News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

World Mission Sunday

This Sunday we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of World Mission Sunday.

Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday in 1926 to encourage Christians around the world to be united in our baptismal calling to take the Gospel to the ends of the world (cf. Mtt 28:18-20).

It is very easy to become fatigued with themed Sundays, ‘days of...’ or ‘the year of…’. While these have a role in raising awareness for so many issues and causes, World Mission Sunday cuts to the deepest need of humanity.

This is beautifully expressed in the words of Pope Benedict, ‘the purpose of our lives is to reveal God to men. And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is.

"We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary’ (Homily, 24th April 2005).

The work of the Pontifical Missions Society supports the Catholic Church’s missionary efforts so that every person can come to know the living God.

Its work especially focuses on areas of the world where the Church is poor, suffering or where the Gospel is beginning to be proclaimed. Your prayers and your financial generosity in the collection for Missio this weekend responds to Pope Leo’s theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday: ‘One in Christ, United in Mission’.

Thank you for your support for Missio.

Fr Michael Glover

Bishop Timothy Menezes Appointed Bishop of Brentwood

We offer our warm congratulations and prayers to Bishop Timothy Menezes, who has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new Bishop of Brentwood, succeeding Bishop Alan Williams SM.

A son of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, Bishop Timothy has served as a priest and bishop in the Archdiocese for more than 30 years, most recently as Auxiliary Bishop. He will be greatly missed by the clergy, religious and faithful of Birmingham, who have been blessed by his dedicated ministry and pastoral care.

Please keep Bishop Timothy and the people of the Diocese of Brentwood in your prayers as he prepares to begin this new chapter of ministry

Prayers for Pope Leo XIV

A message from Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales:

“It is with gratitude and relief that we learned that Pope Leo’s surgery on Tuesday (13 October) at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital was successful.

“We now know that Pope Leo was diagnosed with lung carcinoma and, in this month of the Holy Rosary, we entrust his recovery to the maternal care of Our Lady Health of the Sick.

“I ask that Catholics in England and Wales, and indeed all people of goodwill, pray for Pope Leo – in our homes and in our parishes – that he may be restored to full health after a period of rest and recuperation.

“We also remember all those who are experiencing illness at this time, and keep them, their families and those who care for the sick in our prayers.”

image c.mazur/cbcew

World Mission Sunday

On Sunday 18 October the Church marks the centenary anniversary of World Mission Sunday, which was established by Pope Pius XI.

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has chosen the theme ‘One in Christ, United in Mission’ for this important anniversary.

As an Archdiocese the Masses celebrated at St Chad’s Cathedral on 18th October will be a moment of prayer in thanksgiving for World Mission Sunday and to encourage a renewal in the missionary work of the archdiocese. All are very welcome to attend these Masses.

A moment to recall, celebrate and pray for the missionary work of the Church, especially through the work of Pontifical Mission Societies - Missio.

There are number of resources for parishes and schools available and Pope Leo has released a special video message to mark the one hundredth anniversary of World Mission Sunday.

Prisons Week 2026

Sunday 11 - Saturday 17 October

"All Are Invited"

This year’s campaign takes its inspiration from Matthew 22:1-14, which says ‘the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests’.

Find videos, resources and support via the Diocesan website.

Relics of St Gerard Majella to Visit Wolverhampton

The relics of St Gerard Majella will visit St Michael's Catholic Church, Wolverhampton on Saturday 17 October as part of celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of his birth.

Mass with a sermon will be celebrated at 12noon, with the relics available for prayer for an hour beforehand and blessings with the relics after Mass.

St Gerard is the patron saint of mothers, couples trying to conceive, those seeking work, and those preparing to make a good confession. All are warmly welcome.

New: Inclusive Eucharistic Service

Sunday 18 October at 2.30pm.

Launching at St Mary and St Thomas More Church, Cannock.

Families with members who have special needs are warmly invited to this new dedicated Eucharistic Service.

Church Action on Poverty Sunday

This year's Church Action on Poverty Sunday will take place on Sunday 18 October, with a theme of "Food, faith and fellowship".

A record number of churches took part last year, and interested churches still have time to register.

Resource packs are now available, including art resources; suggested hymns, prayers and sermon notes; posters; and tabletop conversation cards and placemats for churches hosting lunches.

Time4Brum: Birmingham, Let's Pray Together

Sunday 18 October, 6pm, St Martin's in the Bullring

Across Birmingham, churches of every denomination are coming together for a city-wide gathering of worship and prayer.

At a time when our city faces significant challenges and opportunities, we believe God is calling His people to unite, seek His presence, and pray for His kingdom to come in Birmingham.

Disability Inclusion Policy and Accessibility Audit

The Diocesan Disability Inclusion Policy expresses our commitment to becoming a more welcoming, accessible and inclusive Church. It is not a requirement to do everything immediately, but a roadmap towards where we

want to be as an Archdiocese.

As a first step, parishes are invited to complete an Accessibility Audit. The audit will help identify what is working well, where there are barriers, and what improvements can be made over time in areas such as access, communication, worship and participation.

Parishioners are encouraged to speak with their parish priest and support their parish's Accessibility Audit, helping to ensure the experiences and needs of disabled people are reflected.

