News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Why come to Walsingham?

This Saturday, pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Birmingham will be travelling to Walsingham for the annual Day Pilgrimage.

Nearly 1,000 years ago Our Lady asked for a copy of her home at Nazareth to be built here. She invites us to her home, simply to be with her, the Mother of God, and open our hearts and lives to her.

We need to detach ourselves, if only for a short time, from our busy everyday lives, to come to a place of peace and prayer, to this spiritual home, to draw closer to Our Lord and His Mother.

Mary always leads us to Her Son – “do whatever he tells you”, she told the servants at Cana. Here Mary helps us to listen to the Lord, as she always did, to find our callings and vocations.

Nazareth was the home of a family – the Holy Family. At Walsingham we rediscover the love for God and for each other which bound them together, and we pray that our families and homes may share that love too.

Mary knows that true joy in life is found if we open our hearts to the Lord. Walsingham is a place to discover and rediscover the joy of following Jesus, the good shepherd.

Mary invites us to her home – and she invites us each day to find a place of honour for Her Son in our homes. May Walsingham always have a place of honour in our lives.

May it be a home to us and may Our Lady and Her Son find a home in us.

Fr Phillip Griffin,

Walsingham Pilgrimage Director

Have your say on safeguarding in the Archdiocese of Birmingham

The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) is carrying out a safeguarding inspection across the Church in England and Wales, and your voice matters.

We are inviting anyone connected with the Archdiocese of Birmingham: parishioners, volunteers, staff, clergy and victim/survivors, to complete a short four-question survey about their experience of safeguarding. The opportunity is open until 15 May 2026 and all perspectives are welcome.

Safeguarding is central to our life and mission, and your feedback will help strengthen good practice across the Archdiocese.

Vocations Testimonies to be shared throughout May

During the month of May, parishioners at Our Lady and St Brigid in Northfield will be hearing testimonies from those who have answered God’s call to serve Him in priesthood, the permanent diaconate or Religious life.

The parish is part of Birmingham Cathedral and South Deanery. May is the Deanery’s designated Vocations Month, where parishes are encouraged to focus on Vocations with celebrations of Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer for vocations.

During the five weekends of May various speakers will share their stories.

What should Maryvale teach next?

Under the guidance of the Archbishop of Birmingham, Maryvale Institute is planning its Further Education programme for 2027/28 and we want to hear from you. Are you interested in Theology and faith? What are you hoping to study?

Five minutes of your time could help to influence what courses we offer.

Pray in May with Mary's Meals

Parishes and schools across the Archdiocese are invited to support the international charity this month.

Mary’s Meals is now serving school meals to over three million children, living in some of the world’s poorest communities, every day.

So far this year, across the Archdiocese, over £8,000 has been raised for the charity, which is supported by more than 15 diocesan volunteers.

During the month of May, Mary’s Meals is inviting churches and schools to take part in their Pray in May campaign, encouraging prayer and reflection for children around the world who rely on a daily school meal.

Invitation: Individually Guided Retreat

Monday 11 to Monday 18 May at the Dupuis Retreat and Conference Centre, St Paul's Convent, Selly Park, Birmingham.

Booking now open for the event, to be led by Sr Pauline Myers SP and Sr Una Coogan CJ.

CAFOD Legacy Event, Oscott College

Thursday 14 May at St Mary’s College, Oscott, Birmingham 11am to 3pm.

An invitation from CAFOD.

One third of CAFOD's international development work is made possible through gifts in Wills and we are celebrating this work in a series of legacy events around England and Wales.

Join us on the Feast of Ascension at St Mary's College, Oscott. We will celebrate Holy Mass, spend time with the seminarians and take a tour of the college.

Come and hear about how CAFOD and Oscott are working together to support the life and mission of the Church, made possible through the generosity of gifts in Wills.

Annual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The Annual Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will take place at St Francis of Assisi, Handsworth, Birmingham, from Monday 25 May to Wednesday 3 June.

Led by Fr Seamus Devitt CSsR, weekday Masses will be celebrated at 12 noon and 7pm, with special Masses for the sick and housebound, and a Mass of Healing. All are welcome to join in prayer during this special time of devotion.

Journey to 2030 Network Meeting (online)

Tuesday 26 May, 7pm to 8pm. An event from the Ecological Conversion Group. Free to attend - registration required.

A welcoming online forum for connection, collaboration, and inspiration around integral ecology. These network meetings offer space to share ideas, projects, challenges, and hopes, as we explore how Church communities can respond to the cries of the earth and the poor.

Joining us for this meeting is Fr Emmanuel Katongole, co-founder of the Bethany Land Institute, an NGO in Uganda. Fr Emmanuel is a Professor of Theology and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, and the author of several books concerning the intersection of Africa, the environment, and reconciliation.

Head of Finance Needed for Father Hudson's Caritas

Father Hudson’s Caritas based in Coleshill, Warwickshire, is seeking a Head of Finance to join its senior leadership team, overseeing finance, IT, estates and facilities. The role offers a salary of £56,947–£64,612 and plays a key part in supporting the charity’s mission and future strategy.

The organisation, which has served communities across the Archdiocese of Birmingham for over 124 years, is looking for a values-led leader committed to supporting vulnerable people.

Closing date: 1 June 2026.

Educating against antisemitism

An online event by Bal Kot International: Ancient Texts for Our Troubled Times.

How can Christians educate against antisemitism? One way is to ensure that Scripture is taught responsibly, free of inadvertent anti-Jewish prejudice.

