THE BISHOP IN OUR PARISH

Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey was given a warm welcome to St. Andrew's Parish on October 4th when he commenced his pastoral visit to the parish. The visit began with the 6.30 pm harvest thanksgiving youth Mass where a display of food was displayed in front of the altar. The young people performed a short drama after the gospel which explained the importance of giving thanks to God for the harvest and the work of Cafod. The Bishop also celebrated the 9.30 am at St. Andrew's where the harvest display was added to at the offertory; he then celebrated the 11.00 am Mass at St. Anne's where there was also a harvest display. The vegetables from both displays was later sold in aid of Cafod and the tinned produce sent to the John Paul Centre in Middlesbrough.
One of the comments made by the Bishop was that he was most impressed with the reverential silence before Mass; ‘Talk to God before Mass, talk to each other after Mass’.

Bishop Terence continued his visit on Wednesday, October 6 when he celebrated the parish Mass at St. Anne's Church. He then had coffee with Sisters Cecilia and Maria before visiting some of the sick and housebound. After lunch he visited St. Margaret Clitherow's Catholic Primary School where he was treated to an all school assembley before being given a tour of the school by the head teacher. Bishop Terence then visited Briarwood nursing home where he led a service of anointing. He finished off his pastoral visit with a chat with Fr. Gubbins and Deacon Pat.