JUNE 2022 Issue 477 FREE V OICE Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Bishop’,s Column World Meeting of Families Wednesday June 22 –, Sunday June 26 2022 The theme for the tenth World Meeting of Families (WMOF) is Family Love: a vocation and a path to Holiness. The World Meeting of Families was instituted by Pope St John Paul II in 1994. The week is organised and promoted by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. Although physically hosted by the Diocese of Rome, in 2022 the event will be multi-centred and spread out throughout the world’,s Catholic dioceses. The limitations of the pandemic are, in a sense, presenting the opportunity for more families to truly participate and offer their contributions to diocesan meetings. The aim is for events in Rome and local initiatives to go hand-in-hand. Catholics will be able to listen to and follow the meeting with the Holy Father via live streaming. Each meeting begins with a congress that invites married couples, families, pastors, theologians and professionals with expertise on a variety of issues that affect family life together for workshops, talks, and discussions surrounding the theme. The shape of the event has always been fairly consistent, with an international Theological-Pastoral Congress at the start and ending, in the presence of the Pope, with a vigil and “,Festival of Families”, along with a great final Eucharistic celebration. Among other things, the World Meeting is part of the current synodal journey of the Church and will provide a valuable experience of “,participation, communion and mission”, for our families. For more information, please follow this link: romefamily2022.com/en/. In our own diocese there are several events organised, including a Mass at St Mary’,s Cathedral on June 26 at 5pm, and you will find more about these as you read on in the rest of the Catholic Voice. Just one more thing, can you make sure that you have noted the date for the Postgate Rally which is on Sunday July 10 at 3pm in Ugthorpe. Please note that the date has changed since the Year Book was published. See you all there. In blessed hope, An invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58) A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy Mass and share in the Eucharist. We do so with deep gratitude and joy. The Eucharist gives the Church her identity –, “,The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.”, It enables us to worship Almighty God, to support each other on our journey of faith, and to be a visible sign of faith in the world. This hallmark is supported and strengthened by the precept that our fundamental Christian duty is to worship God by participating in the celebration of Mass. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is the greatest of all privileges, sometimes referred to as “,the Sunday obligation.”, Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply. We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic Come back to worship together at Pentecost Continued on Page 2 Our bishops are inviting the faithful to return to regular Sunday worship –, Photo by Chris Booth What’,s Inside Mark`s four decades of music Page 13 Confirmations at the cathedral Page 2

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2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 NEWS to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill-health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday obligation. Our Catholic people and parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services. “,Virtual viewing”, of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday obligation. It may, however, be a source of continual spiritual comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person, for example, those who are elderly and sick, for whom the obligation does not apply. In this context, we recognise gratefully the ministry of those who administer Holy Communion to the elderly, sick and housebound. We are grateful to our clergy, religious and lay faithful who have served our parishes, schools and communities with dedication and distinction throughout this pandemic. Now we look forward with renewed faith and confidence. In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord’,s Supper, the Lord Jesus entrusted to us the precious gift of Himself. With humility, we glory in being a Eucharistic people for whom attendance at Mass is essential. Looking forward to the forthcoming feast of Pentecost (Sunday June 5), we now invite all Catholics who have not yet done so to return to attending Mass in person. As the Church needs the witness of the presence of each person, so too each believer needs to journey in faith and worship with their fellow disciples. Nourished by our encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, fed with His Word and His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and supported by the presence of each other, we receive strength week by week, to serve the Lord and glorify Him with our lives. Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’, Conference Returning to Mass at Pentecost BISHOP TERRY`S JUNE ENGAGEMENTS 1-3 Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 5 Celebrates Mass of Pentecost at Middlesbrough Cathedral 10am 7 Attends meeting of Bishop’,s Council at Bishop’,s House, Middlesbrough 10.30am 13-17 Attends Diocesan Retreat for Diocesan Clergy at Ampleforth Abbey All week 20-21 Attends the Installation of the Archbishop of Cardiff 22 Attends Ruby Jubilee Celebration at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough 7pm 26 Celebrates Mass of the World Meeting of Families at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough 5pm 28 Attends DTEC meeting at Curial Office, Middlesbrough 10.30am 29 Attends meeting of Ushaw Board of Trustees 11am 30 Attends CSAN AGM and Board Meeting Romero House London All day Continued from Page 1 Bishop Terry confirmed 30 young people from the parishes of Our Lady &, St Benedict’,s, Ampleforth, St Thé,rè,se of Lisieux, Ingleb y Barwick, St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough, St Gabriel’,s, Ormesby, St Joseph’,s, Stokesley, St Andrew’,s, Teesville, and Christ the King and St Patrick’,s, Thornaby, at the cathedral on Wednesday May 11. Our picture shows some of those confirmed and their sponsors shortly after the service. As we head into summer, it’,s possible to detect a note of cautious optimism as we look forward to some resemblance of “,normality”,, although it would be foolhardy to think Covid is no longer a threat. Nevertheless, it’,s time for us to try to lay aside our fears and concerns a little and pick up our lives again. If you look at the Catholic calendar for June, the number of feast days we are invited to take part in will immediately catch your eye. There are lots of saints’, days, there is one of the biggest feasts of the Church’,s year, Pentecost Sunday, June 5, when we celebrate the birthday of the Church. This is followed a week later by Trinity Sunday, and the celebrations just go on –, I haven’,t even mentioned the Queen’,s jubilee! The point I’,m getting at is that these increased opportunities for us to come back together come at the right time. The days are longer, the weather is hopefully warm, so our church buildings can be well ventilated and so on, making people feel that little less hesitant about coming together once again with their sisters and brothers in the faith. Much of the feedback from our diocesan synodal journey focused on issues such as putting on more adult formation, more opportunities for prayer, the need for every parish to have a pastoral council to assist and support the parish priest, the need to reach out in a spirit of love and compassion to those on the margins of both our Church and wider society, and to look at ways of fostering parish and school relations where these are not so strong. The feedback from people in our diocese showed the willingness of laypeople to get involved again. So here are a few offers…, On Saturday September 10 we will hold our Diocesan Inspiration Day for Ministers of the Word and Holy Communion at the Spa in Scarborough, our first such gathering since 2019! Our friends from Madonna House will lead our day. We look forward to welcoming you all back and all our ministers will be commissioned again. Your coordinator will soon receive the information for this. Having already trained five lay funeral ministers, we will look to train another five and maybe more over the next year. If you’,re interested, call me or send me an email and we can get things going. The Loyola University Online Certificate in Pastoral Ministry will begin once again in September. Over the last few years, eight people have successfully completed this part- time, two-year course, and their parishes are benefitting from their formation and their commitment to pastoral ministry at the local level. If you’,re interested in finding out more, please get in touch with me. As I mentioned last month, we have three men in formation for permanent diaconate but as yet no men for the priesthood. I think most men may well think, “,Surely, God can’,t be calling me?”, My question to you if you are is, “,Why not?”, If you want to explore or test out whether you have a vocation to the priesthood or permanent diaconate, why not get in touch with Canon Alan Sheridan, our diocesan director of vocations? His details are on the diocesan website. I’,m sure he’,d be happy to hear from you. As a diocese, we would like to encourage the growth of catechesis once again and support the growth of parish catechists where necessary. We want to find ways of raising awareness of the Church’,s best-kept secret –, Catholic Social Teaching. Many people have heard the term, but for many people, it remains a mystery. However, it’,s an amazing resource to help us tackle the issues of our time. Why not continue your synodal journey, which we have only just set out on? Our diocesan synthesis is available to download from our website. There’,s so much we can do. Let’,s be excited and reinvigorated once again! Take the risk! Without your help and the involvement of all those in our local communities, our impact will be limited. So this summer, why not make a new start? Get involved in your parish if you aren’,t already, and offer yourself for service in the mission of our Church, which is to bring Christ’,s Gospel to all peoples, at all times, in all places. Let’,s begin on Pentecost Sunday and pray for the wisdom and help of the Holy Spirit: “,Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you will renew the face of the earth.”, You can contact me by emailing adultformation@rcdmidd.org.uk or calling 01642 850505. Deacon David Cross, Adult Formation Coordinator Get involved in your Church’,s mission! David Cross

