News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

'To receive God’s unbounded love and mercy in Confession seems like the best present we could give ourselves'

Reflection: Second Sunday of Advent

The dress code on a Sunday in seminary is fairly conservative: suit and collar for priests and candidates, and suit and tie for the other seminarians. Radical fashion choices aren’t expected.

John the Baptist is a different story. This Sunday we are introduced to John wearing a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt. It is a bold look. Quite possibly, if he were visiting the seminary, he might be politely asked to change into something ‘more appropriate’ before joining the community.

But does John the Baptist’s clothing really matter?

In the seminary we dress formally on a Sunday to reflect the honour we have for the Sunday Mass. John’s ‘wild’ clothing reflects his total commitment to his radical prophetic message. His message: one of repentance and preparation.

John was calling on the people of Israel to prepare themselves for the Messiah, Jesus. In Advent the Church calls everyone one of us to prepare our hearts again for that same Jesus.

We get ready for Christmas by making so many external things beautiful: Christmas lights and decorations, beautifully wrapped presents, new Christmas jumpers and more. All of which are wonderful.

But what about our internal beauty? Could we use this Advent to ‘Prepare the way of the Lord’ in our hearts with the Sacrament of Reconciliation? To receive God’s unbounded love and mercy in Confession seems like the best present we could give ourselves.

Luke Theobald, 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 6 Dec, 2pm: Ecumenical Advent Service hosted by Friends of the Holy Land

Sun 7 Dec, 5.30pm: Carols in the Castle hosted by the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT)

Wed 10 Dec, 11.30am: Advent and Carol Service hosted by Father Hudson's Caritas

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

'The Most Dangerous Man in England': Newman and the Laity

Lecture with Dr Paul Shrimpton at Birmingham Oratory.

Saturday 6 December at 12noon.

Diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving for the Jubilee Year

Monday 8 December at St Chad's Cathedral

Archbishop Bernard Longley is inviting representatives from across the Archdiocese to attend and give thanks for the fruits of the Jubilee Year.

Those who have made pilgrimages, especially to Rome, are encouraged to attend.

This Mass falls on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Online Lecture

Wednesday 10 December at 6pm.

An Exploration of St John Henry Newman’s Dream of Gerontius with Rev Dr Guy Nicholls, Birmingham Oratory.

Hosted by Maryvale Institute and St Mary's University, Twickenham.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Chapel organ to be restored

A fundraising drive has been launched to raise over £150,000 by July 2026 to restore the chapel organ at St Mary’s College, Oscott.

The organ is much-loved by those who use it but is in desperate need of restoration to ensure it continues to delight all who worship in the chapel for generations to come.

Please support if you can by making a donation, buying a commemorative booklet or attending an organ recital. Thank you.

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.

Dates for the Diary: Pray24Brum January 2026

23 and 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.

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