What’s Inside Faith In Action Page 10 Aid To The Church In Need Special Page 7 Bishop’s Column March 2018 Issue 451 FREE V OICE As we move deeper into Lent, it is good to renew our resolution to make this a season of fresh beginnings and new starts. Although we might have allowed our initial zeal to flag, that is no reason to throw the towel in completely. As I mentioned in my Pastoral Letter on the Second Sunday of Lent, this year we are celebrating a Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool from September 7 to 9. Not everyone will be able to physically attend this event for a variety of reasons, not least that the venue would not fit us all. However, we can all participate in some way and prepare for the congress as individuals and parishes. It would be a marvellous thing if every single parish in the diocese had an hour of Eucharistic Adoration each week so that all of us can have the opportunity of meeting with our Risen and Glorified Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. In Eucharistic Adoration we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, and, as we know, in meeting with another we are changed and challenged, comforted and strengthened. In the presence of Jesus, in a mysterious way, we come to know our true selves. All that is deep within us begins to surface. Things that we would be afraid of within our personalities can be faced with the grace of Jesus’ Eucharistic Presence. In coming to know him we come also to know ourselves better. We are nourished, renewed and given all that we need for the journey ahead. As we become focused on recognising Jesus in “the breaking of the bread”, in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, we also become more aware of his presence in our brothers and sisters whom we meet during the course of our day, especially in the poor and the marginalised and those in greatest need. Again, in every parish there should be a way of facilitating all of us to turn to our brothers and sisters in loving service. Every parish should have a way of reaching out to all in greatest need of help, be it, CAFOD, SVP, a Justice and Peace Group or a particular project specific to that parish. In this way we can all support one another in performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. “My prayer for you is that you may grow in the likeness of Christ, being real carriers of God’s love and that you really bring his presence, first, into your own family, then, to the next door neighbour, the street you live in, the town you live in, the country where you live, then only, in the whole world, that living example of God’s presence.” (St Teresa of Calcutta) Yours in blessed hope, 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 Catholics from England and Wales are invited to visit Dublin for the ninth World Meeting of Families, which takes place from August 21 to 26. Pope Francis is expected to attend the meeting, which has the theme of “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World”. Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said: “The 2018 World Meeting will be held in Dublin, but it is an event of the entire Church. The meeting will hopefully be a festival of witness to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.” “The vocation of Christian couples, supported by the Sacrament of Marriage, is a call to witness to that love and to experience the joy of bringing the love of Jesus to those who are troubled and challenged.” Pope Saint John Paul II asked the Pontifical Council for the Family to establish the WMOF as an international event of prayer, catechesis and celebration that would draw participants from around the globe. It takes place every three years and seeks to strengthen the bonds between families and to witness to the crucial importance of marriage and the family to society. The principal gatherings will be held in Dublin with smaller events taking place in other centres around Ireland. The meeting itself will begin with a major three-day conference at which international speakers will address the challenges of the family. Each day will open with a major talk followed by break-out groups on a wide range of theological, spiritual, social and scientific questions on the place of the family in today’s word and will conclude with Mass. A larger function of testimonies will be held on Saturday August 25 to celebrate the place of the family in the Church and a final Mass will conclude the meeting on the afternoon of Sunday August 26. Tickets or registration is required for all events and while some are free, others will be subject to a fee. A wide range of accommodation is available and can be arranged at the same time as booking tickets. Please visit worldmeeting2018.ie for more details. Families Invited To World Meeting Easter Schedule 2018 Holy Week, St Mary’s Cathedral Palm Sunday 25 March 4.00 pm Saturday Vigil/Blessing of Palms (The Lady Chapel, Mount Grace) 6.30 pm Saturday Vigil/Blessing of Palms 10.00 am Mass/Blessing of Palms 5.00 pm Mass Monday 26 March 6.30 pm Mass Tuesday 27 March 12 noon Chrism Mass 6.00 pm Children’s Last Supper Service Wednesday 28 March 9.15 am Mass 7.00 pm Deanery Reconciliation Service Holy Thursday 7.00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Watching until 10 pm ending with Night Prayer Good Friday 10.00 am Morning Prayer and Office of Readings 10.00 am Stations of the Cross (Mount Grace - Meet at the bottom of the hill) 3.00 pm Solemn Passion Easter Saturday 10.00 am Morning Prayer and Office of Readings 8.00 pm Easter Vigil Easter Sunday 10.00 am Easter Day Mass 5.00 pm Easter Day Mass

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2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 NEWS What The Eucharist Means To Me As we continue preparations for Adoremus, the National Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool on the weekend of September 7 to 9, we’ve been asking people in the diocese what role the Eucharist plays in their lives. In the second part of this regular series, we look at the centrality of the Eucharist in the lives of three bishops. If you would like to contribute your own short reflection, please email it together with a photograph to catholicvoice@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk. My Moments With Jesus I have always been a hands-on, practical person. If there is something to do then I would rather get stuck in and get on with it. With the experience that life brings, I slowly but surely recognised that while it is fine to be practical and hands-on, a little time thinking through always helps and forward planning won’t go amiss. When I was first ordained to the priesthood, this spirit of get-up-and-go certainly got me off to a quick and dynamic start. But a few years down the line, I realised that I was running out of steam. I had relied totally on my own energy and my own gifts. Through the help of wise people and spiritual directors, I began to realise that I needed to spend time with the one who had given me the energy and the gifts in the first place. That was when I discovered how important it was for me to spend time quietly before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. How was I going to do the work of the Lord if I did not spend time with him listening to his word, and allowing him to speak to my heart? This has been even more obvious to me since I have been made bishop. Without time spent before the Lord I would find it very difficult to make sense of the task that has been placed before me as bishop of the Diocese of Middlesbrough. Each day, either early in the morning or in the evening, or both sometimes, I spend time in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, just waiting on him, adoring him silently and expecting to hear his word spoken to my heart and through the scriptures. Without this encouragement and direction from the Lord, I would be totally lost and at sea! + Bishop Terry The Centre Of Our Unity During the 15 years I spent as Bishop of Middlesbrough there were a whole host of pastoral occasions that evoke happy memories. But always the most fulfilling of those events centred around celebrating the Eucharist in different settings, in parish churches, schools, colleges and other community venues. Pride of place, though, among these occasions, was no doubt the annual Chrism Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Holy Week. To celebrate the Eucharist in the midst of a congregation representative of the whole diocesan family, lay, religious and clergy, was both an intensely spiritual and humanly satisfying experience. Here were the people of God from around the local church gathered about their bishop to sing the praises of God, “who called us out of the darkness into his own wonderful light” (Preface One of Sundays). The Mass, the Eucharist, is at the heart of the Church’s life, indeed without the Eucharist there would in a deep sense be no Church around which to gather. So it is that the pre- eminent calling of any diocesan bishop is to gather the people of God around the altar. He is the centre of unity in the local church, just as the Holy Father is the centre of unity for the Universal Church. Of course, in the truest sense, it is Christ Jesus, Our Risen Lord, who is the centre of our unity; the bishop’s role is simply to be the delegated visible sign of that bond of unity between the Risen Christ and his Church. Writing the above has caused me to ponder afresh what an awesome vocation is that of a diocesan bishop, and how grateful I am to God for allowing me to exercise that ministry of service to his people. + John Crowley, sixth bishop of Middlesbrough Diocese *From Monday March 19 Bishop John Crowley will be moving to… Flat 2, Francis Court, Caddington Road, Cricklewood, London, NW2 1RP The flat is one of four that are especially intended for retired clergy and is close to St Agnes Church, Cricklewood. Bishop John hopes to focus now on his retreat-giving work, which has grown considerably in recent years. The Source Of All We Are Recently, at a meal for my three seminarians and three new students who were going to begin their propaedeutic period at our Royal Scots College in Salamanca before entering seminary, I wanted to thank them for their generosity and goodness. I also felt urgently the need to thank Almighty God myself for the gift of my own priestly vocation. Next year I shall celebrate 40 years as a priest, and six years as a bishop. Central to everything I try to do – whether it be mission, visitations to parishes, care of the priests and religious, celebration of the great feasts of our Catholic faith or encouraging young people to discern what the Lord wants them to do with their lives, is the daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This is my daily contact with the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, my participation in His Passion, Death and Resurrection. To the Eucharist I bring my joys, triumphs, sorrows, failures, aspirations and intentions. From my encounter with the Risen and Triumphant Lord in the Mass I receive a share in the life of heaven here on earth in Holy Communion. How do those who have no faith or struggling faith keep up with the pace of our modern world with its temptations and zeitgeist, the “spirit of the age”, which is nowadays so often inimical to the ways of God? How many of us are caught up in so many traps and enslaved by so many fruitless conventions, destructive habits and hopeless life situations? And yet Christ lovingly invites us constantly to his door, calling us to cross the threshold of hope, for only he is our hope. So our Eucharist looks back to Christ, heals us now and promises a share in the life of Heaven. What more can we ask? Especially as a bishop? The sacrifice of the Mass must lay at the centre of all I do and say; for the Eucharistic grace of Christ is the principal means of bringing the people of the Lord in the diocese I try to serve into a unity. The Eucharistic gifts we receive ensure that what we profess in our faith and celebrate with our lips, is also lived out fruitfully and truthfully in our lives. The Eucharist is the fons et culmen , the source and summit of all we have and are. It is the pledge of everlasting life. + Bishop Stephen Robson, Bishop of Dunkeld, Scotland