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June 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 NEWS The 10th World Meeting of Families (WMOF) takes place in Rome this year, from Wednesday June 22 until Sunday June 26. These meetings normally happen every three years and have been held all over the world. The last one in 2018 was in Dublin and was a brilliant event to be at. This year, the theme of the meeting is, “,Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness”,. This year, the focus is on reaching out to families all over the world by celebrating WMOF in every diocese, linking these local events to those happening in Rome. The aim is for each diocese to place families at the centre of pastoral attention, carrying out activities that reflect the theme of the WMOF. It will be a kind of ",Family Week", In unity with families and dioceses around the world, members of our own diocesan Bishop’,s Council for Marriage and Family Life have been working on several events that will mark the importance of family in our diocese and acknowledge the fundamental place of families as part of the Global Church. We will be marking the start of the WMOF on Wednesday June 22 by celebrating Mass in each of the deaneries, in the following churches: Northern Deanery: St Thé,rè,se of Lisieux, Ingleby Barwick Central Deanery: Our Lady`s Church, Acomb Southern Deanery: Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel, Hull Coastal Deanery: St Peter`s Church, Scarborough You are all warmly invited to attend one of these Masses to mark the beginning of this event. These Masses have been arranged for the early evening (6pm), so families can come and be home for bedtime. On each of the five days of the World Meeting, we will have a personal story published on the diocesan website from members of our diocese who have different experiences of family. These will also be published in the July edition of the Voice. We will end the event with a Mass to celebrate family at 5pm at the cathedral on Sunday June 26, with Bishop Terry presiding. We recognise that travelling all the way to Middlesbrough may not be feasible for everyone (hence our deanery Masses), but we do hope as many of you as possible will be able to come along to that special Mass in the cathedral to celebrate family life. For this Mass, we hope each parish can send a “,representative”, family to reflect the diverse mix of families across our diocese. Each family will be encouraged to bring a symbol to represent their experience of family life, and these will form part of the offertory procession. Micki Coyle Join us to celebrate the World Meeting of Families Catholic Legacy Week, June 5-11 Imagine being at the first Pentecost. Think of the sound of the violent wind and the dramatic sight of the tongues of fire above each person. On that day, the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the Church. It’,s a gift that has inspired faith through generations. And it’,s a gift that shapes our own life and actions, too. What does the gift of faith mean to you? Catholic Legacy Week starts on Pentecost Sunday (June 5), and during the week, Catholics like you are being asked to consider an important question: If the gift of faith matters, could you pass it on to future generations by remembering Catholic causes in your will? When you leave a gift in your will, your values live on. You pass your faith on into the future. And you keep making a difference, for generations to come. Thirty Catholic organisations have come together for Catholic Legacy Week, so you can give to the causes close to your heart. Of course, your loved ones come first when you make or amend your will, but any gift to a Catholic organisation can have a significant impact. It’,s also very simple to include your chosen charity as a beneficiary in your will. We’,ve received the gift of faith –, and it changes everything. A gift in your will can pass on the gift of faith to future generations. If you would like to find out more, visit yourcatholiclegacy.org.uk or call Lily on 020 7095 5370. What will be your gift to the world? The Marian Torchlight Procession –, Photo courtesy of Lacaze, Lourdes Join us in Lourdes as services are live-streamed We have arranged to live-stream some services from Lourdes, to enable those who are not able to travel with us this year to share in our pilgrimage. The live-streamed services are…, Tuesday May 31 2.30pm: Mass from the St Bernadette Centre Thursday June 2 8.30am: Mass from the Grotto 11am: Service of Anointing from the St Bernadette’,s Centre 2.30pm: Thanksgiving Service from the St Bernadette’,s Centre These are French times, UK time will be one hour earlier. The Grotto Mass will be on Lourdes TV, which can be accessed via YouTube. Links for the other services will be shared nearer the date. We’,ll also be sharing daily updates throughout the pilgrimage on our Lourdes Facebook page.

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4 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 SCHOOLS St Benedict`s Catholic Primary School ‘,Pray together, Learn together’, Part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust Mersey Road, Redcar TS10 1LS Headteacher: Mrs Kendra Sill Tel: 01642 495770 E-mail: enquiries@stbenedicts.npcat.org.uk Website: www.stbenedicts.npcat.org.uk St Edward’,s Primary School a Catholic Voluntary Academy Part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust Eastbourne Road, Linthorpe Middlesbrough TS5 6QS Tel 01642 819507 Executive Head Mrs Mary Brown Head of School Mrs Anne Teasdale email: Enquiries@stedwards.npcat.org.uk www.stedwardsrcprimaryschool.co.uk PART OF THE NICHOLAS POSTGATE CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST Headteacher: Mrs Louise Dwyer Email: news@trinity.npcat.org.uk Telephone: 01642 298100 Website: www.trinitycatholiccollege.org.uk Saltersgill Avenue Middlesbrough TS4 3JW An inclusive learning community living out Gospel values Part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust Normanby Road, South Bank Middlesbrough TS6 6SP Executive Headteacher: Mr M Burns Head of School: Mrs S Garthwaite Tel: 01642 453462 enquiries@stpeters.npcat.org.uk www.stpeters.npcat.org.uk Green Lane East, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1NB Executive Headteacher: Mrs Mary Brown Head of School Fran Mackle Telephone: 01845 523058 Enquiries@allsaints.npcat.org.uk Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough hosted the 2022 Catenian Public Speaking Competition for pupils of Catholic schools. Contestants persuaded and entertained their audience on a wide variety of self-chosen topics, performed in the college’,s excellent auditorium and facilities. Strong openings, well-crafted developments and effective conclusions earned Claudia Davies from Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary, Redcar, the Bishop Ambrose Griffiths Trophy for Key Stage 3. Lewis Howe commandeered the stage as he enlivened his own message and took nothing for granted, winning the Thomas Clifford Trophy for English Martyrs, Hartlepool. Clare Aspray moved the audience with her confident and persuasive delivery of “,It’,s time to close the food banks”,. Winning the post-16 category Bishop Augustine Harris Trophy for Sacred Heart, Newcastle –, and securing her place in the national final at Manchester Conference Centre in September –, was the completion of Clare’,s impressive hat-trick, having won in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 in previous years. The Year 6 (age 11) category was staged for the first time and schools’, trusts were invited to put forward a speaker to represent them. Isla Tait spoke for the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and delivered her subject –, Elswick Cares –, with passion and conviction, winning the inaugural Dr DA Leahy Cup for the trust and her school, St Michael’,s Catholic Primary School, Elswick. Cheques of £,50 were awarded to the year 6 winner and the second-place contestants, along with £,100 each for cup winners from Key Stage 3 to post-16. Trinity hosts Catenian public speaking contest Front row, left to right, Isabelle Keoghan, Ben Bethapudi, Claudia Davies and Isla Tait, back row Lewis Howe, Charlie Brook and Clare Aspray

