I’ve attached three photos of our CAFOD runners – the group photo shows left to right Nick Dent, Laurie Haley and Gamini Wiejesinghe and that’s the order we finished in !

Nick Dent, Laurie Haley and Gamini Wiejesinghe

There were at least two other runners from the parish doing the 10K I believe – Roma Tate and Daniel Hawkins – they were perhaps a little camera shy, but well done to them too.

The group photo and the other one of me at the end of the race were taken by Carol Cross from CAFOD. She and her husband David were in attendance at the event promoting the work of CAFOD and I was more than grateful to them for the orange juice they had on hand after a very long run on a very hot day.

The other photo of me with my arms raised looking rather triumphant was me turning into Hall Drive on the last kilometre of the race alongside Captain America ! This photo was on the Evening Gazette website and I rather suspect they were more interested in Capt America than me, but it was some welcome publicity for CAFOD. Whilst it looks like I was acclaiming the applause of the crowd I was in fact waving to my wife Beth who was leaning over the barrier cheering me on at that point !

Assuming we collect all the funds pledged we should raise more or less £1000 in cash for the CAFOD Pakistan Appeal plus the gift aid to add to that.

To celerate 50 years of Fast Day a Mass of Thanksgiving for CAFOD is to be held on Sunday 3rd October, 3pm here in the Cathedral.

The Chief Celebrant will be Rt Rev Terence Patrick Drainey, our Bishop.

The preacher will be Fr Jim O’Keefe who is a CAFOD trustee.

All are most welcome.

The Cleveland Newman Circle have invited Professor Lewis Ayres from Durham University to speak on ‘Pope Benedict XVI – the influence of Augustine’ at St Mary’s Cathedral – all welcome.

Those pilgrims going to Cofton Park on Sunday 19^th September need to be at the Cathedral by 12 midnight – check with Carol Rowntree for details.

MAGNIFICAT – PAPAL PRAYER BOOK: These booklets containing the liturgies and events of the Papal Visit of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict are now available at the back of the church. It contains the texts for the times the Holy Father will participate in public prayer, together with a series of brief articles about the visit. It comes in a hard-wearing pocket-sized format, which makes it easy to carry around and ‘pray as you go;. It is also a key companion for the Papal Liturgies. The suggested donation for this booklet is £2.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – meeting this coming Monday, 6th September at 7 p.m. in the Hall.

Anyone interested in assisting with the Children’s Liturgy this coming year will be most welcome to attend.

He will be based here at the Cathedral and is here to help develop our music ministry and work in our schools. Tim was the Music Director at Ushaw College and his office is in the Cathedral House.

Timothy Craig Harrison read music at University College, Durham. After graduating in 1983 he taught music in schools for 14 years.

In 1997 Tim returned to the north east to study composition under Agustin Fernandez.

In 2002 Tim was appointed Director of Music at St Cuthbert’s Seminary, Ushaw College, Durham.

Tim is now Cathedral and Diocesan Director of Music for the Diocese of Middlesbrough.

Tim is married to Rachel and they have five children. He juggles his life between his family and his work as a composer and choral director.

Leaders are now checking all names from the Cathedral who have asked to go to Hyde Park or Cofton Park, Birmingham. They will be requesting £25 from you for either event. Please see Paul Bowen or Carol Rowntree.

MAGNIFICAT – PAPAL PRAYER BOOK: These booklets containing the liturgies and events of the Papal Visit of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict are now available at the back of the church. It contains the texts for the times the Holy Father will participate in public prayer, together with a series of brief articles about the visit. It comes in a hard-wearing pocket-sized format, which makes it easy to carry around and ‘pray as you go’. It is also a key companion for the Papal Liturgies. The suggested donation for this booklet is £2.

CATECHISTS RENEWAL DAY – to be held on Saturday, 9th October from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at English Martyrs, York/ The day will be led by Paddy Rylands, author of ‘Becoming Confident Catechists’.

Please see poster in the porch for further details.

Two of our parishioners – Laurie and Gamini – will again be taking part in the Middlesbrough l0K run on Sunday, 5th September.

Thanks to your great generosity, last year they raised around £1,000 for CAFOD. They are hoping you will again be willing to sponsor their efforts this year.

All funds raised will go to CAFOD to assist with the Pakistan Flood Relief and other ongoing projects. There are sponsor forms available at the back of the Church.