News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Reflection

In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice Portia famously paints a picture of divine mercy for us, detailing that:

the quality of mercy is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes

Mercy is God’s gift, falling as gently as the rain. ‘It’s not strained’ is another way of saying that God is not stingy and that mercy is not miserably given, as though counting every drop of water.

Think of the days of Triduum we have recently marked, particularly Good Friday and Holy Saturday. On the hill of Calvary there was no singing of God’s mercy, indeed the words we hear are of abandonment. And yet, so much was happening unseen.

Notice how world’s redemption took place without explanation, without immediate publication, without a programme and schematised workshop, without numbers to designate success.

During that sabbath rest, in the long waiting, it was what was happening in a hidden way which is significant. Like seed in the ground, much growth takes place without witness.

That is why the missionary work of the church can be difficult, at times, because we believe in the visible and the invisible. It’s so much easier to convince in talking about the proud tree, the bumper harvest or the stunning plant and less attractive to talk about soil and roots. But that is where the growth happens, patiently nurtured by hope, even with tired hands.

And, so, we continue to sing of the mercies of the Lord because his mercy gently falls like the rain on the place beneath.

Fr Ryan Service, St Francis, Kenilworth

Archbishop Bernard's Easter Message is still available to watch

Archbishop Bernard Longley has shared his Easter Message for 2026, reminding us that the Resurrection is the foundation of our faith and a source of hope for all who face difficulties.

He invites us to pray for those suffering in our world, to draw closer to Christ, and to rejoice with the many new Catholics welcomed into the Church this Easter.

Watch his message and join us in celebrating the joy of the season.

People’s Emergency Briefing - Local Screenings Announced

A new 45-minute film, People’s Emergency Briefing, was released across the UK on Tuesday 7 April.

Based on expert material first presented at Westminster Central Hall, it sets out current scientific evidence on how climate and nature breakdown are affecting life in the UK.

Screenings confirmed in the Archdiocese include Tuesday 21 April at Arup, Birmingham, and Sunday 7 June at MAC, Cannon Hill Park.

While the film focuses on environmental science, many of the issues it raises connect closely with the Church’s call to care for creation. Pope Francis, in Laudato Si’, urges ecological responsibility, and Pope Leo XIV warned in 2025 that “nature itself has become a bargaining chip,” highlighting the moral duty to protect both creation and the vulnerable.

A national map is available online to find a screening near you, and you can also sign up to host your own event.

Online Event: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Spiritual Practitioner

Online session hosted by the Carmelite Spirituality Network. Saturday 11 April, 3pm.

For spiritual directors, pastoral workers, chaplains, and all who accompany others. Learn how trauma affects the spiritual life and how to respond with wisdom and care.

Speaker: Ruth Stephens

CPD certificate included.

Our Common Home: Engaging Politicians

Join an online meeting with Bishop John Arnold, the Diocesan Environmental Leads Network & Friends on Monday 13 April.

With the May local elections fast approaching, now is an important time to let politicians know your views on climate and justice.

Clergy Conference for Youth Ministry

Wednesday 15 April, 10-4pm, £79

Following the success of last year's Youth Ministry Conference, Dr Julia Sadusky will be returning to explore the landscape that young people are currently navigating.

She will explore big topics that they are grappling with such as faith development, sexuality, gender, intergeneration relationships and lots more.

There will also be opportunity to take part in workshops on the themes of Mental Health & Faith, Engaging Volunteers, Gender & Identity, and responding to the Quiet Revival.

Location: Don Bosco House, Coleshill.

Floral sustainability in places of worship

Saturday 18 April 11am-1pm, St John Paul II Centre, Bicester.

Calling all parish flower groups, committees and those who care about green practices.

Join us to explore how we can make floral decorations in worship spaces more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Discover easy tips and creative ideas to keep your floral arrangements beautiful while caring for the planet.

Please register your interest to attend.

Youth Ministry Conference

Saturday 18 April, 9.30am-6pm (Vigil Mass with Canon Michael Dolman 5pm), £18

Calling all Parish Youth Leaders

Following the success of our 2024 Conference, we are delighted to announce that the 2026 Youth Ministry Conference is returning for our parish volunteers to the Archdiocese, this year in Royal Leamington Spa.

Dr Julia Sadusky will be returning to explore the landscape that our young people are currently navigating. She will explore big topics that they are grappling with, such as faith development, sexuality, gender, intergenerational relationships and lots more.

March for Life presents COMMISSIONED - Pro Life Men's Conference

Saturday 18 April, 10am-5pm, Birmingham Christian College, Selly Oak, Birmingham - £25

COMMISSIONED is a one‑day conference equipping men to live out their pro‑life mission with confidence and clarity.

Join a growing community committed to defending preborn children, supporting women in crisis, and speaking effectively on the pro‑life issue.

The day includes practical guidance for fathers and husbands, teaching on standing firm under pressure, insights from pro‑life history, and opportunities for discussion and connection with others.

Holy Hour for the Dignity of Life

In the Easter season, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales will hold a Holy Hour on Sunday 19 April at 4.30pm (UK time).

This is an opportunity for the Catholics of our two nations to unite and pray for the promotion of a culture of life. We encourage parishes throughout England and Wales to hold Holy Hours around that time.

Celebrating ACTA and Synodality in the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Sunday 26 April. All are welcome! Selly Park Convent Conference Centre.

A Call to Action (ACTA), Birmingham is holding a final meeting of the local group.

Tea and coffee from 2pm. Meeting begins at 2.30pm including a presentation and discussion on how to encourage synodality in your parish.

Newman, Theology and the Imagination: A Theological Conference

Friday 1 - Saturday 2 May

A Theology Symposium in honour of St John Henry Newman's elevation to Doctor of the Church held at St Mary's College, Oscott, Birmingham.

