Following the announcements at Mass this weekend, we wanted to share a brief summary of what was discussed and invite your continued support.
Match Funding Opportunity We are very grateful for a generous anonymous donor who has offered to match pound for pound anything we raise up to £5,000 before Easter. If we reach this target, it will become £10,000 for our parish mission. This funding is not for building works or fabric. It is specifically to support the growth and mission of our parish community. There is a box at the back of the church and an option on the digital collection plate for those who wish to contribute. We hope as many parishioners as possible will feel able to take part.
Parish Leadership Team We are delighted to welcome Megan and Andrew to the Parish Leadership Team. The team now consists of Father Kentigern, Robert and Amanda Toone, David Walsh, Dawn Thyne, Megan Broadwith, and Andrew Laird. The role of the Leadership Team is to serve the parish and support Fr Kentigern in working towards and implementing the vision, which is encapsulated in the vision prayer, we say at the end of Mass. If you have ideas, thoughts, suggestions, or would like to see something develop in line with the parish vision, please do approach one of us. We are here to listen.
Parish Questionnaire As we continue our journey as a parish, we are looking carefully at how we best use the resources available to us. That includes the skills, experience, and time within our parish community. We are therefore asking everyone to complete a short questionnaire by the 15th of March. It will only take a few minutes and will help us understand how parishioners may wish to contribute to the continued growth of our church in line with our parish vision. You can complete the questionnaire by clicking the hyperlink below: Our Parish, Our Gifts, Our Mission Questionnaire QR codes will also be available at the back of the church, and paper copies are also available for anyone who prefers one. Thank you for your generosity, your commitment, and your prayers as we continue to grow together as a parish community.
With every good wish, The Parish Leadership Team
MIDDLESBROUGH ASYLUM PROJECT - MAP A huge “thank you” to all those who donated to the February 25th Delivery. Very soon a collage of images from the MAP Christmas Gathering will appear.
CAFOD Lent Appeal – Family Fast Day collection This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.
MARTIN BROWN FUNERAL Wednesday 18 March at 11.00am. ALL WELCOME
MIDDLESBROUGH FOODBANK - MFB THE EASTER APPEAL! We will again be uniting our efforts with those of Sue Allen and Jonathan Pomroy from the benefice parishes and hope, with your generous support, to make it a BUMPER DELIVERY! PS. EASTER EGGS and TREATS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY WELCOME. Please remember, every donation counts and is gratefully received! NEXT DELIVERY: TUES. 17th March ‘26 DEADLINE for DONATIONS: MON. March 16th at 12 NOON Please give what you can for this special appeal. 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?
MARY’S MEALS Mary’s Meals currently works in 16 of the world’s poorest countries, feeding over 3 million young children one good meal every day in their place of education. They are asking you to donate any left over foreign currency or obsolete UK currency that you may have lying around. Just bring any foreign or old coins/notes to church by Easter Sunday and we will pass them on. The money raised from this initiative will help Mary’s Meals bring hope to more desperately hungry children across the globe. Every 10p is enough to provide a hungry child with a nutritious meal in school. Mary’s Meals would like to thank you for your continuous support & prayers.
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: Martin Brown, Jan Mangles, Jean Thompson, Diana Smyth, Laura McAleenan
Anniversaries: Marie Wall, Joshua Raynar, Humphrey Codrington, Peter Bergin, Anne Campbell, Hugh O’Gorman
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.
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]
Middlesbrough SVP Vinnie Camp Could you volunteer to help a child make new friends, build their confidence and make memories to treasure this summer? We need adults to work as part of a team of 8 volunteers providing pastoral care to 20 children aged 9 – 11 years old. The residential camp will run from Monday 10 August until Friday 14th August 2026 at Peat Rigg Outdoor Activity Centre, Pickering. You don’t need to be an existing member of an SVP group, but you must be over 18 with enhanced DBS. All volunteers receive training from the SVP national team. Food, accommodation and travel expenses will be covered. To find out more about the camp or to request an application form, email this year’s camp leader Patricia Nobbs [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 March – St Hilda Monday 30 March - Our Lady & St Benedict Monday 13 April – St Hilda Monday 27 April – Our Lady & St Benedict Followed by refreshments and fellowship ALL WELCOME
LENT 2026 PLEASE NOTE On Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 March Fr Kentigern and Fr Bernard will be in Chapter. There will be no Services on these days, and they will only be available in an emergency.
Lenten Mass & Soup Lunch 11.00am Mass 12.00pm Soup & Roll Lunch Donations to Mary’s Meals. 20, 27 February 6, 13, 20, 27 (School Children) 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.
LENTEN CHURCH CLEANING On Saturday 14 March, anyone who would like to are invited to join Julian and Sophie in cleaning the Church for Easter.
LAETARE / MOTHERING SUNDAY As part of the celebration of Laetare (Mothering) Sunday. There will be a bake sale in the Hall after Mass on Sunday 15 March. All donations of cakes / biscuits / goodies will be gratefully received.
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
THE OFFICE PROJECT UPDATE
Option One: (Garden “Pod” on the hard standing area) Abbot Robert has released the funds from the Capital Account for us to continue the process of making a planning application for the “Garden Pod” and the creation of two parking spaces for the disabled.
Option Two: (Rent St Benedict’s Cottage) This has been taken out of our hands as the Abbey Trust is about to begin the process of selling both St Benedict’s House and St Benedict’s Cottage.
Option Three: (Build a “Pod” in the Hall) Our advisor tells us that we would not need planning permission, but would have to comply with building regulations. The best solution would be to go back to a previous plan to build a soundproof stud wall with windows to provide office space and storage space.
Option Four: (An office in the Hall Foyer) Again, planning permission would not be required only compliance with building regulations. On the afternoon of March 17th we will be visited by the Fire Assessor from our insurers who will advise us if this option is possible either as an enclosed or open plan office.
COFFEE AND CRAFTING Will begin again on Thursday 8 January 10.15am - 12.30pm St Benedict's Church Hall Join us for creativity and community
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
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
York Rotary invites you to celebrate
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - Saturday 7th March 2026
The Citadel, Gillygate, York YO31 7EA
Ticket price including lunch £25 available from www.yorkrotary.co.uk
see posters for more details
HOLY WEEK 2026 PILGRIMAGE From Ampleforth Abbey to Walsingham 26 March to 2 April 2026