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June 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 5 SCHOOLS The new headteacher of St Bede’,s Catholic Primary in Marske says she wants the school to be a beacon shining across the local community. Lucy Smith, who took over the reins in September after spending most of her career so far at St Thé,rè,se of Lisieux in Ingleby Barwick, is thoroughly enjoying her new life at what she says is a very special school. “,St Bede’,s is unique, in a coastal location on the edge of an industrial town,”, says Lucy “,It was an Ofsted Outstanding school and we’,re looking forward to returning it to being an Outstanding school once again, and to take its place as a beacon in the community.”, Parents, carers and children will already know the many changes taking place to transform St Bede’,s. Lucy says: “,We’,ve launched a new school Mission Statement –, Believe, Achieve and Serve –, which we’,ve been sharing with stakeholders. “,We’,re planning to record a new school song and we’,re looking forward to sharing that as well. We’,re also developing the curriculum to make it bespoke to St Bede’,s and its children. “,We’,ve had significant investment from the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, including improvements to the outside of the school, fencing, a new car park and a beautiful early years’, play area, with new equipment that has really enhanced our school.”, During her time at St Thé,rè,se of Lisieux, Lucy did almost every job, including assistant head, deputy head and acting head. “,It’,s a fantastic Catholic school, and I loved working there, with lots of interesting challenges,”, she says. “,But when the opportunity came up to come to St Bede’,s, the timing was right, and it just seemed to be the right move. “, One of her aims is to attract more families to send their children to the school. “,Recruitment is a really important part of our strategy,”, she says. “,We want to build our numbers and our reputation in the area. “,We’,re future-facing and we’,re trying to share what we’,re doing with our families. “,We’,ve set up a new Parent-Teacher Association, which is helping to build that sense of community, and we’,re looking forward to developing that ethos even more in the months ahead.”, New St Bede’,s head Lucy looks forward to a bright future New headteacher Lucy Smith says St Bede’,s Catholic Primary School in Marske is a very special school

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6 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 CAFOD Did you know that although CAFOD is officially 60 years old this year, the charity actually began two years earlier? In 1960, on the Caribbean island of Dominica, children were starving and the community appealed for support to build a mother-and- baby clinic. A group of resourceful women heard their appeal and felt called to make a difference. Together with others from the National Board of Catholic Women, the Catholic Women`s League and the Union of Catholic Mothers, they organised the first Family Fast Day. CAFOD was born. Ever since its birth, CAFOD has comprised women and men who, like those founding mothers, respond in solidarity with marginalised communities across the world and encourage all of us to get involved in prayer, giving and campaigning for justice. Today, CAFOD has more than 3,700 volunteers across England and Wales. Among a wide range of activities, volunteers organise prayer services in parishes, lead activities with children in schools, post information on our social media channels and bring groups of volunteers together for sharing. This National Volunteers’, Week (June 1-7) we are celebrating the vital part they all play in keeping CAFOD’,s work going. We are blessed to have volunteers ranging in age from teenagers to octogenarians, which goes to prove age is no barrier to volunteering. Jenny joined us when she was just 15 years old as a social media volunteer, progressing to being a fundraiser and young leader. Now she is at university but still joins in with our campaign work. Rose Cartledge, from St Aelred’,s Parish, York, has just completed 262 kilometres doing our Walk Against Hunger during Lent and raised over £,1,500. Others are part of parish groups and serve teas and coffees every week after Mass, sometimes with freshly baked goodies too. There`s no limit to what can be done! You can meet more volunteers and find out how you can get involved at cafod.org.uk/volunteer/meet-our-volunteers. They say you are as old as you feel. Whether 16 or 62, CAFOD’,s mission to overcome poverty and injustice in partnership with our global family has never felt so urgent, needed or alive. CAFOD can only continue to make a difference because of all the people who freely give their time to spread the word and support the mission. Would you consider joining our volunteer team and making a tremendous difference in the fight against global poverty and injustice? Could you join CAFOD`s team? Rose Cartledge, from St Aelred’,s Parish, York, raised over £,1,500 through CAFOD’,s Walk Against Hunger Help us campaign to Fix the Food System Catholic parishes and schools are being invited to help “,Fix the Food System”, with CAFOD this year. Of the 800 million people in the world facing hunger, two-thirds of them are agricultural workers. So there’,s a real chance that the people who produce our food do not have enough food themselves. And the effects of large-scale industrial agriculture mean that individual farmers have limited choices about which crops to grow and how to grow them. CAFOD is launching a new campaign, focusing on the way the world produces food. Called Fix the Food System, it’,s all about drawing attention to the huge imbalance of power that exists between the big companies known as “,agribusiness”, and small-scale farmers in communities around the world who make a living from what they can grow. The current way we produce food is bad for the planet. Did you know that the food and agriculture sector is responsible for one-third of harmful greenhouse gas emissions? Widespread use of pesticides and fertilisers is part of this, because of fossil fuels used in their production. They also damage soil, water and biodiversity. Forests and rainforests are cut down or burned to make vast areas available for rearing cattle for meat and dairy or to grow soya to feed the animals that we want to eat. There is a lot of wastage, and huge areas of land are used in the production of crops for profit, often destined for export to serve the consumption habits of rich nations. Transforming the global food system is critical to tackling the climate crisis. There is a better way. Communities around the world, including some that CAFOD works with, are demonstrating that alternative food systems can produce abundant results, with methods that are good for people and good for the planet. In Bangladesh, farmer Alpona Mondal says learning how to farm organically has changed her life. “,We had not realised just how big a mistake we had made by moving away from the traditional ways of farming of our forefathers,”, she said. “,We had become disconnected from nature, but now we are going back to it again. Our village has become a lot greener and healthier after so many of us shifted to organic farming, and the soil has greatly improved. This has had a big impact on the nutrition and health of the families living in this village.”, CAFOD’,s Fix the Food System campaign is calling on the UK government to support these alternative food systems, rather than continuing to support mainly agribusiness. Parishes and schools are being invited to take part in the campaign with activities designed to delve into these issues. In parishes, we will invite people to take part in Fix the Food System: a seven-station journey, which highlights the reasons we need to change the way we currently produce and distribute food. If you would like to know more about this or would like to know more or to organise the activity in your parish, please email me at ccross@cafod.org.uk or call 07779 804253. To learn eight things you didn’,t know about the food system, visit our website: cafod.org.uk/News/Campaigning-news/Food-8- things-you-didn-t-know Join our campaign and encourage your fellow parishioners at cafod.org.uk/food We are asking schools to tell the government to step up to the plate and Fix the food System. Explore our resources, watch our animation and join our campaign at cafod.org.uk/schools. Would you like to help us share our work in your parish and/or schools? We are always looking for new volunteers to join our diocesan team. Just get in touch –, we’,d love to hear from you! Alpona is from Bangladesh and is using alternative farming methods to provide food for her family and sharing her knowledge with her village –, photo courtesy of CAFOD

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June 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 7 NEWS

