The Mike McCullagh Memorial Cup was presented by Mr Laurie Savage of the organising committee during a school assembly at St Clare’s, much to the delight of the children, Mrs Sue Fall, the Headteacher, and Mrs Louise Pennick, the Football Co-ordinator.

Well done to all involved.

Parents, children, governors, teachers past and present, and parishioners turned out at St Clare’s School in Middlesbrough to welcome Bishop Terry, who celebrated Mass with Fr John Loughlin (parish priest) and Fr Gerard Robinson (former pupil) on the occasion of the school’s 40th anniversary.

Bishop Terry surprised everyone by revealing that he too was a former pupil of St Clare’s School; not this one but St Clare’s in Manchester. He went on to praise all at St Clare’s for their good work and had everyone in stitches with a wonderful sermon and a memorable explanation of episcopal vestments! (The editors sources reliably inform him that at dinner time the children talked of nothing but what Bishop Terry had said.)

Congratulations to the headteacher Mrs Fall and to all at St Clare’s. Ad Multos Annos!

The clip below is by kind permission of Mr Smith of St Clare’s School.

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/13073010[/vimeo]

Dear Parishioners,

On behalf of everyone at St Clare’s School I would like to thank you once again for your continuing support for our school. The ‘new’ building has now been opened four years and your generosity has been magnificent. Many of you have sponsored bricks and other forms of fundraising.

I would like to thank the many parishioners who continue to give so generously to our school – your support is greatly appreciated by all.

God bless you all.

Please keep collecting them for our school.

All are welcome.

Could you please collect these in support of St Clare’s School.

Many thanks.

Many, many thanks to Mrs Fall, and all the staff, governors, parents and children for their generous kindness and compassion.

The children were excited because there were so many visitors coming to our new school building. They were coming to take part in a special Mass. This is our way of saying “Thank you” to God for all he has given us, especially our new school home.

Some of our visitors were quite surprising. We expected Monsignor Dasey, the new Vicar General, who was representing Bishop John Crowley because Bishop John is on leave. He was accompanied by Fr Gerard Robinson, the Diocesan Vocations Director. Some of us were surprised to find out that Fr Gerard is an ex-pupil of St Clare’s.

Another ex-pupil of St Clare’s School is Fr John Paul Leonard, Parish Priest of St Clare’s parish, who concelebrated the Mass for the official opening of our new building. He was joined by quite a lot of other priests, including Canon Eddie Gubbins who was Parish Priest at St Clare’s before Fr John Paul.

The very first Parish Priest of St Clare’s also came to our big day. He is Fr Tony Barry, who is now 87 years old and about to celebrate his diamond jubilee, which means he has been a priest for sixty years. He was here with Monsignor Ricardo Morgan, who was Fr Barry’s assistant priest in the early days of St Clare’s parish. Fr Barry and Monsignor Morgan have been best friends since those days.

Fr Barry was one of the most elderly people at our celebration. There were some people who are much younger!