Patrick’s Place
Reflections
Patrick Doyle
Patrick Doyle is a respected lay Dominican and long-standing parishioner of St Charles Borromeo in Hull. He served as a City Councillor from 1972 to 2003 and was Leader of Hull City Council from 1979 to 2001. In recognition of his distinguished civic service, he was granted the Freedom of the City of Kingston upon Hull in November 2022.
In the Catholic community, Patrick has been deeply involved in parish life as a reader, Eucharistic minister, catechist, SVP member, parish council member, and organiser of parish outreach activities. He has also served as Provincial President of the Lay Dominicans and held governance roles in local education and charity organisations.
For his sustained service to Church and society, Patrick was honoured with the Knighthood of the Order of St Gregory the Great, a papal award conferred by the Vatican for outstanding lay contribution to the Church’s mission.
Patrick’s Place is a regular contribution to the St Charles Borromeo website, offering thoughtful reflections on faith and the Church.
Pope Leo’s first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas is available from the Catholic Truth Society. It is a must read for thoughtful Catholics heralded as a critique of AI and IT, it is much more. The opening survey of the Catholic social tradition and his clear definition and explanation of key concepts like subsidiarity and the common good is an excellent introduction to Catholic Social Teaching. Soon there will be an opportunity to discuss this prophetic document, so watch this space.
Magnifica Humanitas
St Peter’s Statue at Saint Charles
You can’t miss St Peter’s Statue at at Charles or can you? It is a big bold and clear statement of papal authority. It lies at the back of the church - but notice the polished foot., a legacy of our many parishioners kissing our touching the foot on entering the church. A few of our elderly parishioners will recall Peter Flanagan, the former Hull KR, Hull FC and Great Britain Rugby League player with his distinctive overcoat and dark glasses. (no matter what the weather) always standing alongside his patron on his visits to St Charles. “Flash” Flanagan was one of Hull’s great characters
Proposed Saint Chartles Camino
I understand that there was a Marton/ Burton Constable Corpus Christi procession recently and that Sunday Mass is once more celebrated at The Blessed sacrament Chapel, Marton. This is good news as this nexus would be the beginning of the Camino.
When next in St Charles, look up at the frieze of “losenges” in blue and gold commemorating the priests who have served post -reformation Hull. The first is Dr Charles Howard who rode in on his pony every Sunday from Marton which owes a great dept to the like of him and their patrons, the Constable family.
Call to Mission - Hopes and Aspirations
We must set up a regular Young Adults Formation with a Rosary Circle and ensure, as Fr Phil has urged, the church is open - for which stewards will be required.
A big thankyou to Fr John Church, a young friar who led the recent Call to Mission event at St Charles. During the church opening, with the candles ablaze, some passers by were attracted to comment favourably -and in one instance enter the church and enjoy a mini-tour with Fr Phil. Whilst successful, we hope for still more to come and enjoy future events with Fr Church. A report on the Call to Mission event is available on this website and will included in the August edition of The Voice magazine
Fr John Church
Roll of Honour at St Charles
A prominent feature of St Charles is the Roll of Honour for the war dead. But did you know that the first Catholic chaplain to die in action in World War One was the Hull-born Fr William Finn (1875-1915). He was riddled with bullets while administering the sacrament to”his boys” on V Beach at Gallipoli on April 25th 1915.
Fr Finn is usually linked to Sacred Heart (where there is a blue plaque in his memory) which was built in his honour by his brother Alderman Frank Finn. However, his Raquiem was at ST Charles with the Last Post and a guard of honour provided by the Lancashire Fusiliers and the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was buried near where he fell in Gallipoli
Do you have a story to tell?
There are many names on our Roll of Honour, and each has their own story of courage and sacrifice. If any parishioner can help us with information and/ or photographs, please get in touch. Frances Brady, the first Catholic woman to be Lord Mayor of Hull always on her visits stopped to touch the names of her brothers. It was a double tragic story. The three of them were orphans (Grogan). An aunt, living in the West Riding raised Frances, but the brothers went into care. She strove to be reunited with them, only to lose them again in fighting for their country.
There must be other memories as there are so many names on our roll of honour. If you would like to share your information on any aspect of our wartime Roll of Honour pleasse contact Patrick Doyle via email: janandpatdoyle@yahoo.co.uk
Bicentenary of Saint Charles Borromeo Commemorative Walk Suggestion
By Patrick Doyle
Pilgrimages are very fashionable even amongst the non-religious e.g. the large numbers who make the Camino to Compostella in N.W. Spain. Leeds has its St. Wilfred’s Way and in Birmingham there is now a St. John Henry Newman Way. So to commemorate the impending bicentenary of St Charles, why not develop a Hull camino?
Suggested Route
Burton Constable Hall
Marton, Most Holy Sacrament Chapel
Hedon, SsMary & Joseph another early 19th century chapel with Constable associations
The rec.ently excavated Hull Blockhouses where recusants were imprisoned
Hull Charterhouse, where Frs Rochester and Walworth, London Carthusians, were held before their execution.
Finishing with St Charles undercroft with the remains of the Whitefriars (Carmelites) and Blackfriars (Austin Friars - the same order as Pope Leo) are interrred
Published in Messenger - a Parish community magazine from the Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Spilsby
(Hull Supplement). Spring 2026 by Patrick Doyle
Statues
Which are the newest and biggest statues of Saint Charles Borromeo? Well, they are outside, in the niches inside the portico! One (right) is of Saint Charles Borromeo and the other is the local Saint/ martyr Margaret Clitherow of York. These are the work of Hull sculptor Harry Ibbetson who also produced the statue of Amy Johnson which can be seen outside the Hull Prospect Centre.
Saint Vincent de Paul
(1581-1660)
There are two depictions of St Vincent in St Charles plus a brass plaque which refers to the Daughters of Charity coming to Hull . Their first house, a home for boys, was located at 3 Wright Street - and is now the site of Welcome House. For many years, the Order provided a Parish sister. Look among the small brass plates – you should find some dedicated to the sisters. Here is a close connection with the great French Saint.
Patrick’s Library
Patrick shares a selection of his current reading with parishioners, offering thoughtful insights and recommendations that nourish faith and deepen understanding. From theology and scripture to history and spiritual reflection, this growing library invites you to explore, reflect, and perhaps discover a book that speaks to you.
Radio Maria
A lifeline for the housebound, Radio Maria England is a 24-hour Catholic radio station which offers Mass, the Office, music, reflections, question time and discussion. It is directed by Fr Toby Lees OP
For Further information check the Radio Maria website or contact:
Radio Maria England Blackfriars Hall, St Dominic’s Priory London NW5 4LB Tel:0300 302 1251.
If you have Alexa, ask for Radio Maria England. You can listen online if you have access to the web or click the link below for more information. Please pass this information on to anyone housebound, whether temporarily or permanently