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March 2018 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 NEWS 16th-23rd May 19th- 26th September 2018 Flying from Newcastle Airport £589 Plus Insurance £30 if required CONTACT MARIE BEDINGFIELD 07544 540464/ 01642- 530739 Atol No:10206 MEDJUGORJE 2018 (plus single supplement ) Twitter: @MbroDiocese Facebook: /MiddlesbroughDiocese flickr.com/photos/middlesbroughdiocese Hardworking Father Tom Was A Sporting All-Rounder Father Tom Ryan, who served for 40 years in parishes in the north and south of our diocese, died at 6am on the morning of Saturday February 3 at the age of 86. Father Tom was born in Caherconlish, County Limerick, on August 29 1931. He attended St Patrick’s Seminary in Thurles and was ordained priest on September 29 1956. He served as a curate at St Peter’s, South Bank, from 1956 to 1961. He continued as a curate in Corpus Christi Church, Hull, from 1961 to 1965, and St Patrick’s Church in Middlesbrough from 1965 to 1971. In 1971 he became parish priest at St Patrick’s Church, Hull, where he remained until 1990, becoming parish priest of St Joseph’s and St Cuthbert’s in Loftus until his retirement in 1996. He then returned to Caherconlish and in his later years he moved into St Paul’s Nursing Home in Dooradoyle, Limerick. Father Tom leaves behind sisters, Anna, who is a Presentation Sister, and Catarina, a Sister of Mercy. He was predeceased by his brothers Michael, Father Dick, Denis and Sister Mary Colette. Canon Dan Spaight first met Father Tom in 1953 when they were student priests together at Thurles and they remained lifelong friends. “He was ordained and went ahead of me to Middlesbrough and although we were never placed together in the same parish, we spent leisure time together and played golf regularly,” he said. “He had a great sense of humour and was a big, strong man and a sporting all-rounder, playing hurling and handball and taking part in All Ireland colleges sports at weight- throwing. “When he was younger he cycled ten miles to school in Limerick and back every day, milking the cows before and afterwards. “He and Father Jimmy Quinn won the three- legged race in the Easter sports at Thurles every year. They were only beaten once, when the spancel attaching their legs together fell off! “As a priest he was a very hard worker who spent time on hospital and school visits. I visited him regularly at the nursing home but in recent times he suffered badly from Alzheimer’s disease.” Father Tom’s death means that Canon Spaight, who lives in County Clare, is one of only three retired priests who served in Middlesbrough now living in Ireland, along with Father Pat Grant and Father Pat Bluett. “We in the Middlesbrough Diocese have been so blessed to have received the ministry of Father Tom and so many priests from Ireland,” said Vicar General Monsignor Gerard Robinson. “We thank all Father Tom’s family and friends for the support they have given him throughout his priestly life and especially in these latter years.” Father Tom’s funeral took place on Tuesday February 6 at Our Lady, Mother of the Church in Caherconlish, before burial in St Lawrence Cemetery. Canon Dan was the main celebrant, assisted by a large number of Father Tom’s brother priests. Mass for the Repose of Father Tom’s soul will be celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough on Tuesday 20 February at noon, when the intentions of his family and friends will also be remembered. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord. Event Launches Environment Policy For The Diocese Pope Francis has called us to re-examine our relationship with our earthly home and to become creative in ways to care for the planet and all its inhabitants. As a response to his encyclical Laudato Si` , the Justice and Peace Commission is launching an environment policy for the diocese at an event in York called Mission Earth 2. The policy focuses on ways parishes and individuals can come together to look at practical and spiritual steps to live in harmony with our planet, examine our use of resources and make a difference. We are delighted to welcome Ellen Teague as our keynote speaker. Ellen has been a member of the Columban team that focuses on Justice and Peace and the Integrity of Creation for more than 20 years and is highly knowledgeable and experienced. There will also be stalls from other organisations involved in important environmental issues. Mission Earth 2 takes place on Saturday April 21 from 10am to 2pm at All Saints Lower School, Nunnery Lane, York. More details will follow in April’s Voice. All are very welcome. Barbara Hungin Pope Francis poses for a selfie as he attends a weekly audience during February. Photo courtesy of Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk A new free app has been designed to help Catholics explore their ultimate purpose and discover their unique path to heaven. God Calls has been produced by the National Office for Vocation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for England and Wales. It’s packed with resources including prayers for dawn, noon and night, daily questions to help you open up the Gospel, snapshots of the lives of the saints and a journal to allow you to track your spiritual growth day-by-day. There’s also a guide to Catholic retreats and events in your area and across the UK, a monthly quiz on a faith-related theme and a God Calls’ Twitter feed. You’ll find three new questions to help you understand each day’s Gospel and how Christ’s teaching applies to your life today. There are also weekly insights into the lives of the saints and what led to their holy choices. God Calls is available for iPhone and Android. To download the app please visit godcalls.co.uk. God Calls – Will You Listen? A Thank You And A Request From Sister Imelda Sister Imelda Poole, of the anti-people trafficking charity RENATE, would like to thank Voice readers for generously donating more than £600 in our Advent Appeal. The money was transferred to Albania, where the favourable exchange rate and lower prices of medicines and other vital goods mean it will go a long way. Sister Imelda has specifically asked us to remember those affected by trafficking in our own prayers and in prayer groups across the diocese. Anyone wishing to support RENATE in 2018 can contact her at Sister Jacinta Davenport IBVM, 28 Hartley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4AY or email John and Margaret Hinman at jnhinman@gmail.com. John and Margaret Hinman, members of RENATE

