NOVEMBER 2022 Issue 482 FREE V OICE Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Bishop’,s Column Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen It is such a common and well-worn prayer, that it trips off our tongue with such ease, and perhaps little thought. It’,s November, and I always think this signals the beginning of the “,dark months”,. I know the nights have been getting longer all the way through October, but in October we can still remember the long summer days and the warmth of the early autumn sun. When November comes, that’,s it! Only dark and winter lies ahead. No wonder November is the time that the Church soberly reminds us of the fact that death is the one thing we can all count on. Tempus fugit, momento mori –, Time flies, remember death. Although it is not a pleasant thing to contemplate, if we are truly believers in Christ who died and is risen, then death can hold no real fears. November is also the month of special prayer for the Holy Souls. It has always been a strong tradition to offer prayer and masses for the repose of those who have gone before us –, those we have known and loved, relatives, benefactors, and friends. Also, there is an age-old custom of praying for those souls in Purgatory who no-one remembers. As I have got older, I have made a specific task of remembering all the priests who ministered to me in parishes where I have lived and with whom I have worked. You might think of that too. And while you are doing that, remember to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who have ministered to you in this diocese, all the bishops, priests and deacons, the religious priests, brothers and sisters. Commend them all to God’,s mercy. I share with you an interesting and amusing bit of anonymous poetry from the 1930s that I discovered recently. It’,s slightly wacky but take it as you like! One of these nights about twelve o’,clock The old world’,s going to reel and rock, The sinners going to tremble and pain And the Lord will come in his aeroplane. O ye thirsty of every tribe Get your ticket for an aeroplane ride, Jesus our Saviour is a-coming to reign And take you up to glory in his aeroplane. In blessed hope, Thousands of people flocked to St Mary’,s Cathedral in Middlesbrough and Our Lady of Lourdes &, St Peter Chanel, Hull, to visit the relics of Lourdes visionary St Bernadette. At the cathedral, volunteers gave out 3,000 Miraculous Medals to those attending, but supplies ran out well before the end of the event because of the large number who came. Monsignor Gerard Robinson said the visit went even better than expected. “,I think it`s renewed and restored people`s faith, as well as giving them hope in these difficult times we live in,”, he said. “,Seeing so many people come gives me hope as well. I was amazed at the number of young people who came and the prayerful way they placed their medals against the relics. “,There was a prayerful atmosphere throughout, and so many people took the chance to go to confession, including some people who hadn`t been for over 40 years. “,It`s wonderful for a priest to be part of that because it`s a huge part of the person`s life that somehow is coming together.”, Monsignor Robinson thanked the volunteers who worked hard ahead of the visit and throughout the night. Bishop Terry presided at services throughout the 24 hours. He was then in Hull as the relics returned to the diocese for a second overnight stay. The Hull visit included a service of reception with Mass and anointing, before public veneration and Rosary led by young people and the Polish community. Veneration and confessions continued through the night before morning prayer and Mass, before the relics departed at 6.45am. Diocese of Middlesbrough Lourdes director Keith Tillotson, who organised the visit, said it was a real team effort. “,The visit was a massive success for the diocese, for our Lourdes pilgrimage and for both churches,”, he said. What’,s Inside Sleeping out for the homeless Page 15 Relics picture special Pages 8 &, 9 Thousands flock to visit Lourdes relics The relics of St Bernadette at St Mary`s Cathedral –, Photo by Chris Booth Continued on Page 2

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2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 NEWS “,We showed compassion, spirituality, friendship, commitment and professionalism throughout the visit. “,This was an event that will live long in the memory of many people. The many highlights included the arrival, our Mass of Anointing, night prayers by torchlight, Lourdes music and Mass and, of course, the intimate quiet times with the relics. “,The water gesture was a popular service, replicating the experience of pilgrims visiting the baths in Lourdes. It was also very special to see around 600 young people from our schools taking part. “,The whole visit was emotional and deeply touching. We have a fantastic Lourdes team, and it’,s a privilege to work with them all.”, Mr Tillotson also thanked those who arranged the flowers, the cathedral music team and choir and the Lourdes musicians. Monsignor Robinson is hoping the event will inspire more people to go to Lourdes from May 26 to June 2 2023, when the diocese will celebrate its 70th pilgrimage. “,Throughout the visit, we took the names of people who came along for a little taste of Lourdes and now want to do their bit and become part of this amazing Lourdes experience.”, The visit was part of a national tour and is the first time the relics have come to the UK. The tour also included a stop at Ampleforth Abbey. To learn more about the Middlesbrough pilgrimage, visit middlesbrough- diocese.org.uk/Lourdes or email Keith Tillotson at pilgrimagedirector@rcdmidd.org.uk. BISHOP TERRY`S NOVEMBER ENGAGEMENTS 2 Attends Council of Priests meeting at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough 1.30pm 3 Attends meeting of CSAN Board Meeting, Zoom 4pm 4 School Visitation to St Joseph`s School, Pickering 9am 7 Attends meeting of Northern Church Leaders, Zoom 4pm 8 Attends meeting of Bishop’,s Council at Middlesbrough 10.30am 10-13 Visit of the Nuncio 14-17 Attends Bishop’,s Plenary, Hinsley Hall 18 School Visitation to St Mary’,s, Malton 9am 19-20 Parish Visitation to Malton All weekend 22-23 Attends Ampleforth Covenant Retreat 24 School Visitation to Sacred Heart School, Middlesbrough 9am 25 School Visitation to St Richard`s School, Hull 9am Thousands flock to visit Lourdes relics Continued from Page 1 Father Cassian Dickie OSB died peacefully in the Monastery Infirmary at Ampleforth Abbey at the age of 81. He was born in Aberdeen in May 1941 and attended Robert Gordon’,s College in the city. Between 1960 and 1962 he worked in the family pharmacy and then began training as a chartered accountant. He gained an MA in Medieval and Modern History from the University of Aberdeen and then a DipEd from the University of Edinburgh. For the next 20 years he filled a variety of posts in very different settings and he was also the Liberal candidate for Peterborough in the 1973 General Election. He converted to Catholicism and in 1988 joined the Benedictine community at Farnborough Abbey in Hampshire. He joined the monastic community at Ampleforth Abbey in August 1990 and was ordained priest in January 1996. Father Cassian was housemaster of St Aidan’,s in Ampleforth College, as well as being junior master and master of studies in the abbey. He worked in the local parish in Kirkbymoorside before becoming a parish priest in the dioceses of Leeds and Liverpool. In 2019, Father Cassian underwent surgery for cancer, followed by chemotherapy. He returned to reside in the Monastery Infirmary at Ampleforth Abbey in May 2022, where he died on October 1. His funeral Mass was celebrated in the Abbey Church on Wednesday October 12, followed by burial in the Monks’, Wood. Ampleforth mourns death of Father Cassian Father Cassian Dickie OSB, who has died at the age of 81 Father Pat O’,Neill with donations for Thornaby Food Bank collected by children from St Patrick`s Primary School Be the eyes and ears of the poor Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? I’,m sure we all enjoy singing this hymn. How can we make these words real in our lives? Will you be the eyes and ears of the poor in your local communities, not just your parishioners, but anyone who may be struggling to make ends meet in the coming months? Many parishes will have their own ways of doing this, but I want you to be aware of how the SVP can help you if you don’,t have the resources, financial or human, to do it. As we did during the Covid pandemic, we have set up a £,500,000 fund to help. A generous donor has agreed to match fund any amount given out so the fund could be doubled this way. How do you do this? Contact a member of your parish SVP conference, or one in a nearby parish if you know one, or get in touch with the diocesan central council, which will apply for funds on your behalf and offer ongoing support locally. While we cannot pay everyone’,s utility bills, we can make sure they can feed their families by providing supermarket vouchers or bags of food if necessary, or help with an emergency breakdown, such as a washing machine for a family. Sometimes an ear to guide them to sources of support such as debt issues may be useful, or someone to sit alongside them at meetings so they don’,t feel alone. Please be our eyes and ears by contacting francesg@svp.org.uk or Sharonp@svp.org.uk or phone Sharon on 07554 336984. Frances Gilchrist Middlesbrough President, SVP

