In the end it’s all about the mercy of God and the love he lavishes upon us: the living and the dead. |
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| Reflection - All Saints and All Souls Oxford poet Elizabeth Jennings is known to a wide audience and people are rediscovering the significance of her Catholic faith in shaping her imagery. She writes poems about this week’s feasts and fittingly sees how the two days deliberately overlap. For All Saints she builds on the idea that the day marks all saints of God (whether officially recognised or not), musing how “You may find one saint talking in a bar” and how they are often “kind / In ways not obvious”. Picturing holiness as every day and as rooted in people we might pass on the street, we share the poet’s surprise that Godliness doesn’t seek itself out – as someone or something extraordinary – but instead, that Godliness seeks ordinariness. Holiness doesn’t have a pattern or programme even though it has an author. On All Souls, Jennings movingly remarks how 2nd November is a “crowded date”, packed with people and memories. Again, she’s interested in how we “domesticate / Our otherwise more lofty thoughts”, holding “everlastings for a while” in our minds. As we reflect on God and the mysteries of faith, we remember people we have loved and lost in repeating our personal litanies, even while washing the dishes, walking the dog, putting out the bins. In the end it’s all about the mercy of God and the love he lavishes upon us: the living and the dead. By Fr Ryan Service Holy Trinity and Sacred Heart, Sutton Coldfield | |
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| This weekend: The Johnson Association annual collection | |
| The collection takes place in all churches and parishes of the Archdiocese on the weekend of Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November. The Johnson Association provides financial help and support to the retired, sick and infirm clergy of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Our priests rely on this support after devoting their lives to furthering the mission of the church and bringing people closer to Christ. Please give what you can. | |
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| | From Toni Guest, Head of Diocesan Property I want to express a big thank you to parish priests, parish secretaries, Health and Safety Coordinators, and other parish volunteers who helped in submitting statutory compliance returns. Having collated the returns we are pleased to say that 85% (195) of parishes submitted a return. Thank you for your commitment, time and effort put into ensuring these forms were returned. If you are one of the parishes still to submit a statutory compliance return it is not too late to do so, lets together make it 100% return across all parishes. Knowing where parishes are regarding statutory compliance helps the property team to understand which areas to prioritise on providing support. Over the next couple of months, the property team will be contacting each parish individually to offer support so that you can put in place surveys and risk assessments that are currently outstanding. Thank you again for your support in submitting these returns. | |
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| Register now for the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2025 | |
| Every year, hundreds of pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Birmingham join together for the Lourdes Pilgrimage. 2025 is the Year of Jubilee and Archbishop Bernard invites you to come with us on this very special occasion in the life of the Archdiocese: “It’s a great experience to be together with upwards of 700 fellow pilgrims.” The pilgrimage dates have been announced: Saturday 24 – Friday 30 May 2025. You can now register your interest in joining the Pilgrimage. | |
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| Afternoon Retreat in Whitnash | |
| All welcome to join Hand in Hand, an inclusive group for people with intellectual disabilities exploring faith and prayer by using symbol, drama, sign language and music. Saturday 16 November at St Joseph's, Whitnash. | |
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| Let's Talk About It - An Invitation to participate in Safeguarding Sunday | |
| Safeguarding Sunday is an awareness-raising campaign organised by Christian Safeguarding Charity Thirtyone:eight It will be marked this year at Masses in parishes during the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November, and coincides with the start of Safeguarding Adults Week (18-22 November). The theme and focus this year is – ‘Let’s talk about it’. Its time to have open and honest conservations about what we got wrong and what we’re getting right. Its an opportunity to talk about how we can work together to prevent abuse and create a world where every child and adult can feel safe and be safe. This is a great opportunity to join with thousands of churches across the UK to say yes to safeguarding and no to abuse. We believe that safeguarding is an outworking of our faith in a loving and just God – the God who calls us to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8). Please join us in praying for all those who work to ensure our communities and churches are safe for all. | |
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| Take Action: Oppose Assisted Suicide | |
