'Joy is at the heart of Christianity'

Reflection: Third Sunday of Advent

Do you look good in pink? Or more importantly, does your parish priest look good in pink?

This Sunday, the Church celebrates ‘Gaudete Sunday’ or ‘Rejoice Sunday’ marked in particular with rose coloured vestments and the lighting of the pink candle on the Advent wreath. This playful change in colour is the Church’s reminder to us that while we are in a time of preparation, expecting the Lord’s coming, we do so with joyful anticipation.

St Paul proclaims “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:4

Joy is at the heart of Christianity. It is a great, supernatural sign to the world that amongst the struggles and difficulties of life God is amongst us. Joy transcends surface happiness because it is rooted in the firm truth that God became man, in Jesus. Suffered, died and rose for our salvation and invites us into eternal and blessed life with Him. In other words, we can be joyful because we know that God loves us with a lavish, faithful and everlasting love.

The world around is desperate for authentic lasting joy, and in truth it is only God who can provide it. As we come to Mass this Sunday, and as Jesus becomes truly present to us the Eucharist, maybe we can ask the Lord to give us more of His joy this Advent, and that we can share this joy with others.

Luke Theobald, Diocesan Seminarian

Venerable English College, Rome

Advent is here

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our Lord why not take part in Advent activities?

You can access resources, prayers, retreats and much more on the diocesan website.

Suitable for parish and school use.

Advent and Christmas: Dates for the Diary

Sat 13 Dec, 12.30 - 5.30pm: Advent Family Retreat Day at St Mary's Caritas Centre, Crewe. For more info and book, email: estherjfcorrigan@gmail.com

Sun 21 Dec, 5pm: St Chad's Cathedral Carol Service

Tomorrow: Invitation from the charity, Life

All welcome to attend the Mass for Life on Friday 12 December.

To be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley at St Chad's Cathedral.

An opportunity to bring together friends and supporters to reflect on and celebrate the work of Life in protecting and supporting vulnerable lives across the UK.

This Saturday: Invitation from the International Centre of Newman Friends

The upcoming Fr Ian Ker Memorial Lecture will be in celebration of the recent elevation of St John Henry Newman as Doctor of the Church.

The event will take place on Saturday 13 December in the Parish Hall of Bl. Dominic Barberi Church, Littlemore, Oxford, at 3.30 pm.

Fr George Bowen C.O., who was the postulator for the Cause of Newman as Doctor of the Church, will be the main speaker.

Diocesan French Masses

French Masses are celebrated monthly in Birmingham and Coventry. All are welcome! Please draw this to the attention of any French speaking members of your communities.

Birmingham – The first Sunday of the month at 3.30pm in Our Lady & St Brigid, 63 Frankley Beeches Rd, Northfield, B31 5AB. Contact Fr Jeremy Howard – 07868 542268 fr.jeremy.howard@rcaob.org.uk

Coventry – The second Sunday of the month at 1pm in St Patrick’s, Deedmore Rd, Wood End, Coventry, CV2 2AA. Contact Fr Andrew Allman – 0121 321 5010 andrew.allman@oscott.org

French Christmastide Masses

Birmingham – Sunday January 4th, The Feast of the Epiphany, 3.30pm in Our Lady & St Brigid, Northfield with Bishop David Evans. Refreshments after Mass.

Coventry – Sunday January 11th, The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, St Patrick’s, Wood End, Coventry.

Notice in French for Christmas Masses – please use for newsletters etc if you have French speaking parishioners.

Messes de Noël en français - tous sont bienvenus !

Birmingham – Dimanche 4 janvier, La Fête de l'Épiphanie, à 15h30 à l'église Our Lady & St Brigid 63 Frankley Beeches Rd., Northfield. B31 5AB célébrée par Mgr David Evans, Evêque Auxiliaire de L’Archidiocèse de Birmingham. Rafraîchissements après la messe. Pour obtenir des renseignements supplémentaires veuillez contacter Père Jeremy Howard – 07868 542268 fr.jeremy.howard@rcaob.org.uk

Coventry – Dimanche 11 janvier, La Fête du Baptême du Seigneur, à 13h à l'église Saint-Patrick Deedmore Rd., Wood End Coventry. CV2 2AA Pour obtenir des renseignements supplémentaires veuillez contacter Père Andrew Allman 0121 321 5010 andrew.allman@oscott.org

Deacon Mark on Radio Maria England

A Neurodivergent Christmas: Supporting Loved Ones Through the Festive Season

Deacon Mark Paine of Our Lady and St Rose of Lima, Weoley Castle and St Peter, Bartley Green, is a guest on Radio Maria England for a two-part special.

Christmas is often described as ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ – but for many neurodivergent individuals, it can also be the most overwhelming. Changes in routine, loud gatherings, bright lights, crowded liturgies and endless social expectations can create stress rather than joy. That’s why this Advent, Radio Maria England is launching a special two-part series.

Broadcast Dates

Part 1: Wednesday 10 December | 5–6pm (should be available to 'listen again')

How to make our parish liturgies more inclusive during Advent and Christmas.

