St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle Upon Tyne

14/06/2026

Today, Sunday, 14th June, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the death of Bishop Ambrose Griffiths, 11th bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

Michael Griffiths was born in London on 4th December 1928. On 24th September 1950, after completing his studies at Oxford, he joined the Benedictine Community at Ampleforth Abbey and was given the religious name Ambrose. In 1976 he was appointed Abbot of the Abbey, and was in charge for 8 years before becoming Parish Priest at Leyland in Lancashire.

On 11th January 1992 Pope John Paul II appointed Ambrose as the 11th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, he received his episcopal ordination at the Cathedral on March 20th 1992.

Bishop Ambrose was truly loved throughout the Diocese, with his mild manner and good humour, humility and hands-on attitude. He was instrumental in moving our Diocese and Cathedral into the new millennium with his vision of witness, worship and service. Bishop Ambrose helped to turn our Cathedral into a ‘peaceful oasis in the city, welcoming to people of all faiths and none.’ He was one of the driving forces behind the redevelopment of the Cathedral site starting in the late ‘90’s with the interior redecoration and reordering, the Pauline Books and Media Centre, the Café and the Hume Memorial Garden.

Bishop Ambrose retired in 2004. He died peacefully on the afternoon of 14th June 2011. He is buried at Ampleforth.

The 11.30am Solemn Mass today will be offered for Bishop Ambrose.

13/06/2026

Join us live for the ordination to the priesthood of Rev Christopher Martin Brolly SJ.

Holy Mass from the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Newcastle Upon Tyne...

12/06/2026

We congratulate Bishop Séamus today on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, giving thanks to Almighty God for his many years of devoted service, and wishing every blessing on him.

Bishop Séamus, of course, has a very special connection with the Cathedral. Having served here as assistant priest in the 1970’s, before returning as Administrator (now Dean) for 10 years from 1987 and ultimately being consecrated at the Cathedral as the thirteenth Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle on 20 March 2009, leading the diocese until his retirement in 2019.

To celebrate this great milestone, Bishop Séamus will celebrate Mass at St Mary’s Sunderland on Saturday 20 June at 11am, followed by refreshments in the church hall. All are most warmly invited.

Ad multos annos!

12/06/2026

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We may not have a statue of the Sacred Heart inside the Cathedral, but we do have one outside.

If you walk along Bewick Street and look up to the niche just by the side of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel you will see a statue of the Sacred Heart. The statue is indicating that just on the other side of the wall is the Real Presence of The Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Have mercy on us.

10/06/2026

Significance and the Youth Ministry Team invite you to join them at the Emmaus Village for the annual Significance Festival on Saturday 27 June.

Arrivals from 12.00pm, Guided Walk of the Laudato Si’ Environmental Project at 1.15pm,
Presentation from Significance and Mass, celebrated by Bishop Stephen, at 3.00pm followed by a Barbecue and Ceilidh in the evening. Entry is free with charges for accommodation on Friday and Saturday nights. BBQ tickets cost £10.

All proceeds and donations will support Significance - Fr Dermott Donnelly Foundation. Please support this vital work.

To request a booking form and for further info
email Evie at [email protected] or Tel. 01207 592244.

08/06/2026

Deacon Christopher Martin Brolly SJ is to be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stephen at the Cathedral this Saturday, 13 June at 1pm.

Please join us in celebrating this wonderful milestone and keeping him in your prayers as he prepares for this lifelong commitment to ministry and service within the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).

If you cannot attend in person, you can join us online. The ceremony will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel: youtube.com//streams

07/06/2026

We celebrate today the great solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Body and Blood of Christ.

The 11.30am Solemn Mass will conclude with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

‘There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.’

- St John Vianney

05/06/2026

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi.

The 11.30 Solemn Mass on Sunday will conclude with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

‘Seek him without tiring, welcome him without reserve, love him without interruption: today, tomorrow, forever. From this moment on, live the Eucharist fully; be persons for whom the Holy Mass, Communion, and Eucharistic adoration are the center and summit of their whole life.’
- St Pope John Paul II

04/06/2026

The Cathedral is now open following the completion of the scheduled repair works.

The regular schedule of Masses has now resumed.