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November 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 NEWS Francis Hannaway, from St Gabriel’,s Parish, Middlesbrough, lives and works in Basankusu Diocese, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I finally had a short break in Middlesbrough, and when I got back to Kinshasa, Judith was keen to get back to Basankusu, to buy more stock and survey the work at the centre. I had to stay in Kinshasa for a few weeks to get another three-month stamp in my passport. Judith called a few contacts and secured a place on the 16-seater plane going to Basankusu’,s palm-oil plantation. Mentioning her headteacher father’,s name was enough to secure a seat. The plane would go directly to Basankusu. Then she told me that she was giving away the seat. “,Don’,t worry,”, she smiled, “,I’,m giving it to the general councillor for Mill Hill Missionaries –, he’,s just arrived for a visit. They’,re going to get me on another plane the following day!”, Father Philip Adede MHM was pressed for time –, he needed to get to Basankusu in a hurry. And so off he went. Judith got a call the day Father Philip went. “,Your new flight has been cancelled.”, Now she was stuck. Father Patrick Lonkoy MHM had welcomed Father Philip, but having also been left behind, would now find another flight with Judith. They arranged a flight for the following morning, Saturday, at 6am. It would take them to Mbandaka. We often fly to Mbandaka. It’,s at the point where the Equator crosses the Congo River. After that, to get to Basankusu, it’,s necessary to travel by river for 36 hours. Still half asleep, they both arrived at Kinshasa Airport. At about 10am the flight was cancelled –, but not to worry, it would go the next day. Judith’,s brother lived nearby, so she stayed there. The next morning they were told, “,Oh, we don’,t fly on Sundays!”, While all this was going on, there was a national fuel shortage –, not just for cars, but also for aviation fuel. Perhaps that was the problem. Monday’,s flight was postponed to Tuesday. People were starting to get angry, not least of whom was Judith. Tuesday’,s flight was postponed till Wednesday. Father Gregoire, a Basankusu priest, arrived to take a flight on Wednesday. That flight also didn’,t go. Father Patrick was starting to panic. “,Father Philip is returning via Mbandaka –, I need to be there to help him.”, He asked about another flight, and, after paying something extra, was on his way. Father Gregoire and Judith reluctantly reclaimed their cases and went back to Kinshasa. They were eventually offered a place on Saturday morning, a full week after the first attempt. There were to be two flights. Father Gregoire was placed on the first. Judith was left again. The other passengers got very angry and started banging on the counter. They pushed forward and there were scuffles with the airline staff. People tried to climb over the counter to see the manager. The police came in. It was chaos. The flight was cancelled. We don’,t know if the fuel shortage was still a factor –, there’,d also been torrential rain in Mbandaka. But it was more likely to be the fact that the passengers had become a safety risk. On Sunday morning, Judith finally flew to Mbandaka. Father Philip and Father Patrick were able to return on the same plane. Father Gregoire was waiting for Judith –, and on Monday morning they set off for Basankusu by river, arriving, exhausted, early Wednesday morning. •,You can follow Francis and his work in the Congo on Facebook and Instagram. No chance of a flying visit as fuel shortage strikes The outboard-powered canoe Judith and Father Gregoire continued their journey in –, from Mbandaka to Basankusu is around 300 miles Norbertines celebrate with Pope Francis I n Muston, two miles inland from Filey, is a ",mini monastery", of Norbertine Canons who moved to here nine years ago. Comprising of two canons, Father Thomas Swaffer and Father Martin Gosling, it is the smallest community of the order, which was founded by St Norbert at Pré,montré,, north- east of Paris, on Christmas Day 1121. Over the past 12 months, this small community, as other communities throughout the world, have celebrated 900 years of the order`s existence, culminating in an international symposium in Rome, at which the Muston canons participated. The highlight of the symposium was a private audience with Pope Francis. The order had its first foundation in Yorkshire at Easby in 1152, followed by Swainby, Coverham and Kirby Malham. All were lost at the Reformation. The order returned to England to Crowle, Lincolnshire, which will be celebrating its sesquicentenary (150 years) this October. Father Thomas with Pope Francis Father Martin meets the Holy Father Vatican reaffirms nuclear test ban support The Vatican Secretary of State has reaffirmed the Holy See’,s support for a comprehensive ban on nuclear tests, encouraging all states to take action to restore contaminated areas and assist victims of radioactive nuclear testing. With rhetoric and the threat of nuclear war rising, Cardinal Pietro Parolin reiterated the Holy See’,s firm stance against nuclear tests and expressed its support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). He said that 26 years after it was opened for signature, the treaty remains a vital component of the nuclear disarmament regime. “,It is the hope of the Holy See that as the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty Organization seeks additional signatures and ratifications, it finds ways to collaborate with efforts that promote and strengthen the TPNW, especially in verification,”, he said. “,The Holy See encourages all states, especially those that rely on nuclear deterrence, to contribute to efforts that seek to remediate contaminated environments and assist victims who have suffered harm. “,While these states do not currently have a legal responsibility to contribute to such efforts, they have a moral obligation to redress the harms inflicted by nuclear testing.”,