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4 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 SCHOOLS Feast of the Month The Washing of Feet Thursday March 29 It was after the supper. Jesus got up from the table and, taking off his outer garment, he wrapped a towel round his waist. Then he poured some water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet. When it was Peter’s turn, the apostle tried to stop him but Jesus replied: “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” Peter answered: “Lord, not just my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” When Jesus had finished he said: “I have set an example for you to serve others as I have served you.” Celebrations After Glowing School Report St Pius X Primary School in Park End, Middlesbrough, is celebrating after being judged to be “Good” in all areas in its latest Ofsted report. The school was inspected on January 12 and the resulting report said it demonstrates strong practice in certain areas, which may indicate it is improving towards being outstanding. The report highlights the academic achievements of the children stating: “In the last two years, the progress of pupils by the end of key stage 2 has been exceptional, well within the top 10% of schools nationally in reading and mathematics. The progress of disadvantaged pupils has been considerably stronger than that of other pupils nationally.” It also praises the school’s “relevant, broad and balanced curriculum”, saying: “Pupils enjoy rich and varied experiences. The stimulating and rich experiences adults make available to pupils are manifest in the high- quality displays throughout the school. “Pupils’ excellent behaviour in lessons and the way in which they follow the rules at break times contribute to them being and feeling safe.” Leadership and management were acknowledged, including the work of a governing body that: “Understands well the strengths and areas for development. Governors are not in the least bit complacent about the strong trend of achievement and they challenge you to do even better.” Headteacher Peter Gair said: “The report is the result of the hard work of the school community – pupils, parents and staff. It was the best possible outcome under recent changes to section 8 inspections and reflects the dedication and success of the school.” MP Promises To Raise Environmental Concerns York MP Rachel Maskell highlighted the need for people to bring environmental issues to their MPs’ attention during a UCM study day on Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’. The event was hosted by the St Aelred’s UCM Foundation in York under the leadership of its president Sarah Sheils. Special guest Ms Maskell, who was one of a number of speakers, expressed her willingness to receive constituents at her weekly surgery and promised to raise any relevant topics in parliament. The day attracted participants who shared an interest in environmental issues and those involved in community projects. They were invited to work in groups to analyse scriptural references of teachings on the encyclical and look at solutions that can be implemented at individual and community levels. Kath Stubbs

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March 2018 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 5 NEWS 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 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 We would like to thank these schools for always supporting the paper. If your school would like to do the same please contact Caroline on 07931 836926 or 01440 730399 or email carolineg@cathcom.org o book your advert St George`s Roman Catholic Primary School Yo r k Head Teacher: Mrs Deirdre 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 Catholic Voluntary Academy ‘Together in God we love, learn and grow’ Part of St Nicholas Postgate Academy Trust Mersey Road, Redcar TS10 1LS Headteacher: Mrs Kendra Sill Tel: 01642 495770 E-mail: schooladmin@st-benedicts.rac.sch.uk Website: www.st-benedicts.co.uk Christ the King Primary School Part of Our Lady of Light Catholic Academy Trust Tedder Avenue, Thornaby, Stockton-On-Tees TS17 9JP Headteacher - Mr M Ryan Tel: 01642 765639 Email: christtheking@sbcschools.org.uk Middlesbrough Catenians and their guests heard inspiring speeches given by two exports from our diocese at the association’s annual dinner. Father Paul Farrer and CAFOD’s Liam Finn addressed the audience after they enjoyed a three-course meal at the Riverside Stadium, home of Middlesbrough Football Club. Hull-born Father Paul is based in Valladolid in Spain, where he is Rector at the Royal and Pontifical English College of St Alban, helping train the next generation of priests. Father Paul spoke of the challenges of his role and admitted: “It’s a really scary job. We’re going to need a new breed of priest who will be able to help people rediscover and embrace what has been lost, undervalued and suppressed, like the college martyr priests before them. “The terrain that these new men will be priests on will be almost unrecognisable to us. Their experience of the Church is going to be vastly different to ours. “A massive change in recent years is that lads don’t come because of what is happening in their parish, it’s because they’ve been to Lourdes, or World Youth Day or been involved in outreach work. “We never really had to worry about spreading the good news of our faith, people seemed to just come to us. At the risk of stating the obvious, times have changed and so must we.” Born and bred in Middlesbrough, Liam achieved a first-class Law degree at Cambridge University but decided on a media career after completing his studies. Now the charity’s UK news officer based at its London headquarters, he said: “Growing up in the Catholic community in this area shaped the way I look at the world, what I want to do in the world and has given me the opportunities to chase those ambitions.” He said CAFOD stands beside people living in poverty – whatever their religion or culture. Through local church partners, it helps people directly in their own communities and campaigns for global justice. “CAFOD’s work is so successful because we connect one community to another – and because we’re part of those communities,” he added. “We want to live in a world where no-one is beyond reach. To do that, we need your support. That’s why we’re so grateful for the backing you give us, year-in, year-out. “We provide people with the skills and tools to pull themselves out of poverty, helping them to live with dignity and support their families. “We help people to recover when they’ve lost homes, livelihoods or loved ones in emergencies such an earthquake in Nepal or Inspiring Speeches At Catenian Dinner the Ebola outbreak a few years back.” Circle president Phil Luke entertained guests, including many members of the clergy, with a speech that included an amusing version of the Squeeze song Cool For Cats, with words especially adapted for the occasion. The Catenians association’s primary purpose is to create a network of men that enhances their family life, strengthens their faith and sustains them in difficult times. Established in 1908, the name derives from Catena, the Latin word for chain. Each member is a link upon which the strength of the whole chain depends. Every year, the Catenian bursary fund gives grants of more than £100,000 to young Catholics aged 16 to 24, who work as helpers on diocesan and HCPT pilgrimages to Lourdes or volunteer on projects around the world. Pictured at the dinner are Steve Hodgson, vice-president of Middlesbrough Catenians Circle, Father Paul Farrer, Liam Flynn, Phil Luke, Brendan Leer and Peter Glynn, both from Province Five of the Catenian Association, and Canon John Loughlin If you have any Open Days or Staff Vacancies coming up, please remember to advertise these in The Voice . We have larger size adverts for these events and we offer Schools significant discounts so to book or enquire call Caroline on 07931 836926 or email carolineg@cathcom.org. We can also make up artwork for you free of charge.