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8 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 WORLD NEWS A seminary damaged and ransacked by Russian troops –, who stole a chalice given by Pope St John Paul II –, plans to re-open its doors in September with help from a Catholic charity. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will help rebuild Sacred Heart Seminary in Vorzel –, 20 miles east of Kyiv –, which was looted by Russian troops after sustaining bomb damage. Rector Father Ruslan Mykhalkiv said: “,They took everything they could –, kitchen utensils, washing machines, computers and air conditioners. The seminarians’, rooms were ransacked.”, Besides rebuilding, ACN will replace furniture and equipment that was stolen. The Latin-Rite seminary was home to 25 young men training for the priesthood, but they were forced to flee after Russian fighters seized Kyiv Airport and entered Vorzel, taking five children and two religious sisters from the nearby orphanage with them. Father Mykhalkiv was able to return last month after Russian forces were driven out. ACN has provided more than £,2m in essential help to enable the Church to minister to those affected by the war. Devastated Kyiv seminary plans to reopen Destruction in the seminary in Vorzel –, photo ©, ACN More than 200 displaced women and children in Ukraine will continue to receive food and shelter –, thanks to fresh support from ACN (UK). Ivano-Frankivsk Archdiocese, western Ukraine –, which has been looking after displaced families since the start of the war –, turned to the charity to ensure it could provide ongoing care for those who fled their homes. Most of the internally displaced persons being helped by the archdiocese are women and children who escaped Russian assaults on large cities. Archbishop Volodymyr Wytyschyn, of Ivano- Frankivsk, said: “,Fleeing from the great catastrophe brought to our country by Russia’,s war, people are seeking salvation and shelter in the western regions of our country.”, The local church is also caring for many others fleeing the fighting, including 160 in the seminary and 100 in St Basil’,s High School. ACN (UK) will provide more than £,86,000 in fresh aid. Charity offers new lifeline to Ukraine refugees A sister with refugees in the seminary in Ivano-Frankivsk –, photo ©, ACN A Catholic woman held for eight years on death row in Pakistan for false blasphemy allegations said that despite torture and blackmail, she will never deny her Christian beliefs. Shagufta Kausar, arrested in July 2013 with her husband, Shafqat Masih, for allegedly sending offensive texts about the Muslim prophet Mohammad, has been on death row for eight years. Despite attempts to blackmail her into converting to Islam, Shagufta –, who was released with her husband last July –, refused. She said: “,I was told that if I converted to Islam my death sentence would be turned into life in prison, and that eventually I would be released. I always said no. “,Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for me, though I am a sinner. I would rather be hanged than deny Jesus Christ.”, ‘,I was tortured –, but I’,ll never deny Jesus’, Shagufta Kausar (right) and her husband, Shafqat Masih –, Photo ©, Aid to the Church in Need

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June 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 9 WORLD NEWS A Christian community in Iraq had added cause for rejoicing this Easter when their church opened for services for the first time since the building was desecrated by Daesh (ISIS) militants eight years ago. Entering St Kyriakos’,s Chaldean Catholic Church, Batnaya in 2014, the militant extremists decapitated statues and smashed up the altar. Gunmen used sacred images above the altar for target practice and the extremists wrote anti-Christian graffiti on the walls of the nearby Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. By the time Daesh had been defeated, Batnaya had been almost razed to the ground, becoming the worst damaged of the dozen or more Christian towns and villages in the historic Nineveh Plains. ACN undertook a massive restoration and rebuilding programme as part of an initiative to help the people of Batnaya to return. The work was put on pause for Holy Week to allow the services to take place, the first since August 2014, and Mass attendance peaked at more than 500 for the Easter Vigil. ACN’,s projects aim to safeguard the country’,s Christians –, numbers are down from more than one million 20 years ago to barely 150,000 today. Resurrection day for returning Iraqi Christians St Kyriakos’,s Church, Batnaya, in December 2016, soon after the defeat of Daesh (ISIS) This year’,s Easter services at the church –, images ©, Aid to the Church in Need Father Joseph Akete Bako has been confirmed dead after being abducted in early March in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The Archdiocese of Kaduna said his abductors killed him between April 18 and 20. On Sunday May 8, another priest, Father Alphonsus Uboh was taken from his residence at St Pius X Parish in Mkpat Enin. Father Emmanuel Anyanwu spoke to Catholic charity ACN, about the resilience of the Christian community in the face of frequent kidnappings of priests, as well as Islamist violence by groups such as Boko Haram. He said: “,Christians in Nigeria have continued to blossom in vocation and the faith. The Easter celebrations were clear evidence of this. Christians in Nigeria are asking everyone to pray for them as persecution increases daily. “,The faith continues to grow amid these challenges. However, there are also some fears among the priests in troubled areas. But their courage amid these challenges has been extremely exceptional.”, Speaking about the wider Islamist threat, he said: “,These groups have been indoctrinated with evil extremists’, teachings. They see Western education and Christianity as evil. “,Those who reject these doctrines are killed. They intend to achieve the caliphate of Boko Haram and total Islamic government in Nigeria.”, Kidnapped priest killed as another is abducted Murdered priest Father Joseph Bako –, photo ©, Father Emmanuel Anyanwu SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT GRACE ANNUAL EVENTS AND LADY DAYS MASSES 2022 14 August Diocesan Assumption Pilgrimage Rosary 2.30pm : Mass 3pm 22 August Queenship of Our Lady Healing Mass with anointing Rosary 11:30am : Mass 12midday 8 September Birthday of Our Lady Rosary 11:30am : Mass 12midday 7 October Rosary Pilgrimage Exposition, Confession and Full Rosary 11:30am Mass 12midday 8 December Solemnity of Immaculate Conception Rosary 11:30am : Mass 12midday Ruebury Lane, Osmotherley, North Yorkshire DL6 3AP