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4 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 LOURDES £,1.80 provides a child with a meal every weekday for a month Donate Now at www.reachfoundationuk.org THE REACH FOUNDATION UK Our 70th Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday May 26 to Friday June 2 2023 and will be led by Bishop Terry. The organising committee has been working hard since our return from Lourdes this year to negotiate the best possible prices and we have taken on board the economic situation, inflation and soaring energy and food costs. Bearing all that in mind, we have secured full board prices starting at £,799, with a flight- only option at £,550. Insurance is in addition, as is with any single-room supplement. We encourage you to book early as demand for the pilgrimage is expected to be extremely high. To improve the pilgrimage experience, we have put in place the following booking system: Pilgrims wishing to stay in the Accueil Notre Dame Please complete the supported pilgrim application available from our pilgrimage secretary, Pat Ling. Our medical team will review your application and will be in touch to carry out a nursing assessment on each applicant. Initially, booking will not be through Tangney Tours but directly with the pilgrimage, as detailed on the application forms. Those who wish to come as hotel supported pilgrims We will only be able to support those pilgrims with assistance from the designated hotel to the services and return. Due to limited numbers of volunteers, we will not be able to offer any personal care. You will be required to fill in a “,Hotel Supported Pilgrim”, application, available from Pat Ling, which will enable our medical team to assess your needs while on pilgrimage. In addition to the “,Hotel Supported Pilgrim”, application, you will need to complete a Tangney Tours booking form. This should be completed after your nursing assessment. Pilgrims not requiring any assistance All other pilgrims not requiring any assistance are asked to complete either an online booking or paper booking form and send it to Tangney Tours. Application forms are available in all parishes. Email Pat Ling at lourdessecretary@rcdmidd.org.uk or call her on 01642 760105 for more information. Join us to celebrate our 70th pilgrimage Cheryl Ann raises our hearts and minds Did not our hearts burn within us? (Luke 24:32) On Saturday September 10, more than 520 people gathered at the Spa, Scarborough, for our Commissioning and Inspiration Day for Ministers of the Word and Holy Communion. This was the first such event since 2019, before the pandemic, and many people remarked that it was great to be back. The day was led by Cheryl Ann Smith of the Madonna House Community, in her last engagement in our diocese before moving on to pastures new. Cheryl Ann led us through reflecting on the Walk to Emmaus and the implications for us as ministers. Cheryl Ann shared with us a little of her own journey and how she had been prompted by the Holy Spirit to make a commitment to God through her ministry with the Madonna House Community and the many blessings that she had received and indeed continues to receive from God. We’,re all on a sort of walk to Emmaus. We’,re all invited to encounter Jesus through prayer, the Eucharist and each other. We do not need to be afraid to commit ourselves to God’,s work. God holds each of us in the palm of his hand. Cheryl Ann raised many people`s hearts and minds once again to their ministry, helping them to reground themselves. Many thanks to Cheryl Ann for her 12 years of ministry in our diocese. We wish her well for the future and pray that her life be filled with many blessings. The day concluded with Mass, celebrated by Father Tony Lester, with Father Jose Michael concelebrating, and during which our ministers were commissioned in their ministry. Blanka Pavlickova, Mathieu Dacquay, Cheryl Ann Smith, Jeanne Guillemette of the Madonna House community at our Commissioning and Inspiration day in in Scarborough –, Photo by Johan Bergströ,m-Allen

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November 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 5 SCHOOLS Rapid progress at Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary School in Redcar has been recognised in a glowing Ofsted report. The 721–,pupil school, part of the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT), has been rated Good in all areas by Ofsted, having previously been told it required improvement. Inspectors found a “,calm and orderly atmosphere in lessons and around the school”,, with a strong culture of safeguarding. “,Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary is a school where all staff have high expectations of their pupils,”, the report says. “,Leaders have an ambitious vision for all pupils to achieve well. The Christian ethos of the school is central to this. The school has improved because of the actions leaders have taken. “,Leaders have developed an ambitious and challenging curriculum for all pupils. Leaders have identified the important knowledge they want pupils to know and remember in each subject. Teachers have secure subject knowledge. They present new ideas in a way that pupils find easy to understand.”, The report said pupils are proud of school values such as strength, resilience and community and play an active role in the local community and beyond, visiting care homes, providing hampers for those in need at Christmas and visiting a school in Ghana as part of an international expedition. The report praised Sacred Heart’,s award- winning careers advice and guidance programme, which was Teesside’,s first educational establishment to meet all eight prestigious Gatsby Benchmarks. Leaders from the school and the trust have warmly welcomed the report. Trust executive headteacher Michael Burns said: “,From the first moment I walked through the doors at Sacred Heart, I knew that with the support of NPCAT, the systems for school improvement would have a rapid and significant impact.”, Deputy head Kim Welbourne said: “,The staff at Sacred Heart are absolutely thrilled with this report, which recognises the hard work of our whole school community and our dedication to our pupils.”, NPCAT senior standards officer Angela White added: “,We are delighted with the Ofsted judgement. We have worked hard as a trust over the last three years to ensure the school made the improvements needed to begin our journey back to becoming an Outstanding school.”, NPCAT CEO Hugh Hegarty said the report acknowledges the excellent work undertaken to improve Sacred Heart over the last three years. “,NPCAT now has a proven track record of knowing its schools and understands what is required to improve the quality of education afforded to every pupil. “,I want to acknowledge the role played by chair of governors Danny Corey and the local governing board, along with trust executive headteacher Michael Burns and his leadership team in supporting the school. “,While this is good news, we will not stand still. Teachers and leaders are already working to make Sacred Heart an Outstanding school with outstanding outcomes for our children.”, NPCAT recently expanded to add one additional secondary, St Francis Xavier School in Richmond, and nine primary schools in North Yorkshire and the City of York, taking the total of schools in the trust from 27 to 37. The Diocese of Middlesbrough recently rated Sacred Heart as a Good Catholic school after an inspection in July, saying, “,Strong senior leadership is rapidly moving the school forward.”, Delight as Sacred Heart earns ‘,Good’, rating Sacred Heart pupils celebrate their school`s Good Ofsted rating –, Photo by Chris Booth

