News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Reflection

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

While the keys given to St. Peter symbolise the unique authority handed down through his ministry, we all share in a vital role in opening the door of faith for others.

Let’s be honest. Most people do not walk through our church doors — except perhaps while on holiday to admire the architecture or light a candle. (Some of my friends even joke that if they ever set foot in a church, they’d be struck by lightning!)

This is precisely why our personal ministry is crucial because many will never cross a church’s physical threshold. Yet, we can become a doorway for them. Through the concrete reality of our daily lives—through actions even more than words—we help unlock the possibility of faith.

In doing so, the pilgrim nature of the Church begins to emerge, helping people see Christianity as ‘the Way’ as it was originally known. As Tomáš Halík aptly writes in The Afternoon of Christianity: “the Church must once again become a community of the way… in order to cross this new threshold” by building “living spiritual centres, hubs from which to draw courage and inspiration for the journey ahead.” And — I would add — hubs that strengthen others on their pilgrimage through life, which we share with them.

Fr Ryan Service, St Francis & St Augustine, Kenilworth

The Diocesan Calendar

Those with good memories will recall that this newsletter has reported on work done over recent years to prepare a revised Diocesan Calendar.

This work has now been referred to the Dicastery for Divine Worship in Rome for its confirmation. Alongside this work it has been recognised that there is work to be done to sustain and support knowledge and devotion to the saints and blesseds of the Archdiocese.

As a first step material has been prepared to complement the current Diocesan Calendar. For reasons of economy and convenience this material is presently housed on the website of the parish of St Nicholas, Boldmere. Do please take a look.

If you are aware of further resources (websites, images, places of pilgrimage) related to the saints and blesseds that we can link to, please do email stnicholas.boldmere@rcaob.org.uk

Oppose Assisted Suicide

Please contact your MP to oppose assisted suicide

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is back in the House of Commons and seeks to legalise assisted suicide. It will have its Second Reading and vote on Friday 11 September. Please write to your MP to make your voice heard and oppose the Bill.

“This bill is wrong in principle,” says Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Bishops’ Conference, “It is also deeply flawed and, if passed, could lead to vulnerable people feeling pressured into ending their lives. The Bill has a serious lack of protection for health and social care staff and risks putting many wonderful hospices and care homes in the position of no longer being able to operate. I urge you to write to your Members of Parliament to petition them to vote against the Bill at Second Reading.”

You can support the Archbishop’s call and contact your MP now as a matter of urgency.

Even if you have already done so in the past, please speak up and voice your opposition. The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to do this. It takes little more than a few minutes to enter your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop this flawed Bill progressing through parliament.

"A matter of grave concern"

Archbishop Bernard Longley urges strengthening of palliative care services

His Grace has shared a video message reflecting on the reintroduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, calling it “a matter of grave concern for all of us.”

Along with many other Bishops, Archbishop Bernard is encouraging Catholics to write to their Member of Parliament to oppose the bill, which will have its Second Reading and vote on Friday 11 September.

Trustee and Volunteer Opportunities

The Archdiocese of Birmingham is seeking practising Catholics with professional experience to serve as Trustees and committee members, particularly in safeguarding, property, governance, heritage and the work of Harvington Hall.

Live out your faith through service and help shape the future of the Church.

Archbishop Bernard invites communities to mark Season of Creation

Archbishop Bernard has recorded a video message encouraging parishes and schools across the Archdiocese to celebrate the Season of Creation 2026 and to take the opportunity to celebrate the Mass for the Care of Creation.

Running from 1 September to 4 October, this year's Season of Creation has the theme "Living Water", inspired by the vision of God's life-giving water bringing renewal and healing to creation.

A range of resources is available on the diocesan website including Archbishop Bernard's video message, a Celebration Guide, prayer resources, information on the Mass for the Care of Creation, and practical ideas to help parishes and schools take part in this worldwide season of prayer and action for our common home.

Jubilee Garden Project Launch Webinar

Tuesday 1 September

The Jubilee Garden Project is an invitation to use physical space to heal, transform and renew.

The project has three patrons to help us to engage in the rebuilding of our relationship with God, with neighbours and with the earth; Mary, Lazarus and Martha, representing the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

A partnership project of The Ecological Conversion Group and The God Who Speaks scripture initiative.

Birmingham priest's poetry webinar - next week

Hosted by The Tablet, Wednesday 26 August.

What are we reading this summer? Perhaps we'll be picking up some poetry, inspired by the recent release of the film Odyssey based on Homer's poem.

Join an online workshop where Fr Ryan Service will be sharing some poems that have shaped his journey of faith and audience members are invited to share poems that have journeyed with them.

