Middlesbrough April 2019 Diocesan Issue 464 Catholic VOICE FREE What’s Rome Pilgrimage Support Micki's Bishop’s For Church Leaders Mission Inside Page 6 Page 20 Column They say that mud sticks and life Friends Begin Ambitious experience tells us that this is absolutely true. It is the same with shame; it clings and actually seems to eat into the very marrow of our being, eating away at our self-esteem until we are, in some cases, Lady Chapel Improvement completely floored. What I am referring to are the various scandals that seem to have erupted in the Church over the last few months. Part of me reacts in the way I have just described, then another part of Programme me rebels against the shame and protests that this has nothing to do with me. I have not sinned; I have not committed An ambitious programme of improvements and diocesan pilgrimage for the Feast of the celebrated outdoors more frequently and in a essential repairs at the Lady Chapel is Assumption in August and other special more dignified way on those solemn occasions the crimes which are being revealed; I underway, with further developments set to be occasions. when we come together as a diocese,” said have not perpetrated these terrible announced in the coming months. offences against innocent people, innocent It would probably have a wooden structure The shrine above the North Yorkshire village of with a shingle roof and open sides so that young people, innocent children. Osmotherley has been a place of pilgrimage large numbers of clergy can concelebrate Mass. Continued on Page 2 We are in the process of celebrating Holy since at least the 14th century and is now “A suitable canopy would enable Mass to be Week and Easter. For us it is such a under the care of our diocese. special time, in fact, the centre and focus Work to re-roof the hall and side chapel took of our spiritual lives and our spiritual year. place in February and early March. As well as Through immersing ourselves into the replacing clay and sandstone tiles, guttering Easter Schedule 2019 Liturgy, we accompany Jesus on the road was also cleaned, painted and repaired, while which leads from Palm Sunday through slipped tiles on the chapel were fixed back in Holy Week St Mary’s Cathedral, St Clare and St Francis of Assisi the Last Supper, the agony and arrest in place. PALM SUNDAY GOOD FRIDAY the Garden, the painful and shameful The project included repairing or replacing any Blessing and distribution of Palms 10 am Morning Prayer Cathedral procession to Calvary, the death and rotten timbers or damaged wall plates and entombment of Christ’s lifeless body, the addressing issues with some of the lead Lady Chapel St Francis 3 pm apparently hopeless waiting at the tomb flashing. Repairs were also carried out to Saturday evening Vigil Mass 4 pm St Clare 3 pm and finally through to the unexpected timber in the roof of the adjoining cottage. Cathedral Cathedral 3 pm with Bishop Terence Resurrection and joyful appearances of the The work was approved by the Diocese of Saturday evening Vigil Mass 6.30 pm HOLY SATURDAY Risen Lord. Middlesbrough Historic Churches Committee Sunday 10 am & 5 pm 10 am Morning Prayer Cathedral and carried out by Stockton firm NT Sweeting St Francis Cathedral Vigil Mass 9 pm It’s hard for us to take in the ways of God: after a tendering process. Saturday evening Vigil Mass 6 pm St Francis Vigil Mass 9 pm that he is as high above creation as the The re-roofing is the first of a series of projects Sunday 10.30 am EASTER SUNDAY heavens, yet stoops to the very depth of St Clare St Clare 9.30 am our lowliness and sinfulness. He is the planned by the Friends of the Lady Chapel, which was launched by Bishop Terry in 2016 to Sunday 9.30 am Cathedral 10 am with Bishop Terence God who reaches into the darkness of our promote the shrine within the local community Tuesday, 16 April: St Francis 10.30 am lives and shares it in order to bring us his and further afield and raise funds for its Chrism Mass Cathedral 5 pm light and raise us up to share his life. If I maintenance and development. 