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6 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 NEWS I’,d like to start by thanking our wonderful volunteers and supporters around the diocese for their overwhelming response to the Pakistan Floods appeal and our Harvest Fast Day appeal for the global food crisis. Your generous responses are humbling to witness and a privilege to behold. Thank you to everyone who gave a fast day talk in a parish or organised a soup lunch, quiz night, coffee morning or bake sale and to those who supported them –, your efforts are greatly appreciated! We all know that the need for your responses is due to climate change, so we are hoping our world leaders will agree to take definite actions at the upcoming COP27 climate talks, which take place from November 6 to 18 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. A year ago, thousands of us demanded leaders take the action necessary to end the climate emergency as they gathered in Glasgow for the COP26 climate talks. Some progress was made –, but it wasn’,t enough. Too many cans were kicked down the road to the next UN climate summit, COP27. The reality of the climate crisis has only become starker since leaders left Glasgow. Millions of our sisters and brothers in East Africa are fighting to survive a catastrophic food crisis made even worse by the climate crisis, with millions more members of our global family in Pakistan left homeless by unprecedented flooding. Heatwaves during the summer in the UK placed an extraordinary strain on fire brigades and the NHS, while our energy bills are soaring because of volatile fossil fuel prices. We are specifically asking Liz Truss and other world leaders to: •,Set up and contribute to a fund that will support communities whose homes, livelihoods and ways of living are being lost to or damaged by the climate crisis. •,Stop supporting any more fossil fuel projects in the UK and overseas and increase support for low-income countries to develop cheaper and cleaner renewable energy sources, improving global energy security and cutting the greenhouse gas emissions causing the climate crisis. •,Pledge to take steps to fix our broken food system by committing to reduce emissions from intensive agriculture and by providing funding for low-income countries to make food production and local supply chains more resilient in the face of the climate crisis. It’,s clear we need leaders to put us on track to end the climate crisis. We need them to stop kicking the can down the road. Sign our online petition at action.cafod.org.uk/page/113421/action/1 Carol Cross CAFOD Community Particpation Coordinator Time to stop kicking climate can down the road November is the month when we traditionally remember our deceased loved ones and at CAFOD we celebrate a special Memorial Mass each year. This year it will be celebrated by CAFOD chair and Bishop of Salford John Arnold on Wednesday November 2 at 6pm. Joining couldn’,t be easier, just go to cafod.org.uk/mass. A Candlelight Fund is a special fund in memory of a loved one who has died. All donations in their memory will make a life-changing difference to the families and communities we support. It can be a private act of remembrance –, donating to mark special moments such as your loved one`s birthday –, or you can invite others to join in too. Creating a lasting tribute in memory of your loved one means their light will continue to shine through CAFOD`s work. Join us for our Memorial Mass There’,s a CAFOD World Gift for everyone! World Gifts are CAFOD’,s charity gift range of unusual, ethical presents that will delight your friends and family. Perfect for any occasion, gifts start from £,4 for that special something, all the way up to £,4000 –, something to aim for in your community or parish. We’,ve got something for everyone –, gardeners, animal lovers, teachers, entrepreneurs –, the list goes on! And the great news is our gifts really do transform lives. Check out our full range online at cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/World-Gifts. Catholic women gather from around the world Representatives from 46 countries gathered for the World Union of Catholic Women’,s Organisations (WUCWO) meeting in Athens. This was the first face-to-face conference in four years and highlighted the dire and cruel situations women suffer in many parts of the world. The theme was “,Women builders of peace in a Church that goes forth”,, and it was riveting to listen to the stories and conversations that continued into the night, many of them almost unbelievable in our world today. Women from the Middle East highlighted the poverty in the region and the physical and mental difficulties of practising their faith. Sisterly support, prayer and belonging gives them the strength to keep going. Representatives from Africa said how humbled they were to hear the heart-breaking stories, which made them feel so much better off than others. We were honoured in the opening ceremony of the meeting by the presence of the apostolic exarch to Greece of the Greek Byzantine Catholic Church, Monsignor Manuel Nin, and then in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday together were joined by Monsignor Savio Hon Tai-Fai, Apostolic Nuncio to Greece. WUCWO’,s aims include a mission of evangelisation and working for human development. Pope Francis has nominated WUCWO president general Marí,a Lí,a Zervino as one of the first three women to join the Dicastery of Bishops in Rome. He believes the Holy Spirit is leading women to dream together of a renewed Church, hand in hand with Mary, the Queen of Peace. Margaret Clark National Board of Catholic Women Margaret Clark with Marí,a Lí,a Zervino

