at St Peter’,s Basilica. Canon Robinson had managed to book the altar of Blessed Pope John XXIII for Mass, a big achievement given the popularity of his tomb at the time. The Synod on the New Evangelisation was about to begin and Blessed John’,s tomb has been popular recently, especially as he convened the Second Vatican Council of which we are celebrating the 50th anniversary. To have Mass with the group was a great joy for us, especially just before the opening of the Year of Faith. We were able to pray during Mass, through the intercession of Blessed John, for the growth in faith of the young people. I’,m sure it’,s an experience the youngsters will never forget. Later that week following the group’,s visit, I was able to go to the opening Mass of the Year of Faith in St Peter’,s Square celebrated by the Holy Father. In his homily, the Pope talked about how a “,spiritual desertification”, has spread over the last few decades. But he went on to say that in this desert we “,rediscover the value of what is essential for living”, and that “,people of faith are needed who, with their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive”,. My prayer this year is that especially young Catholics will deepen in their faith and show the path towards Christ to the world. Richard Marsden Annual Mass for deceased Bishops and Clergy The Bishop and Canons of the Chapter and Diocesan priests concelebrated Mass in the Cathedral on 30th October for the deceased Bishops and Clergy of the Diocese. At the end of Mass, the Bishop, priests and deacons processed to the graves of the former Bishops of the Diocese in the Cathedral garden for the blessing of the graves with Holy Water and the ceremony ended with the singing of Salve Regina. Doctor Jim Whiston Thanks for 1,000 years of Pastoral Care On the feast of St Paulinus, 10th October, the Bishop presided over the annual lunch for the retired priests of the Diocese at Burn Hall. The event started with concelebrated Mass during which the Bishop reminded everyone that St Paulinus was in the second wave of missionaries sent to England by Pope Gregory the Great. St Paulinus was initially based in Kent but then moved north and was Bishop of York. The painting behind the Bishop at the altar was of York Minster. During Mass, he thanked priests for over 1,000 years of pastoral service given by them to the Diocese and said they were still an important part of the pastoral activities of the Diocese because they ensured that Mass was celebrated during the holidays and sickness of priests in active ministry. The Bishop welcomed Father Tony Amadi, the third priest from the Congregation of Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy, who has joined Fathers Reuben and Leonard on loan from their Nigerian congregation. Doctor Jim Whiston

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