In three one-hour presentations delivered online, renowned New Testament scholar Prof. Amy-Jill Levine will explore the following topics (all at 2.30pm UK time):

• Misunderstanding Jewish Practice and Belief Means Misunderstanding Jesus and Paul: Tue 2 June
• Antisemitism: Why Does it Persist in Catholic Preaching and Teaching 60 Years After Nostra Aetate #4?: Tue 4 August
• Supersessionism: Naming and Addressing the Issue: Tue 1 September

Sacred Heart Novena Masses at Maryvale House, Sacred Heart Chapel

You are warmly invited to attend in person and experience the wonder of the Sacred Heart Novena Masses and the surroundings of the Sacred Heart Chapel and Shrine, Maryvale House, Kingstanding, Birmingham.

The Novena runs from Thursday 4 to Friday 12 June. All Masses start at 7pm.

People’s Emergency Briefing Screening, MAC Birmingham

The People’s Emergency Briefing will be screened at MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) Birmingham on Sunday 7 June, at 3pm.

The film brings together leading UK scientists and contributors including Chris Packham and Deborah Meaden, exploring how the climate and nature crisis affects daily life in the UK. Tickets for the screening must be booked in advance and are available on a Pay What You Choose basis. A short community discussion will follow.

After the screening, there will be an optional time of prayer and reflection hosted by the Columbans. Those wishing to attend this prayer gathering will need to register their interest separately.

You are encouraged to look out for other screenings taking place in your local area, and parishes, schools and community groups are invited to consider hosting their own screening as part of ongoing care for Creation.

Charismatic Renewal Conference

The Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference takes place at St John’s Hotel, Solihull, from 10–14 August.

With the theme “Return. Receive. Rejoice.”, the event includes guest speakers, worship and opportunities for healing and renewal.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Paid positions

Office Finance and CRM Administrator for Friends of the Holy Land, based in Kenilworth.

Closing date 29 May, but may close early if strong candidates are found.

Term Time Chef for St Mary's College, Oscott. Permanent contract, term time only.

Closing date 22 May.

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

Roles currently available:

Head of Finance. Closing date 1 June.

Bungalow Care Manager. Closing date 18 May

Domestic/Laundey Person. Closing date 15 May

Support Workers. Closing date 14 May

Relief Support Worker. No closing date

Foster Carers. No closing date

St Joseph's Residential Care Home, Relief Care Assistants. No closing date

Roman Catholic Chaplain at HM Prison Long Lartin, Worcestershire. Full-time, permanent role. Closing date 13 May.

Roman Catholic Chaplain at HM Prison Swinfen Hall, Lichfield, Staffordshire. Part-time, permanent role.

Closing date 29 May.

Voluntary Positions

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding and Lead Trustee for Property

The Trustees are seeking to appoint skilled and committed Catholic volunteers with relevant professional experience.

Several other opportunities are also advertised on our website including:

Laudato Si Volunteers. Following on from the success of the programme of retreat days for primary school groups launched in 2025, St Mary's College, Oscott is now looking to recruit more volunteers to support the roll out to secondary school pupils in Autumn 2026.

Join KYT's Mission Team

An opportunity for 18 - 25 years olds at the Kenelm Youth Trust.

Train and Volunteer as a Relationship Counsellor with Marriage Care.

Become a Faith Rep with Mary's Meals.

Parish Appealers are needed by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Volunteer at Tabor Living, Birmingham.

Online gathering: Invitation from Church Action on Poverty

Is your church working to address rural poverty? Would you like to connect with others addressing similar issues around the UK?

If so, you can sign up for "Connecting and strengthening rural voices on poverty", an online roundtable event organised by Church Action on Poverty (Christian social justice charity), The Diocese of Truro and Churches Together in Cumbria.

The event is on Thursday 21 May from 10.30am to 12noon.

Four-day retreat “Tasting the Silence”

Spring retreat at St Hilda's Priory, Whitby - Thursday 28 May to Sunday 31 May.

This retreat is ideal for those beginning with contemplative prayer as well as for those not used to spending any extended time in silence. It is simply and clearly led.

We stay in silence before God in silent meditation as a group as well as individually outside in nature.

These days of prayer are a school of awareness: listening, looking, alert and open with all our senses to the here and now. What is important is to be willing to remain lovingly alert to the silence and to be open to God´s presence in each moment wherever you are.

For more information and to book please contact Sister Helen Stout:

Email: hospitality@ohpwhitby.org.uk

Tel: 01947 899600

In-person day retreat: Joy of Limits

Saturday 6 June, 10am-4pm (Optional Vigil Mass at 4:30pm). FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, Somers Town, London.

“Unless these things are appreciated artistically they are not appreciated at all.” G.K. Chesterton

The retreat will be a day full of contemplation, talks, discussion, observational and imaginative drawing and sharing some simple food. There is no need to be an accomplished artist to enjoy the day, even those who think they can only draw a stickman will find a day of calm reflection and fellowship.

"The Joy of Limits” is led by Sr MaryAnne Francalanza, a Faithful Companion of Jesus and director of the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, and John Paul de Quay who is an illustrator and director of the Ecological Conversion Group charity.

In case you missed us earlier this year, we are excited to offer a second opportunity to explore the materials from our debut ‘Art of Limits’ retreat held in February.

Heart to Heart

19 - 22 June 2026. A three-day retreat for women in any state of life, based on principles of Ignatian spirituality.

Guided by Fr Bernard Murphy, CFR and Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, the retreat will seek to draw participants closer to the Lord through a greater attentiveness to His will.

Run by the Christian Heritage Centre at Clitheroe, Lancashire.

CELEBRATE Festival 2026 Announced

CELEBRATE festival returns to Worth School, West Sussex, from 15–19 August 2026, bringing together around 1,000 people for worship, teaching and community.

With the theme “Let There Be Light,” the event will feature keynote speakers, Masses with bishops, and programmes for all ages.

Run by the CELEBRATE Trust, tickets are now available with family, individual and camping options.

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