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6 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 A Letter From Madonna House Recently I was invited to give a talk in Scotland on the centrality of the Eucharist in my life. I leapt at the chance. I pictured a Church full of people gearing for the Eucharistic Congress to be held next September. “Well actually, it’s primarily for 35 children preparing for their first Holy Communion,” Father Jeremy explained. Ah, that changes the level of the talk. “And their parents will be there, many of whom we’ll never see again…and it’s for about 15 minutes.” Ah, that certainly changes things. How can you speak in just a few minutes about this sacred subject in a way that will capture the attention (and hopefully hearts) of children and their parents, who may not be too interested? It would have to be a story. Whose? Well, I guess that would be mine. I was raised in a Protestant family and my only experience of anything resembling the Eucharist was a very occasional memorial service. Unaccustomed to any form of ritual, no one seemed comfortable with this strange event. When I was 18 years of age, I “met” God. He poured himself into my heart one night, declaring that he was passionately in love with me. Who could resist such love? My heart was his forever. A month later, I met and fell in love with a wonderful Catholic man, who introduced me to his Church. I immediately sensed my beloved Lord present there, and a thirst for the Eucharist began to take over my heart. Easter was three months away and I decided the Vigil Mass would be the perfect setting for my “First Holy Communion”. I knew it would be a life-changing encounter, and not one to be taken lightly, so I took those three months to study, pray and prepare myself for this act of love with my Lord. That was 45 years ago, and I still remember this “wedding night”. It was held in the gymnasium of my university, with rows of metal stacking chairs setting up a temporary “church”. I remember receiving Communion and walking back to my chair with streams of electricity flowing through me. It was as if every nook and cranny in my body was now physically receiving the Presence of Jesus. This inpouring lasted for hours, until I finally fell asleep with the dawn. That was the dawn of a new life for me – one in which I can no longer live without receiving my Lord in the Eucharist. He truly is my life, my food, my beloved one. Now, that First Holy Communion wasn’t “legal”. I wasn’t Catholic, and no one told me I needed to join the Church to receive Christ in the sacraments. That all came later. But the consummation of my conversion experience was that night of my first Communion and I have never been the same since. How do you convey the life-changing power of this Sacrament of love to children and their parents in 15 minutes? Pray that my story will capture their hearts and cause them to burn with desire for the Lord of Love. 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 madonnahouse.org. Thank you so much. To Burn With Desire NEWS Parishioners of English Martyrs and students from All Saints School will join members of neighbouring churches in York to celebrate Women’s World Day of Prayer. The theme of this year’s service, written by women in Suriname, in South America, is “All God’s creation is very good”. They ask us to pray for conservation and the protection of wildlife and to be aware of the dangers of pollution for the whole planet. This echoes the themes of Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, and CAFOD suggests that its study guide on the encyclical, which is available at cafod.og.uk/Pray/Laudato-Si-encyclical, might be useful in preparing for the day. This is not simply a day of prayer for women, but for everyone who cares about our world and who lives in it. It’s estimated that three million people around the world will take part in a service over the course of the day. Everyone is welcome – women, men and children. Our service takes place at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York, on Friday March 2 at 2pm and members of local Anglican churches St Chad’s and St Clements will also be attending. Please come and join us. For more information email judith.smeaton@btinternet.com. Judith Smeaton Women’s World Day Of Prayer In York Once again we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our donors, which enabled us to help more than 700 families in need at Christmas. In addition to the individual donations, 17 primary and secondary schools took part, providing beautiful hampers for many of these families. Our grateful thanks go to the pupils, their teachers, our donors and many others who helped make up the hampers and assisted with deliveries. Little did we realise when we started this campaign that the need would be as great, if not greater, almost 30 years on but due to high unemployment and benefit cuts the requests for help increase. However, by the grace of God and the generosity of so many, we have always been able to meet the demand. On behalf of CAUSE and all those who have benefited from your kindness, I thank you and wish you and your families a happy and peaceful 2018. God bless you all. Pat Wilson CAUSE Thanks Donors For Generosity Christmas seems a long time ago now, but the memories will live on long in the memories of forty St Mary’s Cathedral guests. For the second year running, people who might otherwise have been alone on Christmas Day were invited to the cathedral in an event organised by the parish along with Ageing Better Middlesbrough.

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AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED March 2018 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 7 Keeping The Faith Around The World Police and soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been accused of killing at least four people and injuring several others in attacks on more than 130 churches around the country. In one incident on January 12, two people were injured when security forces reportedly fired tear gas at Kinshasa Cathedral after a Mass for people killed by military and police. Soldiers and police are said to have fired live ammunition as the faithful were coming out of Mass at St Dominic’s Church, Limete. Accusing the DRC’s police and army of an unprovoked attack within the church grounds, Father Jean Nkongolo said he asked them to stop shooting the parishioners and was shot in the face by a rubber bullet. The security forces also reportedly fired stun projectiles and tear gas at the religious procession in the church’s grounds, almost killing a woman. Four other parishioners were injured by rubber bullets. Father Apollinaire Cikongo, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Kananga Province, explained: “Every Sunday after Mass the parishioners go the Grotto of Our Lady within the church grounds to pray the Salve Regina prayer and get a blessing. “Father Nkongolo said it was at this moment the parishioners were attacked and shot with tear gas and rubber bullets by the security forces.” In a special feature this month, we look at some of the places in the world where Christians and others are threatened or persecuted because of their faith, and the work currently being carried out to by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to protect and support them… Security Forces Accused Of Attacks On Churchgoers Church leaders across Syria have spoken of the faithful’s suffering during military bombardments. Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar wrote: “The bombs of January 22 have now claimed 24 victims – of which seven were children who were hit as they left school.” A boy of three and a 17-year-old girl were among those who died in an ancient Christian district of Damascus. Toddler Elie Khoury was walking with his parents when three rockets landed and student Rita Eid was returning home from the Church-run Al Riaya School, which ACN has supported. Archbishop Nassar narrowly avoided death himself when a bomb landed on his bed. The Melkite Patriarchate on Straight Street – the only road mentioned in the New Testament and the place where St Paul stayed – was damaged when a bomb fell on the courtyard. The neighbouring Sisters of Jesus and Mary Convent was also partially destroyed. Biblical Sites Damaged In Bombardment A 13-year-old has spoken of holding her dying father in her arms after a Daesh (ISIS) suicide bomb attack on the Cairo church where he worked. Nabil Habib, a security guard at St Peter and St Paul’s Coptic Church, was among 29 people killed in December 2016. Daughter Marian said: “Losing my dad put me in a state of shock for more than a month and a psychiatrist visited me. Finally, it was God’s mercy, his consolation, which helped me recover. I have joined the church choir, which gives me inner peace, because it is one of the things that brings me closer to God.” ACN supported 47 projects in Egypt last year, including programmes for young Catholics as well as the formation of seminarians and priests. Faith Brings Peace After Father’s Death A 10-year-old girl and her family who fled the genocidal violence of Daesh have returned to their hometown Qaraqosh after nearly three years in exile in Kurdistan. Helda Khalid Jacob Hindi, her parents and younger brother were among up to 44,000 Christians who fled the Syriac Catholic majority town when it was seized. Most sought shelter in Kurdistan, where ACN backed the local Churches’ emergency aid programme. Helda said: “We had only God and we never stopped believing in his power and his mercy for all those hurting in Iraq and around the world. Whenever we approach him in prayer and faith, we feel joy and confidence without end. My family, friends and relatives never felt that God was far away from us. God has been with me always.” ACN is working with the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee to rebuild Christian towns and villages Returning Girl: ‘God Was Always With Us’ Syrian bombing victim Rita Eid Father Jean Nkongolo, who was hit by a rubber bullet Nabil Habib with a photograph of her father, who was killed at the church he was guarding God was always with us – Iraqi schoolgirl Helda Khalid Jacob Hindi 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 in Iraq, renovating hundreds of homes in Qaraqosh and Bartella. ACN is a Pontifical Foundation of the Catholic Church, supporting Christians where they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. Visit acnuk.org for more information on the charity’s work.