The Policy and Audit, together with news, information and resources, can be found on the diocesan website

Have questions about your Catholic faith? Then this event is for you!

The Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) are hosting an in-person session for young adults to explore the Catholic faith.

Tuesday 20 October, The Cosy Club in Birmingham.

Becoming Catholic, an event for young adults aged 16+ who have questions about the Catholic faith.

Supporting sick, retired and infirm clergy

The annual collection for The Johnson Clergy Association (Birmingham) CIO will take place across the Archdiocese on 31 October and 1 November.

The Association provides financial support to diocesan priests who, because of age, illness or infirmity, need assistance.

Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, last year's collection raised £47,334, helping the Association award grants totalling more than £399,000. We are grateful for the continued support given through parish collections and gifts left in wills.

To find out more, visit the Johnson Association website and look out for leaflets available in parishes in the coming days.

'Our Coats of Many Colours'

An autumn “taste and see” long weekend at Alton Castle Youth Retreat Centre, Staffordshire.

Thursday 29 October, 5pm - Sunday 1 November, 2pm.

Hosted by Catholic People’s Weeks (CPW).

In this long weekend we'll look at how we express ourselves, as individuals and as Christians, through what we wear.

Booking open: Justice and Peace Assembly

All welcome to join this year's annual Assembly, hosted by the Birmingham Diocesan Justice & Peace Commission.

Saturday 31 October, 10am to 3.45pm, at St Chad's Cathedral site, Birmingham.

The theme is Pope Leo XIV’s Dilexi Te (‘I have loved you’), a short apostolic exhortation.

To be led by Paschal Somers, John Thornhill, Barbara McGowan and Janet Wiltshire.

Women's Day Conference: Shine

Women from across the Archdiocese are warmly invited to Shine, a day of prayer, praise, fellowship and reflection at Our Lady of the Angels, Nuneaton, on Saturday 7 November, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

The conference will feature talks from Ros Powell and reflections on John 4:1-42, with opportunities for prayer, worship and fellowship throughout the day.

“Exceeding Expectations”

The Archdiocese of Birmingham has been awarded an overall grading of Exceeding Expectations following an independent inspection by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA), recognising the significant progress made in safeguarding across the Archdiocese and the strong safeguarding culture that exists throughout parish and diocesan life.

The inspection assessed the Archdiocese against the eight national safeguarding standards of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Six of the eight standards were graded Exceeding Expectations, with the remaining two graded Meeting Expectations.

Inspectors found evidence of effective safeguarding practice across leadership and governance, safeguarding communications, engagement with survivors, case management, safer recruitment and training.

Save the Date and Register Your Interest: Lourdes Pilgrimage 2027

"In those days Mary set out and went with haste..." (Luke 1:39)

The Archdiocese of Birmingham is delighted to share the provisional dates for the 85th Lourdes Pilgrimage, taking place from Saturday 29 May to Friday 4 June 2027.

Inspired by the 2027 Lourdes theme, The Visitation, pilgrims are invited to follow Mary's example of joyful service, charity and care for others as we gather once again at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Whether you are a returning pilgrim or considering your first visit to Lourdes, we warmly encourage you to register your interest now and be among the first to receive pilgrimage updates and booking information.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Paid positions

Accounting and Database Managing Director and

Accounting and Database Sales & Support Manager

Parish Accounting Services LTD (PAS)

Both Permanent/part-time roles.

Closing date: Wednesday 28 October

Finance Officer for The Missionary Society of St Columban in Britain.

Fixed, 12-month contract.

Closing date: Tuesday 10 November

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

Roles currently available include:

• Relief Support Worker.
• Foster Carers.
• St Joseph's Residential Care Home, Relief Care Assistants.
• Cook, St Joseph's Residential Care Home
• Project Manager
• Intergenerational Project Worker

Voluntary Positions

• Lead Trustee for Safeguarding
• Lead Trustee for Property
• Lead Trustee and Chair of Harvington Hall Management Committee

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:

Volunteers to support Laudato Si' days at St Mary's College, Oscott.

Join KYT's Mission Team

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

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.

ADoRE spiritual mini-retreat, in-person or online

Saturday 24 October, 9.30am - 3.30pm in-person at English Martyrs, Reading.

The theme is: "The Heart of Holiness is Love" - how sainthood is for ordinary people!

Including Mass, Adoration, Praise, Prophecy, Prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and inspiring talk from speaker Judith Aylmer.

ADoRE (Alton Day of Renewal) is a monthly meeting of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, dedicated to the encouragement of a personal relationship with God, through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Booking Open: Emmaus Men's Retreat

“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Becoming a Man After God's Own Heart

Booking is open for the Emmaus Weekend Men's Retreat 2026, in November. To be led by David Wells, one of the Church's most respected Catholic speakers, authors, and retreat leaders.

Date: Fri 6 Nov - Sun 8 Nov

Location: The Hayes Conference Centre, Alfreton, DE55 1AU

Cost: £238

Accommodation & Meals: Individual ensuite room included, together with Friday evening dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and evening meal, and Sunday breakfast and lunch.

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