| The Catholic Bishops' Conference is calling on Catholics in England and Wales to unite in prayer and compassionate action to oppose assisted suicide. A new bill on assisted suicide has been tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and will be debated in the House of Commons on Friday 29 November. This is another attempt to legalise assisted suicide and we need you to contact your MP to voice your opposition. | |
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| Assisted Suicide - The Issues | |
| In-person and online discussion hosted at St Joseph's Catholic Club, Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton. Wednesday 6 November at 7pm. Featuring a presentation by Ilora Finlay, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff. On Wednesday 16 October the House of Commons heard the first reading of a new bill on assisted suicide tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. It will be debated on Friday 29 November. Join us to discuss the implications of the proposed change to the law. | |
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| #RedWednesday Mass and live stream for schools | |
| Schools across the Archdiocese are invited to take part in the annual event organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on Wednesday 20 November. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley at St Chad's Cathedral at 12.15pm. There's also the chance to join a live stream during the morning. Aid to the Church in Need’s #RedWednesday campaign challenges us to show the world that we care for our Christian brothers and sisters. You are invited to be a part of #TeamRed and help to Break the Silence on Christian persecution. | |
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| Take Action: Listed Places of Worship | |
| The Catholic Bishops' Conference has set up an e-campaign so people can easily send a (pre-written) letter to their local MPs regarding the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme (LPWGS), which is up for renewal in March 2025. If the scheme is not renewed we will not be able to reclaim the VAT on works to listed church buildings, which will have a huge negative financial impact. We have very little time to mobilise this before the government announces the autumn budget, and so we need to get as many people as possible to send letters. Please share this information across your parish community. We need EVERYONE to send a letter in so that we raise the issue with MPs, and they in turn forward this to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The more submissions the better. Within the geographical area of the Archdiocese of Birmingham there are 90 listed churches - though not all owned and run by the Archdiocese. And parishes are reminded to contact Kevin Baugh, Funding Officer, for help with any LPoW VAT grant applications for church repairs/renovations carried out within the last 12 months. | |
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| How readings are chosen for Sundays | |
| A new edition of the Lectionary — using the English Standard Version - Catholic Edition and the Abbey Psalms and Canticles — will come into use in England and Wales on the First Sunday of Advent, 1 December. Fr Allen Morris provides reflections in the weeks leading up to its introduction. On Sundays we hear three readings and we sing a psalm. That’s quite a lot to receive and hear in one go! Observing silence between each element (as the Lectionary expects!) makes a huge difference allowing us to meditate on each one, even briefly, before being moved on to the next. But it also helps greatly when we know there is a certain pattern to the readings each Sunday. The Gospel - on the Sundays of Ordinary, numbered, time - comes from the same Gospel each week, (this year Mark, next year Luke), and the particular Gospel is read semi-continuously: over the year we start at the beginning and move to the end. The first reading is chosen from the Old Testament because of the way it ‘fits’ the Gospel reading – perhaps as a parallel episode, or the source of Jesus’ teaching. The second reading again comes from a semi-continuous reading of, this time, a New Testament Epistle – presently, from the Letter to the Hebrews. There are still many words to listen to and take to heart, but – especially if we prepare beforehand – knowing the regular pattern can be a great help to hearing and listening. Fr Allen Morris, former Secretary to the Bishops’ Conference Department for Christian Life and Worship | |
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| 'Come before him, singing for joy!' | |
| Music for the Responsorial Psalm in the new Lectionary: A training day for parish musicians in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham in the Grimshaw Room. Saturday 16 November, 10am to 3.30pm. Come to a singing day aimed at exploring the Responsorial Psalms in the new Lectionary, coming in to use from the First Sunday of Advent in December this year. | |
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| This Saturday: The Blessing of Graves at Oscott Cemetery | |
| Saturday 2 November at 3pm. Family and friends of those who are buried at Oscott Cemetery are warmly invited each November to the Blessing of Graves, a commemoration of all the faithful departed buried in our Cemetery and an opportunity to pray for the repose of their souls. | |
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| The Blessing of Graves across Birmingham cemeteries | |
