News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Celebrating the Feast of St John Henry Newman

Newman saintly ‘singing in the rain’

John Henry Newman paced the floor of his Oxfordshire cottage, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Dominic Barberi, a Passionist Order priest, on the dark and stormy night of 8 October 1845.

He had invited him to hear his confession and receive him into the Catholic Church - after many years of prayer and soul-searching. When they finally met, Newman recognised immediately Barberi’s shrewdness, intuition, child-like simplicity of heart and profound holiness. Both men were inspired by Marian devotion, the lives of the Saints and a mutual quest for holiness. They also shared a ‘down to earth’ firmness of character and tenderness of spirit. Barberi warmly described Newman as “a babe in Christ”.

Perhaps influenced by Barberi, Newman, as a Catholic priest, adapted his own preaching style to be more natural and conversational, so as to easily connect with the educational diversity and socio-economic background of his parishioners, in the Victorian inner city of Birmingham.

Newman and Barberi also bonded over a shared sense of self-directed humour. Dominic, according to his biographer, Alfred Wilson, referred to himself as “working like a donkey”. While John Henry, could recall a witty comparison he had made, by likening himself to “a cart-horse”, in terms of his public witness to Christ’s teaching, whereas St John Chrysostom, one of his heroes, “was a stallion.” Dominic, for his part, while drying out by the fire, immediately saw the comic possibilities of being thoroughly soaked, as he attempted to calm down Newman’s faith-sharing talkativeness, by cracking a cringe-worthy pun and name-checking the local village where they were in the process: “let us just wait a little more and a little more will be done for the glory of God.”

Newman, according to his friend Lord Blatchford’s memoirs: “always saw the point of a joke”. We can imagine Newman and Barberi having a ‘laugh out loud’ moment - or two! Maybe, they even, spontaneously, went outside to ‘sing in the rain’ as a result!

The next morning, we can perhaps imagine that Newman, as a spiritual response to the profoundness of all that had happened to him, may have been moved to quote from one of his Anglican homilies, after he made his First Holy Communion, at a Mass celebrated by Barberi, on the writing table where Newman had composed his book ‘The Development of Doctrine’.

Poignantly, the research for this book had a convinced him to become a Catholic. Barberi’s own pastoral ministry would have been strengthened by these words too: “Let us pray to be filled with the spirit of love…work cheerfully, let us suffer, thankfully; let us throw our heart into what we think, say, and do, and may it be a spiritual heart! This is to be a new creature in Christ; this is to walk by faith.” (Parochial and Plain Sermons 5, 12).

Fr Peter Conley

image c. cbcew/mazur

St John Henry Newman

Parishes, schools and communities are invited to celebrate St John Henry Newman.

The much-loved educationalist will be proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on Saturday 1 November, during the Jubilee of the World of Education.

All are invited to mark his Feast Day today, Thursday 9 October alongside two anniversaries: September (2025) marked the 15th anniversary of Newman’s Beatification in Cofton Park, Birmingham in 2010 by Pope Benedict. October (2025) marks the sixth anniversary of his Canonisation in Rome by Pope Francis.

Visit our website to find out what's already planned and to access resources.

All things bright and beautiful at Flower Festival

Olton Friary, Solihull, is hosting a flower festival this month in celebration of the Catholic Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope.

Parish Priest, Father Anthony Biju, is inviting both parishioners and the wider community to come and visit Olton Friary for a beautiful flower display.

Running from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 October.

Survivor Survey: Invitation to contribute

The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) is undertaking a thematic inspection of survivor engagement and support, and the Archdiocese of Birmingham has been chosen as one of the Dioceses to be involved in this project.

Survivors are invited to contribute their experiences by completing a public survey.

"Turning Up the Volume” on the Quiet Revival

Radio Maria invites you to our Mariathon, 15–17 October, as we “Turn Up the Volume” on the Quiet Revival in our nation.

Hear inspiring guest speakers share stories of faith, growth, and renewal.

Tune in via DAB+, the Radio Maria app, online, or smart speaker.

Survey: Neurodiversity and the Catholic Faith

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.