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November 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 7 NEWS During the early part of the year, over two- thirds of parishes across the diocese took part in the Church’,s Synod on Synodality –, do you remember? Recently, I was asked “,What’,s happening now in terms of the synod?”, It felt like I was being asked, “,What are you doing after the synod?”, It’,s easy for us to slip into the mode of thinking that it’,s up to someone else now. We did our bit in having our parish consultation! My answer to the question posed was “,Where’,s yer synthesis?”, At the end of May, we held a diocesan day in the cathedral where every parish representative who attended was given a copy of our Diocesan Synthesis which brought together the thoughts, concerns and ideas of those people who participated in their parish synod consultations. The representatives were asked to take the synthesis back to their parish community so that they could explore what could be taken from the document and put into practice locally. It’,s not about waiting for the outcome of the synod in 2023, but about how we seek to act on our discussions, turning our ideas into practical action. Echoes of the Young Christian Workers’, See, Judge and Act methodology. If we don’,t seek to implement our ideas, then we run the danger of merely Seeing and Judging, with no Action to follow on. Keep the “,spiritual conversation”, going, or even restart it if it has faltered. One of the key points of the synod process is how we listen to one another and how we journey together as a faith community. The synodal process is entering its second stage. The goal is the same –, “,to walk together”,. “,It`s not about gathering opinions, nor holding a parliament,", the Holy Father says in his Pope Video for October, brought to us by the Pope`s Worldwide Prayer Network, but rather “,listening to each other in our diversity and opening doors to those who are outside the Church.”, And by listening to “,the protagonist, the Holy Spirit,”, which requires prayer, the synod can become an “,opportunity to be a Church of closeness, which is God`s style.”, What does it mean “,to synod”,? It means walking together: syn-od. This is what it means in Greek: “,to walk together”, and to walk on the same road. And this is what God expects of the Church of the third millennium –, that it regains its awareness of being a people on the road and of having to travel together. A Church with this synodal style is a Church Have you read your copy of our Diocesan Synthesis? that listens, that knows that listening is more than just hearing. It means listening to each other in our diversity and opening doors to those outside the Church. It`s not about gathering opinions, nor holding a parliament. The Synod isn`t a survey, it`s about listening to the protagonist, the Holy Spirit. It`s about praying. Without prayer, there will be no Synod. Let us take advantage of this opportunity to be a Church of closeness, which is God`s style of closeness. And let us give thanks to all the people of God who, with their attentive listening, are walking the synodal way. Let us pray that the Church, ever faithful to the Gospel and courageous in preaching it, may live in an increasing atmosphere of synodality and be a community of solidarity, fraternity, and welcome. —,Pope’,s Prayer Video Maybe we can begin again by asking, “,During our consultation what did we See? How did we understand what we saw? What are we doing about it?”, –, See, Judge and Act. So let’,s remind ourselves of what the Synod consultation asked of us: •, How is our journeying together happening in our local church as a result of the synod? What, if anything has changed? •, Have we done anything about reaching out to people on the margins? Do we even know who these people are? •, How do we communicate the Good News within and beyond our parish community? Are we Missionary Disciples? •, Are we a welcoming parish? Do we have people whose ministry it is to welcome people? •, Do we have a parish pastoral council? If not, why not? •, Have we given any thought about reaching out to young people? Why not explore links with your school community? •, Do we meet regularly, other than on a Sunday, to pray for the needs of the Church and our community? What about Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament? •, What are our needs in terms of catechesis and formation? As you can see, there are many things we can begin to act on in our local parishes. The diocesan synthesis provides us with the framework for taking our synodal work forward, both on a local and diocesan level. If you want a copy of the Diocesan Synthesis document, you can download it from the diocesan website or contact me by emailing adultformation@rcdmidd.org.uk or calling 01642 850505 extension 241. Deacon David Cross Adult Formation Coordinator World’,s children pray for an end to violence Children around the world united in praying for peace in countries devastated by war, violence or crippling poverty. They were taking part in Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’,s “,A Million Children Praying the Rosary”, initiative, which asks young people in parishes, kindergartens, schools and families to come together in prayer every year on October 18. A message from ACN’,s international president Cardinal Mauro Piacenza and Father Barta –, released ahead of the day of prayer –, stressed that ACN wanted to put countries where there is no peace into the hands of God the Father, through the intercession of Mary. The message read: “,Let us especially entrust to the powerful and loving hands of the divine Father and the mighty intercession of the Mother of God those countries where war, violence and deep poverty prevail –, as in Ukraine, the Middle East, Nigeria, the Sahel region of Africa and all those places where people are unable to live in peace.”, The prayer campaign particularly encourages young people to trust in God during difficult times, and the 2022 campaign poster shows a pair of hands supporting the globe. The hands symbolise those of God the Father, who created the world in love and desires that everyone should be saved. Now in its seventeenth year, “,A Million Children Praying the Rosary”, began in Venezuela’,s capital Caracas in 2005, when a group of children came together to pray. In October 2020, Pope Francis gave his backing to the prayer initiative during one of his Angelus messages, saying: “,I encourage this beautiful event that involves children throughout the world.”, To find out more about this initiative, visit acnuk.org or search on YouTube.

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8 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 RELICS Thousands of people came to Middlesbrough, Hull and Ampleforth to venerate the relics of St Bernadette. Middlesbrough photos by Chris Booth, Hull photos by Mary Broadhead Relics of St Bernadette

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November 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 9 RELICS

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10 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 NEWS Food waste charity BanktheFood is appealing to communities across the UK to clear out their cupboards and donate urgently needed items to community food banks. BanktheFood’,s free app sends shoppers a list of urgently needed items from their local food bank. It also pings a list on arrival at the supermarket, enabling shoppers to add an item to their shop and donate it at the local donation station. BanktheFood co-founder Emma Spring said: “,It’,s such a simple way to genuinely help people around you who are struggling and need help now more than ever. “,The app means people using food banks get a balance of what they need. It would be great if everyone donated just one thing. Each donation will put food on someone’,s table, possibly the same day.”, Download the free BanktheFood app, find your local food bank and help them get the goods they need. Follow BanktheFood on Facebook atbankthefood or Twitter atBanktheFoodUK Appeal to stop food waste and help food banks A Letter From Madonna House –, Autumnal longings for home With the crisp, sometimes biting air, the changing and falling of leaves, the harvest come and largely gone, Mother Nature slows her bountiful fecundity towards a near standstill. Undoubtedly, some find in the season of autumn a loveliness unparalleled. But my experience of this season is better captured in Gerard Manley Hopkins’, poem, Margaret, Are You Grieving? In it, Hopkins suggests that autumn foreshadows mankind’,s mortality. I suppose my soul feels rather autumnal these days. The continual devastations of the war in Ukraine press down like a thick November fog. Cheryl Ann Smith’,s departure for other pastures in the Lord brings to an end an era here at Madonna House that has been life- giving for so many in this diocese and the UK at large, as well as to those of us here who have been blessed to have had her for a director. [Indeed, our new director Jeanne Guillemette brings with her so many wonderful gifts, and our house is entering into a brand-new era, filled with promises of numerous blessings, but that does not mask the sadness of saying goodbye to a dear friend and companion on the journey, one who has been a great source of encouragement for myself and for many.] Yet, without a doubt, the most autumnal experience of these past months for me has been the grieving of the passing of my father, who died peacefully in my arms at the end of May. How can someone be so full of purpose and life one minute, and gone the next? Through all of this, I feel a deep emptiness: “,All things are passing,”, said St Teresa of Avila. Touching so profoundly the transiency of all the good and lovely things of this world certainly highlights my inability to satiate the hunger within: no one and no thing on earth can bring me the satisfaction and fulfilment for which I long. Yet this emptiness unwittingly accentuates my longing for that which truly can satisfy. I hunger for God. St Teresa continues, “,All things are passing, God never changes.”, With all the unsolvable problems and unrelenting evils that plague our world, we cannot pretend to think that this world, as it is, is our home. Yet, we do have a home. We are made to live for ever in “,a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens”, (2 Corinthians 5:1 RSV). And it is to that house that my father and our deceased loved one have gone forth. Perhaps the seasons of spring and summer highlight the breaking forth of God and of his kingdom into this world, encouraging us to work towards the furtherance of this kingdom. But it is autumn that fans into a flame my longing for our eternal home, where God will “,wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things [will] have passed away”, (Revelations 21:4). Father Michael Weitl BanktheFood’,s top tips for donating to food banks: 1. Always check use-by dates –, food banks cannot distribute food that is out of date. 2. Packaging must be in good condition, unopened and undamaged. 3. Food banks often need non-food items too, such as deodorant, nappies, sanitary products and pet food. Check the app to see what is needed. 4. Find out what your local food bank is most in need of –, you can find out by using the bankthefood app. This reduces the need for storage. 5. Food banks need long-lasting store cupboard food, and to be able to offer foods not reliant on using an oven. Ideal things to donate include rice and pasta, lentils and pulses, tinned foods, dehydrated foods such as Pot Noodles or Super Noodles, dried fruit, UHT and powdered milk, cereal, biscuits, tea and coffee and spreads (Marmite, honey, jam, peanut butter). Christians pray for Holy Land on UN Day of Peace Coventry Cathedral was the background for a special ecumenical choral evensong as Christians united in a time of prayer and reflection for the Holy Land on the UN International Day of Peace. The service was organised by the charity Friends of the Holy Land (FHL). In his homily, Bishop of Coventry Dr Christopher Cocksworth reflected on the importance of praying for peace for the Holy Land and how Jesus` call for peace came as he modelled that value from his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bishop Christopher encouraged the congregation to pray for all mothers whose children are caught up in conflict. The Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, a patron of FHL, led the congregation in prayer and invited them to pledge themselves to the work of reconciliation. As part of the cathedral`s commitment to furthering the importance of making people aware of FHL’,s work, a special 50 Faces exhibition was on display, telling the story of those currently living in the Holy Land. FHL executive director Brendan Metcalfe said: “,Being in Coventry Cathedral for this ecumenical service is special, as this place brings the importance of praying and working for reconciliation for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land into sharp focus. “,The font in the cathedral comes from a hillside in the Holy Land and is available for all to see.”, To find out more about FHL’,s work, visit friendsoftheholyland.org.uk. Archbishop Bernard Longley, Bishop Christopher Cocksworth and Dean of Coventry John Whitcombe