| Oscott Cemetery: 2 November, 3pm Erdington Abbey: 3 November, 1.45pm Brandwood End & Quinton: 3 November, 2pm Lodge Hill & Widney Manor: 10 November, 2pm Witton Cemetery: 10 November, 2.30pm St Josephs Cemetery, Nechells: 10 November 10:45 am (after the 9:45 Mass) New Hall Cemetery: 17 November, 2pm Kings Norton & Widney Manor: 17 November, 2pm Rectory Rd Cemetery: 24 November, 2pm Wythall & Robin Hood: 24 November, 2pm | |
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| Book now for Cursillo Weekend | |
| Thursday 7 November (5pm) to Sunday 10 November (6pm) at Shallowford House, Shallowford, near Stone. Cursillo is a Catholic movement with Papal approval, dedicated to spreading the Word of God and helping Catholics to form a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a residential short course in Christian living, for everyone. It is an inspiring experience, offering renewal and a deepening of Christian commitment and faith within our own lives. The three-day weekend provides adult faith formation within the experience of a loving Christian community together with the celebration of the Sacraments. | |
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| Christmas card fundraiser launched | |
| 'Snowfall and Sunset at St Wulstan's' in Little Malvern and 'A Partridge in a Pear Tree Fantasy' Christmas cards are now on sale. They are the work of St Wulstan parishioner Charlotte Carver and sell at £6 per pack of 10, with a generous percentage going to support the restoration fund at St Wulstan’s, where Sir Edward Elgar is buried in the churchyard. | |
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| Events at the Dupuis Retreat and Conference Centre | |
| St Paul’s Convent, Selly Park, Birmingham Quiet Days These will take place from 10.30 am to 3.30pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month (6 November, 4 December). Days will be led by Sr Pauline Myers SP. Cost: £20 Please bring own lunch. Tea and coffee provided.
For more information contact Sr Margaret Mattison on 0121 415 6100. | |
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| | Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations | |
| Join the Friends of the Holy Land The Friends of the Holy Land Worcestershire and Dudley Group is looking for new people to join them to help raise funds for people in the Holy Land.
Friends of the Holy Land in Worcestershire and Dudley was set up by the Anglican Bishop of Worcester in 2010.
It is a friendly, small group of committed people from different denominations across the Diocese, who have a real heart for the Holy Land and want to support those who live there. In particular, the group is looking for: - A treasurer who will take responsibility for collecting money at fundraising events and ensure it is passed on to Friends of the Holy Land to support specific areas of their work. The person will need to have bookkeeping skills and the ability to produce annual accounts, reporting on these at the AGM.
- A Secretary to work with the Chair to produce and circulate an agenda ahead of meetings, then take minutes and circulate them to the full committee.
The group has four meetings a year, with two held on Zoom and two in person, plus their AGM. | |
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Events and retreats beyond the Archdiocese |
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| You Can Help Your Marriage | |
| Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. There is no group therapy or group work. This programme has helped 1000s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. Register now for next programme starting 8 - 10 November, Welwyn Garden City. | |
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| Catholic Union’s 2024 Craigmyle Lecture | |
| Professor Tom Shakespeare, Professor of Disability Research, will deliver the Catholic Union’s 2024 Craigmyle Lecture on Tuesday 19 November entitled ‘Make a level path for my feet: disability equality, and love’. Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, will Chair the event. The Craigmyle Lecture will take place at Our Lady of Victories Church, High Street Kensington, London. The event is free to attend but tickets must be booked in advance as space is limited. | |
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| Be Still and Know that I am God | |
| 21 – 24 November. The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst. Join Fr Roger Dawson, SJ, for this retreat exploring the human condition with practices common to mindfulness and to Christian contemplative prayer. The retreat will seek to reclaim those practices that share common ground with the tradition of apophatic prayer and theology rooted in the monastic and the Eastern Orthodox traditions. | |
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| | If you are on Facebook, Twitter/X or Instagram please follow the Archdiocese of Birmingham online. Our accounts are being used more than ever before to share news, events and information.
Twitter/X/ Facebook/ Instagram/ Web/YouTube |
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We hope you are finding this e-newsletter useful. Please share with anyone you think will benefit, and encourage them to subscribe via the website. If you have any news, events or information you’d like to share this way please email it to communications@rcaob.org.uk marked ‘For Newsletter’. It's great to see information coming into us which we can share with others, please keep it coming! |
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Archdiocese of Birmingham Cathedral House Queensway Birmingham B4 6EU |
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