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10 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 REFUGEE NEWS A Sacred Heart Church, Hornsea, parishioner has published a book to raise funds for the Welcome House Charity in Hull. Monica Chapman, who moved from London last year, was inspired by her fellow parishioners to help with their fundraising for the charity, which was set up in 2020 to support asylum seekers and refugees in Hull and the East Riding. Monica was particularly attracted to the charity because her mother was a Polish refugee. She completed the book, A Pause for Thought, three weeks before the war in Ukraine started. Monica kept a journal throughout the pandemic in which she wrote her own thoughts together with reflections from a variety of sources such as Pope Francis, Confucius, the Bible and GK Chesterton. In between the writings are photographs taken by Monica and drawings and paintings by herself and her two adult children, Julian and Ruth. Although Monica intended her journal entries as a private project, she felt they have universal appeal and so she put them together to create the book to raise money for a worthwhile cause. It is an inspirational, A4-sized book containing messages of hope and comfort accompanied by beautiful artwork. It is a book to treasure or to give to others to help them find peace and comfort in their own lives. Before her retirement, Monica was head of art in a high school and her creativity shines through in the book. She created a similar fundraising book after one of her year nine students sadly died of cancer. That book contained messages of hope and raised £,5,000 for the Royal Marsden hospital. Monica has funded the initial print run, so all money raised from sales will go directly to Welcome House. Copies cost £,5 and are available by emailing monicachapman49@icloud.com. They are also on sale at Welcome House. Book will raise funds for Welcome House Monica Chapman, whose new book will raise funds for Welcome House Pope’,s migrants’, plea is ‘,as urgent as ever’, A statement by the Catholic Bishops’, Conference of England and Wales In his 2014 message for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis wrote, “,We ourselves need to see, and then to enable others to see, that migrants and refugees…, are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved.”, 1. This plea of Pope Francis is as urgent as ever. Given the events of recent weeks, it is of particular relevance for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Our appeal for refugees and asylum seekers to be welcomed and respected is based on the fundamental principle of the dignity of every person, created in the image and likeness of God. Every nation should recognise this dignity and the rights which flow from it. 2. We appreciate the complexity and magnitude of the challenges being faced in the ongoing migration crisis. With more than 80 million people across the world displaced by war, poverty, persecution and the effects of global warming, this challenge requires collaborative international action. Although resources are limited and there are many competing demands, wealthy countries, including the UK, should give leadership in this endeavour. 3. The value we attach to each person and the compassion which the afflicted deserve demands that we welcome asylum seekers, treating them justly and honouring their dignity as human persons. 4. The Nationality and Borders Act fails to do this. Those seeking refuge in the UK should be provided with safe routes for travelling, have the opportunity to tell their story, be listened to and have their cases assessed justly. We keep in mind that there is no illegal asylum seeker, to claim asylum is a human right. 5. People smugglers and modern-day human traffickers profit from the desperation and misery of refugees. We fully support their prosecution. It is imperative, however, to make a clear distinction between victims and those who exploit them. Crime is defeated by confronting the perpetrators, not by punishing the victims. 6. Many British people have given witness to justice through hospitality, providing a compassionate welcome and campaigning on behalf of refugees. We applaud their efforts and kindness. Our Christian faith demands that we respond generously to asylum seekers whose dignity must be protected and upheld. Jesus taught us, “,I was a stranger and you made me welcome.”, (Matthew 25:35) so we will continue to advocate their cause. Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’, Conference Dark day for human rights and humanity, says SVP The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) has described the passing of the government’,s Nationality and Borders Bill into law with no amendments as a “,dark day for human rights and humanity.”, The SVP has been campaigning against several measures in the bill and continues to urge the government to embed principles of welcome, protection and integration into its asylum policy. This bill does nothing for any of these values. The SVP says no one should have to risk their life in search of sanctuary. However, many people don’,t have an option as the Nationality and Borders Bill does not offer safe routes for some of the most vulnerable people who need protection. The government’,s plan to expand the number of immigration centres in the UK is also a cause for concern, as are plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, which the SVP recently described as “,inhuman”, and “,a punitive move for people that have already gone through so much already.”, The SVP is calling for a compassionate and fair asylum system and maintains that refugees and asylum seekers deserve to be treated with compassion and dignity like our brothers, sisters and neighbours. It says the passing of the Nationality and Borders Bill into law denies people who have often made a perilous journey to safety fair treatment on our shores. SVP national president Helen O’,Shea said: “,Today is a dark day for human rights and humanity. However, we are proud to have worked for the past year with a coalition of groups to influence MPs and peers on this bill. “,Hundreds of our members turned their concern into action by writing to their MP, arranging meetings, and raising awareness over the problems and discrimination faced by the people they support every day. Our members have demonstrated, in the most compassionate way, how asylum seekers and refugees should be welcomed to our country. “,This is not the end. We will continue to fight for justice and the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. They deserve to feel safe, valued and heard, not maligned, detained or shipped away to a country on the other side of the world.”, The SVP says the passing of the government’,s Nationality and Borders Bill is a “,dark daycfor human rights and humanity”, Ensuring a warm Yorkshire welcome St John of Beverley’,s parish SVP conference launched an appeal at the start of Lent to support Welcome House, the centre for refugees and asylum seekers in the centre of Hull. Increasing numbers of people are being sent to Hull and while they receive basic board and lodging, many need the basic necessities to make their lives bearable. The women and children particularly need clothing, medicines, sanitary products and toiletries. The response from the parishioners was, as usual, overwhelming, and the church hall was soon the centre of an ever-growing number of items. As Easter approached, the appeal was expanded to include Easter eggs for the children and by the beginning of Holy Week, more than 80 had been donated. Maureen and other SVP members took everything into Welcome House on the Wednesday of Holy Week, but not before Canon David Grant gathered as many parishioners as possible for a photo. It was a wonderful response, much appreciated by Bashir, Warda and the asylum seekers at Welcome House. Parishioners of St John of Beverley with their gifts for Welcome House

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June 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 11 NEWS Please remember in your prayers the following clergy from our diocese whose anniversaries are this month. They are listed here along with their final resting place. 5 1998 Rev Cuthbert Kestell Cornish London 6 1927 Rev William Strucken Market Weighton 10 2017 Very Rev Canon Michael Davern Hull 11 1995 Rev Arthur Stritch Redcar 12 1925 Rev Vincent Calvert Bridlington 12 2014 Rev Michael Lambe Liverpool 13 1906 Rev Ian Stewart Yarm 14 1922 Rev Richard Roche North Ormesby 14 1939 Rev Christopher Flanagan Marton 15 1981 Rev Denis Bankes Bedale 19 1881 Rev Charles O’,Neil Wycliffe 19 1906 Rev Matthew O’,Donoghue Grangetown 21 1995 Rt Rev Mgr William Carroll Saltburn 21 1999 Rev Thomas Brophy Middlesbrough 26 2014 Rev David Hynes Middlesbrough FUNERAL DIRECTORS If you would like to advertise in the Funeral Directors section, please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 2 48225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org Our family caring for your family Covering all areas Tel: 01642 459555 King George House, 92 High Street, Eston TS6 9EG Website: www.fawcettandhetherington.co.uk Email: info@fawcettandhetherington.co.uk Fawcett &, Hetherington Funeral Service Couples invited to enrichment weekend Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WME) is inviting couples to its marriage enrichment programme weekend. WME recognises couples in loving relationships are the pillar of a vibrant church community and its programme is designed to lead Christian families to a deeper faith in Christ Jesus. “,Marriage Encounter”, offers precious quality time to support relationships, whether married or in a long-term relationship. It is an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth, all in a Catholic faith context. The weekend takes place at Savio House in Bollington, Cheshire, on Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12. For further details or to book, visit wwme.org.uk.

