There will be a delivery to Methodist Asylum Project- MAP on Wednesday FEB 25th. Please leave donations of Duvets, Bedding, Household items, especially cooking utensils in the cottage at the gate of The Old Summer House by Monday Feb 23rd. Door open. Items of clothing suitable for children and younger men are in short supply. Rain wear, all styles and sizes welcome Urgent requests for nappies and toiletries. Thank you. Mary Sturges 01439788563
MIDDLESBROUGH FOODBANK - MFB NEXT DELIVERY: TUES. FEB.10th ‘26 DEADLINE for DONATIONS: MON. FEB.9th at 12 NOON
Please give what you can as always! Donations should be left at the back of Our Lady and St Benedict’s Church as always. THANK YOU ALL!
PPS MFB GIFT AID forms are now available at the back of church for individual donations of cash and cheques. If you are able to, please could you hand them into the office along with your donation?
The Sick: The Diocese, on advice and under Data Protection Regulations (May 2018), asks us not to name individuals, but to pray for them as a group within the Parish Body as those in particular need.
Recently Dead: Jan Mangles, Jean Thompson, Diana Smyth, Laura McAleenan, John Marshall, Robin Ventress, Peter Wallace
Anniversaries: Isabella Heath, Fr Geoffrey Lynch OSB, Gerard Chase, Fr Augustine Measures OSB, Sr Cecilia Beanland OSB, Fr Anthony Hain OSB
HOME COMMUNIONS If you require Holy Communion at home, please contact Fr Kentigern or Fr Bernard either by e-mail or leave a telephone message by 8.00pm on Friday evening stating whether you require a weekly visit or a one-off call. Someone will then be in contact to arrange a suitable day and time to visit.
EASY FUNDRAISER Do you regularly shop online? Did you know you could support your church at the same time? For more information speak to Tracey in the Parish Office and see information leaflets in the Hall.
WORLD COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Meets each week: Mondays at 2pm - 3pm in St Ben’s Hall: contact Mary Sturges Thursdays at 8pm - 8 45pm on Zoom: contact David and Sue Walsh Should you wish to join either group contact Mary Sturges 01439788563.
CHRISTIAN MEN OF THE VALLEY Meet each Monday at 8.00pm to share faith, friendship and interests.
FABRIC PROJECTS Works have cost £35000. Thanks to some recent generous donations we have raised £3092.17. All donations gratefully received.
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY Mr Wilding has rejoined the team of lay chaplains at York Hospital. He has produced an information sheet about this ministry, including details of how to contact a chaplain and arrange a visit to a loved one in hospital. You will find these notes at the back of church.
CAFOD Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at cafod.org.uk/ipc or call 0303 303 3030. or to the Sudan Crisis Appeal: cafod.org.uk/SudanAppeal or call: 0808 58 588 85.
A REQUEST Are there any skilled SEAMSTERS or SEAMSTRESSES who would be interested in occasional work providing sewing repairs for the monks? Abbot Robert would love to hear from you. Please speak to Fr Kentigern for details.
PARKING Could I encourage as many as possible on Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning to use the parking available off St Hilda’s Walk – below the allotments or in the Doctor’s Surgery. This will help to prevent the congestion building up on West End during the weekend.
Oratory of St Joseph: At the request of Bishop Marcus Stock, a monthly group for young men (ages 21-35) is being launched for the Dioceses of Leeds and Middlesbrough. It will take place on the last Thursday evening of the month at Hinsley Hall, Headingley (62 Headingley Lane, LS6 2BX). There will be group prayer, guest speakers and talks, social time and supper, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The first meeting is on Thursday, 26th February, from 6.30-8.30 pm. This new initiative is one of the first collaborations between the Dioceses of Middlesbrough and Leeds since the appointment of Bishop Stock as our Apostolic Administrator. For more details, see the poster on the church noticeboard or contact: [email protected]
Catechist Formation Pathways – Diocese of Middlesbrough The Diocese of Middlesbrough Adult Formation are offering two new Catechist Formation Pathways to support those involved in parish catechesis. Pathway 1 is for new catechists or those wishing to refresh their knowledge and practice and will be starting Thursday 7th May. Sessions include prayer, practical application to parish life, discussion, and reflection. Most sessions take place online via Zoom, with a final in-person afternoon concluding with the presentation of certificates. To register your interest or request further details, please email: [email protected]
THE CHURCH OF ST HILDA AND THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY AND ST BENEDICT
Rev James & Fr Kentigern invite you to join them for
COMMUNITY PRAYERS 10.00am
Monday 16 February – St Hilda Monday 2 March – Our Lady & St Benedict Monday 16 March – St Hilda Monday 30 March - Our Lady & St Benedict Followed by refreshments and fellowship ALL WELCOME
LEADERSHIP TEAM (Fr Kentigern, Robert & Amanda Toone, David Walsh & Dawn Thyne with input from Philippa Armstrong)
WE PRAY THAT WE MAY REACH OUT IN LOVE - One of the three keys to unlock the potential of a parish as identified by our friends at the Divine Renovation Ministry is: THE PRIMACY OF EVANGELISATION While this would seem to involve the formal preaching of the Gospel, it ultimately means helping others to encounter the love of Jesus.
