Middlesbrough DIOCESAN BRANCH - Formed 1956
President: Mrs Mary Durcan
Vice-President: Mrs Lilian Finch
Branch Secretary/Liaison: Miss Elizabeth Rodgers
Branch Treasurer: Mrs Sylvia Woods
Branch Chaplain: Rev. Brian Nicholson
The Branch was inaugurated in 1956 and currently there are 7 Sections based around the Diocese – Bridlington, Cottingham, Driffield, Easingwold, Hull (St Joseph’s) Ormesby , Thornaby (St.Patrick's)
At present there are 135 Members, including 7 Direct Members.
Middlesbrough is part of Region 1 which includes Hexham and Newcastle and Leeds. The Regional Officers meet 4 times a year to exchange and share ideas.
Members have always been invited to attend the Annual Branch Retreat at Ampleforth Abbey. In 2011 all the Members of the Branch have invited Rt.Rev.Terence Patrick Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough, to lead them in a Day of Recollection. The date is Saturday, 11th June 2011 in Acomb, York.
All Sections are busy raising funds for HELP for HEROES, the League's National Charity for 2009-2010 ending with a presentation at the National Annual General Meeting weekend in October at the Southport Convention Centre.
Our Branch Vice-President, Mrs Lilian Finch, is joining the National Officers and other Branch's representatives at the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) in the Holy Land,5th-12th October 2010 at its World Assembly. It is also a celebration of its Centenary . Members were involved in a discussion paper in preparation for the work undertaken at this Assembly.
In the last 12 months, members have been involved ecumenically in many Churches Together activities and Services -- Unity Week, Women's World day of Prayer Services (hosting,leading,taking part,speaking),Lenten Lunches,Lenten discussion groups, Passover Meals, Walks of Witness,(Good Friday),Lunch Clubs for the lonely.
Members are always involved in their own Parishes and can be found doing many Ministries from alter linen, flowers,to Readers and Special Ministers of Holy Communion.
Most Sections have their own Days of Recollection.
Fundraising for the Section brings a varied Social aspect to our lives -- fund raising for our own League Charities and also supporting where there is a need e.g. SVP, Apostleship of the Sea, local Hospices, CAFOD, sending the sick to Lourdes to name but a few.
All Sections raise funds for our League Charities in order for the League's established work to continue, BUT Sections choose their own local ones. We are all cake-makers, preparing Suppers, running Market Stalls, Coffee Evenings/Mornings.
Members enjoy Outings to Theatres, local places of interest. We have a variety of speakers at our local meetings. Members enjoy Christmas Lunches, Dinners, Socials -- a few are into Strawberry Teas.
This year two members have been presented with certificates for all the years they have done the APF boxes. Two members, from one Section, were presented with Papal Awards.
We have 4 Branch Meetings each year including the Annual General Meeting and we invite Sections to host these Meetings. In the last 12 months, we have been to Easingwold, Acomb, Ormesby and Thornaby.
The next Meeting will be in Cottingham on Saturday, 9th October 2010.
Each year the Branch has an Annual Fund Raising Lunch in Cottingham. This year it will be on Wednesday, 11th August 2010.
The Branch's celebration of CAFOD's 50th Anniversary will be at Middlesbrough Cathedral on Sunday.3rd October 2010 at 3pm together with The Union of Catholic Mothers -- a joint celebration as the two organisations, under the umbrella of the National Board of Catholic Women, were the co-founders. Bishop Drainey will be the main celebrant. ALL ARE WELCOME.
Indeed ALL are welcome to join the League in any Section or as a Direct Member to the Branch.
Maybe there are a few of you interested, why not invite the officers to come and talk with you -- you may be the jubilation of a new section opening.
All enquiries to Mrs Jean Clarke
National Secretary
CWL HQ
P.O. Box 303
Malvern WR 14 9DX
Tel/Fax: 01684 540 414
Each Member contributes what they can - be it quiet Prayer at home or full Section Activity
Being a Member of the League is a great way to discover one's talents and gifts and form long lasting friendships
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