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8 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018

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March 2018 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 9

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10 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 NEWS A Catholic organisation that began in the crumbled ruins of war-ravaged Italy is coming to our diocese for its summer conference. Plans are well underway for the Focolare Movement’s Mariapolis GB 2018 at Ampleforth Abbey from April 4 to 8. The Mariapolis began as a summer gathering for people of all ages and backgrounds to rest and reflect together. It is part of the Focolare Movement, an international movement, inspired by the gospel and working for unity in all spheres of life. For more than 60 years it has drawn together people of all Christian traditions and from many of the world’s religions, alongside people with no formal faith who share the aim of building a united world. This year’s theme is “Beyond all Borders”. Taking place in the days just after Easter, Mariapolis 2018 offers the chance to reflect on this journey against the backdrop of Ampleforth, a centre of prayer and community for centuries. This retreat with a difference will also have many opportunities for dialogue, celebration, relaxation and fun. For details visit focolare.org/gb. Mariapolis GB Comes To Ampleforth Sunday March 4 at 10am: Sung Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir) Wednesday March 7 at 6pm: Sung Benediction with Vespers (Cantor) Sunday March 11 at 10am: Sung Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir) Sunday March 11 at 4.15pm: Sung Solemn Vespers (Cathedral Consort) Wednesday March 14 at 6pm: Sung Benediction with Vespers (Ladies Schola) Sunday March 18 at 10am: Sung Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir) Wednesday March 21 at 6pm: Sung Benediction with Vespers (Low voices Schola) Sunday March 25 at 10am: Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday (Cathedral Choir) Tuesday March 27 at noon: Mass of Chrism (Cathedral and Diocesan Choir) Thursday March 29 at 7pm: Solemn Mass of Maundy Thursday (Cathedral Choir) Friday March 30 at 3pm: Good Friday (Cathedral Choir) Saturday March 31 at 8pm: Easter Vigil Sunday April at 10am: Easter Day Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir) For more information about our choral services and music visit us online at https://sites.google.com/site/middlesbroughcathedralmusic. March Choral Services At St Mary’s Cathedral Redcar Students Turn Faith Into Action Generous Redcar students, staff and parents helped save the life of a sick young mother by paying for her medical treatment with their spending money during a visit to Ghana. The 18-strong group from the Sacred Heart Secondary School were taking part in their fourth partnership visit to a school in the West African state, where they share science teaching as well as helping with development projects. Members of the party became concerned for the health of Felicia, one of the waitresses in their hotel, and when she told them she felt unwell they sprang into action. Trip coordinator Lesley Meadows, the school’s exams officer, takes up the story. “We all thought Felicia was pregnant as she was a very petite lady and had a very pronounced tummy,” she explains. “We had baby clothes with us and would have given them to her, but when we were told she wasn’t pregnant we were all quite concerned. “Late one evening Felicia came up to me and just said, ‘Madam, I am very sick.’ I asked her if it was her tummy and she said it was. I knew one of our group, Linda Antunes, was a nurse and had come armed with a full emergency kit, so I called her out of bed. “Between us we established a bit of medical history, as her English was poor. We also found out the cost of medical care in Ghana and realised that was why Felicia had not seen a doctor. Just to get into the hospital is five cedis, which is about £1), and Felicia only earns seven cedis a day. “We said she must go to hospital the following day and she was admitted only after we had paid for her bed, sheets, and the food and water she would need. This was in addition to treatment and drugs. “On hearing Felicia’s plight, the rest of the group immediately organised a collection and raised another 200 cedis. Everyone gave what little they had left to help this young 32-year-old mother of two. “Felicia’s mother came to the hotel to thank everyone for helping her daughter and we were very sad to leave Ghana not knowing how Felicia was.” Felicia had cysts on both ovaries and one in a fallopian tube. After two weeks in hospital she spent a few days in the care of her mother, before returning to work. “She must have been in incredible pain when she came to me,” says Lesley. “But I have been in touch with our friends recently and she is doing well. “To me, this act of helping another human being in their hour of need was a true reflection of the care and compassion that our group had – real faith in action.” The school group always stays in the same place and have struck up firm friendships with many teachers, children and locals. Over the years they have installed a rainwater harvesting system, paid for internet in the school library, whiteboards in all classrooms and replacement mosquito netting on windows. They also took refurbished laptops, which has enabled the school to get matched funding from their government. “The whole environment is much nicer, brighter and more colourful,” says Lesley. The visit costs around £1,700 each and the whole school is involved in fundraising so that every student who wants to go can. Stokesley Rotary Club and a local cycling club have also given support. “The village is right out in the sticks and we are the only tourists who go there,” says Lesley. “There’s no running water or mod cons and there are regular power cuts. “The students see a whole different culture out there and come back much more thoughtful.” The Sacred Heart group in front of a shelter they helped build, complete with carved Akwaaba (“Welcome”) sign Felicia after her surgery and recovery with the group’s Ghanaian guide Yaw Azure