This is a ticketed event run by The Tablet magazine and for more details please follow the link below:

Supersessionism: Naming and Addressing the Issue

Bat Kol International is offering a free online session, Supersessionism: Naming and Addressing the Issue, on Tuesday 1 September, 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Part of the Ancient Texts for Our Troubled Times series, the presentation by renowned New Testament scholar Prof. Amy-Jill Levine explores how responsible Scripture teaching can help address antisemitism and challenge longstanding misconceptions about Judaism.

The session is free to attend, and recordings will be available afterwards. Registration is via the Bat Kol International website.

Icon Day at Stratford-upon-Avon

The Parish of St Gregory the Great, Stratford-upon-Avon, is hosting a special Icon Day on Thursday 3 September, celebrating the completion of two newly commissioned icons of St Benedict and St Gregory.

The afternoon will include talks by Abbot Jeremias Schröder OSB on St Benedict and Dr Rowan Williams on St Gregory the Great, followed by an ecumenical service in the historic Guild Chapel. Refreshments will be provided.

The event takes place from 1pm to 5pm at Stratford Town Hall. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to register their interest by contacting St Gregory’s Parish.

180th Anniversary and Flower Festival

St Giles', Cheadle in Staffordshire, Friday 4 - Sunday 6 September

Celebrating the 180th Anniversary of the Consecration and opening of St Giles’ Church in Cheadle.

Considered to be the finest of all the churches built by the celebrated nineteenth century architect and designer AWN Pugin and known as 'Pugin's Gem'.

Come and enjoy the Flower Festival and Mass each day.

Annual Pilgrimage Mass at Harvington Hall

The annual Pilgrimage Mass at Harvington Hall, Shrine of the English Martyrs, will take place on Sunday 6 September.

This year's principal celebrant will be His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, assisted by Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham.

The day will include:

Confessions: 1.45pm to 2.30pm

Mass: 3pm

Free parking for all pilgrims.

Free timed tours of Harvington Hall, which can be booked on arrival at the Hall's courtyard.

Visitors are asked to bring their own chairs and a packed lunch.

All are warmly invited to join this special diocesan pilgrimage and celebration of the witness of the English Martyrs at this historic shrine.

Annual Peace Service, Birmingham

Invitation from Birmingham Faith Leaders' Group

All are welcome at the open air Interfaith Peace Service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group, which will take place in Centenary Square on Thursday 10 September.

The Group was formed immediately after the destruction of 9/11 and brings together those within the city’s six major faith traditions who, in a variety of different ways, exercise recognised leadership roles.

Churches across the Archdiocese to welcome Heritage Open Days visitors

Several Catholic churches across the Archdiocese of Birmingham will open their doors as part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, from 11 to 20 September.

Participating churches include: St Mary Immaculate, Warwick (pictured); St Peter’s, Leamington Spa; Sacred Heart & St Catherine of Alexandria, Droitwich Spa; St Mary’s, Brierley Hill; St Anne’s, Wappenbury; and St Mary’s Convent of Mercy, Birmingham.

Visitors can enjoy free tours, heritage displays and special events celebrating the rich history of these faith communities.

Birmingham Heritage Week

Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September

Featuring several Diocesan churches including St Chad’s Cathedral, Holy Cross and St Francis in Walmley, Our Lady and St Rose of Lima in Weoley Castle and the Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary, Aston.

The city-wide celebration offers visitors the chance to discover Birmingham’s rich industrial, cultural and architectural heritage through a diverse programme of over 250 heritage tours, walks and special events.

Tours, a talk and display will be taking place at St Chad's Cathedral.

Public invited to unique evening of sacred choral music

The University of Birmingham and internationally acclaimed chamber choir Ex Cathedra are inviting the public to a special evening of sacred choral music at St George’s Church, Edgbaston, on Thursday 17 September.

Curated by Ex Cathedra’s Artistic Director Jeffrey Skidmore OBE, the concert forms part of the international conference Reasons to Sing: Singing, Spirituality, and the Search for Meaning.

Audience members will also have the opportunity to take part in pioneering research exploring how people experience beauty, spirituality and emotion through live choral performance.

Tickets on sale for Anawim’s Fabulous 40th

Anawim, Birmingham’s Centre for Women, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special fundraising event, The Fabulous 40th, at the Irish Centre in Kings Heath on Friday 13 November. Guests can enjoy food, music, dancing and entertainment, with local favourite Mrs Barbara Nice hosting the evening.

Founded in 1986 by Sisters Magdalene Matthews and Maisie Nevin, Anawim supports women facing challenges including poverty, trauma, exploitation and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Today, more than 2,000 women access its services each year. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now.

Could one week change a young person’s life?