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November 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. 1 1972 Rev George Empson Dumfries 2 1939 Rev Patrick Buckley Hull 2 1944 Rev Geoffrey B Cremer York 6 2002 Rev Seamus Brennan Newry 7 2014 Rev Norman Jacobson Hull 9 1927 Rev Benventus Guy Masham 9 1955 Very Rev Canon Patrick Nerney South Bank 10 1936 Rev David O’,Connor Staithes 12 1995 Rt Rev Mgr Philip Purcell Tipperary 13 2019 Rev Colman Ryan Hull 13 2006 Rev Eamon P Carson Whitby 13 2012 Very Rev Canon Louis J Collingwood Middlesbrough 17 1983 Very Rev Canon Austin Pippet Hull 19 1893 Rev Thomas Smith Beverley 22 1955 Most Rev Archbishop Thomas Shine, second Bishop of Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 22 1999 Rev John Bury Scorton 22 2005 Rev Arthur Dutton Marske by the Sea 23 2008 Rev James Purcell Emly 25 1881 Rev Maurice Trant Thirsk 25 1990 Rev John Aldridge Middlesbrough 26 1938 Rev John Conlon Yarm 27 1973 Rev David O’,Donnell Staithes 27 1987 Canon Patrick Loughran Middlesbrough 29 1989 Rev James Johnston Halifax 30 1958 Very Rev Canon Denis Luddy Thornaby 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 FUNERAL DIRECTORS Register your interest for World Youth Day 2020 Pope Francis will meet young people in Lisbon for the next World Youth Day in August 2023. We hope a group from the Diocese of Middlesbrough will travel with Bishop Terry from July 31 to August 7 to join in this wonderful event. If there are people in your parish who will be aged between 18 and 35 by August 2023 and would like to go to Lisbon, please could you invite them to register their interest by emailing Father Phil Cunnah at frphilip.cunnah@rcdmidd.org.uk to receive further details. J Rymer Funeral Directors, York J Rymer Funeral Directors are here to support you and your family through your time of need. Supporting our local community for over 174 years. 15 Penley`s Grove Street Monkgate YorkYO31 7PW Call us on 01904 937 981 Bishop Terry with the group who made the pilgrimage to the last World Youth Day, in Panama Father Colman Ryan, who died in November 2019

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12 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 NEWS 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 November 4 for our December 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. 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 1 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Terry Doyle. Please email 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. 2 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 4 Friday Events, articles and photographs for December Voice are due by today. 5 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 Whats App group. 7 Monday 9.45-10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com. 8 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Terry Doyle. Please email terry-doyle@live.co.uk. 9 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 7pm The Hull Circle of the Catenian Association will meet on Wednesday 9th November in Lazaat Hotel in Cottingham. The meeting will be followed by a Mass for our deceased Brothers and a meal. Anyone who is willing to join us will need to contact the Circle Secretary at hullcirclesecretary@ gmail.com. 10 Thursday Middlesbrough Catenian Circle, sharing faith and friendship with kindred spirits throughout Teesside. Meeting at Middlesbrough Cricket Club, Green Lane, Middlesbrough TS5 7SL. Contact Peter Carey on 01642 317772 or Chris Rhodes on 01642 319161. 13 Sunday Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics, family and friends starts at 3pm in the Chapel of the Bar Convent. Doors open 2.30pm. 14 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. No charge, and everyone is 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. 15 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Terry Doyle. Please email terry-doyle@live.co.uk. 16 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 19 Saturday 7.30pm The Eddie White Sacred Heart Parish Dances –, Pat Jordan. All dances take place at the Erimus Club on Cumberland Road, Middlesbrough TS5 6JB. Please contact John Brown for further details on 07871958412. 20 Sunday 3pm Middlesbrough Fellowship Mass at St Joseph’,s Stokesley with Father Bill Charlton. 21 Monday 9.45-10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com. 22 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Terry Doyle. Please email terry-doyle@live.co.uk. 23 Wednesday 5.30pm Vespers and Benediction at St Mary’,s Cathedral, Middlesbrough. 26 Saturday Noon LGBTQ+ Catholics, family and friends social gathering in the café, at the Bar Convent. 28 Monday 9.45-10.25am Beverley Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Christianmeditation.beverley@gmail.com. 29 Tuesday 10am Christian Meditation Group meets online. Further information from Terry Doyle. Please email terry-doyle@live.co.uk. 30 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 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 each month, so please support their businesses. Bookings are being taken for two retreat days being planned to help Catholic women from the diocese explore their spirituality within a calm and welcoming space. Entitled “,Nurturing our spiritual life”,, they are in-person events offering an opportunity for nourishing and renewal. The events will be hosted at the St Bede’,s Pastoral Centre, 21 Blossom Street, York, on Saturday November 19 2022 and Saturday February 11 2023. There is no fee and help with travel costs may be available, thanks to support from the National Board of Catholic Women and the Diocese of Middlesbrough. To book or for more information, email programmeadmin@stbedes.org.uk or call 0190 4464 900. Retreat days help explore spirituality If you would like to advertise please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 248225 or email charlotter atcathcom.org