Please note that the event begins on Friday 1 May at 7pm with a free public lecture. You can attend this without any obligation to attend the Symposium, which begins on Saturday morning at 9.15am.

Diocesan Mass for Marriage - please register your attendance

The annual Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage will be held on Saturday 2 May at St Chad's Cathedral, the Diocesan Mother Church.

Registration for the event is now open with a deadline of Sunday 19 April.

If you are celebrating a significant wedding anniversary in 2026, engaged to be married this year or would simply like to give thanks to God for your marriage, and ask for His ongoing blessings, please join us.

Is Your Son Being Called to the Priesthood?

Following a successful day last year, the Vocations Office is hosting a Young Discerners Group meeting on Saturday 9 May.

This is for young men in school years 9-13 who feel they might be being called to the priesthood and is an opportunity to meet together at our diocesan seminary, St Mary's College, Oscott.

Participants have the chance to find out more about the priesthood and seminary life, spend time in prayer, meet seminarians and explore how to discern.

Their parents are also invited to attend as part of a parallel programme, where they can have a tour of Oscott and meet with a priest's parents, who can answer their questions.

This is a free event but booking is essential.

Diocesan Day Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Fr Philip Griffin, Pilgrimage Organiser, has written to parishes across the Archdiocese inviting them to take part in this year's day pilgrimage to Walsingham, Norfolk.

Pilgrims are invited to travel to 'England's Nazareth' on Saturday 9 May, with Mass celebrated by Canon Jonathan Veasey, Vicar General of the Archdiocese.

"Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Catholic life, and I'm sure the day pilgrimage will be a joyful and spiritually rewarding experience for everyone," said Fr Philip.

If parish groups are planning to attend please inform Fr Philip by the end of April.

WeBelieve Festival is back for 2026!

Tickets now on sale for the July event

The WeBelieve Festival brings thousands together to encounter Christ in His Church.

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It’s 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 us 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.‍

Last year more than 2,000 Catholics gathered in the grounds for the first-ever WeBelieve Festival, celebrating Catholic life and faith.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Paid positions

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

Roles currently available:

Relief Support Worker

Foster Carers

St Joseph's Residential Care Home, Relief Care Assistants

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.

Oxford Pro-Life Community is working to build a living and lively community of people in Oxford that has a real impact in promoting the respect for the inviolable right to life of all human beings.

If that sounds exciting to you and you can spare an hour or so a week please visit the website to find out more.

Several other opportunities are also advertised on our website including:

Train and Volunteer as a Relationship Counsellor with Marriage Care.

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.

Webinar: The Catholic Union host The Place of Beauty

The Catholic Union is delighted to announce that it will be holding a webinar on Monday 20 April at 6pm to explore the place of beauty, amongst the other transcendentals, in the moral formation of the person and of society.

Chaired by Catherine Pepinster, well known journalist, attendees will hear from Father Patrick van der Vorst and Stefan Kaminski.

Father Patrick is a Belgian and British priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster and former entrepreneur, dealer, art expert and winner on BBC's Dragons' Den.

Stefan is the Director of The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst, where he has been creating and delivering Catholic formation content for a wider audience.

Please register for the webinar by emailing info@catholicunion.org.uk and a Zoom link will be provided. Booking is essential.

ADoRE spiritual mini-retreat

Saturday 25 April, 10am - 1pm, online or in-person.

Surrender to Love

The Holy Spirit transforms us by helping us surrender to God’s love. Mini retreat morning including Mass, adoration, praise, prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and inspiring talk from speaker Geoff Poulter, trainer in prophecy, healing and discipleship.

You're welcome to attend in person if possible at St Joseph’s, Christchurch, Dorset.

ADoRE (Alton Day of Renewal) is a monthly meeting of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Forming Catholic Student Leaders

Two summer courses exploring faith, ethics and leadership for sixth form students, offered by the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst.

Join us for six days in the beautiful Ribble Valley to explore themes linked to The Common Good (Year 12, 10-15 August) and to The Human Ecology (Year 13, 5-10 July).

Meet new friends, discuss and share with peers, tutors and academics, learn new skills, develop your relationship with Christ, build your character.

Deadline: Thursday 30 April.

International Parish Renewal Conference with Divine Renovation

Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 May at St Elizabeth’s, Richmond-upon-Thames, London.

Invitation open to priests, deacons and lay leaders to reflect on the renewal of parish life, with a particular focus on evangelisation, discipleship, and the engagement of young people and young adults.

Invitation from Beginning Experience

Widowed, Separated and Divorced Weekend - Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May at Worth Abbey, West Sussex.

Beginning Experience is a peer ministry to the widowed, separated and divorced led by trained volunteers.

Their work is carried out at special weekend gatherings, which encourage participants to deal with the natural process of grief and loneliness.

For further details of the weekend please contact Mary on 07730 884315 or email: BeginningExperience.soe@gmail.com

Online gathering: Invitation from Church Action on Poverty

Is your church working to address rural poverty? Would you like to connect with others addressing similar issues around the UK?

If so, you can sign up for "Connecting and strengthening rural voices on poverty", an online roundtable event organised by Church Action on Poverty (Christian social justice charity), The Diocese of Truro and Churches Together in Cumbria.

The event is on Thursday 21 May from 10.30am to 12noon.

In need of Marriage Support?

From relationships that are 'just in a rut' - needing some refreshment, or more serious issues - if you are open to trying again, Retrouvaille could be the solution.

We have helped thousands of couples get their relationship back on track as they rediscovered hope and trust in the marriage.

Retrouvaille is a marriage ministry, run by Catholics, to support marriages in trouble. We run two programmes a year, catering to about 75 couples who need help to find hope and healing in their relationship.

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