Faith

Hearty congratulations to Father Derek Turnham and the congregation for the way they have moved with the times and are still keeping church going in Middlesbrough.

There are several lessons we can learn at this time.

Sacred heart is the coming together of a cluster of town centre congregations. Saint Pat's was the last addition to the faithful family when it closed a couple of years ago, before that it was the old cathedral from over the border who's flock needed a Father following the fire.

Sacred Heart was there for them both, and from what I hear those who made the move have really fitted in to church life.

Sometimes it can be painful when the routine is disrupted and decisions are made about the place we worship and its future. Thankfully all the sensitivities which could have come with such a move appear to have been taken into account by the Bishop and the diocese for which I am sure everybody was glad.

It can often appear as a failing if a church has to close when sometimes, it is the sign of good stewarding. Around 500 people attend the two masses at Sacred Heart on a Sunday, they have four halls connected to the church and this central point for the Catholic faithful of the town appears to be thriving.

Not only that, but Catholics who have come from around the world and are wanting to make Middlesbrough their home, or already have settled here and are part of the town's DNA find a faithful friend at Sacred Heart.

Again, from what I hear, there is no place for prejudice behind those big doors on Linthorpe Road, but a warm welcome with people from many countries and cultures sharing the common faith and each making a difference to the other's journey through life.