NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Reunion: 150th anniversary of St John's School, Boston Spa

Photo of Daughter of Charity Sisters (from left to right) Sr Elizabeth Ferrie; Sr Maria Robb; Sr Theresa Tighe; Sr Ruth O’Neil. Sr Marie Raw was at the Reunion but not in the photo

Peter McDonough and Fr Paul Fletcher SJ

Congratulations to Wendy Daunt, a former pupil of St John’s, Boston Spa, who recently received an OBE from Prince William, alongside Sr Theresa Tighe

A Reunion was held in Leeds on 28th June 2025, with over 200 past pupils celebrating the 150th anniversary of St John’s School for the Deaf, Boston Spa

Fr Paul Fletcher SJ preaching on the feast of St Peter and St Paul

Mass presided over by Bishop Marcus Stock (bishop of Leeds) and concelebrated by Fr Sean Molly (parish priest), another priest who was former parish priest, Fr David Murray and Fr Paul Fletcher SJ

CDA Trustees in Rome (April 2025): from left – Frankie Berry; Fr Paul Fletcher SJ; Theresa Higgins. Read more

Congratulations to Yasser Andrew who was confirmed by Bishop Paul McAleenan

The CCRS Reunion was held in the Elmham House, the Walsingham Shrine’s Pilgrim Hostel from Wednesday May 15th to Sunday May 19th 2024. The CCRS graduates travelled to read more

On 23rd November 2023, on the ocassion of his 43rd anniversary of the Priesthood, Fr Robert Kinlen, Chaplain to Deaf people in Hexam & Newcastle diocese, celebrated a ‘thanksgiving celebration’ with the Deaf and SVP communities. The Mass took place at the SVP Newcastle Deaf Centre (Our Lady of Lourdes).

Fr Paul Fletcher SJ, Angela Davies and Joselyn Taylor were in Lourdes, July 2023. Here is a short video vlog – click on the image to view the video. The person they were with and who lit the candle is Vincent Bayoumeu. He is St Bernadette’s 5th great-nephew and he is Deaf himself.

Whiles in Lourdes, Bishop Moth (Bishop of Arundel & Brighton) presented Maria and Peter Booker with St Philip Howard medals for their significant contribution and service to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing people, in their diocese to create awareness of the existence and needs of Deaf/Hard of Hearing people, both in the Church and in Society. Maria and Peter Booker were completely surprised. Congratulations to Maria and Peter! Well done, you both deserve the awards and the Deaf community is proud of you.