News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Two New Auxiliary Bishops Appointed for the Archdiocese

New Auxiliary Bishops

Pope Francis appoints Monsignor Timothy Menezes and Canon Richard Walker to be the new Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese

Prayerful congratulations to Mgr Timothy Menezes, Dean of St Chad's Cathedral, and Canon Richard Walker, Vicar General, who have today (Thurs) been appointed to be new Auxiliary Bishops to serve our Archdiocese.

Mgr Timothy has been the Dean of St Chad's Cathedral since 2019. He is also the Vice-Dean of Birmingham Cathedral and South Deanery. He was the Vicar General for several years and also the Archbishop’s Secretary. Mgr Timothy was installed as an Ecumenical Canon at Lichfield Cathedral in July 2022.

Canon Richard has served as the Vicar General and Trustee of the Archdiocese since September 2020. In previous years he served as the Director of Ongoing Formation for the Archdiocese and Vice Rector at St Mary's College, Oscott.

Information regarding the Episcopal Ordination of Bishops-Elect Mgr Timothy and Canon Richard will be shared in due course.

Photograph: Canon Richard, Archbishop Bernard, Mgr Timothy

Fifth Sunday of Easter

“Make your home in me, as I make mine in you”

In John’s Gospel Jesus is presented as using the language of being at home and it encourages us to ask whether we feel at home in the church and with God. Feeling at home somewhere goes deeper than a postcode: it’s where we are most comfortable, where we are fully ourselves, and where we experience comfort and security. Please God we can instantly call to mind that place where we feel at home. Where is it for you? Give thanks for that place.

It’s remarkable to think that God sees his home as within us: that the Son of man who had nowhere to lay his head, in today’s Gospel, sees us as the person whom he leans upon to rest. The same Jesus who invites all those who are burdened to find their rest in him, recognises us as his place of comfort and restoration.

Often this way of viewing our relationship with God can be uncomfortable because we experience feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Perhaps this is something to pray about: asking God to increase our sense of self-worth, with a grace to enable us to view ourselves more as God sees us; as his home. Indeed, this is a particular grace we pray for at every Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”.

Fr Ryan Service, Holy Trinity, Sutton Coldfield

True Devotion group restarts in Leamington Spa this Saturday

Invitation to join meeting on Saturday 27 April

A True Devotion group is restarting for the Warwickshire area and all are welcome to join.

The devotion is considered to be a perfect renewal of a person’s baptismal promises and is based on the teachings and spirituality of St Louis Marie de Montfort, a French priest (1673 – 1716) who was canonised in 1947.

Catholic Leamington invite you to the first meeting at St Peter's parish centre, Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, at 11am.

Please bring your rosary.

Solemn Mass in Latin and Benediction

This Saturday at St Chad's Cathedral

Plus illustrated talk. St Chad's Cathedral, Saturday 27 April.

An invitation from the Association for Latin Liturgy. Join in Sung Mass celebrated in Latin with simple Gregorian chants.

Join the Music Ministry in Lourdes

Whether you enjoy singing or plan to bring an instrument, The Lourdes Music Ministry Team would love you to join them on pilgrimage this year (Mon 27 May to Sat 1 June).

No prior experience needed, and commit to whatever you feel you can do.

To receive a full list of sheet music contact Jobe Sullivan at kaleidoscopemusicministry@gmail.com

The group will meet in person at St Catherine of Siena church, Bristol Street in Birmingham, during the evening of Thursday 16 May.

They will also be at the Blessing of Hands Mass, on Sunday 19 May at St Chad's Cathedral, rehearsing from 1pm (before Mass), if you wish to join.

This Saturday: Authority and the Church

Invitation to one-day symposium at St Mary's College, Oscott

Authority and the Church, Saturday 27 April, 8.30am to 6pm.

A Theology Symposium exploring of the role of ecclesial authority in a Synodal Church and a postmodern culture.

Featuring guest speakers:
Rev Timothy Radcliffe OP, Rev Vincent Twomey, Prof Jacob Phillips, Dr Mary McCaughey, John Stayne.

Women's charity shop opens in Moseley

Birmingham-based charity Anawim to open new facility this Saturday, 27 April

Anawim is a leading advocate for women, providing support services to women experiencing multiple and complex challenges.

They are proud to announce they will be moving their current charity shop on Edward Street, Balsall Heath, to a brand-new location on Moseley high street.

The shop will be holding an opening event from 9am to 4pm on Saturday. All welcome.

New course launch: The Way of Communion

A new opportunity for guided learning about Liturgy, Worship, Prayer.

Please apply for this free, online course before Monday 29 April.

The course runs from May to December (with August off!) with an online meeting from 7.30 - 8.30pm on the first two Mondays of each month.

‘Liturgy and Worship’ is one of the four priorities singled out in Archbishop Bernard’s Pastoral Vision that informs and guides the current work of looking at how we work now to prepare more solid foundations for the Church in Birmingham in coming decades.