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12 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 NEWS Out and About 1 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 3 Friday Events, articles and photographs for July Edition of the Voice are due by today. 4 Saturday 11am Catholic Women are invited to share an hour of feminine communion including mediation, via Zoom. Text Barbara on 07796 1177004 with your mobile number and email address so she can add you to the WhatsApp group. 6 Monday 9.45–,10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com. 7.30pm York Newman Circle meets at the Bar Convent. Dr Chris Maunder will speak about ‘,Mary, Founder of Christianity?’, the theme of his recent book. This will be preceded by the Circle’,s AGM, at 7.15 pm. Contact Judith Smeaton on judith.smeaton@btinternet.com or 01904 704525. 7 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets. Further information from Terry Doyle at terry- doyle@live.co.uk. 7pm Knights of St Columba Council 29 meets at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough, beginning with Mass at 7pm in the cathedral chapel. 8 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 7.30pm Cleveland Newman Circle Talk, St Mary’,s Cathedral Hall, Middlesbrough. All welcome. 9 Thursday 7.45 pm Middlesbrough Catenian Circle meets at Middlesbrough Cricket Club, Green Lane, Middlesbrough TS5 7SL. Contact Peter Carey on 01642 317772 or Chris Rhodes on 01642 319161. 11 Saturday All day 25th York Catholic History Day. Contact Judith Smeaton at judith.smeaton@btinternet.com or 01904 704525 12 Sunday 3pm Diocesan LGBT+ Ministry Mass at the Bar Convent, York. 13 Monday 9.45–,10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com 2–,3.30pm Music for the Mind, for people who enjoy singing and connecting memories, St Mary’,s Cathedral Hall, Middlesbrough. There is no charge but donations are welcome. Tea, cake and biscuits followed by fun. You can also join in on the Diocese of Middlesbrough YouTube page. For details call 01642 710179. 14 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets. Further information from Terry Doyle at emailing terry-doyle@live.co.uk 12.45pm Hull and District Catholic Women’,s Luncheon Club, Kingston Theatre Hotel, Kingston Square, Hull. Meet at 12.45 for lunch at 1pm. All welcome, for details call 01482 446565. 15 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 18 Saturday and 19 Sunday 11am–,4pm Tudor Croft Gardens, near Guisborough, open for the National Gardens Scheme. Entry £,7.50, children free. Parking free. Plants sale, crafts, home-made afternoon teas. 18 Saturday 7.30pm The Eddie White Sacred Heart Parish Dance, Erimus Club, Cumberland Road, Middlesbrough, with Dermot Hegarty. Admission £,5. Contact John Brown on 07871 958412. 19 Sunday 3pm Middlesbrough Fellowship Mass –, Sacred Heart Church, Middlesbrough. 20 Monday 9.45–,10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com. 21 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets. Further information from Terry Doyle at emailing terry-doyle@live.co.uk. 22 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 24 Friday Katie Doherty and The Navigators in concert at the Coliseum, Whitby, in aid of Ukraine. Organised by St Hilda’,s Parish. Tickets £,10 from the church on 01947 602476. 27 Monday 9.45–,10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com. 28 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets. Further information from Terry Doyle at emailing terry-doyle@live.co.uk. 29 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. •, If you have any events you would like including in the Out &, About section, please email Heidi.cummins@rcdmidd.org.uk Out and About Our Lady of Fidelity The church needs religious sisters URGENTLY to bring Christ to others by a life of prayer and service lived in the community of Ignation spirituality. Daily Mass is the centre of community life. By wearing the religious habit we are witnesses of the consecrated way of life. If you are willing to risk a little love and would like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette Mature vocations considered. CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF FIDELITY 1 Our Lady`s Close, Upper Norwood, London SE19 3FA Telephone 07760 297001 A Letter From Madonna House –, An impression of hope DANIEL WILDISH, a member of Madonna House, recently spent three months in Robin Hood’,s Bay before returning to Madonna House headquarters in Combermere, Ontario, Canada. The following are his impressions of his stay…, My first response, when Cheryl Ann mentioned writing about my “,impressions,”, was one of hesitation. Sure, my stay in Robin Hood’,s Bay has been a good one, and yes, I’,ve seen a lot of beautiful scenery and met a lot of delightful people. But can all that really add up to an “,impression”,? Here, just like in Combermere, life seems to mostly be made up of one “,duty of the moment”, after another. These dishes to wash, the doorbell to answer, these people to meet, that hedge to trim, this compost to shovel –, you get the idea. Good days and not-so-good, pleasant and stressful moments. Can I get an impression out of all that? It just is what it is. Recently, though, the four of us went on a “,field trip”, to the Pickering area, stopping by several old, beautiful churches, including the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. But the place that really struck me was a church in Pickering, Saints Peter and Paul. In this church, the walls are covered with huge colourful frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the saints. These pictures had been painted in medieval times, then plastered over during the Reformation, and recently uncovered and restored. There were pictures of St George slaying the dragon, St Christopher carrying the child Christ across the river, and many more. The style of the frescoes was somewhere between an Eastern icon and something that your six-year-old nephew might draw in crayon and stick to the fridge. Not that there was a lack of artistic skill, but there was an enthusiastic inexactness about the whole thing that made them look alive. I think those pictures are my impression. Somehow those pictures, hidden away for so many years, summed up for me this place, and the people here. I’,m thinking of the casual joy, hospitality, and humour I’,ve seen in the older people I’,ve met here, many of whom grew up in the shadow of World War II, with memories of bombings and food shortages. Or the genuine delight that so many people seem to have at seeing human faces again after so many months of masking and lockdown. Or the man and woman at our parish who we’,ve been accompanying through the RCIA process, and their quiet conviction and enthusiasm amid this country, still bearing visible scars of the Reformation, and where so few go to church anymore, anyway. A small, quiet flame of life and hope that doesn’,t try to prove itself and doesn’,t advertise itself, it just is what it is. Just like snowdrops blooming in February, or a lamb skipping across the moors. Or like a worldwide consecration to Our Lady in the middle of a war. Or like those goofy, tender, sacred pictures, patiently waiting beneath the plaster for century after century. I’,m pretty sure only God can make stuff like that happen. I’,m glad he does, here, and I’,m glad he let me see a bit of it. Amen. That’,s my impression. Daniel Wildish

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June 2022 + 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@rcdmidd.org.uk Deadline Friday June 3 for our July edition. Where possible please send articles in Word and photographs as jpegs. Please confirm when you send in your photographs that those who appear in them have given their permission for publication. Follow the Diocese of Middlesbrough on social media Twitter: atMbroDiocese Facebook: facebook.com/MiddlesbroughDiocese Flickr: flickr.com/photos/middlesbroughdiocese/ The Diocese of Middlesbrough would like to point out that while every care is taken with advertisements placed in the Catholic Voice, publication does not suggest an endorsement of any views expressed. Correction: In David Smallwood’,s appeal for help for the Postgate Society in last month’,s Voice, the telephone number given was incorrect. David can be contacted on 01642 293869. NEWS Parishioners of St Hilda’,s in Whitby has been helping Mark Edwards celebrate 40 years as organist and choirmaster. Mark had been organist at St Mary’,s Church on the East Cliff for a year when, in 1978, he asked Canon Garvan O’,Hara to allow him to practice on the organ at St Hilda’,s, as it was much nearer home. After he became a Catholic the following year, he started playing for some of the evening services and also became a reader. In 1982, the organist retired and Mark took over. Mark has worked with four parish priests (and five bishops), enhancing the liturgy on more than 5,000 occasions. He was invited to play when the Whitby and Ryedale deaneries held their Mass when St Mary’,s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, opened in 1986. A retired retailer with a keen interest in history, Mark was the honorary keeper of Whitby Museum for a while and is now president of Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, which runs it. He wrote a book on the history of St Hilda’,s, which is still available, and gave several talks for the building’,s 150th anniversary in 2017. Mark, who oversaw a full restoration of St Hilda’,s organ in recent years, is keen to encourage others to play. After Sunday Mass, Father Pat Keogh presented Mark with the gift of a tapestry from choir members and Madonna House. Mark is an active member of parish life and intends to continue as organist for many years to come. Maureen Eves Mark celebrates four decades as organist Organist Mark Edwards with parishioners from St Hilda’,s, Whitby The World Apostolate of Fatima thanked the priests and parishioners of York for hosting them each week on their Lenten Saturday Prayer Stations, for peace in the World and especially for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The photo was taken in St Wilfrid’,s, York, during one of the prayer stations. Liturgy remembers those fleeing war A group of parishioners at St Hilda’,s Church in Whitby came together to remember and pray for those refugees in Ukraine and other war-torn areas of the world with a beautiful liturgy written by Anthea Dove. The journey started with a glimpse of the life of a family fleeing from war in Ukraine and a reminder that, even though the journey is hard and painful, the simplest touch of help and kindness from a stranger can be so heart-lifting. A period of prayer and intercession with a period of silence was followed by the Stations of the Cross, each with its own reflection linking today’,s worldwide refugee situation with Christ’,s journey and with prayers and short Taizé,-style interjections between. The liturgy was enhanced throughout by the organ and singing from the choir. Many people will remember Anthea and her husband, Chris, who are passionate workers for Justice and Peace. They remain as concerned about the struggles of those whose lives are turned upside down by war, hunger and poverty as they ever were. All ages of the St Hilda’,s parish family were represented, from the older parishioners down to young children, all working together and with just the briefest of directions before it started. “,This was something the parish did together and just as it should be,”, said one parishioner, Annie. Another parishioner said it was a privilege to be part of this journey.