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March 2018 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 11 NEWS 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 Berwick Hills Funeralcare 1 Norfolk Place, TS3 7PB 01642 211814 Guisborough Funeralcare Park Lane, Guisborough TS14 6NT 01287 637700 Hetherington Funeralcare Buxton House 10A High Street, Middlesbrough TS6 0JZ 01642 453097 Hilda House Funeralcare Dalby Way Parkway Centre, Coulby Newham TS8 0TW 01642 596600 Billingham Funeralcare 61 Station Road, TS23 1AE 01642 550737 Marton Funeralcare 36 Stokesley Road, TS7 8DX 01642 313184 Middlesbrough Funeralcare 398 Linthorpe Road, TS5 6HF 01642 828301 Queensway Funeralcare 68 Queensway, Billingham, TS23 2NP 01642 363798 Redcar Funeralcare 29 Station Road, Redcar TS10 1AN 01642 482275 Stockton on Tees Funeralcare 99-109 Norton Road, TS18 2BG 01642 674377 This Month`s Clergy Anniversaries Please pray for the following priests of our diocese whose anniversaries are during the month of March. The place name indicates where they are buried. 1 1908 Very Rev Canon James Wells York 6 1944 Very Rev Canon Thomas Noone Pocklington 7 2015 Rev Joseph Brennan Enfield 8 1927 Rev Patrick Clancy Hull 8 1927 Rev Charles Donovan Wycliffe 8 1999 Rev James Gannon Middlesbrough 9 2007 Very Rev Mgr Patrick Lannen Dungarvan 10 2015 Rev Michael Murray Carlisle 12 1934 Very Rev Canon Patrick Cronin York 12 1951 Rev Michael McEldowney Grangetown 14 1886 Very Rev Provost Henry Walker South Bank 15 1932 Very Rev Canon A D’Hooghe Thornaby 16 1908 Rev Edmund Hickey Egton Bridge 16 1969 Very Rev Matthew O’Connell York 17 1968 Rev Richard O’Riordan Hull 21 1949 Very Rev Canon John Owens Hull 21 1969 Rt Rev George Brunner Middlesbrough 21 1991 Very Rev Canon Patrick Bluett MC TD Florida 24 1935 Rev Stephen Hines York 26 1997 Rev Matthias Smyth Ballyjamesduff 27 1963 Rev Eugene O’Reilly Hedon 27 2012 Rev Hugh Curristan Letterkenny 29 1960 Rt Rev Mgr Provost Patrick Lynn Scarborough 30 1972 Rev Oswin Corboy BA Scarborough Churchgoers in our diocese have been thanked for their generosity after the 2017 Good Friday collection raised £12,515 to support the Church in the Holy Land. Brother Raymond Hynes OFM, vice commissary of the Holy Land, said the money would be put to good use and promised prayers for all those who donated. “On behalf of all those working in the Holy Land Custody, I thank you for the continued support that your diocese provides for the Church in those lands,” he said. “The friars and people there really do appreciate your generosity and ask me to thank you on their behalf. Prayers are offered daily in the Holy Land for all their benefactors.” The Holy Land collection is taken in most dioceses around the world on Good Friday to support the Christian community that has remained in the region through the centuries, often at the cost of great sacrifice and even martyrdom. The collection helps ensure that important buildings remain accessible and local Christians are able to stay in their homeland, as well as supporting families, parishes, seminaries, schools, hospitals, clinics, refugees and small businesses. Thanks From The Holy Land Bishops of the annual Holy Land Coordination, which focuses on prayer, pilgrimage and advocacy for justice in soli- darity with the Christian community, visited Jerusalem’s Melkite Cathedral earlier this year – Photo courtesy of Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk

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12 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 2 Fri Dates of events and articles for inclusion in the April issue of Voice must be received by today. 12 noon Lenten Station Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral (Stations of the Cross from 11.15am) followed by Lenten lunch in the Cathedral hall 3 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact:christianmeditation.beverley@gm ail.com 4 Sun 10am Sung Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir), St Mary’s Cathedral 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 6 Tues 7pm 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 Wed 6pm Sung Benediction with Vespers (Cantor), St Mary’s Cathedral 6.30pm The Secular Franciscan Order meets every first Wednesday of the month at More House, Heslington, York. Contact: Mrs Lyn Bradbury OFS, tel (01904) 470041 for further details. 6.30pm Latin Mass, St Charles Borromeo, Jarett Street, Hull, HU1 3HB 9 Fri 12 noon Lenten Station Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral (Stations of the Cross from 11.15am) followed by Lenten lunch in the Cathedral hall 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 10 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact:christianmeditation.beverley@gm ail.com 11 Sun 10am Sung Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir), St Mary’s Cathedral 12 noon Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 3pm Diocese of Middlesbrough LGBT+ outreach and service; Mass giving an explicit welcome to LGBT+ Catholics, their families and friends, in the chapel of The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ 4.15pm Sung Solemn Vespers (Cathedral Consort), St Mary’s Cathedral 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. 12 Mon 7.30pm Justice & Peace meet at St Bede’s Pastoral Centre, Blossom Street, York. Contact Nan Saeki (01904) 783621 for further details 13 Tues 12.45pm Hull and District Catholic Women’s Luncheon Club meet at the Kingston Theatre Hotel, Hull. 2pm-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 14 Wed 10.30am The Life Ascending Group at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle meets after morning Mass 10.30am The Life Ascending Group at St Leonard & St Mary, Malton meets 2-3.30pm ‘Music for the Mind’, St Mary’s Cathedral hall. All welcome, particular those with dementia, their carers, families and friends. 2.30pm ‘Prayer Group, John Paul Centre, 55 Grange Road, Middlesbrough. New members welcome. 6pm Sung Benediction with Vespers (Ladies Schola), St Mary’s Cathedral 15 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 16 Fri 12 noon Lenten Station Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral (Stations of the Cross from 11.15am) followed by Lenten Lunch in the Cathedral hall 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 17 Sat 10.30am Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact: christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 7.30pm Sacred Heart Parish Dance (Sean Kelly, admission ticket only), Erimus Club, Cumberland Road, Middlesbrough TS5 6JB. Contact Eddie: 01642 860227 18 Sun 10am Sung Solemn Mass (Cathedral Choir), St Mary’s Cathedral 12 noon Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 1pm-3pm St Thomas More’s Church Hall, ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’, tombola, raffle, cakes, refreshments, Easter Bonnet competition and much more. Come along and enjoy the fun with family and friends. 3pm Catholic Fellowship Mass, St Gabriel’s, Ormesby 6pm Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF BISHOP TERENCE PATRICK DRAINEY ENGAGEMENTS FOR MARCH 2018 Due to a recent accident and subsequent surgery a number of the Bishop’s official engagements have been cancelled or postponed. 5 Attends meeting of CSAN Trustee Board at Bishop’s House, Middlesbrough 12 noon 21 Attends meeting of Diocesan Board of Trustees at Bishop’s House, Middlesbrough 10.30 am 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. 9 April – The Annunciation – Rosary 1.30pm, Mass 2pm, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace 14 April ‘Come Holy Spirit’ The Ryedale Christian Council invites you to a day conference, Alban Roe House, Ampleforth Abbey. 9.30am-4pm. Contact Helen3goodman:helen3goodman@outlook.com 16 April ‘Adoremus: National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress 2018’; York Newman Circle, Fr William Massie, 7.30pm Bar Convent, Blossom Street, York. Further information from judith.smeaton@btinternet.com. Our advertisers are great supporters of The Voice so please support them Parishes! Advertise your Easter Mass Times in next month’s edition Call Nick on 01440 730399 or email nick@ cathcom.org