It is also the focus of the ‘Prayer and Liturgy Directory’ recently issued for Catholic schools, academies and colleges in England and Wales.

The Way of Communion is offered to help lay ministers be introduced to the Church’s tradition and expectations in this area.

The course will be run by Fr Allen Morris, parish priest of St Nicholas, Boldmere, and a member of the Birmingham Liturgy Commission.

Next week: Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse

Marked on the Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Tuesday 30 April, in England and Wales

This year’s focus is on communities who have been directly affected by allegations or convictions related to abuse – especially, but not exclusively, within the Church.

This may be associated with clergy, a teacher in a local school, a leader of a Catholic group or other person or group whose investigation or conviction is likely to affect the wider community.

Resources have been produced for the Day of Prayer to be marked in parishes.

Pray in May with Mary's Meals

Please join in prayer with the international charity which provides life-changing school meals

Mary's Meals now provides life-changing school meals to more than 2.4 million of the world’s poorest children.

The charity's work is built on the power of prayer, and as a result continually see's God's love and provision in incredible ways.

Over the past 12 months parishes, schools and individuals from across the Archdiocese have supported Mary's Meals.

Please join them in prayer during May, the month of Mary, as they continue their work.

Caribbean Evening

Hosted by the the West Indian Catholic Chaplaincy, Saturday 4 May

As part of its celebrations for its 50th anniversary, the West Indian Catholic Chaplaincy invites you to a Caribbean Evening at the Chaplaincy Centre, Birchfield, Birmingham.

Come and enjoy an evening with Caribbean music, poetry, food and dance and a chance to win a prize, all for £15 (family tickets of £25 also available).

Discussion: Science, Theology, and Humane Philosophy

Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May at St Cross College, Oxford

Participants are invited for a thought-provoking discussion of the intersection of science, theology, and humane philosophy, at an event that also marks the culmination in Oxford of a five-year project devoted to new horizons in Central and Eastern Europe.

International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians

Sunday 5 May

The International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians offers an opportunity for Eastern and Western Christians to come together to pray for peace in the world – especially in the Middle East.

Please join us on this occasion in praying for an end to war and the reestablishment of unity and peace, and to give thanks for the steadfast witness of Eastern Christians in holding fast to their faith, traditions and biblical homelands, even though many suffer the effects of war and discrimination, especially those in Ukraine and the Palestinian territories who are dispossessed and displaced.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Saturday 11 May

Join the Diocesan Day Pilgrimage to Walsingham 2024.

Theme - Mary, Model of Prayer and Intercessor

With Principal Celebrant and preacher, Canon Paul McNally, Episcopal Vicar for the Pastoral Area of North Staffordshire, Stafford, Lichfield and Walsall and Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Midland Catholic History Society – visit to Oulton Abbey, Staffordshire

Wednesday 22 May

Oulton Abbey, near Stone in Staffordshire, was the home until recently of a Benedictine community of sisters and 2024 is the 400th anniversary of their foundation.

The former community and school buildings are now the site of a care home, but the chapel and cloister area, the work of E.W. Pugin, are still occasionally available to visit.

Please book to join by Monday 13 May. All welcome.

Christian Leader in the Public or Private Sectors?

Forward Partnership and St Peter's Saltley Trust would love to hear from Christians leadership roles (emerging, middle or senior) in the public, private or voluntary sectors (but NOT local church leaders), who see their role as contributing to the renewal and transformation of society.

We want to understand more about how your sense of calling relates to your work role, and how the local church might better support you in your vocation. You can do this by...

Taking part in a short (3 minute) online survey

and/or

Joining a one-off, 90 minute focus group with other Christians in leadership, at a mutually convenient time, to share your perspectives. To sign up, please contact Ian Jones (director@saltleytrust.org.uk).

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

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.

Work Experience with the SVP and CAFOD

Apply now

The St Vincent de Paul Society and CAFOD are working together to offer residential work experience for 20 young adults in England and Wales.

The experience will run from Sunday 7 - Saturday 13 July in London.

Candidates must be aged between 20-30 years old and have a passion for social justice.

Weekend Retreat at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell, Surrey

Friday 10 - Sunday 12 May

Learning to Speak from a Franciscan Heart: A 21st-Century Language

A time of retreat and reflection lead by Franciscan Friar, William Short OFM.

Care of Creation Retreats

Boarbank Hall, Cumbria

Saturday 25 May - Saturday 1 June

Join us for a week that is a mix of holiday, retreat and a course, where we will explore the teachings of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ On Care of Our Common Home, and discover how to live our role as stewards of creation fully in our personal lives and within the Church.

Throughout the week, immerse yourself in talks, gardening, creative activities, discussions and walks all set to the rhythm of prayer in the Augustinian community at Boarbank Hall and beautiful surroundings of the Lake District.

Led by: Sr Margaret Atkins of Boarbank Hall and John Paul de Quay of the Ecological Conversion Group.

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