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14 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 NEWS Environment Corner The Laudato Si’, Animators’, Course –, which takes place on Zoom with participants from all over the world –, has been one response to Pope Francis’, encyclical on the environment. There is something particularly powerful about listening to stories and experiences from places as far apart as the Philippines, Kenya, India and, of course, the UK. In the encyclical, Pope Francis shared that: “,St Francis, faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.”, (LS 12) One way to do this is through the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina or slow, contemplative praying of Scriptures. In this traditional practice, one often first reads the text, meditates on a word or phrase and prays with a question or insight that might arise. Finally, through the grace of God, one might be led into contemplation or simply rest in God’,s presence. For this practice, we were encouraged to use the Book of Creation as our text, either by going outside to walk or sit or, if not possible, to sit inside looking out or to meditate using a plant or some flowers. First, to take time to “,read”, creation by looking around slowly, taking in with all our senses what is around us and noticing different colours, shapes, textures and smells. Then to “,stay with”, something that attracts our attention –, a flower or tree or cloud formation, or perhaps birdsong –, using our senses to take in the wonders of what we see around us. How do we experience God’,s presence within or through this element of creation? This leads to prayer –, perhaps thanksgiving for beauty or a question as to “,What, God, are you saying to me through this experience?”, Then allowing ourselves to listen, and be open to what might arise within us. After some time, let go of any words or thoughts and just allow ourselves to rest in God’,s presence right here and now. When ready, we can close by giving thanks and perhaps saying the Our Father or a prayer for Mother Earth. It is a good way to feel a deep connectedness with and appreciation of all creation. It also connects with this year’,s theme for the Season of Creation in September –, “,Listen to the Voice of Creation”,. Barbara Hungin Listening to the Voice of Creation Father Matthew Burns OSB, a Benedictine monk of Ampleforth Abbey, died peacefully in the monastery infirmary at Ampleforth Abbey on April 24, at the age of 81. He was born in Birmingham in November 1940 and educated at Hallfield Prep School and then Ampleforth College. For a year in the late 1950s he read French and Spanish at Oxford University, before becoming a Dominican novice in Woodchester. However, in September 1962 he joined the Benedictine community at Ampleforth and returned to Oxford in 1965, where he studied at St Benet’,s Hall. Three years later he was back in North Yorkshire and began a teaching career at Ampleforth College. Over the next seven years he taught modern languages, religious education, carpentry, and games, as well as being assistant school guestmaster. He was ordained priest in July 1972. In September 1975, Father Matthew was appointed to teach in the prep school at Gilling Castle but returned to the college in 1981, when he became housemaster of St Wilfrid’,s House, a post he held for 11 years. In the early 1990s, Father Matthew began a new chapter in his monastic life as he began work on parish missions, first in Gilling Parish (1993-1996), then in Brownedge (1996-1999) and Lostock Hall (1999-2003). In 2003 Father Matthew returned to the monastery at Ampleforth, where his duties included monastery infirmarian, postulant master, and a member of the hospitality team. In August 2006 he became priest-in-charge at Our Lady and the Holy Angels, Gilling, and from September 2014 to August 2017 he was also chaplain to St Dunstan’,s House. He also assisted the hospitality team in providing guided tours of the abbey church and spent many hours in the orchard helping harvest the bumper apple crops. Father Matthew’,s health deteriorated in recent years, as he suffered increasingly from dementia. His funeral Mass was celebrated in the abbey church at 11.30am on Monday May 9, followed by burial in Monks’, Wood. Death of Ampleforth monk Father Matthew Father Matthew Burns OSB, who passed away on April 24 Marian theme for Newman talk Dr Chris Maunder will speak on the theme of his recent book Mary, Founder of Christianity? when he visits York Newman Circle. The lecture will take place at the Bar Convent on Monday June 6 at 7.30 pm. The lecture is free and open to all. Tea and coffee will be available before the lecture and donations towards costs and refreshments are welcome. It will be preceded by the circle’,s AGM at 7.15pm –, members will receive papers by email. For more information, email Judith Smeaton at judith.smeaton@btinternet.com or call 01904 704525. Divine Mercy Sunday was celebrated at St Aelred’,s, York, as parishioners were joined by those from parishes across the city for a moving service. There was Exposition from 11.30am, followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 1pm to 3pm, when the Hour of Great Mercy began. Refreshments were served in the parish centre afterwards. The service was led by Father John Bane, from English Martyrs, York, and John Carroll. St Aelred’,s parish priest Father Bill Serplus was called to the hospital to anoint and pray with three patients but returned towards the end of the service. Divine Mercy Sunday is held on the Second Sunday after Easter. Divine Mercy Sunday celebration in York New musical examines age-old themes A new musical written by York’,s F Mary Callan uses sad songs and a happy ending to help audiences process age-old themes that challenged people again during the pandemic. Based on the story of Tobias and the angel, With a Dog and an Angel is suitable for all the family. Funerals, self-isolation and family meltdown force the new generation to step up to the mark, accompanied by an undercover angel and the family dog. The script and songs are by F Mary Callan, with music arranged by Ash Strowger. Dates and venues are…, Tuesday July 5, 7.30pm: St Paul’,s Church, Holgate Road, York Friday July 8, 7.30pm: English Martyrs’, hall, Dalton Terrace, York Saturday July 9, 2.30pm and 7.30pm: English Martyrs’, hall Tickets cost £,5 (concessions £,2), £,11 for a family or a donation. For more information or to order tickets, email blazinggrannies@gmail.com or text 07596 If you would like to advertise please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org F Mary Callan’,s latest musical, With a Dog and an Angel