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March 2018 + 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 2 March for the April 2018 issue By Friday 6 April for the May 2018 issue Where possible please send articles in Word and photographs as jpegs. JOHN PAUL CENTRE 200+ CLUB DRAW Date of Draw – on 5 February 2018: 1st Prize - £100 Winning No 6 2nd Prize - £60 Winning No 2 3rd Prize - £40 Winning No 136 Next meeting and monthly draw Monday 5 March New members welcome – ask for details Tel (01642) 247831 19 Mon 7.30pm York Newman Circle lecture: ‘Catholic Faith and Critical Reason: Enemies or Friends?’ John Sullivan, former professor of Christian Education at Liverpool Hope University at the Bar Convent, Blossom Street, York (refreshments from 7pm). Further information from judith.smeaton@ btinternet.com. 20 Tues 7.45pm Cleveland Newman Circle ‘Living and Dying in the Middle Ages’ Dr Peter Firth, Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Liverpool in St Mary’s Cathedral Hall, Middlesbrough TS8 0TW (tea/coffee from 7.30pm) 21 Wed 6pm Sung Benediction with Vespers (Low voices Schola), St Mary’s Cathedral 8pm The Knights of St Columba, Hull Council 45, meet at St Joseph’s Church, West Hull 22 Thur 7.30pm-9pm The Pastoral Support Group for carers especially of people with mental ill health meets in Middlesbrough. Contact Margaret (01642) 865668 for venue and other details 23 Fri 12 noon Lenten Station Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral (Stations of the Cross from 11.15am) followed by Lenten lunch in the Cathedral hall 7.30pm Marian Prayer Group, St Anthony’s Church, Beverley Road, Hull. All welcome. Contact Pat (01482) 802483 for details 24 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 6.30pm Saturday Vigil Mass and Blessing of Palms, St Mary’s Cathedral 25 Sun 10am Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday and Blessing of Palms (Cathedral Choir), St Mary’s Cathedral 10am Sung Latin Mass, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 5pm Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral 6pm Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction, St Wilfrid’s, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF April Voice is available from churches. 27 Tues 12 noon Mass of Chrism (Cathedral and Diocesan Choir), St Mary’s Cathedral 6pm Children’s Last Supper Service, St Mary’s Cathedral 28 Wed 12.45pm-3pm Life Ascending Group, York Central meets at St Wilfrid’s, York in the Upper Room after 12.10pm Mass 7pm Deanery Reconciliation Service, St Mary’s Cathedral 29 Thurs 7pm Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St Mary’s Cathedral (Cathedral Choir) 30 Fri 10am-12 noon Stations of the Cross Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace. 3pm Good Friday Solemn Passion (Cathedral Choir), St Mary’s Cathedral 31 Sat 8pm Easter Vigil Solemn Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral First week of April 1 Sun 10am Easter Day Solemn Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral (Cathedral Choir) 5pm Easter Day Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral 6 Fri Diary dates and articles for the May Voice must be received by today. 7 Sat 12 noon Christian Meditation Weekly Group, St John of Beverley, Church (11.45am for new meditators). Contact christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 8 Sun 1.30pm-4pm Divine Mercy Sunday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace (Mass 3pm) 3pm Diocese of Middlesbrough LGBT+ outreach and service; Mass giving an explicit welcome to LGBT+ Catholics, their families and friends, in the chapel of The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ People gathered at St Paulinus Church for the Guisborough Churches United Service for Christian Unity. Members of St Nicholas Church, Guisborough Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, Guisborough Salvation Army and other denominations joined parishioners from St Paulinus. St Paulinus parish priest Canon Michael Bayldon conducted the service and gave thanks for God’s grace for Christianity throughout the world. His homily expressed regret for the conflicts between denominations. He said Caribbean churches had asked for the focus of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to be on different forms of slavery and colonialism and justice in today’s society. Guisborough Christians Pray For Unity 16-18 March 2018 Wistaston Hall, 89 Broughton Lane, Crewe CW2 8JS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS WEEKEND Speaker; Sister Patricia Mulhall CSB Sister Patricia is a Brigidine sister who has been campaigning in the area of human trafficking since 2006, nationally through TRAC and internationally through RENATE [Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation] . For more information contact Sophie Rudge sophierudge@btinternet.com SOCIETY OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS Headteachers Please remember to advertise your Open Days and Staff Vacancies in The Voice , to enquire call Caroline on 07931 836926 or 01440 730399 or email carolineg@cathcom.org

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14 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 NEWS 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. “Help me!” whispered a young woman as she gripped my arm, her voice barely audible over the noise of the jostling crowd. It was a full year ago, during the eye-doctors’ annual visit. The hospital compound was buzzing with crowds from far and wide who had come to have eye problems treated. Her name was Catherine and she looked frightened and desperate. I’d helped several elderly people to be seen quickly, but this girl looked barely twenty. “What’s the matter?” I asked, as her grip on my arm tightened. She showed me one eye that was closed and sunken. She moved closer to tell me, “Last year I had a cataract operation – but a few weeks later it went wrong. Help me to see the doctors so that they can fix it for me.” I took her swiftly through to see Dr Pauline, who quickly saw that an infection had damaged the eye beyond repair. The only thing to do was to remove the original implant – but she would be permanently blind in that eye. We were all very upset about the prospect. Catherine started to cry – she didn’t want to have another operation. By this time, Dr Pauline and I had tears in our eyes as well. Hilde, one of the nurses, came to put an arm around Catherine and calmed the situation. It was all over in fifteen minutes. I summoned two bicycle-taxis and took her back home. “She’s been miserable all year,” her brother said. “She’s 29 years old. Her husband left her saying she was no longer beautiful – alone with five children.” Their simple house was made from planks and stood on stilts in the riverbank mud. “She’ll have to be brave,” I said “Her life has taken a different path to the one she’d envisaged, but I’m sure she’ll do well.” I didn’t see her again until this year. I took her to get her other eye checked. Fortunately, it was in good condition. “I’m so down about the whole affair,” she confided. “Being left alone is a huge burden.” She visited again, this time with her brother and a local politician. They started demanding compensation of £700 (which is a fortune here!) During their five visits the eye doctors have performed 1,300 cataract operations – this is the only one that didn’t work out well. I felt as if she’d betrayed me. I still had sympathy for her condition, but it had suddenly turned sour. I avoided them for over a week. Eventually, she came back by herself. “Forgive me,” she said. “My brother and his politician friend are only looking to profit from my situation and I should never have allowed them to come along. If they phone you, just ignore them. All I’m looking for is a little money to survive on.” “With a small amount of money, you could sell things,” I suggested. “Yes,” she replied, “I’ll go along the river and buy fish to sell. There’s a boat coming next week, so please keep the money until then.” We agreed an amount of £50. Catherine seemed very pleased. “I’ll ask the good people of Middlesbrough Diocese to help us,” I added, thinking I should try to pay for her children’s school fees as well. •Follow Francis Hannaway on Facebook. Email: francish7@yahoo.com. Donate 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)” (request gift aid at this address). A Compromise In Sight The eye doctors hard at work in Basankusu All Knitting Together Nicely In Hull! It started with a discussion about lone children in Calais with nobody to care for them. By the end of our meeting, St Mary’s College Youth SVP had committed to knit at least 500 scarves to send to them. We enlisted as many people as possible, including staff and pupils, relatives and the housebound people who gather each month at St Stephen’s for social time and Mass. The project snowballed and collected knitters everywhere. Local knitting group the Knit Wits joined in and scarves came from as far away as Scotland, Wales and the south-east through Daughters of Charity networks. A woman from Greatfield donated scarves she made on her knitting machine with her grandchildren and parishioners at St Charles knitting club also helped out. By our target date we had more than 700 scarves, plus 100 pairs of knitted socks, 150 pairs of hats and gloves and a selection of babies’ bootees. Since then we’ve sent off about 50 more scarves and hats. They were sent to Calais with the charity Hull for Refugees. Many thanks to all who helped us! Sister Maria Robb Some of the scarves that were sent to Calais

