News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Reflection: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered…”

I remember being on a student placement in a soup kitchen when a volunteer shouted across the room: “I’m an atheist, what do you think about that”. There were many possible replies. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit prompted me: “My name is Ryan, what’s your name?”

During Baptism for infants the name of the child is spoken aloud in the church. This naming part is essential because it reminds us that we are never anonymous that we are always named and known by God, and so we never blur into the background or disappear into history. We do not wait to be popular to have the recognition that comes from the Church and from God.

We are witnessing renewed interest in the Catholic faith in our parishes and this will look different for each of our communities. As people take the often brave and daunting step over the threshold to peer into our churches, we know that we do not have to ‘win’ anyone over for they are already searching and the love of God is moving them. Think of that beautiful prayer in the rite of reception, that his “loving kindness has led you here”.

What we might find is that people are searching for something ancient, rather than something new: their name being spoken in the midst of the church – a great echo resounding through the centuries of a people being called. In our prayer, too, perhaps many years since our Baptism or reception, can we hear again with freshness, God using our name?

Fr Ryan Service, St Francis & St Augustine, Kenilworth

Next month: WeBelieve Festival

An unmissable opportunity to discover the traditions and charisms that flow through the Church, to grow in authentic community, and to encounter the transforming love of God.

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Join WeBelieve from Friday 24 - Monday 27 July at the historic and beautiful setting of St Mary’s College, Oscott for a feast of the True, the Good and the Beautiful.‍

Tickets are now on sale: There's a 33% discount on day tickets using the code 'BIRMINGHAM-DISCOUNT' at checkout.

The programme has been announced.

Volunteer your services to help at the Festival.

So, lots of ways to be a part of WeBelieve!

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to be re-introduced

Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has expressed his deep disappointment that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will return to parliament this autumn.

He has issued a statement and calls "on all people of goodwill to join me in work and prayer to prevent this flawed bill from succeeding.”

This Saturday: Garden Party and Castle Open Day

Saturday 20 June, Alton Castle, Staffordshire

Hosted by the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT).

You’re warmly invited to our Annual Garden Party and Open Day at Alton Castle on Saturday 20 June, where we are also celebrating a special milestone - 30 years of Alton Castle as a retreat centre!

Join us from 12.30pm to 4.30pm for a fun-filled afternoon for all the family.

There will be plenty to enjoy, including abseiling, archery, a variety of activities, a duck race, raffles, and of course delicious cakes and refreshments. Don’t miss the chance to meet our friendly alpacas too!

Entry is just £2, with free admission for children, and all proceeds will go towards supporting the Kenelm Youth Trust and St John the Baptist Church.

Day For Life: Sunday 21 June

The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death. In England and Wales, Day for Life is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year.

This year's theme is The Wonder of the Child in the Womb.

There is a second collection for the Day for Life Fund which distributes grants to organisations that promote respect for life from conception until natural death.

Access prayers, resources, messages on the diocesan website.

Spirituality Consultation Day

Thursday 25 June, Selly Park in Birmingham

Hosted by the Spirituality Committee from the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

St Augustine of Hippo lived in the first half of the first century AD, so why are his teachings still relevant today?

Join Sr Moira and Dr Austen Ivereigh to find out.

Invitation: Brewood Open Gardens

The parishioners of St Mary's Catholic Church, Brewood, warmly invite you to visit the Presbytery Garden as part of Brewood Open Gardens 2026 on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June.

Alongside 19 other local gardens the Presbytery Garden will be open from 12noon until 4pm on both days.

A great opportunity to enjoy a beautiful garden and visit and learn more about the historic Catholic church next door, designed by AW Pugin.

Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal

You are warmly invited to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee (70 years) of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal.

A Thanksgiving Mass will take place on Saturday 27 June at 4pm, with His Grace Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, as the main celebrant.

The celebration will give thanks for 70 years of faith, community life and shared memories, and all parishioners, along with past and present families and staff of St James and St Columba School communities, are very welcome to attend.

Diocesan Pilgrimage: Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford

Sunday 5 July, 1pm onwards

Join us at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford in Staffordshire.

All are invited to continue their recent Lourdes Pilgrimage experience, or for those who did not go to Lourdes, to enter into the experience of Lourdes here in the Archdiocese.

Fr Jeremy Howard, Director of the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, has shared a personal video message inviting all to Hednesford next month. It was filmed in the Underground Basilica in Lourdes, in front of artwork depicting the Apparitions where Mary appears to Bernadette.

The principal celebrant at Hednesford will be Bishop David Evans.

The grounds will be open from 1pm, with Rosary at 3pm and Mass, with Sacrament of the Sick, celebrated at 4pm.

Please bring your own chair!

A final fanfare

An invitation from St Mary's College, Oscott

The final recital of the Oscott Organ series is on Sunday 5 July at 3pm, less than 24 hours before much needed Conservation works begin.