So, one strand of this “reaching out” is the remarkable generosity of our community in its charitable giving. Middlesbrough Foodbank Methodist Asylum Project Other one-off collections. Very quietly this allows those in need to discover God’s love.
The other major strand of this reaching out has come in the form of invitations to experiences such as Alpha, Sycamore, other courses and gatherings, especially alongside our Ecumenical Partners. In all of this there are stories of lives being touched by the presence of Jesus.
It is also possible to mention the other ways in which we provide invitation, such as the SVP, Crafting Club, Men’s Group, Meditation & Prayer Groups.
At the back of the church, in the Parish Office and via the Parish Website you will find new Data Consent Forms. We ask that EVERYONE take a few moments to fill in this information and return it to us BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2026. https://www.stbenedictchurch-ampleforth.org.uk/
It is important to celebrate this good news. Thank you for your patience in assisting with the census.
LENT 2026 Ash Wednesday (18 February) 9.30am Mass with Distribution of Ashes 7.30pm Mass with Distribution of Ashes
Lenten Mass & Soup Lunch 11.00am Mass 12.00pm Soup & Roll Lunch Donations to Mary’s Meals. 20, 27 February 6, 13, 20 (School Children), 27 March
These will be held every Friday during Lent from 20th February to 27th March in St Benedict's hall after 11.30 am Mass. There will be a choice of soups and a roll followed by coffee. Donations towards Marys Meals. We usually have people from St Hilda's as well as the village coming along too. If you think you could offer any help in the form of setting up, serving, clearing away or making the (vegetarian) soup please sign up at the back of church or tell Jennie on 07906718829.
CAFOD FAST DAY Friday 27 February Envelopes will be available throughout Lent and the fundraising will close at Easter.
Lent Course 6.30 – 7.30pm at the Vicarage Mondays 23 February, 1, 9, 16, 13 March Rev James will be hosting discussions based on a Video Course by Peter Grieg on Lectio Divina. Primary School Holy Week Assemblies Friday 20 March – Palm Sunday Wednesday 25 March – Maundy Thursday Thursday 26 March – Good Friday Walk of Witness Friday 27 March – The Three Trees ALL WELCOME – MORE DETAILS NEARER THE TIME
Pancake Lunch In aid of Our Lady & St Benedict's SVP AMPLEFORTH VILLAGE HALL 12.00 - 2.00pm TUESDAY 17th FEBRUARY Enjoy a sweet and savoury pancake in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
DONATIONS ONLY NO BOOKING REQUIRED ALL WELCOME FOR TRANSPORT CALL 07732 786643
ALPHA was great... What's next? JOIN US ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE LORD'S PRAYER Prayer Course exploring: Why pray? Adoration Petition Intercession Unanswered Prayer Contemplation Listening Spritual Welfare STARTS 21 January TIME 7.00pm VENUE St Benedict's Church Hall Fortnightly (16 Sessions) ALL WELCOME - WHETHER YOU ARE NEW TO PRAYER OR LOKING TO GO DEEPER For more information, or to join the Whatsapp, contact Dawn: 07731 828930
THE WELL A Day of Reflection for Catechists Diocese of Middlesbrough Adult Faith Formastion Join us for a day of teaching, discussion, reflection and encouragement. Saturday 31 January 10.30am - 3.00pm Parish Hall of Our Lady's Catholic Church, York YO24 3DX
Bring your own lunch, refreshments provided.
CATECHISM CLASSES FOR ADULTS For current or recent converts to supplement individual instruction- and all others interested!
Tuesdays at 6.30pm in the Oratory House- just ring the doorbell!
Tuesday 20th January Tuesday 27th January Tuesday 3rd February Tuesday 10th February Tuesday 3rd March Tuesday 17th March Tuesday 24th March
A Passion Play NIGHT FALLS by Paul Birch Presented by The Riding Lights Theatre Company St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough Thursday 26 February 7.30pm Tickets £15 or £10 01642 597750 www.ticketsource.co.uk/middlesbroughcathedral