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The Cross-1900
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THE CROSS-1900
 | In Middlesbrough in 1900 many people thought it was a lawless town with many drunken fights breaking out.People of Ireland who had come to settle here feared the worst.A new group was set up as a Temperence Society which forbid the taking of alcoholic drink of any sort.
New members had to take an oath or the pledge as it became known to that effect and as most were RC's anyway, this was endorsed by the Bishop of Middlesbrough, Bishop Richard Lacy.
My mother's parents took the pledge and my grandfather kept this, till about an hour before he died and said he would love a pint of beer.
Over a twelve month period, leaflets were published which, while stressing the importance of abstinence, also gave an insight, as to what was happening in the various Parishes in the area.
These leaflets, were published in a hardback form and called THE CROSS.The first one published, has been kept by my family in very good condition and is now a family heirloom. I would like to share with you, some of it's contents |
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Inside Page
 | | The inside cover published by the Catholic Temperence League |
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The Crucifixion
 | | The Crucifixion on the inside cover with the words 'I Thirst' |
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St Pat's Middlesbrough
Entry in the 'The Cross'--The Catholics of Newport district of Middlesbrough, cannot but be pleased at the rapid progress of their new Church and School.It would appear, that the good Catholics, have come to a wise decision. They are willing to provide a new Church and new School, by providing as much money, as their means will allow.This means they will not be burdened with interest payments and this deserves credit, as having to be burdoned with interest hinders progress. |
The Priest Hunter
Like all good books, humourous stories are told and this is no exception--
Taken from a true story, by Cardinal Moran's'Catholics in Ireland, under the Penal Laws'In Ireland during the reformation people were paid and went by the name of 'Priest Catcher'.A Friar Fr Cunnan was conducting a Service,in an open field,when the 'Priest Catcher',Harrison and his men, attacked the congregation.The Friar in his vestments,fled the scene and was seen running and jumping over fences.With Harrison in pursuit, the Friar was taken in, by a friendly Non Catholic,who seeing his predicament,offered to help.Now this friend happened to be one of the local Magistrates and he exchanged clothing with the Friar and set off running away .The 'Priest Catcher' soon caught up and took him to the local Magistrate.The presiding Magistrate, on seeing his fellow Magistrate, asked for an explanation,so the first Magistrate,knew Harrison and wanted to find out how fast he could run. |
St Charles Hull
The Very Reverend Canon Sullivan writes-At Midnight Mass in St Charles Hull to celebrate the start of Holy Year .The Church, even the aisles were packed and over 300 stood outside. Over 600 took Holy Communion and similiar reports are coming in, from St Mary's and St Wilfreds, Hull
(How Times Change)The start of the Twentieth Century 1900 must have been Holy Year |
Catholic Workingmens Temperence League.
This group is now up and running and boasts a paid up membership of 72. |
Famous Names
'The Cross' tells us of a Christmas Party that took place on the unusual date of 9th January 1900.This was given by the Nurses and Staff of the Middlesbrough Nursing Home.This was attended by many famous and well known people in the Town.The Bolckow family and the Hinton family were in attendance as were the Lord Zetland and his family.Also present to lend a hand to over 500 children were Mr Dixon and Mr Benson and Mr Wright of Wright and Co. |
A n Unusual Beginning
The Thames Iron Works Football Club was formed into a Limited Company under the name of 'WEST HAM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB'.In order to separate drink from sport all members has to be total abstainers. |
St Hilda's Whitby
In 1900 the Parish Priest Fr J Nolan, spoke at a Parish meeting and assured Parishioners that the school children, would be kept very warm in their school this winter, because of new stoves that had just been fitted, at a total cost of £159.This included piping coppers and chimneys.The tops of the coppers could be used for brewing tea. |
A Pitiful Sight
The 'Cross', reported one of their correspondents, spotted a pitiful sight in the town, of both a father and son,the son being a slight lad of seventeen, both roaring drunk supporting one another, on their way home.The 'Cross'reported the father, would suffer the wrath of God when he dies. |
Miracles Happen
Two stories from the 'Cross' 1900 highlight the devotion that people had in prayer.
One lady had a raging tooth ache and made her way to the dentist, with the required 5 shilling fee.On passing the Cathedral in Middlesbrough, she decided to enter and pray for a cure, to St Anthony of Padua.As she prayed, she vowed that, if she was cured, she would give the 5 shillings to the poor.The pain slowly lifted and to this day, has had no more pain and is still with her tooth.