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March 2018 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 15 LOURDES Cardinal Vincent Nichols is among the well known experts who powerfully share their thoughts about Mary`s role in our discipleship today in a new TV-quality film course for parishes and individuals. Entitled Let It Be, the DVD course, which also includes a book, takes an inspiring journey through Mary`s life, both past and present. It begins at the National Marian Shrine in Walsingham, where Monsignor John Armitage sets the scene. The series then takes viewers to the wonders of the Holy Land, with filming at key Marian sites, before the traditional place of Mary`s older life in Ephesus is explored. Other venues visited include Rome, Montserrat, Knock and Lourdes. Let It Be also features moving testimonies from workers at the charity Mary`s Meals and ex-gangster John Pridmore and an interview with papal preacher Father Raniero Cantalamessa. It has been produced by Catholic Faith Exploration (CaFE), which has been producing film courses on all aspects of the faith since being launched by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1996. Many parishes in the diocese have run CaFE courses over the years. Cardinal Nichols said: “Mary`s ‘Let it be’ was a clear, deliberate and definitive act – powerful, strong, free and life-giving. It was Mary`s commitment to the Word of God as the supreme value of her life which needs to be at the very core of our discipleship today.” Full details of the five-session film and book plus a short trailer are available by visiting at faithcafe.org or calling CaFE on 0845 050 9428. New Course Explores Mary’s Life And Message Cardinal Vincent Nichols in Lourdes during the filming of Let It Be Last year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes was brightened by a visit from one of our nurses who retired to his native Ireland in 2015 after 37 years living in York. Hugh Coyle, his wife Sheila and her sister Rosaleen made the trip especially to coincide with the Middlesbrough pilgrimage. Hugh was a familiar figure as part of our Hospitalité for many years, dedicating himself to helping care for our supported pilgrims in the Accueil. Sadly, he is now in poor health himself, but he thoroughly enjoyed sharing in our services and dropping into the hospital to spend time with old friends. “We were so spiritually uplifted by spending very special time with Our Lady, but equally so by the love and kindness that was showered on us and particularly to dear Hugh by our friends from the Middlesbrough group,” said Sheila. “We would like to express our heartfelt and most sincere thanks to everyone for the overwhelming kindness that was shown to us. “Although my precious Hugh cannot communicate very well any more, he was absolutely thrilled to see so many of his friends.” We were all delighted to see you, too, Hugh. The couple are hoping to be back in Lourdes with us in May – let’s hope we see you there! Our picture, taken in Lourdes, shows Naomi and Jan O’Neill, Hugh and Sheila, and Paddy O’Neill. It’s Great To See Hugh! Tony McAvoy has contributed another vintage Lourdes photo as we celebrate the year of our 65th pilgrimage. It dates back to 1954 and the reverse is marked: "Sandra with Auntie to far left at Yeadon Airport”. However, we think it should read "Greatham ", the County Durham airfield some of our early pilgrimages flew out from. If you know anyone on the picture, please email catholicvoice@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk. If anyone has any Lourdes memorabilia that may be of interest to others, contact John Brown on 07871 958412. Booking forms and information on Lourdes 2018 are available and have been posted out to those on our mailing list. Once again we are travelling with experienced tour operator Joe Walsh Tours. The dates for our 65th pilgrimage are Friday May 25 to Friday June 1. 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 continue your support of our pilgrimage and book as early as possible. If you haven’t had a pilgrimage brochure and would like one, call Joe Walsh Tours on 0161 820 8790 or book online at joewalshtours.co.uk. For a Supported Pilgrim application form, email secretary Pat Ling at patricia.ling@gmail.com or call 01642 760105. Book Now For Lourdes

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16 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + March 2018 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 NEWS – serving Churches, 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 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 This space available, to book call 07931 836926 or 01440 730399 or email carolineg@cathcom.org A Call For Love and Compassion This Lent CAFOD is inviting supporters to express their love and compassion for our global family through prayer, fasting and giving during Lent. The charity has been awarded matched funding for its Lent fast day appeal, which means donations raised from February 13 until May 12 will be matched by the UK Government, up to a total value of £5m. Funds must be received by CAFOD by July 1. Once known as the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe now struggles to grow enough food for the population, with one in three people undernourished and one in four children under five with stunted growth due to malnutrition. The collapse of the economy, combined with changes in the climate that see later and more erratic rainfall and long dry spells in the growing season, have led to the country struggling to feed itself in many of the last few years. January to March is the most difficult time of year for food. The rains start falling from November but the harvest won’t start until April and the stores from last year are depleted - this time of year is known as the “hunger gap”. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people living with HIV and AIDS are particularly vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition. In Zimbabwe, one in four children under five has stunted growth from not getting enough good food. This year CAFOD is sharing the experiences of Marian Magumise in Zimbabwe and two of her children Tawanda and Svondo. Thanks to many kind donations, CAFOD provided seeds, fencing and farming training for the family. Over the years, Marian nurtured the seeds into a thriving vegetable garden full of tomatoes, kale and butternut squash. She also grows peanuts and seven-year-old Svondo loves to eat peanut butter. It’s rich in protein, helping to provide the nourishment he needs to grow. It’s a marked difference to the experience of his older brother, Tawanda, at the same age. When Marian‘s eldest son was young he was so weak that he couldn’t go to school and didn’t have the energy to play. Marian would leave him in the morning to go and find work and when she returned hours later, he would still be sitting where she left him. Now, thanks to the help CAFOD has been able to give through generous donations, he is a healthy 21-year-old who can sell produce he has grown. He said: “I have my own plot at the vegetable garden. I remember perfectly well the first time I got money from the garden. I sold some green maize. It was the first time I had sold anything and held money in my hand. I felt so happy. I don’t even know how to explain it.” Livison Chipatiso, who visited Hull last month, said the help of CAFOD supporters makes an enormous difference, adding that no gift is too small. “The changes I see in Zimbabwe are made possible by your prayers, volunteering and donations from parishes, schools and individuals,” he said. “Thank you to all who have given a donation, or left a legacy to CAFOD in their will, or who have campaigned and are raising awareness of the importance of government support for matched funding and renewable energy. “We work in some of the remotest areas but what motivates me most is seeing people’s lives change and we owe all of this to your support, without which that change wouldn’t see the light of day”. For more information, visit cafod.org.uk/fastday The Magumise family Tawanda, Kiniel, Svondo, Marian with baby Talent and Tafara – Photo by Thom Flint/CAFOD

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