News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

“He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.” Mark 7:31-37

Reflection: Education Sunday

Education Sunday, observed on 8th September, marks the beginning of the academic year with a focus on praying for those in our Catholic schools, colleges and universities.

Amidst challenging societal conditions witnessed over the summer and a recent troubling statistic showing 25% of UK 15-year-olds reporting low life satisfaction, Catholic educators hold a unique role in positively influencing young lives through faith and hope. The message draws parallels between Jesus' healing of the deaf man in Mark's Gospel and the spiritual and social mission of Catholic education, emphasising the importance of hearing, living and evangelising the Good News of Jesus Christ both in our Catholic schools and through attendance at Mass for spiritual growth through the Eucharist.

The Archdiocese of Birmingham is privileged to educate over 90,000 young people in Catholic schools, fostering a community of faith, prayer, and academic excellence that outperforms national standards. The success of this mission depends on the dedication of school staff, governors, and directors, who ensure that Catholic Social Teaching is lived and appreciated on a daily basis. Here are some key statistics from the Archdiocese of Birmingham:

Number of Catholic primary schools: 203
Number of Catholic secondary schools: 38
Number of all-through schools: 4
Total number of Catholic schools: 245
Number of pupils in Catholic maintained schools: 87,254
Number of pupils in Catholic independent schools: 3,109
Percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals in Catholic schools: 26%
Percentage of pupils with special educational needs in Catholic schools: 15%
Number of teachers in Catholic schools: 5,324

In your prayers this weekend, please do ask for God’s blessing upon all those who govern, lead, teach, guide, and support the children and young people in our Catholic schools, colleges and universities.

You too, as a practising Catholic, can be a part of our journey by applying to become a governor or director in one of our schools or multi-academies. If you are interested, please email Rebecca Tonks of the Diocesan Education Service at: r.tonks@bdes.org.uk

Steve Bell
Director of Education, Archdiocese of Birmingham

Celebrating Education Sunday, 8 September

An opportunity to celebrate and give thanks to all involved in making Catholic schools and universities places of enlightenment.

There are 245 schools across the Archdiocese of Birmingham with over 90,000 pupils.

Education Sunday falls on the second Sunday of September (8 September, in 2024) just as the new academic year starts and is one of the oldest Days of Special Prayer in England and Wales, established 176 years ago in 1848.

Calling all Father Hudson's Care supporters!

Father Hudson's Care is the Social Care Agency of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

The charity's Annual Parish collection is coming up on Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 September and we’re looking for volunteers who would be willing to speak in their local parish about Father Hudson’s and the work our charity does.

We are requesting volunteers to come forward and help with this across the Archdiocese.

If you would be willing to speak, and share the good news of Father Hudson's, please contact us on fundraising@fatherhudsons.org.uk for support and guidance.

Full-size replica of the Shroud of Turin

On display at St Patrick's, Coventry, until Saturday 14 September.

A full-size replica of the world famous Shroud of Turin is now on display at St Patrick's, Wood End in Coventry.

It is a striking 15-foot replica image, a photograph printed onto cotton by American photographer, Barrie Schwortz, who was the official photographer at the STuRP (Shroud of Turin Research Project) examination of the Shroud in 1978.

Visitors can view Tuesdays to Fridays 5-7pm, Saturdays 12-5pm and Sundays from 11.30am to 1pm.

Now underway: The Season of Creation

There's still plenty of time to take up Archbishop Bernard's video invitation to take part in the Season of Creation, which runs until Friday 4 October.

He says: “As you may know this is something growing year by year as we become more and more aware of our calling as Christians to have a care for the whole of the Created world…

“Pope Francis is asking us to think about how we care for the whole of Creation as an expression of our own Christian Faith and is referring us to St Paul’s letter to the Romans, which speaks about the whole of Creation groaning, but also looking for the freedom which Christ brings us as children of God…

“Hope and Act with Creation is the theme for this year, and I hope you’ll be able to pray that we and others will value all that we have in creation as a way of praising god and also caring for those who are most in need.”

You can find the full celebration guide as well as other prayers and resources on the Diocesan website.

Marking the Season on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Hosted by Catholic Women's League CIO Wolverhampton

In celebration of the Season of Creation all are invited to join a Stations of the Cross service on Saturday 14 September at St Michael's, Penn.