A lady, had had a very bad leg, for five years or more. She decide to say a Novena, to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, once again in the Cathedral.On the very last day of her Novena, her leg healed,
never to bother her again. |
A Converts Journey
The Rev Philip Fletcher writes about his journey from High Church of England to Roman Catholicism.He was born and raised into the Church of England and writes candidly of the struggles he had making the transition.He knew the path to take, but didn't realise it would be so difficult.His mother did not approve and he felt he was betraying her.As he says, hers was the first face he saw and if she was happy, he was happy but if she was sad, he also was sad.He tells of their last parting before, as he put it, he crossed the widest river never to return.He quotes from the Bible the passage where God say's
"Everyone that has left house or brethren or sister or brothers or mothers and fathers or wife and children or lands in My Name shall receive a hundred fold and shall possess life everlasting" |
Old South Bank
Before St Peters Church, South Bank was built, parishioners had a small Church alongside.This eventualy became St Peters Social Club.In the 'Cross'the Parish Priest was named as Fr Bernard McCabe and was described as a energetic pastor.He was Chairman of the Local Council and was celebrating being elected, as a Justice of the Peace.The author of the 'Cross' urged readers to show a good example and not come before the Father.They also urged the Rev Father, to stamp down hard on any Catholic, who comes before him, as an example to others. |
Westminster Cathedral
In the 'Cross'is an article on the Solumn opening of Westminster Cathedral, although it does not tell you the date.(Bishop John's old Parish)
The Cardinal would wear the vestments of the murdered Thomas'O'Becket,some of which were kept in Paris. |
Out of a job
It is reported that a Judge sitting at an Assize Court was surprised when there were no cases to try and no people before him.This was 1900 and he expressed his wish saying"Long may it continue". |
Sounds Familiar
Below is a poem written in 1900 and published in the 'Cross'.Any family with a member who has a drink problem will relate to this (nothing changes).
Just let me tell her story,
Though it holds no story new,
Nor brings no fame or glory,
Of any shade or hew,
Perchance it may prove useful,
At some future time to you.
In early life's sweet morning,
When hearts are bright and gay,
All other pleasures scorning,
At home she loved to stay,
Nor wished to ever be a bride,
Nor see her wedding day.
But time has ways of changing,
The strongest heart and mind,
And all her plans deranging,
In each and every part,
Allows us to enjoy what once,
Hath caused the keenest heart.
Young Michael came a-pleading,
With words of love so strong,
That all her friends unheeding,
And thinking they were wrong,
She trusted the words he spoke,
Alas t'was not for long,
For soon came cursed drinking,
At first with'dear old friends',
Then lower and lower sinking,
His days and nights he's spending,
At public bars and private clubs,
Till now he never ends.
And thus his money spending,
On those he chance to meet,
When out or homeward wending,
He passed along the street.
His wife alone must starve at home,
All others he must treat.
Her eyes are red with weeping,
Dishevelled is her hair,
Her lonely vigil keeping,
In room both dark and bare,
For she is now a drunkards wife,
And racked with constant care.
How slow the time is passing,
From marriage to the grave,
When griefs but keep ammassing,
With no friendly hand them save,
The drunkard from the cursed drink,
Of which he is a slave.
Come friends with heart of pity,
Come band youself with me,
In every town and city,
We'll set the drunkard free,
By raising men's earnest thoughts,
Of Christ thirsting on the tree.
The start of the Temperance Movement.
Have thing changed with kids now drinking alcopops as if it were lemonade.Supermarkets are stocked to the ceiling with cans of Lager and beers.Maybe it's not as strong. What do you think? Let me know.
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Canon Sullivan
 | | It appears from 'The Cross', that Canon Sullivan wasn't the type of person, to sit on his laurals so to speak.He was a Priest with a mission and set about establishing a Church, in every Parish that he was appointed to.When he was sent to Loftus, he found a strong Catholic congregation, hearing Mass, in the Village hut.He set out to build a Church and found land, which was purchased and fundraising was started.He was a very proud Priest, when St Josephs was opened.This is still going strong today.He was then appointed Parish Priest at Staithes the very beautiful and popular village near Whitby.Once again he worked very hard to establish a Church in this little village. His efforts with the help of the fisherfolk of this village, came to it's conclusion, with the opening of the beautiful Church of Our Lady Of Perpetual Succur which is thriving to this day.Parishoners of both Parishes were very sad when he left to take up other posts. |
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Sacred Heart, Middlesbrough
Land for the Sacred Heart Church in Linthorpe Rd was purchased in 1900.(The Cross) Why I wonder was it origanally Sacred Heart and changed to St Philomena's then changed back to Sacred Heart?Let me Know |
Student Priests
In December 1900, the Bishop reported that 21 students were studying for the Priesthood, for the Middlesbrough Diocese. |
Sacred Heart, Redcar
Also in December 1900 the Bishop reported in his letter to the Diocese, that land had been earmarked for a new Church and Presbytery, in Redcar but at present no moneys could be found, to further the good Catholics of Redcar's ambition, to have a Church they could be proud of, dedicated to the Sacred Heart. |
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