The organist for this exciting moment is James Luxton. James is Assistant Director of Music at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and is no stranger to Oscott, having played many a Sunday service for the seminary during his time as Organ Scholar at St Chad’s Cathedral, and was the organist for the historic papal visit to the seminary of Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, where the Pope addressed the Catholic bishops of England and Wales.

We’d love to see you there and to fill the chapel one last time until we are able to welcome back the Organ and all of you in (we hope!) early in 2027.

Invitation: To Mount Saint Bernard Abbey and Grace Dieu

A visit organised by the Midland Catholic History Society on Wednesday 8 July to the Cistercian Monastic Community near Coalville, Leicestershire.

Father Hudson's Caritas Open Day

Thursday 9 July, 1pm - 4pm

A great opportunity to meet the team, explore the services on offer at FHC and the impact the charity makes.

Plus tours, display stands, talks and information.

All welcome to visit the site in Coleshill.

Within God - A Music Concert

An invitation from the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality at the Carmelite Priory, Oxford.

Saturday 11 July, 7.30 pm, Oxford & live stream.

An evening of five original pieces inspired by the mystical poetry of Saint John of the Cross, performed by vocalist Angel Anyamele and pianist/cellist Simeon Elderfield. Jazz, classical, and contemporary worship woven into a single act of prayer.

In Person: £38 / £30 concession · Online: £20

St Birinus Festival 2026

9-12 July, Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester-on-Thames

Celebrate sacred music and liturgy in the historic setting of Dorchester-on-Thames at this four-day festival inspired by St Birinus, Apostle to Wessex.

Highlights include Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, a Pontifical Mass for the feast of St Birinus, concerts, talks, and chant workshops, with performers including Ryan Wigglesworth and Sophie Bevan MBE.

Tickets from £0–£35.

Competition time!

Divine Designs: Between the Covers

Celebrating the 73 books of the Bible.

From Genesis to Revelation – is the greatest story ever told. Our passion is to bring these stories alive through the medium of art. Artists, graphic designers and illustrators from across the UK are invited to design a front cover for any of the 73 books of the Bible.

With seven cash prizes, a catalogue and exhibition in Lent 2027, join us in celebrating the Scriptures anew.

Partners: God who Speaks; St John’s Waterloo and Art + Christianity.

Artists must be resident in the United Kingdom and aged 18 years or over as of 31 December.

Please register your interest and the book(s) you would like to design by Friday 31 July.

Invitation to join the Catholic Medical Association

Whether you are a doctor, nurse, student, or allied professional - if you are a Catholic in healthcare, join us to grow in fellowship, prayer and formation together.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Paid positions

Human Resources Administrator:

Provides efficient and effective administrative support to the Human Resources function.

Closing date: Friday 19 June.

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

Roles currently available include:

Relief Support Worker. No closing date.

Foster Carers. No closing date.

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

Full-time Caretaker required at St Paul's School for Girls, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Roman Catholic Chaplain required at HMP Birmingham.

Community Participation Coordinator (Education Focus) required at CAFOD.

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:

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

Saturday 27 June, 'Love One Another'

How the Holy Spirit empowers us to share Christ’s love with others.

Online mini-retreat morning including Mass, Adoration, Praise, Prophecy, Prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and inspiring talk from guest speaker Jenny Baker, National Leader of Celebrate Trust and Conferences.

Hosted by ADoRE (Alton Day of Renewal).

July Conference: "One Heart, One Voice"

Hosted by the National Network of Pastoral Musicians (NNPM), Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July

Biennial conference at Highgate House in Northamptonshire with the theme “One Heart, One Voice".

The NNPM is an ecumenical network made up of Catholics, Anglicans and anyone who is interested in liturgical music.

Residential places still available.

National Justice & Peace Conference 2026 – “Just Talk”

Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July, The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick

Join people from across England and Wales for the National Justice and Peace Network’s annual conference, a weekend exploring how we can foster meaningful dialogue in a divided world.

With talks, workshops, and discussion, the programme will address disinformation, communication, and engagement across differences, alongside opportunities to connect with others passionate about justice and peace.

Residential weekend from £300 (concessions available).

Pilgrimage for Life, Walsingham

Saturday 1 August, Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady

Invitation to join the pilgrimage for reparation and prayer for the sanctity of life.

Starts at 12noon with the Pilgrim Mass, celebrated by Bishop Peter Collins, Bishop of East Anglia.

Also includes Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Litany of Life and Benediction.

CELEBRATE Festival 2026

CELEBRATE festival returns to Worth School, West Sussex, from 15 - 19 August, 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.

One Hope Project Academy 2026/27

Online Worship School: Sept 2026 – Mar 2027

A message from One Hope Project:

We’re excited to share that applications for the 2026/27 OHP Academy are OPEN NOW.

The OHP Academy is a six-month online worship school for aspiring worship leaders, musicians and songwriters who want to grow in faith and their practical gifts in order to serve in their context.

One Hope Project has over a decade’s experience in leading worship, writing songs, equipping others and following Jesus, and we want to invest in you!

Please follow us online

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