The service is based on this year's Season of Creation theme, To Hope and Act with Creation.

Pilgrimage for the Planet

Sunday 15 September, Blackfriars Oxford

Starts 11.30am at Blackfriars Priory, St Giles. Ends at 2pm at St Frideswide Church, Botley Road.

Everyone is welcome. Please bring a picnic lunch.

Set off from Blackfriars after 9.30am Mass. (approx 11.30am). Blessing on our pilgrimage from one of the brethren.

Prayers will be said at each stop along the way.

This event is organised by the Laudato Si' Circle which meets at Blackfriars, Oxford.

Adoremus in My Parish

Sunday 15 September

The Catholic Church in England and Wales - bishops, priests and people from all dioceses - will gather at St Mary’s College, Oscott, on Saturday 14 September for a day to renew and deepen our devotion to the Eucharist.

St Mary’s College was the venue for the first Eucharistic Procession since the Reformation.

Unlike Adoremus in Liverpool in 2018, this is not a public event, although each diocese will send pilgrims.

On Sunday 15 September, the Bishops of England and Wales invite all parishes across our countries to have a period of Exposition to unite the faithful in focusing on the Eucharist in anticipation of the Jubilee Year with renewed and deepened devotion.

This can be a Holy Hour or a period of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Invocation@Adoremus

Young people (aged 16-30) who are discerning their vocation are invited to Invocation@Adoremus at St Mary's College, Oscott on Sunday 15 September, as part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress.

This is an UNMISSABLE opportunity to reflect on how we follow Jesus and respond to the universal call to Holiness.

As well as the celebration of Holy Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, there will be talks and workshops to help explore God's call alongside other like-minded young people.

The event is FREE OF CHARGE, but participants will need to register their attendance.

Starts next week: Conversational Irish language classes

Suitable for complete beginners or intermediates, starting Wednesday 11 September at 7pm.

Holy Cross and St Francis Parish Hall, Signal Hayes Road, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield.

Please phone Gerard for more details on 07929 873828.

We shall be using Buntus Cainte book one, available online here

Introduction to Sight Loss Friendly Church

Wednesday 11 September at 2pm

This session covers a brief overview of what it means to be a sight loss friendly church (slfc) with Torch Trust for the Blind.

There is an interactive element in the form of an informal quiz, personal stories and videos about sight loss and an overview of our services.

Come along if you’re thinking of signing up your church or if you’d like to refresh old knowledge.

Gregorian Chant Day Workshop

'Singing the Mass: Why should we & What should we sing?'

This will be a practical day course on singing music for the Mass.

The workshop will be led by Fr Guy Nicholls, director of the St John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music.

Saturday 28 September at St Mary's, Brewood, Staffordshire.

Open Event for Volunteers at Tabor Living, Birmingham

Sunday 6 October, 2pm to 3.30pm

The Tabor Living network of volunteers is growing, although we still need to increase our numbers to help ensure the project runs 24/7 for 365 days a year!

Can you help by committing to a few hours each week/fortnightly/or as and when you can?

Volunteers are at the heart of Tabor Living and have helped change the lives of homeless individuals in Birmingham since opening in September 2017.

World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees

Sunday 29 September - God walks with His people

Pope Francis asks all of us to walk TOGETHER, with the most vulnerable, with Jesus.

All people of goodwill are invited to organise initiatives with migrants, refugees, vulnerable people.

'Welcoming Classrooms' webinar

Wednesday 25 September - To mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees

To mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Caritas Salford, in partnership with the Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), will be hosting a national webinar aimed at supporting schools as they welcome refugee children into their community.

The ‘Welcoming classrooms: Promoting and supporting integration and wellbeing of refugee children in schools’ online event will seek to equip school leaders, teachers and other staff with the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively support children who are refugees or seeking asylum.

Midland Catholic History Visit to Ludlow

Wednesday 25 September

Programme
10.30: Parish Mass at St Peter’s church
11.00: Coffee and Annual General Meeting
11.20: Visit to church and talk from Canon Walsh
12.30: Ludlow Museum (Katherine of Aragon chasuble)
1.00: Lunch (further information to follow)
2.15: Guided visit to church of St Laurence
3.30: Tea and departure

Non-members are very welcome to join the visit.

Please book by Tuesday 10 September.

Starts in October - register now!