This September, 18 young people from Zaporizhzhia, Birmingham’s twin city in Ukraine, will visit Birmingham for a week of educational and cultural activities. Organisers are seeking host families to welcome a young person from 12-19 September, offering accommodation, meals and a warm welcome during their stay.

The initiative, led by the Bosnia UK Network in partnership with Birmingham City Council, aims to give young people from a city affected by the ongoing conflict the opportunity to experience friendship, safety and community.

Anyone interested in hosting or finding out more can contact Maria at Bosnia UK Network

Father Hudson’s Caritas Collection Date Confirmed

Parishes are reminded that the annual Father Hudson’s Caritas second collection will take place on the weekend of 7-8 November, having been moved from its traditional September date.

St Joseph's Care Home

Father Hudson's Caritas is very proud of St Joseph's Care Home. Our independent care home allows us to focus on providing homely accommodation and quality care to suit the needs of each resident.

As part of our Catholic ethos, our values promote inclusivity and respect.

St Joseph's is a unique home from home offering a full range of personalised care services including residential care, specialised dementia care and short-term respite care in a friendly and welcoming environment.

For more information or to book a tour contact Shelley Perryman on 01675 434559 or email shelleyperryman@fatherhudsons.org.uk

Local Discipleship Action Learning Cohort - recruiting now for early 2027 start

An invitation from Saltley Trust

Are you a local church seeking to deepen the culture of on-going discipleship and spiritual growth in your congregation(s)? Are you wondering how you can go about practically doing this in a way that works for your congregation and context? Do you want to try some ideas out/reflect upon it with a group of like-minded other church leaders and with input and support to learn from your experiences?

Starting in January 2027, Eido Research and St Peter’s Saltley Trust are currently recruiting local churches to form a small community on a year-long journey of coming up with practical ideas to promote on-going discipleship and spiritual growth, trying them out, and reflecting on whether they worked or not.

It is open to Christian churches within the wider West Midlands region: covered by Birmingham and the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Opportunity: Cathedral Choir Seeks Bass and Alto

St Chad's Cathedral is seeking to recruit a bass and an alto for the Cathedral Choir for the academic year 2026-27.

The choir sings mainly on Sunday mornings but also at Christmas and Easter. Holidays are the weekends after those two liturgical feasts and from early-July to mid-September.

The core repertoire is polyphonic (Byrd, Victoria, Palestrina etc) but with excursions into later music too.

Besides having vocal skills at an appropriate level, successful applicants will be excellent all-round musicians and sight-readers. They will be expected to meet most of the attendance requirements, particularly in the holiday periods. Occasional term-time absences can be arranged with the Director of Music, provided a deputy can be found.

For further details, including rates of pay, and to apply for one of the posts, please contact the Director of Music at the email address below.

music.stchadscathedral@rcaob.org.uk

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 include:

Relief Support Worker. No closing date.

Foster Carers. No closing date.

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

Voluntary Positions

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding

Lead Trustee for Property

Lead Trustee and Chair of Harvington Hall Management Committee

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:

Volunteers to support Laudato Si' days at St Mary's College, Oscott.

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.

Course: Free Will & Grace

Friday 28 - Monday 31 August

Hosted by The Christian Hertiage Centre at Stonyhurst

Join us for a theological and philosophical deep dive on one of the great themes of the Christian Faith: human freedom and Divine grace.

With lectures and workshops building on St Thomas Aquinas' writings, the course will also explore questions of conscience and the problem of evil.

This year's guest speaker will be Rev. Dr Simon Gaine, OP.

An Evening with trypraying Ambassadors

1 September, 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Online via Zoom

Join us online on 1 September from 7.30pm to 9.00pm for an inspiring evening with trypraying Ambassadors.

Hear real-life stories of how trypraying is helping people and communities encounter faith, spend time in prayer together, and learn more about becoming a trypraying Ambassador.

This relaxed, no-pressure session is for anyone passionate about sharing hope and helping others discover the simple invitation: “Try praying for a week and see what happens.”

GIFT Family Catechesis: ‘Behold, I make all things new…’

Growing in Faith Together

An invitation from Divine Renovation:

• Are you disillusioned with your existing First Holy Communion Programme?
• Would you like to place families at the heart of parish renewal and support them to engage and connect with their faith?
• Does the idea of approaching sacramental preparation in a fruit-bearing way excite and inspire you?

Join us for this one-day conference in Billericay on Saturday 19 September which explores the GIFT model of family catechesis. GIFT re-imagines how parishes can accompany and encourage families in their faith journey and prepare them for the sacraments.

Whether you have already started your GIFT journey or are looking for a different way to support your families, this conference will share what the GIFT model could look like in your parish and explore why it is transformative for the Church.

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