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November 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 13 NEWS 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. With relief and expectation, the Cleveland Newman Circle has resumed its annual programme of monthly talks in St Mary’,s Cathedral Hall. This venue was most appropriate when we welcomed Dr Margaret Turnham to talk about the history of the Diocese of Middlesbrough. In 1879, Rome decided the Diocese of Beverley should be divided into two: Middlesbrough and Leeds. The cause was industrialisation, with Leeds and the West Riding of Yorkshire being largely industrial but the North and East Ridings remaining mostly rural. This decision was greeted with joy in Middlesbrough –, the Methodist editor of the Evening Gazette announced: “,Another Prophet has arisen, and one that will be listened to in the centuries to come.”, The rest of Yorkshire was not uniformly pleased. The “,gentry”, valued the old Diocese of Beverley diocese, the boundaries of which coincided with the pre-Reformation Diocese of York. The city of York was split between the new dioceses. Hull was rejected as the see town and Middlesbrough (only founded in 1829) was on the northernmost perimeter. But Middlesbrough, with its good transport links, the largest church and 50 per cent of the diocese’,s Catholic population was chosen as the see town. At that time, Richard Lacy, born in Navan, County Meath, was one of the youngest priests in the Diocese of Beverley. Nonetheless, aged just 38, he was ordained Bishop of Middlesbrough, a position he kept for 50 years. He understood the large Irish population in the town and energetically set out to provide Mass centres (many originally based in schools) across the surrounding missions. He dedicated the diocese to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and had copies of the icon displayed in all churches. He also promoted the very new devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. After a difficult start, when the capital (financial and manpower) mostly rested with Leeds, by 1902 the diocese was fairly self- sufficient for funds and since the people needed a “,native”, priesthood, in 1880 a junior seminary was founded in Middlesbrough. Margaret’,s talk included many fascinating facts and figures about the developing diocese –, both in Middlesbrough itself and in Hull, York, Scarborough, as well as the more rural Stokesley, Osmotherley, Crathorne, Redcar, Pocklington and Easingwold. By the time Bishop Lacy died, the diocese had 85 parishes and Mass centres covering all areas, 86 priests with 30 men in junior and senior seminary and 19 religious orders supporting the work. Bishop Lacy`s overall legacy was an established and stable diocese, “,throbbing with life”,. Father Volodymyr Sampara, a Catholic priest from Ukraine working as a chaplain at Catterick, will speak at the circle’,s next meeting on the subject of “,Just war theory in the 21st century”,. The meeting takes place in St Mary’,s Cathedral Hall on Wednesday November 16 at 7.45pm, with coffee and tea from 7.30pm. All are welcome. For details call 01642 645732 or email p.egerton123@gmail.com. Talk reveals birth pangs of the diocese The first Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Rt Rev Richard Lacy Christian theatre company tours with new production RISE Theatre –, a Christian theatre company run by practising Catholics –, will bring its latest original production, F aithful Companions, to churches throughout the country next February and March. They are now looking for churches to book performances of the inspirational true story of Marie Madeleine d`Houë,t, foundress of the Faithful Companions of Jesus. The play focuses on the courageous story of her fight to address the great need in the world around her in 19th-century France and beyond, lived through steadfast devotion to Jesus Christ and responding to God’,s call. It is described as an inspirational story of faith, love, loss, discernment, vocation, social justice and missionary zeal –, and a great opportunity to deepen Lenten reflections and journey towards Easter. The booking fee for a performance of Faithful Companions is £,750, which includes all travel, expenses and marketing packs, although some parishes in the north of the diocese may be asked for an additional contribution towards travel expenses. The company says the average audience size on previous tours has been around 100 per performance and most churches have been able to cover booking costs through ticket sales. To secure a date for your church or for more information, email touring@risetheatre.co.uk, call 0118 324 7775 or visit risetheatre.co.uk/faithfulcompanions. You can also view a trailer of the production by searching for “,Rise Faithful Companions”, on YouTube.

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14 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 2022 NEWS Environment Corner The Letter conveys Pope’,s Laudato Si’, message through film Pope Francis’, encyclical had a profound effect worldwide, and yet the environment crisis has worsened during the seven years since its publication. Recognising the urgency, the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Human Development worked with the Laudato Si’, Movement to produce a film that’,s both heartbreaking and hopeful. In his encyclical, Pope Francis expressed a desire to dialogue with all peoples as he realised the importance of dialogue for peace and for creation. The normal process for this is to include those who run businesses/governments/churches and institutions, and those on the periphery are ignored. However, it is those on the periphery who suffer most from climate change and crisis. At the centre of this film are four voices –, representatives of youth, those who live in poverty and indigenous peoples and the voice of wildlife. A guiding principle of the film is that theology must dialogue with science. At the launch of the film, the president of the Inter- governmental Panel on Climate Change stressed the importance of inclusive encounters from different rooms of our common home to learn from each other and find solutions. Each of the four protagonists in the film receives a letter from Pope Francis inviting them to Rome to take part in dialogue and to share their stories. What transpires is a beautiful film with a profound message to us all. The visual images are so much more powerful than words and statistics. This visual letter is truly for us all. The film can be watched on YouTube by searching for “,The Letter –, Laudato Si’, film”,. I highly recommend it. Barbara Hungin The Letter is both heartbreaking and hopeful Many seafarers found themselves stranded on ships far from home during the pandemic. Peter Morgan, port chaplain in Bristol for Catholic charity Stella Maris (formerly called Apostleship of the Sea), learned just how difficult this could be when he supported the crew of the cruise ship Marco Polo. The ship had arrived in Avonmouth Docks in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. Soon afterwards, its owners went out of business, and the ship was detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which found expired and invalid Seafarers Employment Agreements, late payment of wages and seafarers who had been on board for over 12 months. Initially there was a crew of 200 on the Marco Polo, but, as the weeks went by, this reduced to around 40. Most were from the Philippines. Peter visited the ship most days to ask if there was anything he could do to help. He would go to the local shops to buy groceries, toiletries and other items, including birthday cakes. He organised GP appointments, collected prescriptions and liaised with the consulates. “,The crew were very concerned about whether they would get paid or not and how they were going to get home, as flights to most countries were grounded back then,”, said Peter. “,I listened to their concerns and tried to reassure them that everything would be okay. “,I sometimes spent eight or nine hours on the ship when this was allowed under the restrictions. I was very concerned about limiting anxieties and just being there to talk.”, Margaret Masibo, Stella Maris port chaplain in Mombasa, Kenya, also became a lifeline, for the crew of an abandoned fishing vessel in September last year. “,It was inhumane, what I saw when I boarded the FV Ra-Horakhty,”, she said. “,Men were crying, others were shouting, some had withdrawn into silence. For several days, they’,d had no food or fresh water. They were starving to death. Since the ship had been abandoned, not a single person had stepped on board to help –, until I did. “,The men had no money and couldn’,t disembark because they didn’,t have papers to be in Kenya. It was a terrible, heart- breaking sight to see people abandoned so carelessly.”, Margaret cooked for the crew a meal and gave them a week’,s supply of food and she arranged for drinking water to be delivered to the ship regularly. She also provided wifi units so the crew could video call their families, whom they hadn’,t spoken to for four months. She also put pressure on the shipping company to provide support for the crew, helped find legal representation for the men, and liaised with relevant embassies to get them home. “,Cases of ship abandonment are at record levels, leaving seafarers or fishers stranded in perilous situations –, often completely on their own. “,But nothing prepared me for what I discovered on board the FV Ra-Horakhty. I can’,t forget the words of the captain. ‘,Without your support, we would have jumped into the ocean,’, he said. ‘,We would not be alive today.’, “,Tragically, these situations are becoming all too common. Some unscrupulous ship owners don’,t care about the human cost of their actions. The latest figures show more than 3,500 seafarers are currently stranded on abandoned vessels around the world.”, It’,s only through the generosity of its supporters that Stella Maris can provide vital help to seafarers, whom we all rely on to bring us so many of the things we need. To make a donation, or to find out about the work of Stella Maris, visit stellamaris.org.uk Supporting abandoned seafarers around the world The cruise ship Marco Polo was stuck in Avonmouth Docks during the pandemic