Could you befriend a refugee? Three session training course in October.

Join the next training course hosted by Restore, a project of Birmingham Churches Together, which works with refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham, Solihull and Smethwick.

Restore's vision is for a society into which all refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed, valued and integrated.

The befriending scheme involves the training and matching of trained volunteers with recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers to provide flexible, one-to-one relational support.

Preparing for the new edition Lectionary this Advent

Booking now open for online refresher programme for Ministers of the Word

A new edition of the Lectionary will come into use in England and Wales on the First Sunday of Advent, 1 December.

To prepare for Advent, it will be helpful for ministers to explore and become familiar with what is ‘new’ in the new edition - for example, the translation and layout, and also consider some of the Lectionary’s less familiar resources that can help with the more effective ministry of the Word in our parishes, schools and other communities.

A (free!) refresher programme for ministers is being offered online.

3pm to 4.30pm on Sunday 13 October and repeated on Sunday 20 October.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Archdiocese of Birmingham - Senior Surveyor

The Archdiocese is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and experienced RICS Chartered General Practice Surveyor to join its Property Team.

The key role of the Property Team is to provide advice and guidance for management of parish property, the school estate as well as manage all property held centrally by the Archdiocese.

Application deadline: Wednesday 18 September.

Tabor Living – Relief Support Worker (Including Nights)

St Catherine of Siena, Birmingham

Tabor Living works in partnership with Father Hudson’s Care. Providing accommodation and support for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The relief support worker will be covering staffing gaps, most notably on night shifts or across weekends. The role will involve being responsible for the safety of guests, following project procedures, providing an excellent service and completion of light housework.

Closing date: Friday 20 September.

Black Country Foodbank

Albion Street, Brierley Hill

We are seeking a qualified finance professional, looking for a purposeful, challenging, and varied role within a developing charity.

We need someone who is passionate about bringing their financial skills and experience to help BCFB fulfil its vision, mission and values. If this is you, then we would love to hear from you.

The Finance Officer will be involved in all aspects of the charity’s financial operations, this is a very broad role.

CAFOD School Volunteers

Looking for a new challenge? Could you visit schools in your local area to deliver assemblies and workshops about our work and encourage young people to take action, fundraise and pray with CAFOD?

Use your skills for the common good and be an active part of creating a world without poverty.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Volunteers

The charity needs help with:

• Sharing mailings with your parish
• Including ACN regularly in parish prayers
• Fundraising to support projects
• Supporting ACN school projects
• Leading a parish Red Wednesday event

Marriage Care Trustees

The board of Catholic Marriage Care are seeking new members to join them in enabling the vital relationship support services they provide to the Catholic Community and beyond.

Marriage Care are the largest faith-based relationship support charity in the UK - providing marriage preparation, support, and low-cost relationship counselling to those in need and making the world of difference to couples and families.

Pilgrim’s Progress to Rome!

You are invited to join a very special journey in Autumn 2025.
You can walk for the charity Life as they walk with women in crisis, creating a world where no one faces pregnancy or pregnancy loss alone.

Life are inviting people of all faiths and none to join Pilgrim’s Progress to Rome.

The trek is part of an ancient pilgrimage route which goes from Canterbury to Italy. Trekkers will be walking a 110km stretch of the Camino via Francigena pilgrim route.

For modern walkers it has come to symbolise a time of reflection, learning, self-discovery and fresh starts.

This exciting opportunity is open to anyone who wants to challenge themselves to support women by raising funds and awareness in this unique way.

The eight-day trek in Autumn 2025 has only a limited number of places available.

Forthcoming events at Douai Abbey, Reading

Weekend 20-22 September - Christian Mindfulness Forum

Led by Martin Zetter & Christopher Greener OSB.

Exploring meditation & mindfulness; practical instruction for the experienced & beginners. Using the Scriptures to build a mindful response to life’s challenges.

Sharing experiences encouraged, also individual reflection with the teacher.

Martin Zetter is a Douai oblate & meditation teacher.

Saturday 5 October - Quiet Day 10-4pm - That Peace which the World cannot give

Led by Barbara Priest.

We shall seek to rest in a variety of poetry, prose & music to help us find that elusive presence of deep inner peace.

Barbara Priest is an Anglican lay minister with a contemplative ministry & oblate of Douai Abbey.

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