12 midday at the Cathedral only EASTER MONDAY didn’t believe this then I would be unable Plans are in hand to convert the top floor of Wednesday, 17 April: 10 am Mass at the Cathedral only to acknowledge a God who, despite our the cottage for use by the many school and There will be a Penitential Service for the worst efforts, protects the innocent but other groups that visit the Lady Chapel. Deanery at the Cathedral at 7 pm Mgr Gerard, Mgr Gerry, Fr Richard, who also, at the same time, reaches out The Friends are also fundraising for a new MAUNDY THURSDAY Deacon Ken & Deacon Ray to the perpetrator, the sinner. Yes, I feel canopy in the outdoor space opposite the St Francis 7 pm Wish everyone a very Happy and Joyful shame reflected on me by others, but I chapel where Mass is celebrated for the Cathedral 7 pm watching till 10 pm Easter also know the saving, cleansing and redeeming sacrifice of Christ Jesus who did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name An independent family owned & run which is above all other names business providing a personal Jesus Christ as Lord, and efficient service to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2.6-11) • Practising Catholic Funeral Director within the company And this same Christ Jesus offers this life, • Pre-paid funeral plans available light, salvation, cleansing and redemption • Guidance & Quotations willingly given to all who want it, who turn to him in any kind of need; yes, even you, even me. 78 MAIN STREET, WILLERBY, HULL Yours in blessed hope, Tel: (01482) 656537 www.robertadrew.com 2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + April 2019 NEWS Friends Begin Lady Chapel Improvements Continued from Page 1 Bishop Terry. “It’s a project that’s being very seriously considered and we hope to have more information soon.” The diocese hopes to place a stone altar, plinth and font, which were formerly at St Joseph’s in Stokesley, under the new canopy. The stone was originally quarried from the Lady Chapel. Enquiries are also being carried out to restore a carving of the Holy Trinity that was bequeathed by Lord Eldon, the statue of Mary and the child Jesus has been restored and a CCTV system has recently been installed. Membership of the Friends of the Lady Chapel is by donation. Members are remembered in an annual Mass and daily prayers and also receive newsletters and invitations to events. Individuals, families and schools are all welcome to join. Visit ladychapel.org.uk/friends for more information. Please consider leaving a legacy to the Friends of the Lady Chapel in your will. By doing so you will be helping to preserve this important shrine for future generations and bequests are free of Roofers working on the Lady Chapel and hall inheritance tax. Flame Message: 'I Am A Masterpiece!' Quoting Ephesians 2:10 – “We are God’s work call to holiness. of art” – Robert Madu invited thousands of Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day went to young people gathered in Wembley Arena to Robert Madu, who combined theology, humour say it like they mean it. and empathy into a wonderful talk about A talk by the charismatic preacher from Dallas, avoiding comparison. Texas, was just one of the many highlights of Taking the story of Saul and David from the Flame 2019, which took place on Saturday first book of Samuel, he examined the way King March 2. Around 160 young people from our Saul became bitter with jealousy at David’s diocese attended this magnificent event. success. It turned Saul into a monster and It began before 6am with a long coach journey away from the path God had laid out for him. to London. Groups gathered in Hull, “Comparison is the destroyer of destiny,” he Middlesbrough, Richmond, Scarborough and said. It was a wonderful way to bring faith alive York to arrive in time for the noon start. for young people who can be so worried about A break at the motorway services gave a good fitting in. A bit like an athlete in a race who impression of the size of the event as groups doesn’t look from side to side, he advised from Leeds and Hexham and Newcastle mixed young people to, “stay in your lane and keep together. The Middlesbrough contingent stood your eyes fixed on Jesus.” It was a message out, however, in their matching hoodies! that reminded us all to trust in the God who The event itself was a mixture of contemporary made us and knows us. Josephine and Mary Christian music, talks and dramas, culminating Flame reaches its zenith before Jesus in the Betteridge at Flame in the high point of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. After all the noise and Blessed Sacrament. Flame always has the feel input, this is a moment of quiet before the of a threshold event, something that is Lord. What a powerful experience to hear so accessible to everyone, no matter where they many people fall silent in adoration, listening What our young people said about Flame… are on their faith journey.