Quiet Day with the Retreat Association Icon

Reflecting on the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well.

Saturday 18 October, St Paul’s Convent, Selly Park Road, Birmingham.

With Alison MacTier, Director of the Retreat Association.

Cost: £35 Please bring own lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

The day will include an exploration of how this beautiful icon was made, within the tradition of iconography, as well as how we can begin to interpret its meaning. Then we will spend time reflecting in detail on the Gospel story of this encounter and what it may mean for us today.

Time4Brum Citywide Church Celebration: United as One Church

Sunday 19 October 6:00pm for 6:30pm

Mount Zion Community Church (MZCC).

Join us for Time4Brum’s annual citywide celebration during Black History Month. Born out of the powerful Time for Change movement, this gathering brings together churches across Birmingham—Black, White, Asian, and multicultural—to stand united as one body in Christ.

Let’s reaffirm our commitment to the Church Unity Charter and celebrate the partnerships and progress we’ve made through Time4Brum’s Church and Youth Summits.

Come and be part of this vital moment of worship, unity, and hope.

Celebrating 60 Years of Nostra Aetate, Session 4

Dying To Live

The capacity of faith communities in the Birmingham area to discuss end of life concerns.

Sunday 26 October, the Grimshaw Room, St Chad's Cathedral.

This is one event of several in the lead up to the Nostra Aetate anniversary celebration later this year, with health care workers and medical practitioners particularly in mind.

Autumn Party at Alton Castle

Invitation from the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT)

Tickets are now on sale for an Autumn Party Night at Alton Castle on Saturday 25 October, from 7pm until late!

By popular demand, this much-loved event returns to the beautiful setting of the Castle, where we’ll gather for our annual celebration of the work of Kenelm and raise some vital funds in the process!

Food, music, games, challenges, dancing and much more!

This annual celebration brings together Friends of Kenelm and supporters from across the country, giving us a chance to reflect on youth ministry, recognise the dedication of individuals through our special awards, and look ahead with joy and hope.

Families invited to pray the Rosary this October

Pray the Rosary with Archbishop John Wilson and The Mark 10 Mission this October.

The Rosary Challenge invites you to pray a decade of the Rosary each weekday. The Mark 10 Mission has created beautiful online videos for each mystery of the Holy Rosary, led by Archbishop John of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

40 Days for Life campaign

40 Days for Life is an international campaign to end abortion locally, currently offering an alternative to women seeking it in Headington in Oxford, from 24 September-2nd November.

We invite you to attend the Mid-Campaign Event, with Isobel Vaughan-Spruce and a ceilidh, at the Catholic Chaplaincy, Rose Place, at 7:30pm on 17 October.

Sight Loss Sunday, 12 October

Parishes invited to mark the occasion.

Sight Loss Sunday is an initiative by Torch Trust, an ecumenical Christian organisation dedicated to enabling blind and partially sighted people to encounter Jesus, grow in their faith and thrive in Christian community.

This year's theme is ‘Who does God call?’

Prisoners' Sunday and Prisons Week

Prisoners’ Sunday marks the start of Prisons Week — a national call to prayer and action for prisoners, their families, and all affected by the criminal justice system.

This year’s theme is “Jesus looked at him and loved him” (Mark 10:21), reminding us of God’s love for all.

Catholic charity Pact, supporting prisoners and their families for 125 years, invites parishes to consider a second collection to help continue this vital work.

Collections can be held on a nearby Sunday or on the Jubilee of Prisoners – 14 December.

Justice and Peace Assembly: Preparing our Parishes for Social Action

All welcome on Saturday 18 October at St Chad's Cathedral.

Our speakers this year are:

• Paul Northam - Diocesan Co-ordinator for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope
• Emily Pugh - Caritas development lead

The assembly runs from 10:30am to 3:45pm, with registrations at 10.

Missionaries of Hope among all Peoples

World Mission Sunday: 19 October 2025

On World Mission Sunday, the whole Church unites in prayer and generosity to support Catholic communities across the world facing poverty, conflict, and hardship.