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June 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 15 NEWS From the Archives 40 Years Ago (From June 1982 Catholic Voice) Sister Mary Ursula writes: Interest in the Catholic deaf among the clergy in Middlesbrough has been aroused and in future we won’,t have to depend on priests from outside the area to say our monthly Mass. A three-day training course in signing for the deaf was held at the latter end of April in Crossbeck Convent, and six priests and a deacon took part in the course. Sr Kevin from Newcastle was the tutor-in-chief and she initiated the priests into the mysteries and intricacies of celebrating Mass in sign language. We were privileged to have Fr Charles Hollywood, the National Chaplain for the Deaf, visit us the first day, and Fr Neil Gallanagh, from Boston Spa, the second day. The monthly Mass for the Deaf is always on the fourth Sunday of the month, and is said in St Thomas More’,s church. On the fourth Sunday at the end of the training course, no priest was available, but when this was brought to the attention of Frs Pat Day and Brian Nicholson they volunteered to “,have a go”, after going through a very intensive crash course. 100 Years Ago (From Bishop Shine’,s Visitation Notebook, June 15 1922) Visitation and Confirmation at Redcar. Found everything in order, the new school with 160 children is doing well. 80 of these children come from Dormanstown, where there is now a Catholic population of 400. Provision must be made there for Mass later on. Also it would be wise to secure, when possible, a permanent church at Saltburn. About 40 attend Mass there on Sundays. I had 300 Communions at the 8.00 Mass at Redcar. The 10.30 was also well attended and the Church was crowded at the 6.30 when I confirmed 116 children and 14 converts. David Smallwood Inspiring speaker for Storey lecture Long-serving SVP volunteer Joyce Anderson died on March 22 at the age of 74 after being a member of the society for more than 40 years. She joined in St Gabriel’,s, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, before she moved to Redcar. She attended weekly conference meetings in both parishes, as well as district council meetings. She served as conference president and was one of three training officers for the SVP’,s central council in the diocese. Joyce received no medals or applause for what she did, which didn`t bother her because all she wanted to do was help people. Many people owe Joyce a great debt of gratitude. In the last few years her eyesight became a problem until she couldn`t see anymore, but that didn`t phase her. She attracted lots of friends in a coffee shop in Redcar, where she listened to people who had problems and offered advice when necessary in the true Vincentian spirit. Joyce passes away after lifetime of service Long-serving SVP volunteer Joyce Anderson has died at the age of 74 Inspiring speaker Dr Carmody Grey will give this year’,s Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture, which is organised by the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission. Dr Grey, who is assistant professor of Catholic theology at Durham University, will speak on the subject of “,Thinking about faith and the environment. What do we want to sustain?’,. Much of her work is in science, nature and the environment and she has become much in demand as a speaker on these issues. In 2021 she was visiting research fellow at the Laudato Si’, Research Institute and she will use themes from her acclaimed Hook Lecture for the Storey Lecture. We were keen that a wider audience should have the opportunity to consider her ideas, with time for questions and dialogue. She teaches and speaks publicly and is a columnist for The Tablet. She particularly delights in supporting and enabling individuals and communities, including schools, churches, NGOs, and a range of lay groups and associations. To enable her to be available for the lecture and to take into account Covid infections, we have changed to an evening meeting this year and have again arranged it on Zoom. The lecture takes place on Tuesday June 21 at 7pm. To register, please email bhungin@yahoo.co.uk. Barbara Hungin Dr Carmody Grey, who will give this year’,s Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture York Catholic History Day returns to the Bar Convent on Saturday June 11 after a two-year absence. This year is the day’,s 25th anniversary. The speakers are…, Dr Scholastica Jacob, Durham: Rebuilding Libraries in a Second Exile, English Benedictine Nuns and their books, 1795–,1840 Dr Marjorie Coughlan, York: The English College and the Campagna Landscape, through the paintings and photographs of Bishop William Giles and Dr John Jenkins, York: A National Repository of Saints: the relic collections of Westminster Cathedral 1900–,1945. The day costs £,15 (students £,7.50). Coffee is available from 10am and the programme begins at 10.30am. There is a long lunch break, so participants have time to visit the exhibition at the Bar Convent Heritage Centre (admission not included). This year the exhibition includes a new display about the relic of the True Cross and a pop-up exhibition about the Baedeker Raid, during World War II when the convent received a direct hit and five sisters lost their lives. Lunches are available from the Bar Convent café,. The last talk will be at 2.30pm and there will be Mass in the chapel to end the day at around 4.30pm. If you are not already on the mailing list, email judith.smeaton@btinternet.com or call 01904 704525 for more information. Catholic History Day returns for 25th anniversary

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16 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + June 2022 NEWS Designed typeset and printed by CathCom, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk. CB9 7BN. To Advertise call 01440 730399. or e-mail: ads@cathcom.org –, serving Schools, Business and Homes If you would like to advertise please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org Please support our advertisers. Revenue from advertising pays for the production of this paper and without them we would not be able to produce the Catholic Voice free of charge Francis Hannaway, from St Gabriel’,s Parish, Middlesbrough, lives and works in Basankusu Diocese, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We got married –, three times! The first time was a traditional wedding, which took place at Judith’,s uncle’,s house. The women of the family hid Judith away. I went there with my friend Huang, Basankusu’,s only Chinese shopkeeper. He acted as my “,dad”, and spoke in my place at the wedding. Similarly, someone spoke on behalf of Judith’,s dad. Questions were asked: “,What have you come here for?”, Huang gave the answer as if it was him: “,Marriage!”, “,Well,”, continued the father’,s spokesman, “,I have a lot of daughters. Which one do you want?”, Even though Huang could easily name the bride as Judith, they then proceeded to parade a series of young women in front of him to see if any of them would do! The women, who’,d hidden Judith in the next room started demanding money to bring her from England. Huang replied that she was only in the next village and he would pay for a bicycle-taxi for her. Then, when all distractions were exhausted, he showered the women and girls with banknotes (worth 20p each!) and sweets. Judith was brought into the room and the dowry was paid to her family. It was very funny! A week later was the civil ceremony, in front of the territorial administrator. We’,d agreed on the price as $100, two crates of soft drinks and two plastic chairs –, we paid it all. Judith was in full flow the night before this second wedding. Dress, hair, make-up, but we still hadn’,t been given a time to arrive. When we sent Judith’,s sister, Leticia, to find out, she said they had no record of the booking and we’,d have to pay again because the agent who took our money had run away with it! We had no choice. We finally got to the territory and stood on a balcony in full view of the street outside. Everyone came to gawk. The ceremony included taking a glass of orange Fanta and holding it for Judith to drink from, and then she held the glass for me to drink from. Judith was over-enthusiastic and mine nearly came out of my nose! The third wedding was at Basankusu Cathedral, a week after the town hall one. The preparations started weeks before, calling in pigs, sheep, goats and chickens from family members and keeping them fed and watered until the day. Dancers came to our house for weeks before to practise dancing to the latest pop songs. The evening before the wedding, the cooks and the servers (known as the protocol) arrived. Cooking would go on all night. The generator that would light up our garden and play loud music arrived and started to do its work. The butchers arrived. Judith decided not to sleep. She would survey the cooks in case they stole food. I decided to get some sleep. What with the sound of the generator, the music, and the chopping of meat, just outside my window, it wasn’,t easy! At 7.35am we joined the procession behind the two priests at Basankusu Cathedral. We subtly danced our way in with the readers and the altar-servers. We made our vows and exchanged rings in a Mass that lasted four hours! The choir was amazing, the congregation euphoric at every stage. We lay low for much of the afternoon, at Huang’,s house, but arrived back at the house to find 200 people sitting in our yard! We sat like king and queen. We ate and drank, and people of limited means gave their modest gifts. We were spirited away at 9pm. Only an hour later, a heavy tropical thunderstorm dispersed the guests (who would have stayed all night). And that was it –, we got married three times! •,If you would like to support Francis’, work in the Congo, you can donate via PayPal by typing PayPal.me/FHannaway into your browser, tap the link on his Facebook page or via internet banking: Pay: Francis Hannaway, Ref: Congo, sort code: 40-33-01, account: 01172115. Tying the knot, Congo style! Francis and Judith after their wedding in the Congo

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