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November 2022 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 15 NEWS From the Archives 40 Years Ago (From Log Book of St Mary’,s Primary School, Redcar) Vandals smashed twenty-seven windows in the school over the weekend. They also entered the Staff Room by means of a broken window. The only thing taken appears to have been a 1 ½, lb tin of coffee. The police and the school managers were notified. 100 Years Ago (From Bishop Shine’,s Visitation Notebook, November 12 1922) Stokesley. Went on Sunday morning by car and said 9 a.m. Mass where I preached. After Mass I confirmed 1 child. Some people told me that there were many lapsed, or at least non-practising, Catholics at Stokesley. So many, that if all attended the church would be full. I suggested to Fr Gerrity to have a Mission in spring. David Smallwood The Young Vincentians at St Francis Xavier School in Richmond raised £,680 for the SVP with an all-night sleepout. Twenty-four pupils chose to give up luxuries and creature comforts for the night –, some going without pillows and blankets, and all remaining in daywear –, no PJs! They all handed in their phones for the event too –, a big ask for teens. They observed an hour of silence, an idea they came up with in recognition of those who experience homelessness and may not have family and friends to speak to, something we take for granted. The group came together for night prayer before settling down on the school hall floor for the night, reflecting on the circumstances people find themselves in that lead to homelessness, or who lack basic necessities or a stable environment. ",Doing the sleepover made me realise anyone can become homeless, rich or poor,”, said Year 8 pupil Karla. “,I used to see a homeless person and assume they were a drug addict, but we learned how anyone can find themselves homeless. It isn`t all black and white. I want to be more caring towards the homeless now.", Georgia, from Year 10, added: “,I understand more about homelessness now and doing the sleepover has made me want to help more.”, “,I got three things out of doing the sleepover,", said Noah, from Year 10. “,It was extremely fun. The money we raised has gone to a good cause and will make a real difference. And it gave me the chance to reflect. I learned that homelessness can happen to anyone, any age, any walk of life.”, The pupils were accompanied by chaplaincy co-ordinator Liz Sanders and Clare Masterman, associate assistant headteacher and head of RE. Young Vincentians sleep out for the homeless Some of the Young Vincentians who took part in the sleepout Three pupils in their homemade shelter

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16 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + November 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 BODDY PRINTERS For all your parish printing, prayer cards, booklets, calendars, photocopying, stationery, business stationery, bingo and raffle tickets Wedding Stationery, Leaflets and Flyers Bingo and raffle machines also available 210 Parliament Road, Middlesbrough TS1 5PF T: 01642 224800 E: kevin.boddy@btconnect.com W: www.boddyprinters.co.uk A family of triplets has made use of the Covid lockdown by writing a book about their teenage years in the 1970s and the ups and downs of Catholic life in Middlesbrough. A follow-up to the cleverly named Three Peas in a Pram book of 2016, it contains both criticism and praise for Catholic priests and nuns connected with the former Nazareth House orphanage adjoining Albert Park. Rosie Farrow, oldest of the triplets –, beating sister, Frances, by one minute –, looks back at a time when a visit from a priest was sometimes feared. The girls lived in the orphanage for a year from July 15 1961 to July 7 1962. She ends the new book, Three Peas in the 70s, by saying sorry for any hurt caused. There are touching tributes to both dad and mum (",Dear Dad. Did I ever say thanks for all the toys you mended, games we played and the way you always tried to cheer me when I was down?",). Mum’,s thank you ended by asking: “,Most of all, did I ever say thanks for caring? Mum, I love you.”, The books, which are described as “,collective autobiography”,, reveal how Rosie Farrow started her own search for God ",because of my Catholic care and upbringing.", In researching for the second book, Rosie Farrow and her sisters called at Nazareth House in 2014 and received a “,warm, friendly welcome”,. “,Both memories of the home and chapel merged together,”, she wrote. “,Frances was unusually quiet, but Gillian found the timing of the visit just right. She felt sad and upset for all the other children who had been through the home.”, Each chapter of the book is preceded by a quote from a psalm. Rosie ends it with this prayer: “,May we, the sheep of your pasture give you thanks forever. May we show forth your praise to all generations.”, The Farrow triplets, Frances, Rosie and Gillian, sell copies of their book at Saltburn. Rosie is now working on a third update book on her life from 1980 to 2002. Both books are available at bookshops and on Amazon, priced around £,9. New book focuses on teenage life in the 1970s The Farrow triplets, Frances, Rosie and Gillian

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