Pope Francis chose 'Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples' as this year's theme, reminding us of our call to be messengers and builders of hope in this Jubilee Year. Rooted in Christ's resurrection, this hope has the power to transform lives and heal our world.

Prayers and donations on this day directly sustain young and struggling faith communities, support vocations, and enable missionaries to bring the Gospel to remote and often dangerous places. Together, we help communities grow in faith, dignity, and self-reliance.

Nurturing Cohesion Across Faith Communities

Monday 20 October 6.30-8.30pm. Handsworth, Birmingham.

An in-person discission, this is one event of several in the lead up to the Nostra Aetate anniversary celebration later this month.

'Nostra aetate' is the 1965 Declaration of the Second Vatican Council on 'The Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions'.

Nostra aetate, or ‘In Our Time’ to give it its Latin name, formalised and encouraged an attitude of dialogue and respect towards the major non-Christian religions of the world.

Invitation from Church Action on Poverty

The national ecumenical Christian social justice charity, committed to tackling poverty in the UK.

On Church Action on Poverty Sunday, give, act and pray with others – together we can end UK poverty.

19 October is Church Action on Poverty Sunday.

There’s still time to join other churches across the UK by giving, acting and praying with us. This year's theme is Dreams & Realities.

Patronal Mass and Launch of Centenary Year

Thursday 16 October, St Margaret Mary, Perry Common.

The St Margaret Mary Church Centenary launch is on Thursday 16 October (Mass at 7pm), the Feast Day of St Margaret Mary.

The Celebrant and Preacher will be Monsignor Keith Newton. Mass will be followed by a party.

Meeting with government advisor Rachel Taylor MP

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Coventry invites you to an inspiring meeting with government advisor Rachel Taylor MP.

Saturday 18 October at the Coventry Ukrainian Community Centre at 5.45pm for a 6pm start, to hear 2 x presentations as follows:

• Rachel Taylor MP for North Warwickshire & Bedworth - relaying her experiences of the humanitarian/medical aid trip she & a team undertook in July/August 2025 delivering a number of ambulances to Ukraine
• Tania Hebert - a Ukrainian GP based in Warwick, who coordinates the West Midlands region of Medical Aid Ukraine, and who would have been responsible for filling the ambulances that Rachel and team drove to Ukraine

After the presentations there will be an opportunity for Q&A's, with light snacks & refreshments provided.

LGBTQ+ Welcome Mass

Sunday 19 October, 12.45 pm at St Joseph the Worker, 1 De Montfort Way, Coventry, CV4 7DU

The Coventry Deanery LGBTQ+ group have arranged a Mass for everyone on Sunday 19 October at St Joseph the Worker.

All welcome especially the LGBTQ+ community and their families and friends. Followed by refreshments
For further details please contact Dcn Leo Poole: 07984 071124 dcn.leo.poole@rcaob.org.uk

Free Screening: IRMAS – The Life of the Sisters of Mary

Join us for a special screening of IRMAS, a powerful new documentary about the Sisters of Mary and their mission to transform the lives of children living in extreme poverty through education, care, and faith.

Thursday 23 October, 2–4pm, with light refreshments at the Mockingbird Cinema, The Custard Factory, Birmingham B9 4AA.

Meet Sister Maria, Sister Mylene, and Fr Fretch Ballesteros, a former student of the Sisters now serving as a priest in Birmingham.

IRMAS will also be available to watch online from Sunday 19 October.
RSVP: enquiries@worldvillages.org.uk
Watch the trailer: worldvillages.org.uk/irmas

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.

A number of roles are currently available including:

10x support workers
HR & Training Administrator
Senior Administrative Assistant
Foster Carers

The Voice of Christians in the Holy Land: A Catalyst for Hope & Reconciliation

An Evening of Hope & Dialogue, Farm Street Church, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH

Join Friends of the Holy Land for an evening with Rev. John M. Paul SJ, Rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem.

Thursday 16 October, 7–8pm, followed by drinks

Also live-streamed on YouTube.

Fr John Paul will speak on “The Voice of Christians in the Holy Land: A Catalyst for Hope & Reconciliation”, sharing first-hand insights and exploring how UK Christians can support this vital mission.

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