Welcome to our Website
I am delighted to welcome you to the website of the Parish of St Thomas & St Edmund of Canterbury or, as it is more affectionately known, The Abbey.
We are based in the bustling suberb of Erdington in the Northern part of the wonderful City of Birmingham.
It is thrilling to share our faith with the Erdington Abbey Parish Community.
Here, so many cultures and nationalities are represented, reflecting the coming together of God's people in His Kingdom. This has not only enriched this great parish but has brought joy and fun.
In addition to the army of men and women who undertake whatever is necessary for the good of the parish, the Abbey is a true Community of prayer and to this end you are welcome to join us at Mass, Holy Hour, Novena and Adoration.
I look forward to seeing you at The Erdington Abbey soon.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Kieran Brady C.Ss.R - Parish Priest
Live Streaming of Mass at the Abbey
CAFOD's Sudan Crisis Appeal
Millions of families in Sudan, forced to flee their homes amid conflict, now face yet another urgent crisis – extreme hunger. Please give to CAFOD's Sudan Crisis Appeal in church or at cafod.org.uk/sudanappeal. Your donation will help CAFOD's partners to support more families with food packages and emergency cash payments as well as rebuilding water pipelines so clean water can reach communities who need it. Thank you for your generosity and prayers.
You can also text Text CAFODSUDAN to 70450 to donate £10.Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you'll be opting into hearing more from us. If you would like to donate but don't wish to hear more from us, please text CAFODSUDANNOINFO instead.
Caritas Social Action Network have just launched their Do Justice campaign. You can find out more at: https://dojustice.co.uk/
The aim of the campaign is to encourage our parish to discern the needs of our local community in the light of the Gospel and to act with the skills and resources we have at our disposal to bring about a more just society.
Caritas have produced a three-session resource for us as a guide to this process, which you'll find attached. The sessions use the Conversations in the Spirit method of the synodal process, to make sure that everyone is heard, and the best ways forward can be discerned.
On the Do Justice website, you'll be able to download a copy of the 'core text' of the campaign, Do Justice: A Vision for Spiritual and Civic Renewal in England and Wales.
This document might be a helpful introduction for those who want to engage with Do Justice. It's a reminder of the scriptural roots of justice and the main principles of Catholic Social Teaching which guide our work for a better world.
Click on the below image to read the latest newsletter
We Pray For...
Dee Dunston, Easton Hurd, Theresa Floyd, Maxine Desmond, Teresa Monteiro, Rose Reddan and Kath Buckley who are sick, and please pray for Patricia Paintain, Margaret Fegan & Anna Coyle who have died recently.
FREE David and Goliath Christian Roadshow in Birmingham on Tuesday 18th June at 09:15am.
Archdiocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes - May 2024
Each May half Term, the Archdiocese of Birmingham organises a pilgrimage to Lourdes, in France, for a week of prayer and service at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. 2024 will be the 82nd Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage.
If you are interested in going to Lourdes on Pilgrimage, but need assistance with personal care, medication, or mobility then we encourage you to apply to the Pilgrimage as an Assisted Pilgrim. Should you be successful, you will be accepted into 'The Accueil' (meaning welcome) which is a purpose-built facility within the Domain itself and will have access to support from carers, nurses, doctors and physiotherapists whose purpose it is to help you for your Pilgrimage week. It is important to note that you will be expected to pay for yourself to attend, though there are funding streams you can apply to for assistance. If you are interested in this, please contact the pilgrimage office on Tel: 0121 230 6288.
We are also advertising for carers, nurses and doctors to volunteer for the week in Lourdes to help assist those who need help throughout their Pilgrimage. You will work as part of a supported team of other healthcare professionals of varying experience and will have free time to enjoy your own Pilgrimage also.
Would you be willing to give up a week of your time to assist sick pilgrims in Lourdes? If so, please email Kathryn, our Chief Nurse, on chiefnurse.lourdes@rcaob.org.uk or visit the Diocesan website for more information.
Retrouvaille Marriage Programme - Finding each other again.
The next Retrouvaille programme begins with a weekend in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire from 14-16 June 2024 with 12 virtual post sessions on Wednesdays thereafter.
Retrouvaille is a Catholic programme but is open to married couples of any faith, or none. It is offered as a gift from the Catholic Church to any married couple who wishes to heal the difficulties they are experiencing in their marriage.
The programme is presented by trained volunteers who themselves have experienced the programme and want to share the benefits they have experienced first-hand in their own relationships. The presenting team on the weekend also includes a priest who has experienced the programme and believes that it has something to offer couples in difficulties.
For further information or contact us for a chat about what we are doing. Our numbers are 07961 391889 (Caroline) and 07884 490235 (Michael).
Need help to come to mass?
The SVP would like to help collect parishioners who are unable to get to Mass on their own on Sunday by arranging to pick them up from their home using the facility of the minibus to bring them to the 10.30 Mass each Sunday. If you think you would benefit from this service please contact Ronnie Sweeney (SVP member) on 07958939449.
Please click the link above to donate to The Abbey Parish