Part 2: Wednesday 17 December | 5–6pm

How to adapt home, workplace and family traditions to be more inclusive for all brains and ages.

Blog post: When something sacred is mocked, silence is not an option

Solihull parishioner Ray McNally shares his experience as he, and others, peacefully protest about the sale of Christmas cards which mock Jesus Christ.

A peaceful gathering will take place on Saturday 21 December at 2pm outside Sainsbury’s, Stratford Road, Shirley.

All are welcome, please come and stand together in unity and prayer, affirming the dignity of our faith and the respect owed to every religious tradition.

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026

Booking is now open for volunteers. If you would like to join the Lourdes Pilgrimage as a Doctor, Nurse, Carer or Hospitalier (non-medical helper) we'd love to hear from you.

Application forms, together with a Volunteer Pilgrimage Pack, can be found in the Lourdes section of the diocesan website.

New social justice resource for churches

"26 in 26" project launched by Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty

As Christians, we are called to seek justice and challenge injustice. But making that a regular part of church life isn't always easy.

To help, Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty have jointly launched the "26 in 26" project: an interactive poster with 26 ideas for churches to try next year.

It includes suggestions for new prayer, reflection or worship materials; ideas for engaging with community groups; and ways to speak up about topical issues effectively and justly.

Posters are free to order:

Columban Schools Media Competition

The Columbans have launched their Schools Media Competition 2026 with the theme: “Becoming a refugee is never a choice. But how we respond is.”

WHO? Students aged 13–18 in Britain

WHAT? Create an original piece of writing or an image to explore what it means to seek sanctuary, how we can show compassion, solidarity and respect.

WHEN? The deadline is Valentine's Day, 14 February 2026

PRIZE: First prize is £300 + entries published in Columban media.

Especially at this time, let’s use our voices to raise awareness, empathy and hope

Looking ahead with Hope?

A moment of advent formation and reflection for those with a heart for young people, post-COP30 and pre-Christmas.

Monday 15 December, 4pm, online.

The FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice and the Columbans invite teachers, youth ministers, chaplains, parents and others concerned for our young people and their futures, for a time of input, prayer and reflection.

Together we will look back at the UN climate meeting in Brazil, and forward to the coming of Christ, source of our hope, at Christmas.

West Midlands Faith Alliance

Invitation to an online Faith Webinar on Monday 15 December.

This introductory training module was developed to provide Faith communities with a basic overview of the public health approach to violence. This would be beneficial to anyone with a Faith background, looking to upskill leaders in their communities.

The West Midlands Faith Alliance is a multi-faith and community-led regional network, supported and facilitated by the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (WMVRP), working to equip, enable and empower communities of all faiths and none, to better understand and prevent violence.

Survey: Neurodiversity and the Catholic Faith

Please complete by Monday 12 January 2026

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University are conducting research into Neurodiversity and our Faith experience.

We want to hear from you.

In this Participatory Research we want to:
a) Understand what helps neurodivergent Catholics in England and Wales.
b) What gets in the way for neurodivergent Catholics in England and Wales.

Your insights can help us to become more inclusive and responsive.

Dates for the Diary: Pray24Brum January 2026

Friday 23 and Saturday 24 January, St Martin in the Bullring.

Pray24Brum is a prayer relay, each hour being led by a different group. Join us for an hour or several to pray for the city.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Volunteer Taster Sessions at Tabor Living, Birmingham at a time to suit you.

Are you interested in making a real difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness?

Join us for a Volunteer Taster Session at Tabor Living, where you'll get a chance to learn more about our work, meet the team and explore how you can get involved.

Father Hudson’s Caritas provides social care throughout the Archdiocese.

Roles currently available:

Fostering - Team Manager

Relief Support Worker

Foster Carers

Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course 2026

Registration now open for workshops in January, February and March.

Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course 2026: Embrace the Timeless Art of Chanting

Now open for registration, inviting music lovers, singers, and spiritual seekers to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Gregorian Chant at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth.

Now booking: Marriage Preparation residential weekend course

Friday 9 - Sunday 11 January 2026, Stonyhurst, Lancashire

The Christian Heritage Centre’s weekend marriage prep course is intended for couples who wish to engage more deeply with the Catholic vision for marriage.

Structured around the elements of the marriage rite, couples will reflect deeply on foundational Scriptural texts to gain a deeper understanding of both the natural and Sacramental aspects of Matrimony.

The weekend is framed by prayer, time for reflection personally and as a couple, group discussion and a social.

Resources from the Christian Heritage Centre

The CHC at Stonyhurst, Lancashire, has several resources available on its website which it offers freely for use.

Amongst these are recordings of retreat talks and lectures, articles on theological themes, and shorter posts on saints, feasts and topical items.

Including a series of posts reflecting on the statements of the Nicene Symbol, in honour of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.

New Year online retreat hosted by the Jesuit Institute

Sunday 18 - Thursday 22 January 2026

This four-day online retreat at the start of the new year aims to help all those taking part to take stock of their lives, helping them to make a significant decision perhaps or to simply align their lives more closely with God’s purposes.

Please follow us online

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