Middlesbrough May 2015 Diocesan Issue 418 Catholic VOICE FREE Election New Church Crossing The What’s Statement For Ingleby Threshold Barwick Inside Page 2 Page 3 Pages 8-9 Bishop’s NUMBERS UP FOR Column LOURDES PILGRIMAGE During the course of this month, some of us will be travelling in pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Allow me to share some thoughts on this year’s pilgrimage, both for those who are able to physically travel there and everyone who will remain at home in the Diocese. If you went home from Lourdes and didn’t want to tell people about it, then I would have to wonder what you were doing there in the first place! While it is not always easy to explain to others what happened to us in Lourdes, precisely what we saw and experienced in Lourdes, what we witnessed in Lourdes, the joy and the intensity of our time there overflows and pours out of us and others can see that it was a genuine and unique moment in our lives. That is why it is important for us to take time to reflect on everything that happens to us in Lourdes; from the moment we arrive, our times in prayer, our conversations – wherever they might take place; walking, talking, helping, socialising, relaxing – moments on our own, celebrating the Liturgy, taking part in the processions, at the baths, wherever. Lourdes is a special place, a special time, a special The organisers of this year’s Lourdes disabled and elderly pilgrims, many of foothills of the Pyrenees. opportunity for all of us who go. Pilgrimage are expecting one of their whom are looked after by volunteer helpers There will also be around 200 young people The Pastoral Theme for our pilgrimage busiest ever weeks at the French shrine in a hostel known as the Accueil, which is travelling with local schools and colleges, this year is “Lourdes, the Joy of after a big surge in bookings. designated for supported pilgrims who need more than 160 helpers, including doctors, Mission.” An essential quality of being a Each year since 1953 hundreds of people 24-hour care. nurses, handmaids (female helpers) and missionary is that the missionary is one from the Diocese have visited the site where This year 63 supported pilgrims will be in brancardiers (male helpers), around 15 who is sent. In this particular case we the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St the Accueil, with a further 22 staying with are sent by the Lord himself, just as he Bernadette in 1858. family and carers in some of the many sent his apostles and the disciples to hotels dotted around the small town in the Continued on page 2 spread the Good News to the ends of They include a large number of sick, the earth. In a very special and privileged way we are given the opportunity in Lourdes of experiencing the Good News played out in front of our very eyes. By sharing the gifts that each of us is given by God we can experience the joy of the Gospel. It is this joy that we are being sent to bring to all those we meet. And it is not just for the time spent in Lourdes but for the whole of our lives. Neither is it just Conveyancing, Wills the task of those who go to Lourdes; it & Probate is the mission entrusted to each of us Also covering Court Hearings, Family Problems, at our Baptism and Confirmation. All of Crime, Housing, Personal Injury, Mental Health, us then, with Our Lady’s help, are to be Immigration Law missionaries of joy to all we meet. Not For more information contact: only are we sent to bring Good News, Bill O'Hanlon, Sean Grainger, we are to be good news ourselves. Helen Connelly, Peter Kilgour Please remember the intentions of all York House, 102 Borough Road the pilgrims going to Lourdes in your Middlesbrough TS1 2HJ prayers and the intentions of all the E: [email protected] Diocese will be remembered in Lourdes W: www.watsonwoodhouse.co.uk by all the pilgrims there. T: 01642 247656 Our Lady, Cause of our Joy: pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes: pray for us. St Bernadette: pray for us. 2 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + May 2015 NEWS Big Year For Lourdes Pilgrimage Continued from page 1 clergy and up to 300 pilgrims. 202 seats and a Denim Air Fokker 100 with 100 seats. Both this year, with a similar number expected on the two “The numbers are very encouraging and it looks as if our are due to depart Durham Tees Valley Airport on the remaining days. pilgrimage this year will be busier than ever,” said the morning of May 22, with flight times to be confirmed as Sessions include lifting and handling, personal care and pilgrimage’s executive director, Keith Tillotson. soon as possible. personal reflection on why they go to Lourdes and sharing “Bookings are well up on previous years and we expect “Our use of Durham Tees Valley Airport as a departure point their own personal stories about what it means to them. around 800 people to be with us in Lourdes, travelling by is important for us. We have a very good working Bishop Terry will lead the pilgrimage, which is based around plane, train, coach and car. relationship with them and hope this continues.” processions in the Rosary Basilica and a programme of “A large number of our supported pilgrims are new to our The helpers – who give up their holidays and pay their own daily church services, with hymns led by a thriving music pilgrimage and we also have some who have accompanied flight and accommodation costs to be part of the group. There is also an enjoyable social side to the us for a number of years and are looking forward to pilgrimage – must attend training sessions, as well as pilgrimage. returning to Lourdes. obtaining DBS clearance. This year’s pilgrimage has the theme The Joy Of Mission and “We have currently two flights, a Titan Airways B757 with A total of 93 helpers attended the first training day held takes place from Friday May 22 to Friday May 29. Pictures courtesy of Lacaze, Lourdes Faith Leaders Unite For Election Statement Bishop Terry joined faith leaders from is our opportunity to challenge the politics. But much of faith concerns how we “The statement I and other faith leaders different religions and denominations to sign candidates for election to answer our should treat others, and much of politics is have signed sums up how we’d like people a statement affirming their common questions on how they intend to respond to about that as well. to be treated, and how we want our society principles ahead of the General Election. the pressing social issues affecting our “In the Bible, God says we must love our to grow. I hope it encourages people of all “Working in the spirit of love and justice families and our most vulnerable brothers neighbour as ourselves. And there’s a lot in faiths to use their vote in the forthcoming every day can make a difference to so many and sisters.” the Bible about justice and fairness too. General Election, and encourages politicians people’s lives,” said Bishop Terry. The Right Reverend Paul Ferguson, Bishop of Using our vote and getting involved in how to consider how they can make our society “At this election, we are called to transform Whitby, said: “There are some people who our community is governed is one way to do stronger and healthier.” our faith into action for positive change. Now say that religion shouldn’t mix with that. The Statement We affirm: The sacredness of all human life as the basis of how we think and behave That we share a commitment to seek the common good as the basis for a just society That people who are poor and at risk are specially deserving of fair treatment, protection and dignity The right of every person to decent standards of food, shelter and clothing, health care, employment and education That workers should be safe and have fair wages Our responsibility to care for the environment and hand it on in the best state possible to the next generation Our duty to promote peace as the fruit of justice, to honour people of all cultures and faiths, to serve those who have experienced injustice or persecution and to welcome people who are in need of a safe refuge That we stand together against all harm and abuse motivated by hate and prejudice That it is important for us all to take our part in building society, including voting in accord with our conscience. May 2015 + Middlesbrough Diocesan Catholic Voice + 3 NEWS New Church For Ingleby Barwick After holding services in a school and other venues for 20 years, the Roman Catholic parish of St Thérèse of Lisieux in Ingleby Barwick is to get its own church at last. The distinctive design includes a large number of windows, creating a bright area for worship. There will also be a space for parish celebrations and areas for meetings and children’s liturgy. Parish priest Father Pat Hartnett spoke of his delight after the plans were given the go ahead. “Since our parish was officially founded in 1994, the parishioners have worked and prayed tirelessly to realise our dream of having our own church building,” he said. “Working closely with the Diocese, we are now very close to seeing that dream turn into reality.